Cottage Holidays Scotland

Scotland - the perfect destination for your cottage holiday

Scotland is a place of escape, a tumbling land of hills and dales with gentle river banks and glistening burns. A place to enjoy the magical charm of nature as you climb long and hard, scrambling over high places, then relax to take in an epic scene across lochs and ancient mounts. Then as you and walk the rural country ways that Scotland has to offer you start to make your own memories of your perfect cottage holiday in this history soaked land.

There are thousands of holiday cottages in Scotland, and this beautiful country is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination. Scottish cottages are very warm and welcoming all through the year, with Summer being the most popular season, bringing families from all around the world to enjoy the dramatic scenery, the pleasant climate, the wonderful food, and varied tourist attractions.

The range of Scotish holiday cottages is huge, varying as much as the different regions of Scotland differ from one another. Thatched cottages are rare, because Scottish winters are chillier than down south. Traditional stone farmhouses are more common rental holiday properties, often on the edge of an idyllic small town or village. Magnificent views are very common in Scotland, and your holiday cottage is likely to be near to a whole range of scenic locations; mountains, valleys, lochs, and the windswept seaside.

When you are deciding where to go on holiday in Scotland it helps to think about the different areas of this beautiful country, whether it is spring, summer, autumn or winter. A summer holiday in Scotland will be quite hot and sunny especially in June, July, August, and September. The following holiday periods are most popular; Easter, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Christmas holidays in December, and Weekend breaks, Bank holiday weekend, Easter week, Christmas week and New Year week. If you are staying in a cottage for your holiday you will probably want to stay for a fortnight. Two weeks is the perfect length of time to start relaxing and getting to know the area where you are staying.

To help you decide where you want to stay in a Scottish cottage, we have broken Scotland into these holiday destinations:

• The Highlands Of Scotland
• The North East Of Scotland
• The South East Of Scotland
• The South West Of Scotland
• The West Of Scotland and islands
• The Scottish Islands

When you are booking your cottage for your well earned break make sure that there are enough beds and bedrooms for the number of people you are taking. Can it sleep a party of two, three, four or five? Groups of friends with children who have six, seven, eight, nine or ten people with babies and toddlers will need to have special sleeping arrangements, with single and double beds, and cots or travel cots if necessary.

If you are taking eleven or twelve people, maybe two families sharing the same holiday cottage, then make sure the kitchen and living rooms are big enough, with enough seats for everyone to make themselves comfortable.

Is there a Scottish country pub nearby, a swimming pool, garden and other vital facilities like washing machine and TV? Many cottages in Scotland have a garden where you can enjoy the peace and privacy. Cottages are cleaned between letting, so this means that you only need to unpack when you arrive, put the kettle on and have a refreshing cup of tea. The surrounding countryside can then be explored at your leisure.

Have you thought about whether your holiday cottage has Internet access, and can you take pets like your family dog. Does your cottage have disabled access, and are you nearby major road or rail networks? Shopping at the local supermarket is important, so make sure you can get to the shops easily in your car.

If your property has night storage heaters, these must not be covered. Cottages in Scotland usually have some form of central heating, but make sure that you check.

In Scottish self-catering cottages you will find the standard appliances you would expect to have at home including a washing machine, microwave, fridge, freezer, tumble drier, iron and ironing board. The property you rent for your holiday should have a full description of services and facilities available. A virtual tour of holiday cottages are a great way of finding cottages that meet your needs, with panoramic country views, or special kitchen facilities, a hot tub or a Jacuzzi bath.

Linen must be requested at the time of booking and it is unusual to find that cot linen is provided. If you want a short break in a holiday cottage then you need to think about organisation very carefully. Bring bedding, towels and kitchen utensils like knives and forks.

Short breaks might be for one or 2 nights long and start on a Friday or Saturday, and end on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. To avoid a disappointment unless you are happy to make a last minute booking and receive a discount, you need to book your cottage well in advance. Holidays like half term, Christmas, Easter, May bank holiday, summer holiday and new year are a great time to take your holiday and get a few days well earned break.

If you are taking your car, motor home or bicycles you need to make sure that parking arrangements are satisfactory. Off street parking is very common in Scotland because there is so much space available. If you need to pay by cash, credit or debit card or cheque then you need to make sure that the holiday cottage you have booked can accept your method of payment. You might need to pay the full amount up front or pay a deposit with the balance when you leave. Holidaycottages are the best choice of break, whether a short break or a long let in Scotland, and payment can be just as simple as visiting a travel agent.

When you arrive you need a lot of guides to the local area so a quick visit to the local tourist board offices is always a great way to start your holiday. This means you can get up to date information about local events, attractions, gardens, castles, country houses and fun fairs.