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 >>

Photography holidays in Scotland

Take a photography holiday in Scotland and follow in the footsteps of some of Scotland’s best photographers to discover what ticks their boxes

Superb golf courses, great fishing, quality whisky, vibrant tartans, Aberdeen Angus, shortbread, bagpipes, kilts, haggis and Highland cows… are just a few of Scotland’s world-famous assets. There’s the effervescent Fringe event, the renowned Military Tattoo, lively Hogmanay celebrations, and myriad Scottish castles… the list of attractions luring visitors to Scotland is endless.

A wonderful image of Edinburgh’s iconic skyline at night
(Image copyright Chris Robson – www.chrisrobsonphotography.co.uk)

But for many the country offers far more meaningful, more mesmerising, awe-inspiring reasons to return time after time to holiday in Scotland. Captivating reasons you can’t touch, wear, eat, drink, or dance to: namely unbelievably spectacular landscapes, seascapes, vast skies, clarity of light, and sense of space.

An awe-inspiring photograph of the Quiraing, Isle of Skye
(Image copyright Marcus McAdam – www.portraitsofaland.com)

With so much natural beauty in Scotland it’s no wonder it is home to many professional photographers. It just takes a five-minute chat to a landscape or wildlife photographer in Scotland before inspiration and creativity sets in with a bang: you want to dash off immediately with camera in hand.

Read the full article 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 >> 

Mark Greenaway at 12 Picardy Place

This is a must-visit restaurant in Edinburgh

Chef Mark Greenaway uses the best of produce. Recently enjoyed fab meal. How about this menu to make your mouth water…

• hand dived Orkney sea scallops with pomme fondant, tomato jelly, baby herbs, parsley mayonnaise
• a tasting of Robert Morris free range chicken with Scottish mushrooms, summer pea puree, shallot rings, red wine tarragon jus
• Mark’s modern-day Eton Mess – custard jelly, frozen espuma, meringue, raspberry cells, cream

Mark’s Modern Day Eton Mess
(Image copyright Linda Jackson)

It’s great when you meet people with passion. How blessed is Edinburgh with fantastic restaurants, you can’t go wrong eating out with all the skilled Chefs in the city!

Check out Mark Greenaway’s restaurant 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.

Photography holiday in Scotland

Want a creative, inspirational and motivational reason to take a break in Scotland? How about a photography holiday in Scotland – the spectacular Scottish landscapes and awesome views are hard to beat.

If only the renowned Scottish mathematician and physicist James Clerk Maxwell, who presented some of the first permanent colour photographs back in 1861, could see colour photography as it is today he’d be in his element.

A splash of Scottish colour (Image copyright Linda Jackson)

Just imagine the delight of the Scottish pioneering photographer-geographer John Thomson if, back in the late 1800s/early 1900s, he’d been given the advantages of digital photography when he first visited the Far East, an exotic destination where very few photographers had travelled before him.

Kitesurfing, East Lothian (Image copyright Linda Jackson)

Times have certainly changed since the 19th century, yet still today Scotland can boast of its famous photographers, two in particular: Harry Benson CBE, a Glasgow born photographer famous for his photographs of U.S. Presidents, The Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor, the Clintons, and Michael Jackson.

Castles galore in Scotland (Image copyright Linda Jackson)

Fellow Scot Albert Watson, born in Edinburgh, is also an influential Scottish photographer, renowned for his cover images on Vogue magazine as well as for stunning fashion, art and celebrity photographs; his creative work is found in galleries worldwide.

Capturing the beauty of people on camera is one angle that not many will achieve with such outstanding success as Benson and Watson, but capturing the beauty of Scotland’s landscapes on camera is achievable, promising rich rewards and considerable pleasure to amateur photographers amongst us.

Read the full article about taking a photographic break in Scotland here >>

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

Nature trails & natural parks in Scotland

There’s no better way to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Scotland than to escape to the country and explore Scotland’s National Nature Reserves and National Parks – a veritable feast for your senses. That’s a promise.

Discover undisturbed wildernesses, waddling puffins, seabirds and seals, and carpets of wildflowers on woodland floors.

There are crags and gorges, glens and Bens, plus marshes, bogs, lochs and sand dunes to explore when you take a Scottish nature break or eco-holiday in Scotland. What could be better than spending days exploring Scotland’s wilderness, and nights  wallowing in the wide range of luxury boutique hotels that Scotland boasts.

You’ll be spoiled for choice.

Read this full article on the Luxury Scotland website - www.luxuryscotland.co.uk – see GOING GREEN newsletter >>

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 >>

Fishing in Scotland… just go with the flow

Want to learn how to fish in Scotland?

Fancy going fishing, but never tried? Maybe you’re a proficient angler and considering entertaining corporate clients with a fishing day. Yes? Then have I got a treat in store for you, so read on…

The treat is fishing in Scotland… but in a style you might never have dreamed of. Yet!

Corporate fishing days in Scotland

Imagine beautiful views across the water; a large dining table at the water’s edge, white linen, gold-plated cutlery, a centre decoration of pine cones and heather to give a true taste of Scotland. If you think that sounds nice, how about this…

Gourmet fishing day in Scotland

Imagine the aroma of hot sizzling bacon and freshly made coffee. That will be the bacon rolls and coffee for your breakfast. And for your gourmet lunch… a mouth-watering pheasant casserole cooked in a redcurrant and port reduction, with minted peas and sautéed organic potatoes. There will be several wee drams of Scotch malt whisky, to enhance the spirit of Scotland of course, and a number of corks will be popping from bottles of fine wine. Mmm! Sounds like a nice restaurant doesn’t it? Wrong.

Gourmet fishing days

It’s not a fine-dining restaurant in Scotland; this setting is ‘on location’ at a specially organised fishing day beside a scenic Loch in Scotland. These gourmet fishing days in Scotland are organised by Alba Game Fishing: a luxury Orvis Endorsed guide service that will deliver whatever type of Scotland fishing experience you fancy. You won’t forget the day in a hurry as it is recorded onto DVD-ROMs with photographs.

Exclusive fishing beats in Scotland

Elegant hotels and exclusive fishing venues off the beaten track are what Alba Game Fishing offers clients; they get the whole place to themselves for the day. Most of their clients tend to be beginners; on corporate days three-quarters have never fished before, and the number of women interested in fishing is rising year on year. Wait for it guys… the women often catch more than the men!

Now… is that down to expert instruction, natural born skill, or is there really something in that tale about female pheromones?

For more information on luxury game fly fishing in Scotland for salmon, trout, pike and sea trout, contact Alba Game Fishing >>

For facts and figures on river and loch fishing in Scotland, read on…

Read more »

Dolphins for breakfast

Unusual, but true

It’s not often that I have dolphins for breakfast. They weren’t on the menu. But, after all, what chef in their right mind would blatantly include dolphins on the menu when supply can’t be guaranteed?

Crinan

The restaurant overlooks the vast loch. There are fantastic views across the water to the hills beyond.

I sat by the huge window, menu open on the table.

I wondered what I should have for breakfast. Some local bacon and sausages maybe; Loch Fyne kippers, freshly smoked haddock or… dolphins?… WHAT on earth were dolphins doing there? Read more »