A Short Break in Scotland

A short break in Scotland. It's an evocative idea. Do something different and head for Caledonia.

Friendly people, majestic, towering munros and mountains await, accompanied by lush, plunging glens, lochs, mystery and a history of fearsome, yet egalitarian and noble people, not to mention the Loch Ness Monster framed against the iconic backdrop of Urquhart Castle.

Spectacular wilderness and moorland isolation vie with the trendy haut-couture of Glasgow and Edinburgh for your attention. That's the dream of it, but what's it really like?

The good news is that the hype is true if that's what you're looking for (though we can't guarantee you'll spot Nessie). What we'd like to do in this article, is to show you how a short break in Scotland can be all of the above, but can be so much more as well.

Part of Scotland's popularity is due to the fact that it offers something for everyone from amateur historians and culture vultures to pumped up thrill seekers alike. Depending on the length of your short break, it's perfectly possible to combine elements of each, though often people will plan their trip based around seeking a certain goal.

If getting off the beaten track to unwind in beautiful, unspoiled scenery is what you crave, then South West Scotland is a great destination which is often overlooked as people make a beeline for Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands.

The scenery here ranges from the gentle, rolling hills, forests and lochs of Galloway to the picturesque, sandy beaches of the Solway Coast. The people are friendly and the pace of life relaxed.

If Mountain Biking is your thing, you'll be spoiled for choice with the highly regarded 7 Stanes tracks like Mabie, Ae, Dalbeattie, Glentress and Kirroughtree all to be found in the area.

Venture to Dumfries, officially possessed of the highest quality of life in Britain, and you'll find a rich Robert Burns heritage, Dumfries being where he spent the last years of his life. A short walk from his mausoleum off St Michael St, you'll find Robert Burns House. This house gives a fascinating insight into the bard's life. His name can still be found scratched into one of the window panes upstairs.

If put into a romantic mood by it all, you'll find the world famous Gretna Green Blacksmith's Shop, the scene of many an whirlwind wedding a half hour's drive away. Who needs Las Vegas?

Other gems include Threave Castle and Gardens at Castle Douglas, Glenluce Abbey at Newton Stewart and the Tolbooth Art Centre in Kirkcudbright. While there you can see F1 ace David Coulthard's old school, Kirkcudbright Academy, next door, as he is from Twynholme, just a few miles away.