WIBU to book this break to Scotland?

[victimofpoetry]

Yesterday evening, just sick of having nothing to look forward to having postponed our holiday to Greece until April, I booked a few Airbnbs to create a bit of a road trip for me and the dc. We'll be leaving in 2 weeks time.

I already knew that Nicola Sturgeon has said she will force travellers from England to quarantine if necessary and all the places I've booked will offer full or 75% refunds if I cancel up to 48 hours before though I will end up losing some money unless I just cancel it all now. I know no one knows, but what do people think are the chances of my having to cancel? What if she brings something like that in while I'm actually away?

Is it a stupid idea? I really want to go somewhere beautiful the kids and I haven't been to before and don't normally get the time because we like to go abroad. Have just seen someone on another thread saying holidays should be avoided in case you get symptoms while away, but dc and I barely go out (I wfh apart from one day a week, and even then can socially distance, kids aren't in school) so I think we are quite low risk. Don't really fancy spending the summer sitting in the house 'just in case' but want to be safe and sensible in what we do. Also drawn to Scotland because I feel the huge outdoor spaces will be safer and easier to socially distance in than some of the more crowded English venues.

AIBU - should I cancel or go?

Hmm mixed opinions.

Just to answer a few questions, I said road-trip because with the distance I'm travelling I can't really go somewhere and just stay there as it's too far. I was planning on heading to Skye and stopping once on the way there and once on the way back. I do take the point about travelling around though - maybe I shouldn't head up there.

I also respect the views of locals but it can't be denied that the people who are taking the bookings I've made obviously do want the trade, though one of my worries is locals being wary once we're there and I don't blame them.

I'm not from a high Covid area and I've been wearing masks for the last couple of weeks in shops so would obviously expect to do that as well as follow any other rules in place. Yes, would take plenty of hand sanitiser and really just looking to go for walks and have a few ice-creams/coffees. Places we're staying are self-catering.

Really not sure now!

Mmm not sure about Skye! I’m Scottish and we chose not to go anywhere remote as were worried about the locals reaction.

@Mrsjayy there are posters on this very thread saying 'we don't want you here'. We are English so it'll be clear from our accent that we may not be local. Scottish economy already has my money as I have fully paid for our accomodation. I'll spend the rest when we won't be potentially treated as pariahs for being there.

You may get a mixed reaction. Local businesses delighted to have you but locals not in the tourist industry less so.

Depends how sensitive you are! I am super sensitive and knew it would ruin my holiday to feel unwelcome hence we’re heading south not north. How about somewhere like Northumbria?

I’m in Scotland, I really want to travel and visit places but everywhere Is mobbed toilets gross and you can’t eat out yet or when you do you have to book and most places are booked up and quite honestly it doesn’t sound very enjoyable with all the rules and that’s without wearing face masks in the shops - I haven’t even got a mask so won’t be shopping. I’m not sure why on earth you’d want to come on holiday to be honest, the weather is terrible too I just had my 2 weeks annual leave and it was utter crap. I live in the forth valley area so lots of nice walks etc but in the rain it’s not so nice.

I’m from up north though, and there are 7 icu beds in Inverness alone so not sure where 3 came into things?..they may be full though as it’s a busy unit my aunt works in the hospital in theatres. If I were you I’d not go anywhere too remote and try to book some meals before you go if there is any availability locally. I’d love to go to Norwich to see my mum but they are shielding so no chance of that for quite some time. I’d rather go on holiday when I don’t need to worry about all this stuff tbh

We want you! I live in East Lothian which is open, near Edinburgh, plenty of beaches and lovely open spaces. We want visitors! Our cafes etc are starting to open up and we want them to survive. No idea about quarantine but I fail to see how they'll be enforcing it.

My daughter lives in the Highlands, it sounds much stricter than down here, you have to wear masks in shops and public transport (even child)
Also they have many fewer icu beds (7 in Inverness for the Highlands) so don't want an influx of tourists spreading it by travelling about.
I'd love to go see her, I'm not going yet..

Sorry but don't come, we don't want you yet!

You don’t speak for me.

Also plenty english accents here so no one will be picking up on that. My husband is from Yorkshire originally and no one has said a word to him!

Once you teach Scotland, Skye is still almost a five hour drive away.
I crossed the border at the weekend, no protestors at all on M6

Sorry just jumping on with my own concerns but we have a cottage booked on Skye, due to leave in a couple of weeks. The cottage was booked long before covid and a hefty deposit taken. Holiday company wouldn't let us change the booking, so we're going. I'm so worried about it. I don't want our tyres being let down or people shouting abuse at us for being there. We actually live in a low-covid area of England and don't go out much and of course we would be respectful of local social distancing measures but locals aren't going to realise that, they're just going to hear the English accents

Skye's chock full of English and Scottish central belt accents because the people with those accents live there.

I think as long as youre coming with accommodation already arranged, don't mouth off about wearing masks or if places are still closed , change your plans if you get somewhere and the car park's chokka rather than just squeezing in - basically be sensible - youll be fine.

Skye's an awful long way to come though and at the best of times is crazy busy.

I am going to Scotland for a holiday. I do every year. I live in Carlisle so it's not far anyway. You are allowed so why not?

There is Plenty of English accents in Scotland even on Skye you will hear different accents, I know people are wary but I don't think you will be chased away.

@MissDollyMix I’m sure it will be fine. You sound like a thoughtful considerate person so as a PP said as long as you wear masks and don’t stomp about loudly disrespecting social distancing you will be fine.

We’re at a tricky stage with lockdown easing and somenot willing/able to let go. Unfortunately this has brought the worst out in some people. The vast majority of Scottish people are not like that. I hope you have a lovely time. Skye is beautiful. Don’t forget your masks and your midge repellent

Save your money and go to somewhere welcoming like Brittany. Better weather and food. Frankly, despite our Scottish family, we have added Scotland and Cornwall to the list of places we can’t be bothered to go and spend money on and risk black looks.

@Abraid2 because the whole of Scotland is the same. You can’t lump it in with Cornwall it’s a bloody country!

Add Wales to that for me

I've just cancelled my Scotland break in early September. My son's college is going back earlier than we thought, it doesn't sound like the Scottish government exactly wants cash from tourists coming from south of the border, and anyway my experience in Devon at the weekend made me realise I'm not ready for holidays and people forgetting social distancing yet.

Wow go to France because Scotland is the same as Cornwall

We are English so it'll be clear from our accent that we may not be local

There are hundreds of thousands of English people living in Scotland.

My friends are on holiday in Skye right now and loving it, having an amazing time, whislt they live in Scotland they are English and have experienced no negativity.

I live in the central belt and am seeing a lot of caravans around just now so lots of people out and about. We have decided to leave it until August before we head away in the caravan.

As long as you follow the guidance then you will be fine, not everything is open but as long as you come knowing this you will still have an amazing time.

Midge repellent and waterproofs and you will be fine 👍

We live in Scotland and are still very much staying at home. We would love to go to the beach, but they seem very busy so everyone I know is avoiding them at the moment. We actually struggle to go out anywhere as we find it difficult to think of places which can manage social distancing well and where we would feel safe.

@Abraid2 @Orangeblossom78
To be honest if you can’t be sympathetic to remote communities and their fears then you’re the one who needs to think on. It’s sad that you can’t understand that. It’s not just about your holiday you know.

What I said above stands, the majority of people are welcoming but understandably a small minority will not be. I’d say come to Scotland, it’s beautiful, the people are great, and you can eat deep fried Mars bars (joke)! Just be considerate, wear a mask and bring midge repellent!

I'm on the North Coast 500, rammed already with campervans at beaches. Lots of 'wild campers' stocking up in Inverness but not spending a penny further north so not sure how it supports the economy.
As said before, 7 ICU beds to cover the Highlands, an area the size of Belgium.
I'm not on either side but just to highlight why some are feared of the influx.
Also anti-english feeling is strong again - I'm English born and was confronted by somebody while speaking to my child to ask how long I was 'staying up here'