Take a Scottish staycation this summer

With families continuing to keep the finances under control, holidaying at home in Scotland could prove to be a popular option this summer.

The weak pound has caused holidaymakers to consider a ‘staycation’ and explore all that Scotland has to offer.

The National Trust for Scotland has lots of great value holiday accommodation, from remote thatched cottages to grand apartments in historic houses and castles. The Trust’s holiday homes are the perfect base for exploring Scotland’s cultural and natural treasures, and offer a home from home for all the family.

Here is a selection of the Trust’s holiday accommodation suitable for families with young children.

Perthshire & Angus: The little town of Dunkeld is one of Perthshire’s gems, and is ideally located to serve as a base for exploring Perth, St Andrews, Stirling and Pitlochry. The Dunkeld area has a lot to offer too, from superb walks with an integrated network of well-signposted forest trails to designated mountain bike routes.

The Ell House in Dunkeld takes its name from the ell (a weaver’s measure) fixed to the wall outside. The property is situated on the two floors above the Trust’s Ell Shop and offers comfortable accommodation for 5 people.

Kirriemuir, the town of J M Barrie’s birth, is steeped in folklore and history. Barrie’s home is now a Trust property open to the public and houses an imaginative exhibition, while the garden has a living-willow crocodile and ‘Pirates Workshop’.

Thrums Cottage is just two doors down from J M Barrie’s Birthplace and has touches of the Peter Pan theme throughout its cosy interior, with a delightful frieze around the sitting room and a charming stained-glass window in the stairwell.

 

Highlands & Western Isles: Skye is widely thought to be the most spectacular of all the Scottish islands and there’s a wealth of things to see and do. Visit the otter haven at Kylerhea, the Skye Museum of Island Life, the Talisker Distillery, the Clan Donald Visitor Centre, the renowned Edinbane Pottery and An Tuireann Arts Centre. The Whitewave Outdoor Centre offers kayaking, windsurfing, archery and guided walks.

Dun Flashader is a traditional West Highland croft house, set in a charming, enclosed large private garden. It retains many of its original features inside, including exposed stone and wood-lined walls with an open log/peat fire. The garden has two swings and a trampoline which guests are welcome to use.

Dumfries & Galloway: Kirkcudbright is also known as ‘The Artists’ Town’ due to its longstanding tradition of housing generations of creative artists in the streets behind the harbour. It’s a peaceful and relaxing area with attractive coastal landscapes and quiet country roads. There’s also a selection of beaches suitable for children nearby, including a sandy beach at Dhoon and a rockier beach at Brighouse Bay.

The Trust’s Blue Door cottage can be found down a charming, narrow wynd, where the artists E A Taylor and Jessie M King once lived. The cottage is full of character and offers very comfortable accommodation, with its own private garden further down the wynd.

Threave Garden, in the midst of the Trust’s 1,490-acre Threave Estate, is famous for its breathtaking banks of daffodils in April, but its peat, rock and water gardens and glasshouses provide superb displays throughout the year. Threave is rich with wildlife and otters, waterfowl and birds of prey can all be spotted on the estate. 

Our cottages on the Threave Estate are an ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside and coastline too. The old Kelton Mill, just off the A75, has been imaginatively converted into these delightful cottages - Millwheel & Granary. Both are recently refurbished and full of character.

For more information or to make a booking, please visit www.nts.org.uk/holidays or call 0844 493 2108.

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/.