Callander, Scotland

 Callander is a bustling tourist town situated on the River Teith, near Stirling, and is often described as the 'Gateway to the Highlands'. The pretty town of Callander lies South of the Highland Boundary Fault which is historically a meeting point between the Highlands and the Lowlands. The town is a popular holiday destination for tourists exploring the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park or stopping off en route to the Highlands. 

The beautiful town is packed with tearooms and souvenir shops, the ideal holiday destination for the whole family. There are also a number of walks in the area which are popular with tourists and locals alike. Some examples of these are the Bracklinn Falls and the River Keltie which have mesmerised people for generations, as well as the cycle tracks which follow the old Callander to Oban railway.

Orkney Islands & Balfour Castle, Scotland

"Scotland really is a spectacular country with so much history"

Susan Eisenhower

 So far, my blog posts have been about places I have visited personally, however today's post is taking a slightly different angle by exploring the beauty of the Orkney Islands. I am yet to experience this island but hope to this summer. 

One of the prime attractions of Orkney is the rich archaeological heritage. The beautiful beaches, greenery, cliffs and wildlife are equally important too. The Orkney Islands lie just north of Mainland Scotland and is made up of around 70 islands, 18 of which are inhabited by about 21,000 people.

For visitors coming to the Orkney Islands, there are a wealth of visitor attractions ranging from archaeological sites, local museums, the Highland Park Distillery and St Magnus Cathedral.  

Travelling to Orkney is easier than you'd think, from Central Scotland there are flights, ferries, and coaches available weekly. 

Edinburgh, Scotland

“This is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.” Alexander McCall Smith

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and is the seventh most populous city in the United Kingdom. Not only is Edinburgh home to the world’s largest art festival every year, but it is packed with things to do to keep the family busy all year round!

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the worlds largest arts festival which takes place for three weeks in August of every year. It allows thousands of performers to take to the stage throughout various locations within Edinburgh to present shows to suit every taste. The artists range from well known big names, to unknown artists hoping to build their career. The festival includes comedy, theatre, comedy, circus, dance, cabaret, musicals, opera, children’s shows, exhibitions and events which ensures there is something to suit the whole family!

In 2014 there were 49,497 performances in 299 venues which made it the largest ever arts festival in the world. However, it was back in 1947 that the Fringe story began. Eight theatre groups showed up, unexpectedly, to the Edinburgh International Festival, an initiative created to celebrate European cultural life. Even although these groups weren’t invited to perform, they went ahead anyway and staged their shows on the ‘Fringe of the Festival’ anyway which gave the event it’s name.

Find out more at: https://www.edfringe.com/

Edinburgh Castle

Over one thousand years of history sit on top of the famous Edinburgh Castle which attracts over one million visitors per year. No visit to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle, and once you have ventured up to the highest parts of Edinburgh Castle’s structure, you will be overwhelmed by the spectacular views of Edinburgh afforded from this Scottish “Castle of Castles”.

Edinburgh Castle is every schoolboy’s dream of what a castle should look like and the Edinburgh Castle website endeavours to give the Edinburgh visitor an in-depth view of Edinburgh Castle and it’s history from early times right up until the present day.

Book your tickets today at http://www.edinburghcastle.biz/

The Dome

No visit to the capital is complete without dinner and cocktails in one of the most beautiful buildings Scotland has seen. Located at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, The Dome opened its doors in 1996 and has become established as a first choice venue for weddings, conferences, seminars, dinner and cocktails.

Tigerlily

Looking for somewhere to stay during your visit? Choose Tigerlily – Edinburgh’s most talked-about boutique hotel, bar and restaurant. With it’s stylish interior, mirrored walls and chandeliers lies 33 bedrooms that feature originality within the Georgian building. Also home to a buzzing bar and restaurant, open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. The infamous cocktail menu with over 150 mouth-watering concoctions blends beautifully with the vibrant night-life on a Friday and Saturday.

Loch Lomond & The Cameron House Hotel

Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch which crosses the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain by surface area and contains many islands such as Inchmurrin, the largest freshwater island in the British Isles. There are so many activities to take part in at Loch Lomond, but my favourite is climbing Ben Lomond. 

Ben Lomond is a distinctive mountain situated on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. The mountain is 974 metres (3,196 ft) and on a clear day it is visible from the higher grounds of Glasgow. Nearer the bottom of the mountain there are paths made by walkers in order to ease the initial walk up the mountain, then thereafter it can get difficult climbing but definitely worth the challenge! 

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The Cameron House Hotel

There really is no where better to stay in Loch Lomond than the Cameron House Hotel. Whether it be fine dining, loch cruises, championship standard golf, spa breaks or simply chilling out, Cameron House is the place for you. The hotel is known for its legendary hospitality, location and beautiful grounds. You certainly won't be disappointed!

The room tariffs per room per night are as followings all on a Bed & Breakfast basis:

Chambre Unique - £309

Classic Garden View Room - £279

Loch View Chambre Unique - £339

Junior Suite King Bed - £354

Contemporary Feature Room - £404

Luxury Loch View Whisky Suite - £669

Full hotel information can be found at http://www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/cameron-house/