Travel

Think France, think Paris, think Nice, think Cannes. However, Explore France are promoting other areas including Pas-de-Calais, the Loire Valley and Corsica as well as one of their undoubted gems, Antibe, which is, or course, on the French Riviera.The PR machine came to Scotland's Capital with a clear message, consider France for a holiday destination and also look further than...

REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME CONTINUES APACE AT THE GREEN HOTEL KINROSSThe Green Hotel in Kinross has announced that the latest part of its £100,000 refurbishment, which includes the flooring in the main reception, together with carpeting in corridors, decoration in additional bedrooms, and installing new TVs in bedrooms, will begin in the next few weeks.The new look in the popular Jocks...

The bell rang out, calling worshipers to imposing York Minster, acknowledged as one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals. Since the 7th century, the highly-impressive building, has been at the center of Christianity in the north of England.Today, it remains a church offering worship and prayer, and it has a switched-on website, offering a myriad of exclusive products, including a...

From Functions and Funerals to Flourish and Fame   How Number 10 Hotel became the new hidden gem of Glasgow's South Side. //steller.co/site/static/js/steller.jsAs a Glaswegian West Ender who now lives in Edinburgh, I will hold my hands up to say that I rarely venture over to Glasgow’s South Side, especially when going for a meal. I was therefore intrigued when a friend recommended a...

Advance tickets are now available on 196 journey combinations using London North Eastern Railway (LNER) for the first time.The rail company want to offer the savings on advance tickets while also making ticketing simpler and smarter, even on shorter journeys within Scotland.David Horne, LNER Managing Director, said: “LNER is on a mission to make rail travel even...

NEW PHASE RELEASED AT CAIRN LODGES, MAINS OF TAYMOUTH- Luxurious, bespoke Willerby lodges are “on course” for strong salesWith half the development already sold, Mains of Taymouth Country Estate & Golf Course at Kenmore has released a further release of luxury turnkey lodges at its Cairn Lodges holiday home development.Part of the prestigious Taymouth Village on the estate, the development sees Mains of...

Following its purchase by Karma Group, a collection of worldwide luxury resorts established by British entrepreneur John Spence, Karma Lake of Menteith is able to offer its guests the opportunity to taste a very special red wine created and blended by John Spence himself, together with his 90-year-old father, Mike.A 2019 Bordeaux, the wine, which John has named Père et...

On the occasions when we get away from Edinburgh, we like to really get away. Now that the whole of the US has become reachable in only a couple of hops from Edinburgh Airport it is all the more accessible.On a recent visit to California we were invited to have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco to see...

The largest independent hotel in Edinburgh has removed single-use plastic toiletries from their bedrooms, instead offering guests a gift to add to Scotland’s natural beauty. Guests at Ten Hill Place Hotel are being encouraged to take home their free packet of Scottish wildflower seeds, available in every bedroom, to plant this spring. The decision is the latest in the four-star hotel’s series of sustainable changes which...

SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course in the Scottish Borders has recently joined Destination by Hyatt and completed an extensive refurbishment, including upgrading its bedrooms and installing a new Winter Garden spa with heated infinity pool. The destination has now become one of the first Scottish hospitality businesses to engage with the new look Staycation Scotland (Accommodation) Ltd.A vibrant...

Vueling surprised their 400,000th customer travelling through Edinburgh Airport, lucky Tracey McTeague from South Queensferry.Tracey was boarding her flight to Alicante when she was presented with a pair of free return flights to Barcelona for a future trip.The low-cost Spanish airline has been flying from Edinburgh Airport for five years and provided more than 100,000 seats from the Scottish...

The sweet floral scent of lavender drifted across the extensive garden as we chilled after the two-hour Ryanair flight, Edinburgh to Marseille. There was not a cloud in the clear blue sky and very little wind.Indeed, the French flag flying from a flagpole in the neighbouring garden hardly moved. We took in the sun and rejoiced in the experience. However, the...

Each person living in Scotland might travel 1,335 miles by car, 1,432 miles by train and 1,360 miles by plane in search of the perfect UK break this year, according to research by London North Eastern Railway (LNER).The train operator would prefer that everyone uses the train - and not just so that they can increase their bottom line...

You can stay overnight in the newly renovated apartments right next door to the Palace of Holyroodhouse - and live like royalty.Abbey Strand Apartments at Holyrood have been undergoing complete renovation over the last two years and have now opened their doors to guests.The nine apartments are in the building just on the left of the Abbey...

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has more good news for Edinburgh holidaymakers.They have just announced a BRAND NEW destination – IZMIR in Turkey - as part of their Summer 20 programme from Edinburgh Airport, which goes on sale today.Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has put flights and holidays on sale to 33 destinations from Edinburgh Airport for Summer 20. The addition of more capacity means over 850,000 seats are going on sale today. As well...

Flybe is to open a new base at Cardiff Airport.  The airline will serve Edinburgh and a further 10 destinations across the UK and Europe this summer and will base two of its existing Embraer E195 aircraft in Wales. One of these 118-seat aircraft will arrive at Cardiff in June and the second in September 2015. This announcement will result in the...

As we are travelling out from the Hawes Pier skipper Duncan takes a little time to explain that the boat will call at Inchcolm Island, where there is not only an Abbey but also a visitor centre, and let some passengers off.He also explains that there are two people employed by Historic Environment Scotland who live on the island...

FOUR STAR RATING FOR BAY HOTEL ENSURES ITS PLACE AS ONE OF FIFE’S PREMIER FOOD, ACCOMMODATION & FUNCTION PROVIDERSStunning Waterfront hotel in Kinghorn has recently secured four starsThe Bay Hotel at Pettycur Bay, Kinghorn is celebrating having achieved its VisitScotland four star rating. Popular for private parties, weddings and events, the Hotel, which boasts stunning views across the Firth...

SILVERWOOD LOCHAN ADDS EXTRA ATTRACTION TO STUNNING NEW PERTHSHIRE RESORTA new luxury lodge resort at Errol in Perthshire is offering an additional attraction for both lodge holiday makers and visitors – its own fully stocked small trout loch, or “lochan”, an old Scottish word for a small loch.Silverwood Luxury Resort is situated between Perth and Dundee in the Carse...

I’ve never been one for doleing out parenting advice (preferring the flying from the seat of my pants to the studious approach to motherhood) but I will offer these words of wisdom to you: when checking your kiddywink’s school calendar before booking holidays it’s a good idea to make sure you’re consulting the school in Edinburgh, rather than one...

Viking Cruises' brand new cruise ship dropped anchor in the Firth of Forth last week on its maiden voyage from Norway, where Viking Jupiter was officially named by star Norwegian soprano Sissel Kyrkjebo. The ship is the sixth ocean-going ship to join Viking's fleet. Jupiter is a 'small ship' by cruise line standards (that means she has space for 930...

Kendal. One of the go-to towns in The Lake District and an ideal location for touring, but where to stay, that was the question. There are many options and varying prices. We've stayed high-end but this time we through, let's try mid-range with a deal.Up popped the Riverside Hotel (pictured), a family-owned, converted, 18th-century tannery. It ticked a number of...

CITY STAYCATIONERS HEADING FOR THE PADDOCKSLatest development from Camelot Holiday Park offers luxury holiday homes with a real attention to detail.Cumbria is a popular destination for Scots, and this well established, family run holiday park at Longtown near Carlisle is setting out its stall with a new development of fourteen industry leading holiday homes. The Paddocks is the latest...

Point A Hotels has released rooms for sale in its newest hotel in Edinburgh, meaning that nearly 4000 hotel nights will be available in August.The Point A Hotel Edinburgh, 152 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8EB opens today 8 July and as a special offer the hotel is offering a 20% discount for direct bookings on PointAHotels.com. The latest addition to the Point A Hotels...

A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP THAT’S 20 YEARS IN THE BAKING!Kenmore Bakery used its special 25th Anniversary Afternoon Tea, held on Saturday at the bakery in Acharn, Kenmore, to thank one of its most loyal customers in the Highland Perthshire area, which has been buying the bakery’s award winning shortbread for nearly twenty years.Five star Mains of Taymouth Country Estate & Golf...

Following a buyout by the worldwide Karma Group, Karma Lake of Menteith is launched with exciting plans to collaborate with local visitor attractions and further develop its impressive whisky vault.A beautiful country hotel in a truly idyllic Scottish location which has become the latest addition to a worldwide collection of outstanding resorts and estates. It was this tempting proposition...

Next weekend on 2 and 3 April children between five and fifteen will travel for free.The scheme is funded by The Scottish Government to mark the historic change for ScotRail which will now be owned and run by the government.The ‘Yours to Use’ Kids Go Free weekend will allow families to discover train travel, giving them a chance to...

Historic Mansion House on Unst, Shetland thanks its funders, supporters and customers as it looks ahead to post pandemic recoveryThe historic Belmont House on Unst, Shetland, now run as a commercial self catering business, is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of its rescue by five volunteers whose connections to, and love of the island, inspired them to step in to...

Nira Caledonia reopened on Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony, some fizz and canapés. It has been closed for a nine month refurbishment following a fire last year in Gloucester Place.The work entailed 3 km of cabling, 300 litres of paint, 2000 square metres of carpet and 1092 square metres of wallpaper.The result is a stunning boutique hotel with...

The Giant’s Causeway was once named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in Britain.I can see why. It is a mind-boggling arrangement of mostly hexagonal columns.And the tops form stepping stones that lead from the base of a large cliff and disappear under the sea.That description does not do this UNESCO World Heritage Site justice.It is a must see...