We hope everyone is enjoying their summer break and soaking up the sunshine! There’s no better time than now to start planning your holiday in Scotland. Holidays in Scotland do not have to cost a fortune as there are many wonderful, hidden gems to discover for free. There are various adventures to embark on such as visiting National Parks, exploring museums and galleries, soaking in history from historical sites and admiring wildlife and nature spots! Take advantage of the various free attractions and sites that Scotland has to offer! The attractions and sites mentioned are nearby some of our lovely cottages at Cooper Cottages.
If looking to embrace more of nature, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is the perfect holiday destination! Including Loch Lomond to the west and the hills and glens of the Trossachs to the east. The national park offers a diverse range of breath-taking landscapes, habitats and communities. There is an endless amount of activities you can partake in when visiting this lovely national park. Such activities include camping within the national park’s multiple campsites, walking and hiking up various hills and landscapes, cycling along various cycle routes and climbing up majestic mountains to name a few!
Walking path of Goatfell, Isle of Arran
There are also various cycle and walking routes throughout Scotland, such as Sustrans National Cycle Network. Sustrans is a charity that aims to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. Their vision is to cultivate more clean air and green places, and promote a healthier lifestyle. Incorporating cycling into your summer is a fantastic way to explore Scotland as it is a cheaper, healthier alternative to other means of transportation. The Sustrans National Cycle Network offers great cycling routes between various various towns within the National Park. Route 7 of the Sustrans Cycle Network passes through Callander, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Killin, taking in beautiful sightseeing spots including Loch Lubnaig and Glen Ogle.
Scotland is home to some amazing landmarks and historical sights. These include The Library of Innerpeffray (Perthshire), The National Wallace Monument (Stirling) and the iconic White Church (Comrie). The Library of Innerpeffray is Scotland’s oldest, free public lending library founded in 1680. The library offers the opportunity to “touch the past” by providing visitors a hands-on unforgettable experience of Scottish heritage. Visiting the Innerpeffray library during your holiday is the ultimate chance to transport yourself back in time, to which life ran at a slower pace! The National Wallace Monument is one of Stirling’s famous landmarks, situated above the fields where William led his troops to victory during The Battle of Stirling Bridge. Visit this national landmark and experience the story of the patriot and martyr who became Scotland’s National Hero! The White Church is considered as Comrie’s most iconic landmarks, situated on a prominent site, adjacent to the River Earn. The church is a beautiful, white-harled building and was built back in 1805. The White Church is a great landmark to visit during your sight-seeing adventures and if wanting to spend more time in nature!
View of Wallace Monument from the Penthouse Apartment
For those looking to soak in Scotland’s history, there are various museums explore! The National Museum of Scotland offers various museums that caters to different time periods within history. These include the National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh), National Museum of Flight (East Lothian), National Museum of Rural Life (Kilbride) and the National War Museum (within Edinburgh Castle). Visiting museums during your holiday is an amazing opportunity to gain insight into the history of mankind. Also, it can be fun, family outing to learn more from the past! There are also fantastic destinations to experience art installations and architecture such as the BLiSS Trail. The BLiSS trail was established in 2016 and was launched to celebrate Innovation, Architecture and Design. The trail is comprised of fantastic art installations, thought-provoking ornamental features, and food and drink stops. Follow the trail starting from Strathyre and make your way through the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and St Fillans.
