Experiencing a short break can revitalise not only your body but your mind too. While you can’t beat a vacation in a tropical destination, exploring a city or a region for a few days is a great way to experience somewhere new in a short time frame. The best weekends to enjoy are in Scotland. Some of the best short breaks Scotland has to offer are not only its variety in great hotels but its scenic locations too.
You might be staying at hotels in Scotland for a wedding, visiting family or friends. The country has top end accommodation situated the length and breadth of the region. This gives visitors the chance to not only enjoy the beauty and history of Scotland but stay in some breath-taking hotels as well.
Whether it’s a city break or an escape to the country, Scotland’s short break options offer so much to visitors from elsewhere in the UK and around the world. It doesn’t need to cost the earth either.
Now is the time to sit back, relax and find out the best locations in Scotland for your next short break.
Experiencing weekends in Glasgow
Known as Scotland’s second city, a city break in Glasgow should be seriously considered this year. Although its better-known neighbour Edinburgh is more of a tourist hotspot, Glasgow has that edge about it. It has the allure that not many other places have with its mix of amazing and historic sandstone buildings, modern architecture as well as being a former industrial powerhouse. The transformed city is not only a city of culture and intrigue, it’s filled with amazing museums, great music venues, quirky cafes and high-end restaurants. The nightlife is known to be some of the popular for people visiting the UK with the legendary Sub Club. This is a city that offers visitors such a variety of experiences. The people are also some of the most friendly and outgoing too. Whether it’s the West End of the city with its nice bars and quirky shops or the in the centre with its award-winning museums, Glasgow has it all. Added to its nightlife, museums and culture, Glasgow lives for football. Experiencing a game at Ibrox Stadium for the country’s biggest team, Glasgow Rangers, will add even more fantastic memories to your break when visiting here. It has 50,000 supporters every other week entering through the stadium doors.
Short breaks in Edinburgh
Situated just 45 mins drive from Glasgow is Scotland’s beautiful capital city of Edinburgh. The great thing about visiting Scotland is that you can easily navigate to different locations in quick time. It’s no different with Edinburgh. The capital is more popular with visitors than Glasgow but that doesn’t take away any of the magical elements that Edinburgh holds. It’s the perfect place to explore on foot with its pedestrianised streets easy to navigate. Visitors can experience a lot with weekends in Edinburgh. No matter the time of year, Edinburgh offers a lot. With the Edinburgh Fringe Festival taking place in August, it brings together artists from all over the world for a month long event celebrating street artists, comedians and everything else in between. You cannot visit Edinburgh and not go to its astounding castle which looks over the city. Walk along the Royal Mile which takes you through the Old Town at Holyrood Palace all the way to the castle. From great shopping opportunities (not as good as Glasgow though), walking tours, great restaurants, charm, mystique and more, Edinburgh is a must when looking for short breaks in Scotland this year.
Hotel breaks in Pitlochry
As we mentioned, Scotland is a country that offers so much to visitors. Pitlochry, situated in the heart of beautiful Perthshire, is an outdoor paradise. With its mountainous landscape, quaint shops as well as being a place with an extensive history, vibrant local culture and architectural beauty, Pitlochry should be experienced at some point. For those visitors looking to get outside and enjoy the fresh air then taking a trek on one of the many trails to the countryside on walks to the Queens View and Ben Vrackie are recommended. Scotland is the home of whisky so it’s also no surprise that Pitlochry boasts two distilleries. Blair Athol and Edradour are close by and offer walk throughs and whisky tasting sessions. There also an abundance of great hotels to experience during your stay such as Fishers Pitlochry which is situated in the centre of the town and near to all the great amenities. Whether you decide to visit here as part of your wider Scotland trip or whether you’re local, Pitlochry offers a great Scotland experience like no other.
North East Scotland breaks in Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland’s third biggest city behind Glasgow and Edinburgh. Situated in the North East of the country and known as the “granite city” with its outstanding granite building architecture, its certainly worth a visit for a few days on your next short break. Picturesque being lined by the North Sea and between the Rivers Dee and Don, it’s the central location for the offshore oil industry in the UK. It’s also the gateway to the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. Short breaks in Aberdeen are great for tourists with its two miles of sandy beaches, great shopping opportunities, thriving art scene as well as being a centre of excellence with world class musical groups at the Music Hall. With its historical buildings and abundance of bars and restaurants, Aberdeen packs a punch and more.
Short breaks on Skye
Stunning scenery, great walks and hikes, scenic drives all around and some of the best seafood in the world, no wonder the Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations. It’s important to take a few days out here as its around 6 hours by car from Glasgow. As its one of the popular places to visit due to its wonderous landscape, streaming clear waterfalls and scenic sea cliffs, coming before peak season is recommended to get the most of out of the trip. Visiting Skye means you get one amazing photo opportunity after another. We suggest visiting every area of Skye (Trotterish, Waternish and Black Cuillin Hills) so you get all those fantastic experiences of the volcanic formations and mountain rises. Skye is filled with great cafes, cosy pubs and more as well as an abundance of great hotels, making it the perfect place to come for your next break.
Experience the sights and activities of visiting Loch Lomond
Only a 45 minute drive from Glasgow, is the wonders of Loch Lomond and its National Park. This is another area packed with an abundance of great outdoor activities for people visiting Loch Lomond but near to the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Camping, cycling and treks and water sports like jet skiing, canoeing and kayaking are all great options here. Duck Bay is highly recommended, being next to the shore there is nice walking opportunities here as well as being a place for jet skiing. Picnic options here as well. For other great views go to Duncryne Hill where you get some of the best views of Loch Lomond without having to exert too much energy. It’s a small hill and parking is easy at Gartocharn and then a half a mile walk from there. Balloch which is near Loch Lomond is another quaint town with a lot on offer. Great scenery as well as great family activities such as the Sea Life Centre, TreeZone and more. A must visit in Loch Lomond is the Cobbler. Amazing views and the picture perfect Instagram moment.
Visiting Scotland at any time of year is great for a weekend, a few days or longer. Although small, it has an abundance of great locations to visit like we’ve mentioned above. From city breaks and spa weekends to countryside retreats, Scotland has it all. Experience something new with short breaks in Scotland this year.
