Head north for new Trust holidays

The National Trust for Scotland is giving holidaymakers the chance to unwind on Scotland’s most northerly inhabited isle in 2010 and beyond.

The beautiful Belmont House on Unst in the Shetland Isles is being carefully restored so visitors can experience the elegance of Georgian living in one of Scotland’s most wild and dramatic locations.

Unst is renowned for its outstanding scenery of undulating hills, rocky coastline. Its rich natural heritage is a powerful pull for anyone with an interest in geology, botany or birdwatching, and is perfect for anyone looking to truly get away from it all.

The house will provide high quality accommodation for eight people, with prices starting from £450 for seven day breaks, available from mid-July.

Travel to the island is by ferry from Aberdeen.

Also new for 2010, are the North Ronaldsay Lighthouse cottages, Orkney. The northern most of the Orkney Islands, the small island is home to just 60 people and is treasured for its sense of remoteness and relaxed pace of life. Like Unst, the island is a haven for birdlife and is also home to an unusual breed of seaweed-eating sheep.

Dame Liz Forgan who owns a holiday home on the islands extols its virtues. She said:

“We have been coming to North Ronaldsay every year for 35 years in rain, shine, wind and moonlight.  It’s like nowhere else on earth, a rare place full of natural beauty, delightful people and the most devilish (but delicious) wild sheep ever bred.  Once visited it is never forgotten.” 

Two cottages will be available for holiday lets - each comfortably furnished, and sleeping up to four people. Seven day breaks will be available from mid July.

Travel to the island is by ferry or a short flight from Kirkwall.

The National Trust for Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities, which relies on the financial support of its members to fund its important work of caring for the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland for everyone to enjoy.

You can join the National Trust for Scotland for as little as £5 per month for a family. To become a member, visit http://www.nts.org.uk/Join/Benefits/.

PICTURE: North Ronaldsay lighthouse

All information and photos courtesy and copyright  the National Trust for Scotland