Luxury Scottish breaks

With its golden beaches, pristine mountains and range of world class hostelries, Scotland is the perfect luxury break destination. Pander to your indulgent side and still protect your wallet with these top holiday treats.  

Teeing off: With more than 500 courses and some of the greatest links on the globe, nowhere beats Scotland when it comes to golf. If you’re a fan of the sport and fancy teeing off in style then why not plan your stay around one of the area’s golf-centric hotels? Try Blanefield Luxury Country House, located close to the 2009 Open Championship course at Turnberry; or head to Cameron House with its 71-par Carrick golf course. The famous Gleneagles Hotel also offers the chance to play at three of the world’s finest courses.  

Pampering packages: Feel in need of a little relaxation and recuperation? Then look no further. Scotland has been a favoured destination among invalids looking to ‘take the waters’ for centuries, and now has a thoroughly modern collection of spas and beauty salons. From five star hotels to bargain packages, Scotland offers spa holidays to offer all tastes and budgets.

Haute cuisine: With its rich flavours, mouth-watering textures and fresh ingredients, Scottish cuisine has become popular among celebrity chefs and restaurants worldwide. Of course, there’s still nowhere better to eat Scottish food than Scotland itself, which has a growing selection of fantastic eateries. Edinburgh and Glasgow have arguably the largest choice, but there are plenty of local pubs and restaurants dotted around the countryside that offer fresh, traditional Scottish food. Make sure you try haggis or a rich stew – and polish it off with a Scotch on the rocks.   

Stately home tour: Fancy seeing how the other half live? Scotland has a huge number of historic and stately homes, with many offering open days and family attractions. Among the most beautiful are Cawdor Castle, Hopetoun House and Floors Castle.

One of the benefits of choosing Scotland for your break is that there are some great deals available on luxury holidays. However, if you’re keen to experience true opulence then it’s a good idea to set a budget and to begin saving some time in advance. Consider opening an account specifically for your holiday cash, choosing a well-reputed institution such as Santander, which offers good rates on savings accounts. To secure a luxury break for less, it’s also worth comparing deals offered by package providers and booking in advance to take advantage of the best offers.