At Christmas time, an open fire adds an extra touch of festive cheer to any house – not only warming its audience but also bringing families closer together as they watch the flames dance in the hearth.
So here are some of our favourite open fires in Scotts Castles properties around Scotland, just ready and waiting for you to roast chestnuts, toast crumpets and warm toes….
1. 19th Century Town House, near Melrose
With a colonial feel throughout, due to the original owner designing it based on his house in Jamaica, gives this seemingly traditional house a surprising Caribbean twist.
2. Historica medieval castle, near Largs
For a week or weekend you can be king or queen of your very own castle when you book this Medieval castle for the Scottish holiday you have always dreamed of.
3. 15th Century castle, near Inverurie
This medieval castle, with its stone turnpike stairs and turrets, is everything an authentic castle should be.
4. Holiday house in hamlet, near Blair Atholl
This is a charming holiday house within walking distance of Blair Castle which is ideal for a family holiday in Perthshire and central Scotland.
5. Hayston house, near St Andrews
A fabulous farmhouse in Fife, with St Andrews and the “Home of Golf” just a few minutes away.
6. Castle with great hall, near Stirling
This sixteenth century castle of character, is ideally situated between Edinburgh and Glasgow, near the historic site of the battle of Bannockburn and Stirling Castle.
7. Castle with history, near Kilmarnock
Set in beautiful Ayrshire countryside, this authentic castle has many tales to tell with over 350 years of history, and is conveniently situated only 35 minutes from Glasgow.
8. Historic Highland Castle, near Beauly
This wonderful castle sits proudly in its own private estate, enjoying stunning views down a Highland glen, only 40 minutes from a major International airport.
9. Prestigious sporting lodge, near Bullater
If you are looking for somewhere extraordinary in a beautiful area of Scotland with Balmoral Castle as the next door neighbour, then this amazing location is the place for you.
10. Highland holiday house, near Braemar
This is an inspiring example of a holiday house in the Highlands. One of a pair of great quality – available to book singly or together, for a friendly get-together.
11. 16th Century castle, near Grantown-on-Spey
Make sure you take your camera and hiking boots to this delightfully quirky 16th century castle and enjoy some magnificent scenery and mountain walks.
12. 16th Century castle, near Selkirk
Described as a tower house, it is as you would expect a Scottish castle to be – full of character, authenticity and brimming with history. Is this the one you are looking for?
We all know one of them – someone who puts chutney on everything. Someone who has a cupboard full of artisan oils. Someone who is more interested in the production process of cheese than they are about your day at work. Someone who will talk for twenty minutes about how their favourite whisky is distilled….
But the lengthy lectures on food and drink endured all year round are totally worth it at Christmas, when buying a Christmas present for your foodie friend is easier than breaking a Scottish shortbread biscuit in half…
So we’ve pulled together a collection of Scotland’s finest foodie gifts – click any items on the slideshow below to visit the supplier’s website:
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PS And if you’re the foodie, just leave your laptop open on this page and hope that your loved one gets the hint….
From 21st November 2014 to 4th January 2015, in the heart of Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh, an array of organised events can be found as the city comes to life in the winter with six weeks of festive celebration. Recognised as one of the best cities in the UK to spend Christmas and New Year, it is also ideal for a day trip by train, as the main event is held in Princes Street Gardens, which is only a short walk from Waverley train station. What used to be the “Winter Wonderland” celebrations have now expanded to become “Edinburgh’s Christmas” with rides and attractions galore. 
These include the Big Wheel, North Pole Slide, Carousel, Santa Train and Helter Skelter – in fact there is something here for everyone. There are markets to walk through including the European Christmas Market, the Scottish Market and the Children’s Market. Brand new for 2014 is a circular ice rink, located at St Andrew Square, where you now glide around the Melville Street monument. So the centre of Edinburgh is a mass of entertainment and you can do your Christmas shopping as well! What fun.
For a self-catering holiday house in Scotland, there is still a chance to book your Christmas in Scotland. This Stylish Converted Church in the Scottish Borders region below Edinburgh can sleep up to 13 people in great style and comfort. The weekly rental for Christmas 2014 has now been reduced to £1,840 and a hamper is thrown in too, making this a great offer. Pop up to Edinburgh for the day and enjoy the fun and festivity of “Edinburgh’s Christmas” and have a special Christmas break at a superb self-catering venue. What better way to enjoy Christmas! To see a further selection of Scottish holiday houses available over Christmas, check the designated Scotts Castle Holidays Christmas 2014 website today.
Santa arriving on Christmas Day
There is a great repeat advert that comes on the TV in the run-up to the festive period by a certain well known major soft drinks company from the US, with the jingle – “the holidays are coming, the holidays are coming”. Sure you know it – of course it is Coca Cola! It commences each year mid November and this year they are scheduled to start on 10th November 2013. This iconic image of the convoy of trucks hauling the cargo of bottles in their distinctive red livery gets everyone primed to be ready for the holiday season ahead.
But did you know that the iconic image of the jolly Santa in his red suit and white beard, that we know today, was first marketed to the soft drinks consumers back in 1931. In fact the artist for those adverts back then, Haddon Sundblom, is credited with creating this universal image of Santa Claus, because these adverts have been so successful and spread across the world over the years, that this is the perceived view of how he should look. 
With the run-up to the festive period commencing with these adverts – the question is where are you going to be for Christmas? If it is your turn to host the family and your house is not big enough – what are you going to do? Thankfully, Scotts Castle Holidays is on hand and offers a great festive selection of large houses and castles in Scotland to choose from for self-catering holidays. This Beautiful Holiday House, with an air of Edwardian bonhomie, is ideal for a family of 12 people to enjoy a festive break by the foothills of the Grampian mountains. Whilst snow is likely to appear, it should always be visible from the house. Just the perfect place to relax for a “Sparkling Holiday” inside and out. Why not check out the selection of large holiday houses and castles in Scotland today at Scotts Castle Holidays.
Winter Wonderland in Edinburgh
From 29th November 2012 to 6th January 2013, in the heart of Scotland’s capital city is an array of organised events, including skating on an ice rink, as the city of Edinburgh comes to life in the winter with six weeks of festive celebration. Recognised as one of the best cities in the UK to spend Christmas and New Year, it is also ideal for a day trip by train, as the main event is held in Princes Street Gardens, which is only a short walk from Waverley train station. For more details go to Edinburgh’s Christmas web site.
For a self-catering holiday house in Scotland, the following venues are still available for the Christmas week of 2012 and they are 1, Dollarbeg Castle Apartment, 2, Traditional Estate Cottage in East Lothian and 3, Stylish Converted Church in the Borders. To see a further selection for Christmas 2012 and New Year 2012/2013, check the designated Scotts Castle Holiday website today.
If you check out the Special Offers page you can find some great offers available. At the Magnificent Baronial Castle near Helensburgh in Argyll, the price for the self-catering week over Christmas 2012 has been reduced from £5,425 to £4,450. This also includes a “Royal Breakfast Buffet”, valued at £15 per head and a special Christmas Hamper valued at £100. Enjoy Christmas in a castle in Scotland!
Looking further ahead for an early booking for Christmas 2013, then for this Magnificent Baronial Castle if you book before 31st December 2012, then the advertised price will be reduced by 10%. Contact the office today at Scotts Castle Holidays for further information.
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