Travel in Scotland

Read on to learn how you can turn any road trip into an unforgettable escape.

Edinburgh is like a scene from a storybook, its spiky turrets, soaring towers, grand squares and cobbled streets every inch the sort of places dragons and princesses would inhabit — not to mention, of course, one particularly famous boy wizard. The city was J K Rowling’s home while she wrote most of the Harry Potter books, and it’s not hard to see the spark of inspiration for her world of magic. Kids’ imaginations have been known to run away with them as they wander the higgledy-piggledy medieval streets of the Old Town up to Edinburgh Castle or march through regal Holyrood Park to the extinct volcano hilltop of Arthur’s Seat, which towers above elegant Georgian streets in the east of the city centre.

For many, the charm of slow travel is more appealing than the convenience of flights. The experience of interacting with fellow travelers and soaking in the surreal sights of snow-dusted mountaintops, glacial lakes, paddy fields, and imposing viaducts remains unmatched. From catching the northern lights from the comfort of your carriage to watching zebras trotting through green pastures, these train journeys are for those who wish to savor the world while crossing items off their bucket lists.

The holiday season is about to begin and one very pleasant way to increase the holiday cheer of your celebrations is with a creative cocktail. Whether you are indulging in an American gin with an abundance of botanicals or a special bottle of pisco from Chile, an interesting and tasty beverage is a terrific way to welcome guests and spur conversation. Below are six fun cocktails to show off your bartending skills.

Looking for destinations that promote cultural diversity and sustainable travel? The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently released its annual list of the Best Tourism Villages, a compilation of authentic, lesser-known places to travel. Consider it your new travel bucket list.

When it comes to single malt whiskey, America has been, fittingly, like the Wild West. Sure, there are some basic rules that everyone follows—the whiskey must be produced from malted barley at a single distillery in the United States—but after that things have been wide open.

The line for croissants forms early outside Lannan Bakery in the Edinburgh neighborhood of Stockbridge, where the self-taught baker Darcie Maher has been whipping up intricate pastries since the end of July. The name Lannan comes from a Gaelic word meaning “house,” and Maher’s choice of baked goods is intentionally nostalgic. Staples include an apple-and-custard-filled croissant and a custard slice with pink sour cherry icing. “Growing up, we made a chocolate sponge with little crunchy flaked almonds for birthdays,” Maher says. “We’d pour ganache over the top and I thought it was the most amazing thing to see it drip down the side.” (The chocolate cake at Lannan is now made with buttermilk and rye.) Maher, who grew up in the Scottish Borders with an artist mother and a scientist father, appreciates the way baking fuses creativity and precision. It takes three days to produce all the laminated dough pastries in preparation for the bakery’s Thursday through Sunday open hours. After the pain Suisse or crème brûlée Danishes disappear, inevitably by around 9 a.m., out come the cakes (from fig leaf sponge to quince Bundt), jambon beurres and finally a few sliced-up Roman pizzas and oatmeal raisin cookies.

A highly anticipated Scottish outpost for W Hotels is officially open in Edinburgh.

Train travel has seen a surge in popularity with the growing emphasis on slow travel and making a holiday more sustainable. The latest government data on train travel shows that there was a 155% increase in passenger rail journeys last year. Furthermore, research shows that 64% of UK travellers are searching for green travel options, including choosing more environmentally friendly transport options and sustainable accommodation. VisitScotland’s new campaign encourages people to enjoy train travel by promoting a route that connects all of Scotland’s historic cities by train.

French writer Julien Marsault recently enjoyed an off-season adventure on the Brittany coast in northwestern France. Here he shows you what you can see and do on a gentle road trip filled with wildlife spotting, excellent seafood and rejuvenating coastal walks.

The Connaught is a beloved five-star oasis of indulgence conveniently located in Mayfair. Guests return year after year for exceptional service, stunning rooms and consistently fabulous meals. The property becomes even more special as the holidays approach and guests are welcomed with special Christmas trees and festive holiday menus. This year’s tree was designed by influential British artist and sculptor Dame Rachel Whiteread. It sits outside the hotel and is decorated with over 100 circular neon white hoops, encouraging everyone to celebrate a feeling of togetherness.

In the 1990s, The Eastern & Oriental Express, a modern version of the vintage luxury trains that once snaked through Southeast Asia, took to the rails. It recreated a decidedly romantic way to travel through the jungles, cities, and riverfront towns of Singapore and Malaysia, which its sister train, the Venice Simplon Orient Express, offered in Europe.

The highest echelon of hotels know how to take an experience and bed it into something that lives on in the heart. The world’s finest perfumiers do a remarkably similar job. So it’s fitting that - increasingly - the two are coming together as hoteliers create brilliantly evocative scents - and perfumiers pay homage to their favorite hotels creating an experiential circle of glorious memories.

When is walking in circles a good thing? When following a trail through villages, forests and fields using open-access paths that begin and end at the same train station.

Rome (Italian: Roma), the 'Eternal City', is the capital and largest city of Italy and of the Lazio (Latium) region. It's the famed city of the Roman Empire, the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita (sweet life), the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain.

Dijana brings a wealth of experience acquired globally, having worked in various hospitality and human resources roles in Canada, Germany, Scotland, and Croatia.

From lake to island and back again: Another Place makes Scotland move, while also expanding its Lake District experience with a new country pub.

Discover the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Highlands by booking your tickets on British Airways flights.

For a place long associated with heavy industry, Aberdeen is certainly easy on the eye. Scotland’s third-largest city enjoys a spectacular location, fringed by the North Sea and framed to the south and north by the rivers Dee and Don. Elegant granite architecture is warmed by pockets of flora. And, however much oil and gas continue to bring in business, the city has invested heavily in its museums and parks, with new and improved spaces to explore.

Black Friday is here and there's no better time to shop — or plan for your next trip. Take advantage of the deals below to score a discounted hotel, flight, cruise, and more to make 2024 your best year yet.

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