New year, new guide!
Yes, almost finished! The tech stuff / 'beta' phase of Scotland's new hotels guide is almost done. We're now adding reviews, news, big pics and more. Welcome to the new guide. Official launch in January. Example entry.
Borders 3-for-2 deal
In the Borders, about 40 mins' drive from Edinburgh, Scotland's Guest House of the Year 2009 is offering great value 3 night breaks for the price of 2. We love the place with its laid-back atmos and great food. Offer. Review.
New! Jurys Aberdeen
In the oil capital the big new Jurys Inn Aberdeen is now open. We're the first guide to review it. The hotel's an integral part of the exciting Union Square mall right by the train station. An outstanding budget hotel; what the city needed.
This week's Big Picture: 5 red-starred Inverlochy Castle Hotel by Ft. William is now offering great low-season breaks
Nominations open!
7th Scottish Hotel Awards
Yes indeed, nominations now open for The Scottish Hotel Awards 2010. The 7th Awards Night Party - the 'Scottish hotel Oscars' - is on Sunday March 28th. Visit the official site, the only one, which has gathered 1,000s of votes since 2003. "The flagship hotel awards", said the First Minister in 2007.
Decent proposal
North Berwick for the weekend?
North Berwick is half an hour or so by car from the southern edge of Edinburgh. It's a charming Victorian seaside resort famed for golf and the Seabird Centre. May we suggest the multi-award-winning Macdonald Marine Hotel? Read the new review and seek out a special offer. And don't overlook the spa there, either.
Ken Gunn & Anne Gracie
Scottish hotelier of the month
This January we highlight a couple who've truly enhanced the hotel scene in Skye. Ken and Anne own Duisdale and Toravaig hotels, plus Solus na Mara yacht. Ken was formerly master of 5-star MV Hebridean Princess; Anne's a native of Skye, a Gaelic-speaker and (if you're lucky) a singer. Both their fine hotels are highly popular with our readers and judges. So, go and judge for yourself!
Scottish hotel offer of the month
Cluny Bank Hotel is in picturesque Forres, by the Moray Firth, and its Franklin's Restaurant offers some of the tastiest, natural food we've enjoyed in a Scottish hotel for yonks. Perfect for a winter break. Check out their Dine & Stay Break (PDF) at £75pp all-in for dinner, bed and breakfast? Valid Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays from Nov - March (excl. Xmas etc.). Review
Scotland Magazine
In the next issue...
In next month's Scotland Magazine we focus the two pages we've had in every issue for many years on unusual and unique hotels in Scotland. Nine are highlighted for the special theme. You can sub to the mag right here. It's the sister of world-wide selling Whisky Magazine. Ideal for visitors to these shores.
New guidebook
by Viv Devlin
A big new guidebook Edinburgh & East Coast Scotland by Vivien Devlin, deputy chairman of The Scottish Hotel Awards, is out now. Packed with inside info, full of tips, it took energetic Viv and Ken Scott (our snapper) a heck of a lot of time and passion to do. It's a result! Find out more / buy online at Amazon.