Travel Dreams for 2021

by Janice Hopper

2020 certainly hasn’t been the greatest year for travel so take a little time to look to the future and imagine a year’s worth of travel treats in 2021.

January - Stay in a Castle

Start the year triumphantly by booking a night in the luxurious Crossbasket Castle near Glasgow. This seventeenth century castle has been lovingly restored, offering nine suites and rooms. For added indulgence, the two new self-catering lodges feature saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs. A grand day out can be had at the National Museum of Rural Life in nearby East Kilbride, Greenhall Country Farm Shop stocks local produce, or wander around Chatelherault Country Park and the ruins of Cadzow Castle.

crossbasketcastle.com

February - Romantic Getaway

Sometimes travel is simply about escape, booking a relaxing bolthole where there’s no pressure to do anything or be anywhere. One such destination is the Sheep Cote (2-bedroom) or the Coach House (3-bedroom), situated at Spittal Farm near Penicuik, a working sheep farm surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Pentland Hills. Take hikes into the countryside, eat, drink, read, sleep — there’s little to distract you here. Four legged friends are welcome too.

crabtreeandcrabtree.com/ properties/the-sheep-cotepentland-hills crabtreeandcrabtree.com/ properties/the-coach-housepentland-hills/

March - Meet the Animals

Spring is in the air, so it’s an ideal

time to meet the cutest farm animals on the block. Head to Dunfermline to stay in a cosy Shepherds Hut and meet the lambs at Craigduckie Farm. Or head further north to The Loft at East Grange Farm in Kinloss, Morayshire. This working farm grows barley for the local malt whisky industry, and offers a variety of accommodation including luxury cabins with hot tubs. The Loft’s USP is its herd of friendly goats, visitors can even book goat walking sessions when Covid restrictions allow.

craigduckie.co.uk wigwamholidays.com/the-loft

April - Stay on a Boat

Forget the farm, and leave the land behind by taking to the high seas. The Majestic Line offers a host of cruises aboard their vessels ‘Glen Etive’ and ‘Glen Shiel’, taking in destinations such as Mull, Skye and the Southern Hebrides. These smaller ships can navigate and explore sheltered anchorages and remote destinations, whilst still complying with new Covid measures and regulations. If you haven’t quite discovered your sea legs yet, then book a stay aboard Edinburgh’s Four Sisters Boatel. Moored at Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh, it offers two double cabins, and a bunkbed for little ones. With beautiful interiors, it’s a quirky location from which to explore Scotland’s capital.

themajesticline.co.uk thefoursisters.co.uk

May - Discover Douneside

Known in farming circles for its award-winning herd of Highland, Friesian and Aberdeen Angus cattle breeds, Douneside House is now an elegant country house hotel situated in Tarland, Aberdeenshire. As the only triple AA rosette restaurant in the region Downside is renowned for its cuisine, and the chef prides himself on using seasonal produce from the house’s Walled Garden. Dog friendly self-catering cottages are also available. A health club, featuring a swimming pool, gym, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room complete the picture.

dounesidehouse.co.uk

June - Fall for Foyers

If you wish to appreciate the beauty of Scotland, then a weekend break at Foyers Lodge offers sweeping views over Loch

Ness. The owners, Anna Low and Philip Crowe, have stamped their unique style on this 19th century property, creating a stylish child-free haven in the Highlands. Local hikes take guests to the Falls of Foyers or along the South Loch Ness Trail. Alternatively, escape day-to-day livestock to search for a truly special beast — the Loch Ness Monster.

foyerslodge.co.uk

July - Make a Splash

Not many farms can boast their own pool, but head to Arnprior Farm in Stirlingshire to dook in a 10x4m heated indoor swimming pool. Book a private swim from £15, or make a weekend of it by reserving one of Arnprior’s glam glamping pods.

arnpriorfarm.com

August - Hot Tub Fun

The Campbell Family, who breed sheep in and around Lochgoilhead, now run eight holiday parks across the West coast of Scotland, with more than 50,000 holidaymakers visiting every year. Many Argyll Holiday lodges come complete with hot tubs, allowing guests to enjoy an isolated rural break. Yet resorts like Drimsynie are also ideal for social interaction: usually this resort offers a pool, amusement centre, lots of activities for kids (from crazy golf to zorbing), bar, restaurant, baby discos and evening entertainment, meaning guests can be as involved or selfcontained as they wish.

argyllholidays.com September - Enjoy ‘Loch’ Down

Seek calm by the water’s edge by booking a Four Seasons chalet on the banks of Loch Earn. Meals are prepared in the Four Seasons hotel by an AA Rosette and Michelin-trained chef so there’s quality alongside natural beauty. The Beatles sought out this secluded spot in 1964 when they were gigging in Scotland, sleeping in two of the lochside chalets, so this location provides a remote bolthole to escape the pressures of the world.

thefourseasonshotel.co.uk

October - Something Spooky

Macbeth’s Hillock’s fve witch-inspired glamping pods are based at the site where the Scottish king is said to have met the three witches who prophesied his doom. Each pod has a small kitchen, shower room and heater, but the picnic table and fre pit tempt guests outdoors to toast marshmallows, dine al fresco and tell ghost stories around the campfre. The owner, Karen, is a farmer’s daughter, and still keeps a few sheep grazing on the hillock. Situated in Brodie, Morayshire, key attractions in the area are Brodie Castle, Brodie Country Fare, not to mention a beautiful stretch of coastline to explore. macbethshillock.co.uk

Alternatively, look up farms near you that offer Pumpkin Picking, such as Udny Pumpkins near Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire - udnypumpkins.

co.uk

Argyll Holidays - Drimsynie Hot Tub

November - Cosy Cookery School

Ballintaggart Farm in Perthshire is a wee creative hub. Usually it offers an onsite Cookery School - guests can book an hour long class to create a seasonal supper, or a full day focussing on a range of skills and specifc produce. Yoga retreats are also held throughout the year. Covid put paid to many activities in 2020, when the steading operated primarily as a self-catering country retreat, but Ballintaggart reacted with Virtual Cook-a-longs live on Instagram, whipping up dishes such as Venison Carpaccio. Keep an eye out for the revival of the cook school at ballintaggart.com.

December - Festive Vibes

Woodland Experiences’ 2020 Santa experience was cancelled, but hopefully in 2021 the big man will return. Book tickets to visit North Ballochruin Farm near Balfron, and climb aboard Santa’s festive tractor. Once aboard, families set off through the forest in search of Santa’s woodland home where children meet Father Christmas to intensely discuss what they would like to receive on Christmas morning. Afterwards, visitors return by tractor to the shed for refreshments. Menu highlights have included local butcher Skinner of Kippen serving up pulled pork, burgers and stovies.

woodlandexperiences.co.uk dufftrees.co.uk