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Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

My husband Demetrius and I spent two nights on half board at Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland in late June 2011, on a complimentary basis. The hotel is located in its own grounds, all 900 acres of them, on the slopes of the Knock hill in Crieff.

Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

The lobby has recently been refurbished and was looking attractive.

Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

Crieff Hydro lobby

Our accommodation was in a Leigh signature room, in what was originally the home of the founder of Crieff Hydro, a building located a couple of hundred yards from the hotel entrance.  We had an allocated parking space. The room was gorgeous, with different hues of greens, creams and browns. The bed was very comfortable. The thick curtains did work as blackouts, keeping it dark in the morning.

There was a settee and a large armchair in the room. I couldn’t understand why the fridge was in such a prominent position sitting up on the desk, I think it would have been less obtrusive in a corner at ground level. There’s wired internet in the room, which costs £12 extra per day. Guests can get free wifi for 30 minutes a day in the lobby.

Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

Seating area in our Leigh signature room

The bathroom was enormous with a deep roll top bath, walk-in shower and two wash basins. I loved the tiling in the bathroom.  Demetrius had problems adjusting the thermostat of the walk in shower; he wanted to have a lukewarm shower and the water kept running hot. He also had a nasty surprise when he noticed that the bath towel he was using to dry himself with was badly stained. It’s a basic requirement of a hotel to give you clean towels.  We had another issue with housekeeping, as our tea and coffee making supplies were not replenished when the room was cleaned. It is a pity that housekeeping issues marred our overall impression of the room.

Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

Roll top bath in Leigh signature room

Crieff Hydro is ideal for families as room rates include six hours free child care for kids aged 2 – 12 years. There are over 60 on site activities on offer, including quad biking, segwaying, archery, horse riding, table tennis, golfing, swimming and rifle shooting.  However, it wasn’t very clear how much the various activities cost. I’d have liked to see a booklet in the room giving the prices and opening hours of every activity. For example, on the daily programme sheet there was an entry describing the crazy golf with a phone number for booking, but no price or operating times given.

Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

Me playing table tennis at Crieff Hydro

The three course set menu dinner was excellent in terms of choice and quality of dishes. The smoked salmon and prawn filo starters were delicious. Main course options included tender beef, smoked haddock and sea bass.  The desserts were beautifully presented and the raspberry yoghurt cake was divine.  The coffee served with dessert was full of flavour without being too strong. The restaurant staff were all very attentive, efficient and pleasant. The breakfast buffet had a good selection of hot and cold dishes, but breakfast was only served until 10am.  I thought that it would be more relaxing for guests if this were extended until 11am.  It wasn’t ideal to have a note at the bottom of the dinner menu suggesting that guests come for breakfast between 7.30am – 8.30am to avoid the 9am – 10am peak period.

Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

Raspberry yoghurt cake

In summary, Crieff Hydro is in a wonderful location in beautiful gardens and countryside. The standard of fittings and furnishings in the Leigh signature room was very high but let down by poor standards of housekeeping. The food, especially at dinner, was really good. However, I think extending breakfast serving hours until 11am would allow guests to have a more leisurely morning.  The inclusive childcare for kids aged 2 – 12 years makes Crieff Hydro very attractive for families.

Click here to see all our Crieff Hydro photos on Flickr.

Win Two Nights B&B for 2 Guests at Crieff Hydro

Enter the Europe a la Carte competition, closing date 24 July 2011, to win a 2 night stay at the Crieff Hydro hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

Review of the Crieff Hydro Hotel

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Win a 2 Night Stay at Crieff Hydro in Scotland

One lucky Europe a la Carte reader will win a two night stay for two guests, on a bed and breakfast basis, at the Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland. To enter, you need to leave a comment telling me why you’d like to win this fab prize. The person whom I judge to have given the most original and entertaining answer, will win the prize. So get your creative juices flowing and enter our competition.

Win a 2 Night Stay at Crieff Hydro in Scotland

The exterior of Crieff Hydro

Terms & Conditions

  1. Entries must be left as a blog comment.
  2. The closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday 24 July 2011.
  3. The Editor will judge the entry which gives the most original and entertaining answer to be the winner.
  4. The prize is subject to availability and not valid during school holidays and public holidays.
  5. The winner will be notified by email by Friday 29th July 2011.
  6. The winning comment will be published in this blog post, along with some of other best entries.

Win a 2 Night Stay at Crieff Hydro in Scotland

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UK Staycations: Are We Brits Making the Most of Our Own Country?

I want to ask fellow Brits, “Are you are making the most of the UK?”. The term staycation has become increasingly common over the last few years. You can take that to mean literally staying at home, such as in my post “7 Reason to Have a Holiday in Your Own Home” or taking a holiday within the UK.

UK Staycations: Are We Brits Making the Most of Our Own Country?

Whipsiddery Beach in Newquay, Cornwall

Podcast: Are We Brits Making the Most of Our Own Country?

 

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For many Brits, a holiday equates to flying somewhere with better weather than normally found in the UK. Well we’re currently enjoying a warm spell in April 2011, with temperatures higher than some spots in the Med, which does demonstrate that the UK weather can be good too. Then there’s the argument that many destinations abroad offer better value for money.

I’d like to illustrate that you can have great short breaks and holidays in the UK on a budget. My examples have a strong Scottish bias, as I’m Scottish but living in north-east England, so I’m up in Scotland at every opportunity.

At the beginning of April 2011 I stayed for 3 nights at the Travelodge Edinburgh West End for 3 nights paying only £19 a night for a double room on the advance booking saver rate. The hotel is very close to the Dean Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, both free to enter, offering wet weather options. One day I walked along the Water of Leith to the Botanic Garden (free to enter), where in addition to admiring the daffodils and rhododendrons, I looked around two art exhibitions at Inverleith House.

UK Staycations: Are We Brits Making the Most of Our Own Country?

View from John Hope Gateway at the Edinburgh Botanic Garden

Another day I drove north to Fife to climb up Falkland Hill. It was touch and go if I’d stay dry as as it was a showery day but I was lucky.

UK Staycations: Are We Brits Making the Most of Our Own Country?

View from ascent of Falkland Hill

I’ve booked 2 nights at the Travelodge Perth Broxden Junction at the start of May 2011 at the price of £15 a night, booked in the Travelodge sale in early April 2011. I love Perthshire and we’re planning to walk the Birks of Aberfeldy and visit the Hermitage at Dunkeld. There’s a leisure pool in Perth, a museum, theatre and concert hall.

UK Staycations: Are We Brits Making the Most of Our Own Country?

Robert Burns statue at the Birks of Aberfeldy in Perthshire

There’s still plenty of opportunity to book cheap rooms as Travelodge have £19 rooms available from 27 May to 3 June 2011 for the Half Term holidays and Premier Inn have £29 advance booking rooms on offer. We just need to cross our fingers that we’ll have more fine weather.

So next time you’re planning a short break or holiday, why not look at UK staycation options?

UK Staycations: Are We Brits Making the Most of Our Own Country?

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£19 Travelodge UK rooms available for Half Term stays 27 May – 3 June 2011

Travelodge UK are offering £19 Saver rooms for stays during the Half Term holidays between 27 May – 5 June 2011. I did a quick search for availability of £19 rooms in central Scotland and found reasonable availability, except on Saturdays nights.  I even found some £19 rooms at my favourite Edinburgh Travelodge, the West End, where I spent three nights earlier this month (paying the £19 a night Saver rate).

£19 Travelodge UK rooms available for Half Term stays 27 May   3 June 2011

Entrance to Edinburgh West End Traveldoge

You’ll need to book your room on the Travelodge site at least 21 days in advance to get the £19 rate but £29 rooms are available up to 7 days before arrival.

£19 Travelodge UK rooms available for Half Term stays 27 May – 3 June 2011

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£15 Travelodge UK rooms for stays 21 April – 4 May 2011

There’s a £15 room promotion starting today (Thursday 7 April 2011) on Travelodge UK.  It’s only available for stays from 21 April – 4 May 2011, so ideal for the May Bank Holiday in England.

£15 Travelodge UK rooms for stays 21 April   4 May 2011

I’d recommend that you get on the Travelodge UK site early to book your £15 room, as these promotions usually sell out fast. This is a great price as many Travelodges have family rooms which can sleep up to 2 adults and 2 children.

Update 10.00 on 7 April 2011: I just booked a couple of nights in Perth for £15 a night. No problems with Travelodge site, I was able to search and book quickly.

£15 Travelodge UK rooms for stays 21 April – 4 May 2011

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What’s your dream Europe trip?

In a dream world, right now I’d ignore my emails, pack a weekend bag and skip to the airport. My dream Europe trip? If money wasn’t an issue, a little bit of this:

Sipping cocktails in a London hotel (and perhaps playing tourists for a couple of days), before getting a taxi to the airport and hopping on a plane to Northern Italy. The catching a train through the countryside. Hopping on an off trains as I see fit. Parma, Verona, Milan. Maybe visiting my ol’ friend Florence for the day. Stopping in little hotels, just because they’re pretty, trying little trattoria’s for lunch. That’ll keep me happy for about a week. Trains are so cheap in Italy that I’ll be able to keep on the move.

Whats your dream Europe trip?

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Then hopping over to the West of Sicily on the ferry (for such a small Island there’s an awful lot that I haven’t explored), Off I go to eat arancina and drink unusual spirits. There’s plenty of exploring to be done, most of it best done by car – those little villages all need visiting (in my imaginary dream holiday, I can also drive). Seafood will definitely have to be eaten by the sea.

Then? A short flight to Croatia, to go and play on my very own private island. There are so many dotted around the place, and not at all expensive. Some for playing on for the day, some with lighthouses that your can rent out. I’ve never been to Croatia, so I’ll walk around, taking lots of photos. I’m not really a beach dweller, and get bored after an hour or so. I need some thing to do, and Croatia seems like the perfect place to keep me busy.

Whats your dream Europe trip?

Rovinj, Croatia

Oh, what’s that? It’s nearly time to come home? I don’t really want to, so I’m going to fly back to Paris instead. I’ve been to Paris a couple of times, but the catacombs were being restored after (terrible) vandalism, and I didn’t get to go. I’ve also never been to the Sacre Coure, and despite visiting the Louvre, I want to see some of the art inside too.

Whats your dream Europe trip?

Pyramids at the Louvre, Paris

Obviously I’ll eat all the cake too. And maybe stay at One by The Five Hotel Paris.

Oh, it really is time to come home now? Oh, that’s sad. Can I go first class on the Eurostar? Actually, it’s my Holiday, so I’m allowed on the Orient Express. That’ll do nicely for my dream Europe trip.

For more travel inspiration read the Europe a la Carte Dream European Travel Itinerary, compiled as part of the Blog’s 4th birthday celebrations.

What’s your dream Europe trip?

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What do you think of the UK holiday?

Later this month, I’m off to Devon for the weekend (to stay here, I can’t wait). In May I’m off to Cornwall.I’ve never been to any of these places, and I’m just as excited as I would be if I was going abroad. I can’t wait to walk along a freezing cold beach in February. I love a UK holiday. I get excited about being a tourist in my own city and I really enjoy travelling in the UK.

What do you think of the UK holiday?

But some people will balk at the idea of staying home. If the sun isn’t shining, if the sangria isn’t flowing, somehow it just doesn’t feel like a real trip. For some (quite understandably) if you don’t get on a plane it’s not a real holiday. It’s no secret that I like hopping on trains on a whim, but planning a UK holiday is so much less stressful than going abroad. Decide to go, book, pack, go. It’s rarely more complicated than that. One of the best things about staying in the country on your holidays is that you don’t get the travelling stress.

I hate airports. Absolutely hate that them. Not flying, I’m a huge fan of that. But airports in general stress me out. Security, getting lost, lots of waiting, making sure I have my passport, delays, waking up at 4am because I’m too cheap to get a sensibly timed flight. I usually lose half the first day of my holiday to sleep. Travelling can be horrible. Sure there are fun parts (inflight magazines, free gin, looking out of the window of your plane and seeing little houses), but most of the time it’s horrible. Especially if you’re travelling with other people. Those other people always tend to have different schedules to you. I always end up going away with someone who’s relaxed about the whole thing and wants to spend hours playing about before going through security. It’s the easiest way to drive me crazy. And it’s exactly the same on the way home. Which can ruin two weeks of relaxing before you know it.

The staycation or UK break takes that away. It gives you the exciting bits of travel. The relaxing, the exploring, the good food. The good bits. Without very much of the stress. I like travelling abroad, but with so much of the UK to explore, I can get just as excited about popping down to the coast for a couple of days as I can about travelling to a country far far away.

How do you feel about UK holidays? Lots of fun, or not nearly exciting enough?

Flickr image from AndyRob‘s photostream.

What do you think of the UK holiday?

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Review of Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

I managed to bag a room at Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside for a stay on Saturday 8 January 2011, for only £20.12. Rooms at this price were only available for one day (20 December 2010) on the Holiday Inn site, to publicise that they are one of the sponsors of the 2012 Olympics in London.

Review of Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

The hotel is a perfect location for a Glasgow short break. The hotel doesn’t have its own car park but I saw a car park close to the hotel which advertised all day stays for £5. We managed to find free on-street parking close to George Square (chargeable hours are Monday to Saturday 8am-6pm). It takes around ten minutes to walk to the hotel from either Queen St or Central rail stations. The hotel is a two minute walk from the St Enoch Shopping Centre and Argyle Street. The hotel is by the River Clyde, and Glasgow Green park (home to the People’s Palace) is just along the river.

Review of Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

Doulton Fountain in Glasgow Green

Although the hotel is by the riverside, only the two rooms at the end of the corridor on each floor have full river views. It may be worth checking in early to try to get one of these rooms?

We were allocated room 523 on the top floor. Our room was at the front of the hotel facing the street, so there was some traffic noise, made more audible by the fact our window was missing one of its catches, so wouldn’t close properly.  I have to admit that I always find it noisy in city centres, as it’s very quiet where we live.  I did hear a bit of door banging and some loud voices during the night, but nothing too bad. The room was fairly comfortable but the bed had an inclination to roll together in the middle.

There was free wifi in the lobby which had a reasonable signal, although it struggled to upload a short video to Flickr.

Review of Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

Lobby at Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

Continental breakfast was OK but the fruit juice tasted a bit watery and one of the hot drinks machines was low on supplies, so my hot chocolate appeared as watery hot milk. However the croissant and fruity cereal were good.

Review of Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

Continental Breakfast Buffet at Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

Overall, I’d recommend the hotel as a good budget option for a Glasgow short break, with reasonable rooms, free wifi in the lobby and breakfast included, as I’ve noticed more and more hotels with room only offers.  There are plenty of opportunities close at hand to sample three of the reasons to visit Glasgow, restaurants, music and food. You can also read our tips on things to do in Glasgow.

You should also check out room prices at the Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside on the HotelsCombined price comparison site. I found a room at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront for £24 less per night than the price quoted on the the Holiday Inn site, for my last minute stay there in December 2010.

Review of Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Riverside

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25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

I love Scotland but then I would say that as I’m Scottish. However, I’m sure you can appreciate why, once you’ve read about some unusual and fun things to do in Scotland,  selected from posts about Scotland written by the Europe a la Carte blogging team. If you want to explore beyond the major Scottish cities, you’ll need to hire a car, as there’s isn’t much public transport in rural areas.

North of Scotland

Admire the Beauty of St Ninian’s Beach, Shetland Islands

I visited the Shetland Islands for the first time in May 2010 and they are absolutely beautiful.  My favourite spot was St Ninian’s Beach, which was recommended to me by the taxi driver who picked me up at the airport. Which just goes to show it’s always worth asking locals for tips. If you stay in the Shetland capital Lerwick, you can explore the main island from there and/or take day trips to some of the smaller islands.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

St Ninians Beach, Shetland Islands

Go North at Dunnet Head

Andy visited Dunnet Head, which is the most northerly point of the UK mainland and not John O’Groats as popularly believed.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Dunnet Head by ifry

Get in Touch with Your Mystical Side at Callanish Stones, Hebrides

Andy also wrote about his visit to the Callanish Stones, a stone circle on the Island of Lewis in the Hebrides. I’ve been to the stones on a misty morning when no-one else was there and it was a really mystical experience. 

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Callanish Stones by luxpim

Marvel at the Cliffs on Staffa, Hebrides

Andy thought that the hexagonal basalt cliffs on the island of Staffa look like they’ve been sculptured but it’s all natural.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Staffa by wjmarnoch

Go Underground at Smoo Cave, Durness, Highlands

Durness is the most north westerly village on the UK mainland. Taking a boat trip into Smoo Cave is the best way to see the interior.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Smoo  Cave

Be Amazed You’re so Far North at Inverewe Gardens, Highlands

Inverewe Gardens, located on the west coast close to Poolewe in Wester Ross, lies in a sheltered bay warmed by the Gulf Stream. I’ve been there twice and it’s hard to believe that you’re in the north of Scotland.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Inverewe Gardens

Be Wowed by Colour at the Biblical Garden, Elgin

The very colourful Biblical Garden in Elgin contains all 110 plants mentioned in the Bible.  The sculptures around the garden are based on characters in various parables including the Good Shepherd and the Prodigal Son. You can see all my Biblical Garden photos on Flickr.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Biblical Garden, Elgin

Imagine Watching Horse Racing from Pitfour Observatory, Aberdeenshire

Pitfour Observatory was constructed by a rich Lord to get a good view of the race track he had specially made, so he could indulge in his hobby of horse racing while still on the grounds of his estate.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Pitfour Observatory

Central Scotland

Visit the Queen Mother’s Birthplace at Glamis Castle, Angus

Andy asked if Glamis Castle is Scotland’s prettiest castle.  I’m not sure about that as it’s got some stiff opposition and it didn’t make my three favourite Scottish Castles. It was the birthplace of the mother of the current UK monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Glamis Castle by Andy Hayes

Imagine Yourself in Antarctica at Discovery Point, Dundee

Board the Antarctic explorer Captain Scott’s ship at Discovery Point in my city of birth Dundee, where the ship was built. You can buy a joint admission ticket for the Verdant Works which tells of the history of Dundee’s jute industry. Here are my recommendations for hotels in Dundee.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Discovery Point, Dundee

Meet Robert Burns at the Birks of Aberfeldy, Perthshire

The Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote the Birks of Aberfeldy after taking a walk up to the Mo’ness Falls. The sculpture was unveiled in 2009, in honour of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish poet.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Robert Burns Sculpture at the Birks of Aberfeldy

Explore Two Follies at the Hermitage, Dunkeld, Perthshire

The Hermitage was created as a landscape garden for the local Duke, complete with two follies, Ossian’s Hall overlooking the Falls of Braan and Ossian’s Cave.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Falls of Braan and Ossian’s Hall at the Hermitage, Dunkeld

Walk for Miles along West Sands Beach in St Andrews, Fife

Although St Andrews is synonymous with golf and the University where Princess Diana’s elder son William studied, there’s a lot more to this lovely historic town.  There are two beaches, West Sands (pictured below) and the smaller East Sands and a very tempting ice cream shop.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

West Sands, St Andrews

Go Back in Time at Culross, Fife

Step back to into the 17th century in Culross, with its palace and abbey.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

View from Culross Palace Garden

See Pictish Cave Art at Wemyss Caves, Fife

In the Wemyss Caves you can see several drawings believed to date from over 2000 years ago.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Trident in Jonathan’s Cave

Explore the 14th Century Alloa Tower, Clackmannanshire

Alloa Tower, renovated in the 1990s, is the largest surviving medieval tower house in Scotland.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Alloa Tower

Discover History at the Old Town Cemeteries, Stirling

On the way up to Stirling Castle it’s worth spending some time in the cemeteries. The Old Kirkyard has headstones from as early as the 16th century.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

The Valley Cemetery, Stirling

Stirling hotels

Be Spoiled for choice by Glasgow Restaurants

I reckon that Glasgow has the best selection of restaurants you’ll find in Scotland. Three of my favourites are the Kama Sutra, Chillies West End and Rogano.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Rogano Restaurant Glasgow

Stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway, Edinburgh

The Water of Leith Walkway stretches for 12 miles from Balerno through the city centre, with an Aids and HIV memorial between the exits for the Gallery of Modern Art and Dean Gallery. The river flows into the Forth Estuary at Leith. The Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront is located a few minutes walk from the Water of Leith.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Water of Leith Walkway Edinburgh

Follow the Prestonpans Murals Trail, East Lothian

I love the Prestonpans Murals Trail which celebrates the industrial heritage of the village. The cow below is at the site of a former dairy. You can get to Prestonpans by bus from Edinburgh city centre.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

The cow mural at Prestonpans

Fly 1st Class at the National Museum of Flight, East Fortune, East Lothian

The big attraction at the National Museum of Flight is a Concorde. I was fascinated to learn that the first return crossing of the Atlantic by air was undertaken by the airship R34 which took off from East Fortune in 1919.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

The Concorde Experience at the National Museum of Flight

South of Scotland

Learn About One of the Fathers of Conservation in Dunbar, East Lothian.

Discover the life story of the conservationist John Muir at his birthplace in Dunbar. You could then walk along the beautiful red cliffs. It’s easy to get to Dunbar by rail from Edinburgh.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Display at John Muir’s Birthplace, Dunbar

Contemplate the Power of the Sea at St Abbs, Scottish Borders

St Abbs is a pretty little fishing village which is now a marine reserve and popular with divers. The Eyemouth Fishing Disaster Memorial in St Abbs portrays some of the anguish caused by the death of 189 fishermen on October 14 1881.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Eyemouth Fishing Disaster Memorial, St Abbs

Find Out About 1930s Motorcycling at Hawick Museum, Scottish Borders

Hawick Museum, located in Wilton Park, has a display about the 1930s motorcycling champion, Jimmy Guthrie, who was born in Hawick. There’s a lovely walk along the River Teviot through Wilton Park. If you walk along the river toward the town centre, you’ll find the James Thomson Bridge, opened in 2006 to honour the 19th century local poet.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Hawick Museum in Wilton Park

Take the Waters at St Ronan’s Well, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders

Drink from the Spa in the village of Innerleithen, featured in Walter Scott’s novel, St Ronan’s Well.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

View from St Ronan’s Well, Innerleithen

Enjoy Threave Gardens, near Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway

Threave Gardens consists of several themed areas; a secret garden, a rock garden, a rose garden and a peat garden. If you’re lucky with the weather, the cafe has an outdoor seating area.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Threave Castle Garden

Where to stay in Scotland

Find the best deals at hotels all over Scotland with the HotelsCombined price comparison site, which quickly searches through more than 30 of the best travel sites to find the lowest prices for you.

Podcast Highlighting Some Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

Subscribe to the Europe a la Carte Podcast in itunes or audioboo.

Europe a la Carte Scottish Destination Guides

Your favourite things to Do in Scotland

Please leave a comment with your favourite things to do in Scotland.

25 Unusual & Fun Things to Do in Scotland

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Review of Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront

I stayed for one night, the 27 of December 2010, at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront. I booked the room on the morning on 27 December, using the HotelsCombined price comparison site, at a cost of £45 for a double room for 2 guests, including breakfast.  The hotel is in Leith, very close to the Ocean Terminal shopping and leisure centre, which is home to the Royal Yacht Britannia. There is free guest parking at the hotel.

I was happy with my room on the fourth floor. It was an adequate size for a double room and had a desk area and a sofa bed.   These family rooms can sleep up to two adults and two children under the age of 18 but it would be pretty cramped with four people in the room.  The bed was really comfortable and there was a choice of soft or firm pillows. The bathroom only has a shower. Unfortunately you have to pay if you want to use wifi in your room, although it’s free in the lobby, for up to 6 hours per day. The signal in the lobby was good enough for me to upload a video.

Review of Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront

Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront bedroom

My room was at the front of the hotel and the double glazing didn’t quite shut out all the noise from the road below but I wasn’t disturbed overnight by traffic noise.  Several buses stop just outside the hotel, so it’s easy to get to the city centre.

The self service breakfast was good with a choice of cereal, fruit juice, toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, plain yoghurt, pain au chocolat and tinned grapefruit.  There were no croissants and a very limited choice of fresh fruit, apparently due to it being a bank holiday. It did get quite chaotic once it became busy with guests milling around. The two toasters couldn’t cope with the demand.

Overall, if you don’t mind being a couple of miles from the city centre, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront is a good budget Edinburgh hotel, especially for families (kids sharing with adults stay and eat breakfast free of charge).  The hotel is also a good choice if you are going to Edinburgh by car, as parking is expensive and can be hard to find close to your hotel, if you stay in the city centre.  There’s a good choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs within a few minutes walk from the hotel, either at Ocean Terminal or at the Water of Leith.

Search for all hotels in Edinburgh on the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Review of Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Waterfront

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