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.

My first thought was midges. And it was the first response to your question.

Much of the road system as it currently is would struggle to cope with anymore tourists.

So much of Scotland is so remote that you’re buggered if you have an accident or need urgent medical attention.

I do love Scotland though! I love the coast of the western highlands and how clean the air feels.

And "far" is a relative term. I've never been to Cornwall because it's ridiculously far away (for me) but go to Scotland most years and yes, the Lakes most weekends.

I’m aware Scotland is a popular destination for Americans and other countries but is it popular within the UK?

Most people I know spend s small fortune on Cornwall if they holiday in the UK.

My relatives all live along the East coast. I’ve had fantastic holidays in Edinburgh, Cairngorms, Blairgowrie and Stirling. Orkney is my favourite though.
But I’ve also been in the wrong place far too many times in the West, where the midges block out the sun and all of them seem to want a piece of me.

I’ve never been to Cornwall...

BBC winterwatch is another good Scotland-based show airing at the moment.

Our friend came up to visit - she flew and found car hire for £11 per day so I don't think it would necessarily cost much more than driving.
The drive is nice though if you break it up at the Yorkshire sculpture park.

Most people I know spend s small fortune on Cornwall if they holiday in the UK.

Very true but I managed to get a week for £400 for a family of 5 in august this year. It’s gone down in price because i am sure last year it was around £1000.

Plus it’s around 4/5hrs from London. Craig Tara is 7hrs

Midge-free-ish walking to be had in Aberdeenshire and Angus. Lovely views of the Grampians.
And great food.
Bridies, smokes, macaroni cheese pies, Mackays jam factory shop.

It's beautiful but don't go telling everyone!

I get the impression a lot of English and Irish people who visit Scotland go for events more so than holidays, if that makes sense. I have been before specifically to attend certain concerts etc, and done a bit of sightseeing while there. So I've been to Edinburgh and Glasgow more than once but not the less populous areas.

Definitely an ambition to go to the Highlands though, but I admit the journey does put me off a bit. I'm in north west England so the Lakes and Snowdonia are both more easily accessible for me and mine. Saying that, I have friends who live near me who go every year and swear by it.

I just skyscanned flights and it was £67 each so £300+ for our family, without car hire and accom costs as well.

I live in Scotland and I can tell when in the school holidays start in the rest of the country by the increase in cars on the Heritage Scotland property next door to my workplace. There are lots of rUK tourists here.

I'm fed up of the lazy stereotype that Scotland = midges. They're only in a few areas, not the whole bloody country.

We went to the Isle of Lewis once and that was beautiful, did Loch Ness, Colodan etc but there is clearly so much more to see. Is it cheaper than other areas in the UK or just as pricey?

Much of the road system as it currently is would struggle to cope with anymore tourists.

There's a lot of cruise ships visiting the islands that gets round that. But, yes, the A9 could really do with being a dual carriageway, at least up to Inverness.

Definitely the weather!

It's not cheap Nordic
The hotel close to me charges £135 per person per night and it's nothing special.

Being a responsible dog owner - always on leads always poo pick etc I found very few places that were compatible with children and dogs when we went after getting dogs.. Always loved going before that - St Andrews area

The weather. Too unpredictable and not warm enough to spend my holidays

I’ve found accom is about the same, sometimes cheaper. I am a hoseasons and Airbnb person because I need a kitchen with all the kids. It’s just travel costs which make it extravagant.

We've been twice and loved it! No midges but we were in Fife and the second time was in winter.

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. When we went to Scotland (with my parents and husband), everyone was ever so friendly to us - until my husband spoke with his English/Sussex accent. It was the same in all parts of Scotland we visited, perhaps just slightly less in Edinburgh. Huge, marked difference.

I do agree with you that it’s stunningly beautiful. We’d love to go back, particularly visit islands but are somewhat put off by our experience.

I live on the North Coast 500 route and we've seen a massive increase in tourism over the past 3 years. It's just been featured on The Grand Tour and Jeremy Clarkson's written an article calling it the best driving holiday in the world, so no doubt we're going to get more now. This isn't a grump, I earn part of my living from tourism, but if I'm heading west on the single track roads, it doubles the time it takes to get anywhere from the end of June to the beginning of September.

he A9 could really do with being a dual carriageway, at least up to Inverness

Currently being done. It won't happen overnight though.

As for it being pricey - well obviously in the very touristy parts you'll pay more. A coffee at a pavement cafe on the Royal Mile or in the Grassmarket will be significantly more than in another coffee shop a few streets back.

Having holidayed extensively in these areas we have found that fuel and groceries can be more expensive. There is a fuel subsidy for the most remote areas but there is only one petrol station for miles and the lack of competition keeps prices high. Plus the huge costs to get it there in the first place.

Groceries - most small towns or large villages will have shops, but smaller Co-Ops rather than the big supermarkets. So prices are higher. But then again you do what everyone does and factor in a stop in Inverness where there are several massive supermarkets, break the journey , get lunch and stock up on groceries before heading on.