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.

While Scotland is on my bucket list I’ve never been. In my head it’s for outdoors type of people who like walking up mountains in the rain so not really my cup of tea. My dad used to make me walk up mountains in the rain as a kid and I hated it.

I love St Andrews and have been there with the family for 3 holidays. I’m afraid it was the weather that put me off going again, but I am a lily-livered southerner.

Its too cold

Where? - Aviemore? Glasgow? Lewis? Orkney? Bigger?
In comparison to where? - Newcastle? Durham? York? Bude? Brighton? Sheffield? Manchester? London? Southend? Cheltenham?

Best never visit Canada, USA, Scandinavia, Iceland, Russia, Poland, Estonia ...............in fact most of Europe at certain times of the year.

Must make 'seeing the world' a rather limiting experience.

Biggar ....autocorrect

ABE

Anyone but England.

The Scots say that in sporting matches they will support anyone but England which bespeaks an intolerant hatred of their nearest neighbours. Such prejudice is hardly going to attract many holiday makers and, I daresay, they are happy enough to keep it that way.

@stairway Castles, boat trips, scenery, whiskey, Edinburgh gin, shopping, beaches, festivals, tablet. You don’t have to do more than look at a mountain if you don’t want to.

Teacher I hope you’re not an actual teacher with such generalisations.
There is also, of course, absolutely no reason why Scottish people should feel obliged to show support for the teams of other countries. Should Irish people also support English teams due to geography?

Actually considering Scotland for a holiday this summer. The weather is a concern but that's a gamble with any UK holiday. However, we're not fans of extreme heat either which is an issue with many foreign holiday destinations in August. I keep reading about midges which I hadn't known about before and is now another reason I'm hesitating.

The distance is not an issue (we're from SE England) as we would make the journey part of the holiday and stay a few places en route. I travelled to Scotland by car once years ago and don't recall it being too bad. Besides, it's nothing when compared with the distances in the states, for example, which I have also experienced.

From the quick Google I've done, holiday cottages don't seem badly priced and certainly cheaper than places like Cornwall.

Muddysnowdrop Too true! If l only went to places which hadn't been at some point justifiably pissed off because the English had nicked some/all of their country/resorces/cultural bits and bobs then l'd never leave the home counties!

Clearly never been in the Stirling area in the summer it’s heaving with tourists, and last summer was beautiful so no weather issues but can’t imagine anyone visits Scotland for the weather? It helps yep but Stirling I find is very rainy which I don’t like but I’m from up north so miss the lovely beaches there and it was always busy with tourists/families on hols too.

Do kids not sit in cars anymore? Mine get taken to Orkney/Norwich every year and quite happily sit for however long in the car excited to see grandparents/holiday adventures. Not easy sometimes but we stop plenty and entertain them as much as we can.

I haven’t seen a midge in years and yet I am suddenly itchy all over... power of suggestion!

May take the children one day. May.

It’s the weather that puts me off. Fact that so much promise but spoilt by poor weather. I don’t want to endure biting wind, freezing rain, grey skies.

You just need to be careful about when you go if the midges are going to be a problem for you. I was born in Edinburgh, lived there 40ish years and now in Fife 30 years only time I’ve had a problem with midges was during a holiday on arran but obviously chose the wrong time of year to go and didn’t have the nessecary deterants with me

I wouldn't worry, in all the years we've been going to Scotland, we haven't encountered any where near the level of sub zero temperatures, perpetual rain, dark skies and general bleakness described here.

In fact, how it can be so cold and wet and yet ravaged by midges perplexes me!

I live near Crieff in Perthshire. We have four holiday cottages and a boutique B&b. Majority of our guests are overseas or Scottish. We live in stunning scenery and our estate straddles the highlands and lowlands. I’ve been here 4.5 years and we don’t get midges. I think the thing that would put me off is the distance but guests that make the journey absolutely love it. Fresh air and stunning views.

The west coast which is the most popular area ie Loch Lomond, the Isles are plagued with midges most if the year. The east coast is much better but can be colder ( North Sea). Also, an awful lot of holiday making is for scenery. You have to go to Edinburgh (beautiful) Glasgow (busy) Aberdeen ( cold ) for a bit of night life. The beaches are though fantastic on the northern edge and the Isles.I speak from experience and avoid the west coast at all cost.

I agree with you OP. I love Scotland and have been many times. I haven’t been for a while but am keen to go again soon. A beautiful beautiful country

Some people dont deserve to go anyway!

We've swam in the sea in Skye.. it was cold but no colder than Norfolk in the nice weather.

"I wouldn't worry, in all the years we've been going to Scotland, we haven't encountered any where near the level of sub zero temperatures, perpetual rain, dark skies and general bleakness described here."

Apparently we live in an arctic wasteland!

We have a motor home and one of our absolute favorite holidays was doing the Route 500 round the coast of Scotland - the scenery is absolutely stunning. We've never had a problem with midges and we try to get up to Scotland as often as we can.....love it

Teacher22. I too hope you're not actually a teacher. Poor kids

Been to Scotland three times, travelled around urope and the uk quite a bit as hubby was in the forces and Scotland is the only place I want to leave as soon as j get there I get so homesick, don't know why, the people are lovely, the scenery is awe inspiring but I just get homesick sorry Scotland nothing personal.

The ABE really makes me laugh! Do man United supporters get behind Man City when they get further in a competition?

Oh and Scotland really doesn't need the condensending attitude of some English people who spout that they would support Scotland - we know that the Scotland team is shite but they are our shite.

This thread has made me think that a lot of non Scots have big chips on their shoulders

An artic waste land with swarming hordes of midges!!

Apparently we live in an arctic wasteland
Yep. You’ve just become hardened to it!