Courier Travel

Everest adventurer Doug Scott to give lecture

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:50:00 +0100

Climber and explorer Doug Scott will take part in a fund-raising lecture at Kirkcaldy's Adam Smith Theatre on Sunday, October 30.

Lisbon: White city charms

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:48:00 +0100

Lisbon is an established favourite with holidaymakers, and Stewart Lloyd-Jones took a trip there to check out the Portuguese capital's delights.

Review: Doxford Hall Hotel and Spa, Northumberland

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:21:00 +0100

Grant Reid takes the time to explore one of those places you always see signposted while driving somewhere else and finds there is indeed plenty to amuse off the beaten track...

Bike accident leaves Courier photographer with trans-Europe quandary

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 16:18:00 +0100

A tumble on the roads of Croatia has brought a painful halt to Courier photographer Kim Cessford's enjoyment of a Top Gear-type challenge across Europe.

Fantastic Finns, super Swedes — A Baltic adventure

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:34:00 +0100

In the inimitable words of Monty Python: "Finland, Finland, Finland, The country where I want to be, Eating breakfast or dinner, Or snack lunch in the hall." It was with this level of searing cultural insight that William Lockwood stepped off the plane in Helsinki, ready to tackle whatever hurdles the country could throw at him, with a taste of Sweden thrown in for good luck.

St Andrews ranks highly in TripAdvisor visitor survey

Sat, 07 May 2011 14:30:00 +0100

A remarkable few days for St Andrews was topped off when it was unveiled as one of Britain's 10 most popular retreats.

The Hideaway Experience: another world on your doorstep

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 13:29:00 +0100

Sometimes a little deception is no bad thing. Well, it was in my case recently when the opportunity arose to test drive something new in the shadow of the Sidlaw Hills, just outside Dundee.

VisitScotland campaign to help Angus and Dundee make a splash

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:17:00 +0000

A multi-million-pound investment by VisitScotland will promote Angus and Dundee as "an amazing holiday destination."

Enjoy the magic of the Misty Isle at Skye's Kinloch Lodge

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Mist-covered mountains, wild seas and dramatic ruined castles drenched in history make the Isle of Skye one of the most romantic getaways that Scotland, and indeed the world, has to offer. But perhaps nowhere encapsulates the romance of the Misty Isle more than the luxurious hideaway Kinloch Lodge — the island's only Michelin Star establishment. Michael Alexander travelled north to find out more.

Craigtay and New County in running for Scottish hotel 'Oscars'

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:09:00 +0000

Hotels in Dundee and Perth have been nominated for hospitality industry awards.

Thrilling Western Isles descent is a Barra-full of excitement

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:10:00 +0000

What do Barra, Honduras and Guatemala City all have in common? They are all in the top 10 scariest airports in the world - but in another survey, Barra was voted in the top 10 'inspirational approaches'.
Michael Alexander recently spent a family holiday on Barra and found out for himself whether it was scary or inspirational.

Muscle man Jamie Barr has a strong pull on Germans

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:02:00 +0000

A Fife muscle man is providing a strong pull for Germans to come to Scotland.

Canal dreams — crossing Scotland by paddle power

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:11:00 +0000

Walking across Scotland is a common pursuit that the majority of Scots probably manage at least once in their lifetimes. But have you ever considered paddling across the country?

Hurry if you want to enjoy the slow trip to Bruges

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:11:00 +0000

With the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry service sadly about to be lost to Fife, Leeza Clark grabbed the opportunity to set sail for Belgium and top up her chocolate supplies before it's too late.

Surprise stowaway is silky souvenir

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:04:00 +0000

A Dunfermline tourist got more than she bargained for when she started unpacking after a holiday in China.

Autumn gold in Scotland

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:04:00 +0100

Scotland in the autumn is a pretty special place. The tourists have gone home, the weather's still quite good, and you can sometimes feel you have the whole country to yourself. Jack McKeown spent a few days touring some of the highlights.

Paul Murton books Grand Tours of Scotland

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:27:00 +0100

When filmmaker Paul Murton rediscovered a tattered copy of a Victorian guide to Scotland he decided to follow in the footsteps of the country's first tourists. The resulting programme, Grand Tours of Scotland, begins on BBC 1 on Wednesday.

Sir Chris Bonington to give talk at Alhambra Theatre

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:33:00 +0100

One of the UK's most famous mountaineers, Sir Chris Bonington, is to visit the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline, where he will give a talk on his career.

Longforgan man finds 'heart of America' in Dundee, North Dakota

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:48:00 +0100

A Longforgan man has for the second year in a row travelled thousands of miles west to find himself in a very different Dundee to the one he's used to.

Boatel your friends — hearty good fun aboard the Four Sisters

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:39:00 +0100

Ahoy, me hearties! Mike Donachie and family enjoyed a short break with a difference aboard Edinburgh's Four Sisters Boatel, which is billed as Scotland's only "floating hotel." Dragging along his wife and two young children, he filled the car with babycare junk and was already misusing nautical terms before they hit the motorway.

Beauty in the Eyemouth at Gunsgreen House

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:10:00 +0100

With 'staycations' on the rise, Richard Watt beholds a Scottish beauty — Eyemouth.

Family bliss at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:29:00 +0100

Heading off with heavy scepticism and believing a pre-packaged Center Parcs holiday is for people who don't want to experience the REAL outdoors, Michael Alexander soon finds Whinfell Forest offers a perfect family retreat within easy reach of home.

Forest Holidays' log cabins make Argyll a natural choice

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:13:00 +0100

Time spent in a log cabin in the heart of Argyll allows plenty of time for nature gazing, relaxation and walking, as Lisa Trainer found out.

Ribby Hall Village: another side to Blackpool

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:34:00 +0100

There's more to the north-west of England than Blackpool Pleasure Beach, as Michael Alexander discovered on a family-friendly short break to the five-star self-catering Ribby Hall Village.

Derry: historic city with hope for the future

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:05:00 +0100

In the week the report into the Bloody Sunday shootings in Northern Ireland was published after the longest public inquiry in UK legal history, Michael Alexander recalls a recent trip to Derry where, slowly but surely, defiant wall murals are being replaced by messages of peace.

Living the good life with Feather Down Farm Days

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:26:00 +0100

In search of the good life, Terry MacCallum packs up her family and heads to enjoy some Feather Down Farm Days in the Lake District National Park.

New book gives insiders' guide to Dundee

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:34:00 +0100

A new Dundee travel guidebook has been launched to entice people to come and rediscover the city.

Loch Melfort Hotel: the west at its best

Sat, 29 May 2010 10:24:00 +0100

Take warm sunshine, add Scotland's stunning west coast, sprinkle in some freshly caught seafood — and hold those legendary midges — and you have the recipe for the perfect weekend, finds Nora McElhone.

Rosyth ferry captain's 'moment of glory' finally arrives

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:39:00 +0100

It might be a year late, but Rosyth ferry captain Antonio Arbilli's ship has finally come in.

Family win tickets to mark Flybe anniversary

Mon, 24 May 2010 09:10:00 +0100

A Carnoustie family were all smiles at the weekend after winning free flights in celebration of Loganair's second anniversary of running air services from Dundee.

Norway's fjord country: charming, beautiful and hospitable

Sat, 22 May 2010 20:38:00 +0100

It's the land of the midnight sun, National Geographic think it's the best travel destination in the world, and it's only an hour's flight from Scotland.

Sunparks Limburgse Peel: ideal base to explore The Netherlands

Tue, 18 May 2010 19:31:00 +0100

If you are considering venturing outside the UK for your next family holiday, the picturesque Sunparks Limburgse Peel resort in The Netherlands could be just what you're looking for. Charlene Wilson spent a week there finding out exactly what the area had to offer.

Stonehaven: a hideaway in Scotland's history

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 21:57:00 +0100

Haunting and magnificent in equal measure is the best description for one of Aberdeenshire's most visited attractions.

Taychreggan, Oban: you'll be in Awe of the loch

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:59:00 +0100

With the global economic downturn biting and some miserly exchange rates on offer, the popularity of the "staycation" has rocketed in recent months. Dave Lord joined the growing band of Scots who holiday at home with a stay at the 300-year-old former drovers' inn Taychreggan near Oban — named one of the most romantic retreats in Britain.

Marseille: Vive la difference

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 10:02:00 +0000

Twenty years after Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence attracted hordes of tourists and expats to the region, Nora McElhone finds the Mediterranean city of Marseille is the perfect base for exploring this stunning area.