To wonder why Scotland isn’t more popular as a holiday destination

[N0rdicStar]

Just been watching that hidden Scotland programme. I promise you I don’t work for the tourist board.

I lived there as a forces child for a few years and was born there previously. Loved it but my mother hated it and refused to ever go back so we never did. Know nobody else who has ever holidayed there but oh my goodness it’s beautiful and seems to have everything- history, beaches, mountains, wildlife.....

Why do we all flock to Cornwall and the Lake District?

Is it the weather? Can’t just be the distance as the above are long distances for many.

On the back of that can you give me the best bits.

N0rdicStar
Can remember epic winters but not the summers. Surely they can't be worse than the South West.

You have got to be joking. There are tropical gardens growing in Cornwall, don't recall seeing any in Scotland

AdoreTheBeach
Because the Scots don’t like the English

Regretfully I have to agree. The last time I was in Scotland several years ago I was told to fuck off back where I came from, with matching hand gestures. There seems to be an issue with some Scots having rather large chips on their shoulders re the English but fortunately not all or I wouldn't have had a Scottish best friend for the past 53 years

Some of you may have been told to fuck off for reasons other than your nationality. Possibly.

Was referring to the never ending rain that is characteristic of a SW summer.

All the things already mentioned. The weather is a huge factor, anti-English sentiment does exist(I'm English and live in Scotland) in some areas, road infrastructure is poor and even the most bogstandard of hotels is expensive. Scenery is lovely and I adore Orkney but looking at mountains in the pissing rain has its limits.

It is. That's why it's hard to find accommodation in the holidays.

Great place, but a lot of anti-English racism unfortunately. Those here who are denying it exists need to listen!

It’s bloody freezing?!

It isn't. There's 4 degrees difference forecast tomorrow between London and Fife.

It’s bloody freezing?!

It isn't. There's 4 degrees difference forecast tomorrow between London and Fife.

Because the Scots don’t like the English. Both myself and my parents are native English speakers, but not British so don’t have English/British accents.

Utter nonsense.

Anti English sentiment is rare, it's years since I've heard it and I am English.
As for cheap hotels, we have Premier Inn/Travel lodge/Air B&B, back in November, during the Christmas markets in Edinburgh I paid less than £300 for a two night stay, plus Michelin starred tasting menu for two people.

Tropical gardens at Logan Gardens in Dumfries and Galloway. The area gets the Gulf Stream and has a similar climate to Cornwall. Palm trees etc.
BUT shhhhhhh, we don’t want everyone going there and spoiling it!

My parents would love to go to Scotland, but being way down in Cornwall it's just too far to drive, and for some crazy reason you can't fly with a dog!!

Because the Scots don’t like the English

What a bloody ridiculous generalisation

The worst thing about winter is that it gets dark so early, but of course that's reversed in summer, lovely long nights where it barely gets dark if it's clear, we had a gorgeous summer last year, the lido nearest me was packed for weeks.

Disgusting puddles of puke all over Edinburgh pavements, being told to fuck off more than once, scary drunks in all the public parks, broken glass outside our hotel still there at the end of the week when we left.

Highland scenery is OK for about a half day, then it gets monotonous as the planted pine trees. Too often obscured by rain, if the sun comes out the so do the midges.

Hill House is gorgeous, shame it rained endlessly that day, the Burrell Collection is wonderful, as is the building.

Sorry, Scotland, tried very hard to like you. Won't be going back.

Yup. Mum was English and lived in Scotland for about 50 years.

It's bloody cold though. And remote.

Remote from what? I can see Edinburgh from my house.

It's bloody cold though. And remote.
It is not cold today, it is not raining, there are no midges and it is not remote. Great rail links which pass through great scenery. I often go to London, just over 4 hours by train from Glasgow.
I am English and do not feel any anti-English sentiment living here in Scotland.

Ah - Dumfries and Galloway, shhh... hidden gem. It's on the Gulf Stream and wonderful. We've stayed on our own country estate in a rented cottage four times, once in Stranraer and three times near Kirkcudbright. Never had bad weather and stayed also on Skye three times.

Our kids are nearly adults now but still came with us last year, they love the quiet and the beauty. High season and you can still find quiet beaches or trails. Never encountered one iota of racism in all our years of going.

If you have dogs, head to Scotland - they have the best time ever, everywhere is dog friendly!

We live in Scotland (Glasgow) and holiday here every year (Outer Hebrides- used to live there, and rent out our Hebridean house to tourists when we don't use it ourselves. It's full from April-October plus festive season and scattered other weeks). The amount of tourists increases every year. We alternate one summer here, one summer abroad, but go north Easter and autumn each year. Midges can be bad but there's smidge and headsets, and it's breezy at the beach! The beaches are stunning.

Personally I think the weather and midges are the saviours of the place. If we were guaranteed great weather there'd be hotels all along all of the wonderful deserted beaches and people would be booking themselves up for 5* all inclusives and it would ruin everything. I'd rather go to the beach in my waterproofs and wellies!

I’m howling at the idea of Scotland not attracting tourists. We were at Neist point on the 1st of January and it was hoaching with tourists! It’s why we won’t do Skye in the summer. It’s busy enough when we go in the winter.

Then Islay whisky festival. You can’t get accommodation for love nor money. People come from all over the world for it!

Edinburgh fringe is another one and if you drive through the Cairngorms there are always busloads if tourists stopping for photos. It’s a huge industry.

I don't like porridge

Muddysnowdrop
Some of you may have been told to fuck off for reasons other than your nationality. Possibly.

That may be possible but being told to fuck off whilst ordering drinks at a bar did seem a tad harsh. The conversation went:

Me to barman: Hello, could I have two Glen...
Man standing next to me: Why don't you fuck off back where you came from.
Me to barman: two Glenmorangie please.
Man: Go on, fuck off.
Me: takes drinks to friend at table.
Sit down to see him holding up two fingers at me.

Could you explain how my behaviour warranted that because I can't?

I'll order Jamieson's next time

Ahhh not liking porridge would be a huge problem. With it & haggis being the only food you get up here 🙄

Laughing at all the 'Its too cold' comments. The weather last year was fantastic. Cold it definitely wasnt

Midges and weather. And we go every year.
It's got some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen (been to Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, NZ and America) but it's cold

Also don't tell anyone else that it's amazing as it will start being like Cornwall where there is standing room only on the beaches and cars parked on every verge around. It's lovely as it is