Planning a holiday in Scotland this year? Guests with and without children often ask us when the Scotland school holidays are because they want to know whether to expect places to be busy or quiet during their visit.

Scottish school holidays do vary from UK school holidays in England and Wales; they can also vary from region to region.

With the addition earlier in the year of the Magnificent Adam Mansion to the Scotts Castle Holidays portfolio of self-catering holiday houses in Scotland, we have been asked a number of times – what is an Adam Mansion?

On 5th July 2015 the Forth Rail Bridge was confirmed as the latest addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the sixth* Scottish landmark to be awarded this status (*the others being New Lanark, St Kilda, the Old and New Towns in Edinburgh, Neolithic Orkney and the Antonine Wall). Built in1890 it became the world’s longest multi-span cantilever bridge at 1.5 miles and after 125 years it has certainly stood the test of time. In doing so it has become an icon and symbol of Scotland with its presence and implication on Scotland’s ability to design and build.

In 2016, Scotland will celebrate the “Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design” and the Forth Rail Bridge will be one of the best examples of all three qualities. It used to be said of a never-ending repetitive chore, that it was like painting the Forth Rail Bridge, however in recent years the modern re-painting method has scuppered this phrase. The most recent coat of paint is expected to last between 25 to 40 years, so this iconic image of Scotland should be glistening magnificently for years to come.

Visitors can view the bridge from the underneath at South Queensferry, where there is a large car park and plenty of space to admire the structure. Whilst there you may wish to eat or have a drink at the Hawes Inn, where it is alleged that Robert Louis Stevenson wrote part of the book “Kidnapped”. Alternatively, by using the Fife rail line, you can cross the bridge as a passenger on one of the trains where the views are ever-changing and you get the best close-up of the bridge itself.

Scotts Castle Holidays offers a wide range of self-catering holiday venues, from large holiday houses, magnificent mansions and charming castles in Scotland. Whichever heritage site you wish to see in Scotland, makes sure to choose a self-catering holiday house with its own fine heritage by contacting the office today at Scotts Castle Holidays for more details.

The Scottish county of Fife is universally known as the “Home of Golf” with wonderful images of the old course at St Andrews being repeatedly shown on TV screens all around the world. When the British Golf Open comes to St Andrews then every golfer wants to imagine walking across the Swilcan Bridge on the 18th to great applause. The great thing about this famous golf course is that everyone can walk across the bridge as it is common land that belongs to the citizens of St Andrews, which means that when you visit St Andrews you have access to that particular bridge for the photo opportunity without having to pay any golf fees. Very Scottish!

St Andrews itself is a fantastic old university town and well worth visiting, but Fife is so much more. Elie, Crail, Anstruther, Falkland and Dunfermline, which used to be the capital of Scotland, let alone Fife, are all wonderful places. Prior to 1437 and before Edinburgh became the nation’s capital, Dunfermline, with its Abbey at its heart took centre stage. Once you cross the Forth Bridge (admiring the Forth Rail Bridge on the way) into Fife – take a detour to visit all these places, as Dunfermline Abbey and Andrew Carnegie’s birthplace museum, to name but two are well worth visiting.

If this was not enough for you to be entertained in Fife – what about this? Here are 10 more things you can do or visit in this area; 1, Scotland’s national aquarium, Deep Sea World, at North Queensferry. 2, Falkland Palace. 3, Scottish Deer Centre. 4, St Andrews Castle. 5, Cluny Clays outdoor activity centre. 6, West Sands beach at St Andrews. 7, The East Neuk of Fife. 8, Aberdour Castle. 9, The Scottish Off road Driving Centre. 10, St Andrews Golf Museum.

With a great variety of things to do and see, the kingdom of Fife is a great location for golfing trips and for family holidays, and if you wish to find a large holiday house, like Luxury Golfer’s Lodge, which can sleep up to 10 people on a self-catering basis, then at Scotts Castle Holidays we will be delighted to assist you further. Please contact today for more information on self-catering large holiday houses in Scotland.

Gripping TV series, Outlander, has put Scotland on the map, featuring some of the country’s most dramatic castles and breath-taking landscapes – if you’re ready to immerse yourself in the land of Claire and Jamie, take a trip to Scotland and see the beauty of the country for yourself.

Here are just a few of the properties that capture the history and drama of the TV series and that are available for large group holidays:

Plan your own Outlander trip using the Visit Scotland film locations map and take in the locations featured in the TV series.

PS Talk to our team today and book your historical castle base for the duration.

Anyone staying at the Stylish Converted Church near Kelso will be aware that they have booked a historic building that has been beautifully converted into an up-market self-catering holiday house, but what they may not know are its connections to Lily Langtry and the local grain merchants! Whilst a church had been on this site since 1739, the current structure is the one that was built in 1878, with some assistance from the local landowner.

George Alexander Baird owned the land at Stichill and was also a benefactor to fund the building of the new church, along with local farmers and businessmen. As a personality, he is the unlikeliest person to be associated with a church, though his family had been very religious! The Baird family had made a fortune in mining and iron-works and had bought the nearby estate of Stichill (and the Baird crest can still be seen at the old entrance gates), which he inherited from an uncle and on the death of his father, he had an annual income of £100,000, which was a small fortune. He led most of his life elsewhere and amongst other things, was a successful gentlemen jockey, horse owner (he won the Derby in 1887) and put up money for prize fights. His London address was 36 Curzon Street, which he bought during a drunken evening with friends, and woke with a hangover the next morning in the master bedroom to be told he was now the new owner!

In 1889, he met Lily Langtry (King Edward VII’s former mistress) a renowned actress and beauty and immediately became completely infatuated with her. It is alleged that she visited Stichill and accepted many gifts from her “eccentric young bachelor” with his estates in Scotland. His “spend, spend, spend” life continued for the next few years and it was while he was in America arranging a fight between “Gentleman Jim” Corbett and John Sullivan for the world title that the party stopped. On a drunken night out in New Orleans he collapsed and died on 18th March 1893 at the age of 31. His body was embalmed, encased in lead, and returned to Stichill Parish Church, where his remains are to this day.

The church had been one of two churches in Stichill, the other one, being the Parish Church and over the years it became too much to maintain two buildings, so it was the Parish Church that continued on. From 1938 onwards the church became redundant, and only used for parish meetings. From the 1960’s onwards it became a depot for grain and potatoes, and later to a local builder. In 2001, it was bought and the renovation process began. The church external structure was retained, with all stained glass windows, timber beams and buttresses intact, but the internal features were completely altered. The main defining feature is the glass floor which allows light to the floor below and an open-plan first floor living space, which is 60 foot by 40 foot in area.

Initially re-built for residential use, it has been adapted for holiday letting and successfully lets with Scotts Castle Holidays. It is offered on a self-catering basis for up to 10 people and has proved to be very popular. Why not contact Scotts Castle Holidays today to book this Stylish Converted Church near Kelso and find out more about the fascinating history and architecture?

It was reported in the weekend papers that David Beckham is filming a whisky advert in Scotland and various grainy images of him in a green velvet smoking jacket at a lodge in the Highlands were on display. This came as no surprise to Scotts Castle Holidays as a few months ago we were involved in assisting with the search for the suitable location.

The biggest family history show is coming to Scotland to the Scottish Exhibition Conference Centre in Glasgow on the 29th – 31st August 2014. The “who do you think you are” live show will include workshops from the Society of Genealogists and will offer a chance to discuss and chat to experts about tracing your family history. If you wish to attend, then it is recommended that you bring the following: any relevant old photographs; small family heirlooms; any family tree you may have; any additional relevant document, which may be military or work related.

The BBC programme, which started 10 years ago in 2004, will reach its 100th edition during the next series, which starts on 26th July 2014. Included within the latest line-up is the Scottish comedian and actor, Billy Connolly. The genealogy market has always been strong with the US market, especially those researching their ancestral roots in Scotland, but now it has become much more mainstream. So take your chance to go to this show and find out more about your ancestral past.

Alternatively, you could wait until later in the year and go to a Billy Connolly show instead. He starts his “High Horse” tour within Scotland in September and October 2014 which includes Aberdeen, Perth, Edinburgh and the SECC in Glasgow. If you have never seen Billy Connolly live – where better to see him but in Glasgow. If you require accommodation in Scotland during these times – then why not stay at the “Castle with History” near Kilmarnock, which sleeps 12 people on a self-catering basis. For more information contact Scotts Castle Holidays today.

Continuing the theme of promoting some of the lesser known festivals that take place in Scotland, then one of the more jolly events is the Borders Book Festival. It will be held in Harmony Garden in Melrose from the 12th – 15th June 2014 and will feature a mixed array of adult and children authors. Comedian Jennifer Saunders, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and journalist Kate Adie are among the headline speakers. Crime writer Lynda La Plante, former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall are among those speaking on the opening day of the festival. Others appearing include Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, broadcaster Kirsty Wark, satirist Rory Bremner and wildlife cameraman Doug Allan, who has worked on David Attenborough BBC series such as Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet.

So here is a chance to wander the sleepy market town of Melrose and have the chance to bump into Jennifer Saunders. How incredible is that. The festival is very small in festival terms with a couple of marquees in the garden of a national trust building, with the backdrop of Melrose Abbey. If you are looking for a chance to see various authors in the flesh and not be stuck in crowds, this is definitely for you.

So start planning your break in Scotland today. Self-catering options at Scotts Castle Holidays comes in all shapes and sizes, but when it comes to the large holiday house selection, there is a good choice to choose from. For example, the Large Georgian Mansion, is only a few miles from Melrose, and sleeps up to 28 people, making this is an ideal self-catering holiday venue for all the family. To find out more, check with the office at Scotts Castle Holidays.

Whilst 25th January is known in Scotland and around the world as “Burn’s Night”, in celebration of the national bard, Robbie Burns, where haggis is eaten, whisky is drunk and poetry is recited. For the celebrated Canadian actor, Donald Sutherland, his early memory of Scotland is of a different type of supper – a fish supper! “The best fish and chips come from Arbroath,” he said. “The best fish and chips I’ve ever tasted.” With his first acting job being at Perth Repertory, he got to know Scotland before he became famous.

As the grandson of a Scots church minister, his arrival in Scotland was a sort of homecoming. He stayed in Perth for nine months and touring took him to places like Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Arbroath. After leaving the Perth Theatre, he moved to London and worked in Hammer Horror films, before hitting the big time with films like “Kelly’s Heroes” and “The Dirty Dozen”. His career has now spanned over 40 years and he has starred in more than 150 film and television roles. The film “Eye of the needle” took him back to Scotland, where the remote island scenes were shot over eight weeks on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. He is now being seen as President Snow in “Hunger Games” which has brought Donald Sutherland to the attention of a new generation of fans, to add to his fans in Arbroath.

Arbroath is traditionally known for its “Arborath Smokies”, rather than fish suppers, but being on the coast, fishing is in the blood. The haddock are prepared using traditional methods dating back to the late 1800s. The fish are first salted overnight, then left to dry and then smoked. When the fish are hung over the fire, the top of the barrel is covered with a lid and sealed around the edges with wet jute sacks. All of this serves to create a very hot, humid and smoky fire, which is essential if the fish are to be cooked, and to have the strong smoky taste and smell people expect from Arbroath smokies. Typically in less than an hour of smoking, the fish are ready to eat. Once eaten, never forgotten.

For self-catering holidays in large houses and castles in Scotland, contact Scotts Castle Holidays.