Travel

With so many big-name hotel companies saturating the market, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for chain hotels to stand out from the crowd.The problem for many of these companies is that they are trying to cater for the masses with demand from both corporate and leisure clientele fundamental to their success.  Their hotels have to appeal to a broad range...

Edinburgh residents have the chance to be part of Scottish history, by winning a Golden Ticket for a VIP seat on the first passenger train to the Scottish Borders to mark the launch of the new Borders Railway.The City of Edinburgh Council, in partnership with This is Edinburgh, has 30 pairs of Golden Tickets up for grabs through the thisisedinburgh.com website.Offering a...

A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP THAT’S 20 YEARS IN THE BAKING!Kenmore Bakery used its special 25th Anniversary Afternoon Tea, held on Saturday at the bakery in Acharn, Kenmore, to thank one of its most loyal customers in the Highland Perthshire area, which has been buying the bakery’s award winning shortbread for nearly twenty years.Five star Mains of Taymouth Country Estate & Golf...

by Donald Anderson More so than most capitals throughout the world Edinburgh is somewhat of a gilded gateway to its home nation. It’s partly due to its stunning beauty, it’s partly down to the city’s reputation as an international culture hub, but it’s also because Edinburgh is a small city in a small country. Getting around what you want to see...

Serviced apartments at Princes Street Suites in Edinburgh have come to the notice of the Scottish Hotel Awards’ ‘Family Hotel of the Year’.Managed by Redefine|BDL Hotels (RBH) – the UK’s leading independent hotel management company – the suites came out on top of the family-friendly category for Edinburgh and the Lothians.As a result of its success, the team will go up against finalists...

With two significant anniversaries falling in the one year, 2020 is shaping up to be a very special one for Coupar Angus hotelier, Alan Bannerman.Two of his hospitality businesses are beginning new marketing campaigns, and the hotel is ideally placed for your staycation this year.His hotel, the Red House Hotel, the only one in Coupar Angus, has...

ENJOY SUMMER WILDLIFE TREATS WHEN YOU BASE YOURSELF AT BELMONTIn July beautiful Unst in Shetland, the UK’s most northerly island, is in full summer bloom. A paradise for bird and nature lovers, Unst is also known for its impressive Viking Heritage sites.Self catering Belmont House on the island, a lovingly reclaimed Georgian Mansion House brought back to life to...

AN EDINBURGH city centre hotel is offering guests the ‘Home Alone’ style experience by opening up its rooms and restaurant for exclusive use over the festive period.  Four-star Nira Caledonia offers 28 stylish rooms, suites and jacuzzi suites over two New Town townhouses, as well as an onsite bar and restaurant, all available to book as a unique hire...

Ryanair has announced a sale on flights to the slopes with the lowest fares available to many European ski destinations this winter.With fares starting from £29.99, this is the time to book and then take in those snowy mountain views before enjoying some much-deserved après ski.Whether you’re looking for an adventurous winter break on the slopes or a relaxing escape...

easyJet announces new Fearless Flyer course dates for 2016 If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground then easyJet's courses could help you get up, up and away.The two-day courses will take place throughout the UK including Belfast, Bristol, Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle, and are suitable for anyone with a fear of flying – whether they experience...

Rabbie’s Small Group Tours awarded with a Queen’s Award for EnterpriseLeading Edinburgh and Ireland small group tour operator, Rabbie’s, was today presented with the UK’s highest accolade for business success by the Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, Donald Wilson.The company was presented with the Queen’s Award for International Trade at a ceremony today in recognition of outstanding overseas sales growth...

Scotrail's Highland Explorer service which offers cycle carriages is making changes to give even more support to active travel.The train operator is cutting the additional fares on the Highland Explorer service and is adding carriages to two of the daily services on the Mallaig branch of the West Highland Line, This will introduce more seats and improve on-board facilities...

You can stay overnight in the newly renovated apartments right next door to the Palace of Holyroodhouse - and live like royalty.Abbey Strand Apartments at Holyrood have been undergoing complete renovation over the last two years and have now opened their doors to guests.The nine apartments are in the building just on the left of the Abbey...

When travelling with Norwegian recently we mentioned more than once the lovely tail fins on the distinctive planes, and also the late Sir Freddie Laker who first offered low price fares across the Atlantic.Now the low cost airline Norwegian flew to the US from Edinburgh Airport using the brand-new Boeing 737 MAX this weekend featuring the British aviation maverick.The...

Captain Richard Allison is in charge of the Edinburgh base for Norwegian Airlines.An Edinburgh native he is now happy to be back home, even though he leaves the capital behind him en route to the States several times a month! Norwegian Airlines have recently begun flying to three destinations on the East Coast, with some flights costing as little...

On a visit to South East Asia recently I went to see a new botanical garden in Laos. Coming from Edinburgh where the Botanics are such a popular attraction it seemed like an interesting place to go. The garden, Pha Tad Ke, is the first ethnobotanical garden in the country, shining a spotlight on the local and traditional knowledge of...

The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa has begun its multi-sensory bath experience, offering you a moment or two to relax even if you are a busy business traveller.While the hotel has its own spa, some people just don't have time. It is only £20 extra to upgrade to include the Soak Your Senses bath experience in your room.What this...

FIVE YEARS IN A ROW TRIPADVISOR EXCELLENCE AWARDS GIVES HALL OF FAME PLACE TO MAINS OF TAYMOUTH COUNTRY ESTATE & GOLF COURSE!Having earned a Certificate of Excellence every year for the past five years, Mains of Taymouth Country Estate & Golf Course at Kenmore, has qualified for the review site’s Hall of Fame.The family run estate, situated in the...

A new Ryanair flight from Edinburgh will travel to Nîmes in southern France three times a week until the end of October 2022.The route adds to the eight French destinations from Edinburgh and will take travellers to the city in Occitanie between Provence, the Cevennes mountains, the Camargue and the Mediterranean.The city stages large-scale events throughout the...

The Bay Hotel has just celebrated its ten year anniversary since opening its doors in 2008, when it was added to the popular ‘Bay Leisure Complex’ at Pettycur Bay Holiday Park in Kinghorn, Fife.The Hotel was a major development for the Wallace family, who aimed to add an extra dimension to their successful leisure business by creating a visually appealing, high standard,...

A staycation might be in your plans when the lockdown restrictions ease up a bit.And if you do, then Luxury Scotland which represents a collection of 29 of the finest properties and experiences across the country is a good place to start.The destinations they can help you with include the iconic highland hotel, The Torridon, The Royal Yacht Britannia’s sister...

Just as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ends one of the many others springing up across the world opens tomorrow in Philadelphia.Since 1997 the Philadelphia Fringe Festival has offered over 1000 performances.It might be a little late to plan for this year but American Airlines launch their daily service from Edinburgh Airport in April and you can already buy seats...

Lufthansa Group has appointed Andreas Koster as Senior Director Sales UK, Ireland and Iceland.Andreas Köster (45) brings many years of experience in airline management to his new position. He started his career in 1997 as management trainee with Lufthansa. He then gained profound experience in airline revenue management, before becoming General Manager Market & Business Development based in Singapore in...

ScotRail staff have been coached by a customer services' company to improve the service they give to touristsWorldHost trained 118 hospitality stewards in ways to make a good first impression and 'go the extra mile' for customers.They were also taught that the company plays a vital role in Scottish tourism.VisitScotland has accredited ScotRail as an iKnow Partner for training...

Another new route from Edinburgh Airport has been announced today.Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will next year launch its first service from Scotland with the start of a non-stop daily flight from Edinburgh to its home base of Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital city.The new route, which will commence on 8th June, 2015, will...

The Mercure Edinburgh City Princes Street Hotel has undergone a locally inspired refurbishment to the public spaces including the bar and restaurant. The city centre hotel, which looks out to Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town and Princes Street Gardens, has made improvements to its entrance, reception, bar and restaurant, and has renamed their Princes Street Brasserie.Interior designer Helen Hooper of HH Interiors,...

VisitScotland Chief Executive, Malcolm Roughead, claims Scotland continues to be a must-visit destination in the global tourism market.He was responding to the release of the International Passenger Survey (IPS) tourism statistics by the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS).Mr Roughead said: “These latest figures show that Scotland continues to punch above its weight in a hugely competitive global market,...

Mains of Taymouth Country Estate & Golf Course at Kenmore already has green vibes with six EON electric car charging points on the estate for general use.Now it has strengthened its eco credentials by announcing that it is providing Cheeky Panda toilet roll, which is created sustainably from 100% bamboo, in all of the estate’s holiday homes.General Manager...

The name Black Boy Hill is a hint to Bristol’s involvement in the slave trade which peaked between 1730 and 1745. There is a poignant plaque to the countless African men, women and children whose enslavement and exploitation brought prosperity to the city.So did the export of coal, lead, and animal hides and imports into Bristol included wine, grain, slate,...

Ryanair are introducing a new Edinburgh to Lisbon route from Winter 2018 and tickets will be bookable from March.The twice weekly flight will be yet another addition to the winter schedule which promises that the budget airline is "Always Getting Better". The company promises punctuality, lower fees for checked in luggage and a price promise that you will not find...