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Monday, April 28, 2003
Well the rain's back again. We've had around 2 months without any substantial rainfall, but now the heavens have opened. The plants are loving it, and everwhere has turned a rich, luscious green.
In my view this is what make Scotland the way it is. If we were a dry, dusty, rainless country, visitors would be as well going to Spain or Greece where it's warm. The rain and mist make the mountains more elusive, the rivers more georgeous and the pubs more inviting.
Bring a mac, get out there and revel in the rain.
Click here for BBC weather.
In my view this is what make Scotland the way it is. If we were a dry, dusty, rainless country, visitors would be as well going to Spain or Greece where it's warm. The rain and mist make the mountains more elusive, the rivers more georgeous and the pubs more inviting.
Bring a mac, get out there and revel in the rain.
Click here for BBC weather.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Scotland is open again! Yippee
It might sound funny, but any visitors that have been around the highlands in the 'dark-half' of the year will know all too well the feeling of going up to the door of a tourist attraction, maybe even a shop and seeing the bleached out sign on the dooe that proclaims "OPEN APRIL TO OCTOBER - SEE YOU NEXT YEAR". And it's not just shops and tourist attractions - it's public toilets too. What, people don't go to the loo in the winter?
March was one of the driest and sunniest months ever in Scotland. I was in the highlands every weekend, but apart from the select few applaudibly opportunistic and year-round retailers and hostelries, most things were shut - and it got worse the further north you went.
I know that most businesses can't afford to run through the winter - there's just not enough visitors. But in March, in glorious sunshine and warm temperatures, there were an awful lot of tourists pushing at locked doors and scratching their head as they read the sign, see you next year. Money not getting spent and visitors going home disappointed.
So my message to those people who close for the winter is watch the weather. You should have been open at least for the weekends in March. Tearooms could offer basic food - soup and toasties. Shops could sell last year's stock. But don't just stay closed. And that goes for the National Trust too.
You know who you are - it's time to start opening your doors.
It might sound funny, but any visitors that have been around the highlands in the 'dark-half' of the year will know all too well the feeling of going up to the door of a tourist attraction, maybe even a shop and seeing the bleached out sign on the dooe that proclaims "OPEN APRIL TO OCTOBER - SEE YOU NEXT YEAR". And it's not just shops and tourist attractions - it's public toilets too. What, people don't go to the loo in the winter?
March was one of the driest and sunniest months ever in Scotland. I was in the highlands every weekend, but apart from the select few applaudibly opportunistic and year-round retailers and hostelries, most things were shut - and it got worse the further north you went.
I know that most businesses can't afford to run through the winter - there's just not enough visitors. But in March, in glorious sunshine and warm temperatures, there were an awful lot of tourists pushing at locked doors and scratching their head as they read the sign, see you next year. Money not getting spent and visitors going home disappointed.
So my message to those people who close for the winter is watch the weather. You should have been open at least for the weekends in March. Tearooms could offer basic food - soup and toasties. Shops could sell last year's stock. But don't just stay closed. And that goes for the National Trust too.
You know who you are - it's time to start opening your doors.
Tuesday, April 01, 2003
One of the big things that is missing from too many menus in Scotland is a vegetarian option. That goes for breakfast menus as well. We stayed in a place recently that is well known for the quality of its food, and there was not a single vegetarian dish on the menu. Oh, they were very accommodating when we queried what there was for vegetarians, giving us a single option, but we shouldn't have had to ask. All menus should have at least one vegetarian option, at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I know some establishments are known to cater for the vegetarians, but everyone should be doing this now. Fresh produce is available everywhere - you don't have to scoff the wildlife.
p.s. I'm a carnivore - I write this on behalf of my veggie friends
p.s. I'm a carnivore - I write this on behalf of my veggie friends
Went to Gairloch, Wester Ross at the weekend. Looks like the single track road from Achnasheen over to Kinlochewe is being upgraded to a normal road. Mixed emotions on this. Coming over the pass from the east and seeing the tiny road winding down the glen and Loch Maree stretched out into the distance is one of the finest parts of any journey in Scotland.
On the other hand, the residents of this part of the world deserve a decent transport link to the rest of the country, and in that respect it can only help them build their community.
Go and drive the road before it disappears - it's a classic.
On the other hand, the residents of this part of the world deserve a decent transport link to the rest of the country, and in that respect it can only help them build their community.
Go and drive the road before it disappears - it's a classic.
This blog is a guide to our holidays in Scotland website and also contains info for visitors to Scotland including Scottish hotels, holiday accommodation, things to do and places to go in Scotland.
Previous Posts
- Things to do in Scotland
- Will Ye' No Come Back Again (Tae Edinburgh)?
- Spellcheck anyone?
- Salmon Fishing Season Opens in Scotland
- Climbing the Munros When Visiting Scotland
- Treasured Places in Scotland
- Summer Weather in Scotland
- Pentland Hills Visitor Centre
- Weather Looking OK for T In The Park
- Highland Wildlife Park
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