Ideas for whisky-related holidays in Scotland

Whisky trails in Scotland – whisky tastings in Scottish distilleries – whisky flights – whisky & food pairing menus

With so many whisky distilleries in Scotland it’s only to be expected that ideas for whisky-related holidays simply flow from all corners of the country.

Hop on board The Royal Scotsman for aspecial Classic
Whisky Journey by rail through Scotland in April 2013

There is a Scottish malt whisky three-day trail in Speyside; special whisky bars; whisky tasting weekends; Scotch whisky one-day excursions from Edinburgh and Glasgow and to the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Visit Scottish distilleries and enjoy fine whisky on The Royal Scotsman

Whisky enthusiasts can join a ‘training school’ and immerse themselves in a world of whisky in Edinburgh; become members of exclusive Scotch whisky clubs; enjoy combined golf-whisky holidays; and have fun at one of Scotland’s popular annual whisky festivals. You’ll discover a whisky-infused spa treatment here; a whisky marinated soufflé there and, elsewhere, creative chefs preparing exquisite whisky and food pairing menus.

There’s obviously something VERY special about Scotch whisky…. so read the full article here >>

Adventure holidays in Colombia

Colombia event at National Geographic Store in London

Thank you Colombia for a colourful evening of entertainment held at the National Geographic Store in London.

Colombia – vibrant & exciting
(Image copyright Active Caribbean)

If this is an example of how vibrant and exciting Colombia can be… I can’t wait to discover more.

For more information on adventure vacations in Colombia click here>>

Golf holidays on the Isle of Man

Isle of Man Golf Tours

What a BIG and pleasant surprise the golf courses on the Isle of Man are.

How selfish of the Isle of Man to keep such golfing gems to themselves for all these years. I, for one, will be returning. With no less than nine golf courses, and being a small island, it’s an ideal destination for a golf break – a lovely cluster of golf courses within very easy reach of each other. See what you can expect…

Fantastic scenery and golf courses
(Image copyright Linda Jackson)

Never had I ever thought of going to the Isle of Man for a golf holiday but, being a golf travel writer, I was kindly invited by the Isle of Man Tourism Division and Isle of Man Golf Tours to check out the golf courses, and I’ve just returned. Conclusion: GREAT scenery, GREAT golf courses. LOTS to do.

Take a Trike tour of the TT circuit – great fun
(Image copyright Linda Jackson)

I can highly recommend the Isle of Man Golf Tours who arrange far more than just golf if required. Find out about their golf holidays in the Isle of Man here>>

Trike Tours are fun – find out about them here>>

For more information about tourism in the Isle of Man click here >>

Photographs of Scotland

Photography competition – images of Scotland

Are you a keen photographer? Do you have great images of Scotland?

Can you take better images than this? If you can, you could win a luxurious stay in one of Scotland’s best hotels.

Yellowcraigs Beach, East Lothian
(Image copyright Linda Jackson)

Find out more about the Luxury Scotland photo competition here >> 

Holidays in Scotland: escorted tailor-made tours

Recommended driver with large vehicle for touring Scotland: Unique Tours Scotland

Every now and again I come across people or companies I would selfishly like to keep to myself (because they are good!)… but I won’t, I’ll share them with you.

One is one small company in Scotland called Unique Tours Scotland, run by Lindsay Mann: he organises tailor-made tours around Scotland, plus B&B accommodation if required.

Lindsay knows Scotland like the back of his hand so if you want to discover ‘hidden’ Scotland, get away from the crowds, find the best scenery, enjoy being driven around Scottish whisky distilleries, or go golfing with your mates, contact Lindsay Mann on +44 (0)7790 399 350.

For more information about touring Scotland on a tailor-made tour, visit www.uniquetoursscotland.com.

Discover the alternative Caribbean

Active Caribbean – an online guide to the adventure and action side of the Caribbean

Did you know I am developing a website on the ‘alternative’ Caribbean? It’s coming along nicely, thank you… lots of interest being shown.

A walk on the wild side! (Image copyright Linda Jackson)

Editorial content is being prepared and uploaded on a daily basis so bear with me while this is happening!

Fun in the sun (Image copyright Linda Jackson)

There’s so much more to the Caribbean than sun, sea, sand, rum punches and sun loungers. Why not explore it by taking an adventure vacation in the hidden Caribbean?

Time has little importance in the Exumas (Image copyright Linda Jackson)

Forget the beaches, it’s time to check out the alternative adventure side of the Caribbean – so get active now with Active Caribbean >>

Great Golf Magazine

Appointment as Associate Editor

Having just joined the Team of Great Golf Magazine, I should introduce you to the publication…

Great Golf Magazine - 1st issue

This glossy upmarket golf & lifestyle magazine is a quality perfect-bound consumer publication and, believe it or not, it’s free. You’ll find it hard to believe when you see the quality.

Great Golf Magazine - 2nd issue

You’ll find the next issue of the magazine (due out at the beginning of May) in such places as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic VIP lounges, at top golf resorts, in P&O Ferries and at exclusive golf clubs… to name but a few of the prestigious venues on our distribution list.

For more information on Great Golf Magazine check out the website here >>

Recipes for Christmas Cava cocktails

Cava, Champagne and sparkling wine cocktails for Christmas festivities, birthday celebrations and special occasions

Check out my website – www.linda-jackson.co.uk – for 20 cool recipes for Cava cocktails for your Christmas celebrations. They’ll add a touch of fizz to your festivities and are great Christmas cocktails whether using Cava, Champagne or sparkling wine. Enjoy!

Click here to go direct to the page containing 20 Cava cocktails recipes >>

Christmas & Hogmanay in Scotland

Start Christmas festivities in Scotland with a pop and Hogmanay celebrations with a bang this year and take a break in Scotland for Christmas and the New Year to find out just how much fun you’ll be missing if you don’t…

Inverlochy, a member hotel of Luxury Scotland

The hype is building. Christmas decorations have been glistening in the shops for a month or two, Christmas wish lists are being drafted, enchanting Christmas shows are selling out fast, and festive fairs in Scotland are promising to sparkle even more this year.

Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, a member of Luxury Scotland

Skating rinks, Christmas markets, Ferris wheels and fairground rides are coming out of mothballs.

Santa – who strangely seems to be everywhere at once these days – is getting prepared for all those spellbound children he’ll have sitting on his knee at countless ‘visit Santa’ appearances in Scotland.

Christmas winter wonderland in Scotland is undeniably nigh.

Read the full article written by Travel Writer Linda Jackson as published in www.luxuryscotland.co.uk by clicking here >>

Visit Scotland’s historic castles

Boasting more than its fair share of castles, thanks to a turbulent past, Scotland today can offer rich historical pickings to its many visitors. Dotted around the country are formidable strongholds set atop dramatic cliffs, tower houses in varying states of ruin, ancient artillery fortifications, moated bastions, and well preserved medieval castles.

Tantallon Castle, Bass Rock in background - Image copyright Linda Jackson

Yes…  Scotland’s castles were undoubtedly well worth a tussle or two in days gone by. Today the castles in Scotland are well worth a somewhat more welcomed visit.

Edinburgh Castle, Image copyright Linda Jackson

Just choose any region in Scotland and within a few miles you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll come across the remains of a stronghold still clinging to the cliff edge, a medieval castle ruin perched atop a hill, a tower house not quite as towering as it was in its glory days, a well-preserved fortress sitting on a loch-side, or a magnificent castle fully intact and open to visitors year-round.

St Andrews Castle, Image copyright Linda Jackson

Read this article (October 2011 newsletter) in full on the Luxury Scotland website – http://www.luxuryscotland.co.uk/newsletter/index.html – and discover excellent reasons why you should delve further into Scotland’s captivating past…

Culzean Castle, Image copyright Linda Jackson

Family Holidays in Florida

Swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove

You’d think swimming with dolphins was just for little kids wouldn’t you?

Wrong!

I couldn’t wait to be kissed by the dolphins; they all seemed to be smiling and loving what they did. I prefer seeing them in the wild I confess, but what a treat for a day out if you’re taking the family on a holiday in Florida.

Theme park family vacations at Universal Studios Orlando

Stay at Universal Studios Orlando - the theme park at Universal is AMAZING, the hotels are geared up to families of course, and now Harry Potter has come onto the scene. Take a day trip out of the resort to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove.

It’s not cheap but worth every penny… and every kiss.

Find out more about swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove >>

Find out more about family holidays at Universal Studios Orlando >>

Harry Potter steam train to Hogwarts

We all know where Platform 9 3/4 is don’t we? But where exactly is the famous train that Harry Potter and his school friends get to Hogwarts… well, it’s in Scotland and the Jacobite steam train (aka Hogwarts Express) will take you over the much-viewed viaduct seen in Harry Potter films.

Hogwarts train in Harry Potter films

The line from Fort William in Scotland to Mallaig on the west coast has become famous since the Harry Potter films.

If you want to travel on the steam train yourself and enjoy views of the famous ‘Harry Potter’ viaduct, then make sure you travel First Class to make the most of your trip down Harry Potter’s memory lane.

First Class means little lamps on tables, coffee cups on the ready, a little bit of pampering - all rather refined and memorable.

Not so in 2nd Class! Whatever the extra cost to travel First…. it’s worth it so as not to shatter your Harry Potter dreams.

Book well in advance, it’s a popular route. Don’t do as I did and take the scheduled train from Fort William to Mallaig one-way (although it’s a fraction of the cost of the Jacobite and far less crowded) as times do not fit in with the ‘Harry Potter train’ and means hours of time wasting in not-very-much-to-do-Mallaig before the return trip on the HP steam train.

The Hogwarts ‘Express’ takes its time; stopping off at a couple of places to add to the scenic enjoyment of the day… all very nice if the weather is fine. But it ‘s likely only to stop on the outward bound journey. Most people book the return trip so no matter.

Viaduct frequented by Harry Potter train to Hogwarts

If it’s blowing a gale and the rain is lashing down (as it was when I was on the Jacobite train recently) then be prepared for a long journey… on my Harry Potter ‘experience’ the steam train could not get up the hill and took hours to get back from Mallaig to Fort William.

Everyone on board was wishing that Harry Potter would come up with a spell to end the prolonged journey. No such luck (even Harry Potter didn’t have a spell against alien wet leaves on rail tracks).

Nevertheless, all quite magical really – at least for those passengers lucky enough to travel in First Class I should imagine!

For more information on the steam train known as Hogwarts Express, featured in Harry Potter films, click here >>