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.

Sam Heughan, the 33 year old Scottish actor, who is cast as Jamie Fraser in the forthcoming TV series of Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” has said he has been amazed at how good Scotland looks from the footage produced from the filming on the show, which is being made for the Starz cable network in the US. “We’ve already been all over Scotland doing location work, including at Doune Castle. Honestly, I think people will think we have used CGI it looks so incredible, especially with the landscape”.

The commissioning of the 16-part series is expected to generate at least £20 million for the Scottish economy, with the show already billed as Scotland’s answer to “Game of Thrones”. More than 25 million of Diana Gabaldon’s books have been sold around the world so far and the TV series is expected to be a major success when it comes out later in 2014.

The film production has been based in Cumbernauld with locations including Doune Castle, near Stirling, which was closed for a month to accommodate filming. The show follows the adventures of married nurse Claire and her entanglements with Jamie after she is mysteriously propelled through time from the Second World War to the time of the Jacobite rebellion.

Whilst fans of “Outlander” will hopefully enjoy the TV series as much as the book, it will also showcase Scotland and its castles and scenery. For those wishing to visit Doune Castle where some of the filming has taken place, then why not check out the selection of large holiday houses and castles in Scotland today at Scotts Castle Holidays.

Stay in a castle with Scotts Castle Holidays

On ITV on Monday nights, there is a series presented by Robson Green, the well known actor and fisherman from the North East, who presents a show all about Northumberland. The show is called “Tales from Northumberland” and is another generic TV show with a well known presenter explaining an area they know, like Ade Edmondson, James Nesbitt and Caroline Quentin, with Yorkshire, Ireland and Cornwall.

Over eight half-hour episodes, Robson Green is your guide to enlighten those who do not know about this less well known area of the UK. Last week, he discovered more on the bloody battles between the English and the Scots, which meant for example that the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, changed allegiance thirteen times. Even today, many locals will say that Berwick is more Scottish than English. In fact, in places the river Tweed becomes the boundary between Scotland and England, and you can be fishing in Scotland or England depending on your footing in the water.

All across the border there are pockets of land that could be Scottish or English and in the past these were called the “debatable lands”. Created by family feuds and cross border allegiances, these were lawless areas beyond the control of either country. This Unique Historic Castle, is a fine example of a Scottish vernacular style tower house, but it is now located in Cumbria across the border in England.  When it was built back in 1584, the area was Scottish but part of the “debatable lands”. All other tower houses of this style ended up being officially Scottish once the border was drawn up leaving this as a unique example of a Scottish clan tower house built in the Scottish style but on English soil.

Today it is available for self-catering holidays and is a popular destination for those involved with weddings at Gretna, which is known the world over as a marriage venue. The reason is the difference in marriage laws in England and Scotland. Back in 1753, England’s Marriage Act sought to prevent couples under the age of 21 marrying without their parents’ consent. And it was this that prompted a rush to Scotland, where the law was less prohibitive. On the main route from London to Scotland, the first stop over the border was Gretna Green in Dumfries and Galloway. The village’s blacksmith shop presented the first opportunity for a wedding. It is still popular today – but back then it was about the difference at the border between Scotland and England. Why not cross the border today and check out the selection of large holiday houses and castles in Scotland at Scotts Castle Holidays.

What does British football’s most successful manager do after blowing the final whistle on his career? Sir Alex Ferguson, having been the most successful manager in the modern era of Manchester United for 27 years, it was time to take a break. So once the final whilst blew on the last game of the season last year and he officially retired as manager, he fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition and made his booking for the Scottish holiday he had always wanted and hired a boat to tour the Hebrides with friends and family.

Halloween is always a great occasion for families across the land. Where the children (and adults) enter in the spirit by dressing up, get their pumpkins carved out, enjoy sparklers and either have a party or go out guising. Trick or Treat – may be the phrase, but the origins of this are becoming lost in the mist of time. Whilst this tradition has pagan origins, which has been developed into a Christian tradition, it is a festival for remembering your dead. Nowadays it is more about dressing up and looking scary.

If you want to be scared – what about scary ghosts and haunted castles. A few years back a major multinational drinks company offered as a prize, a chance to spend the night in a haunted house in Scotland. Scotts Castle Holidays provided the venue to the lucky prize-winners and promptly scared them witless. So much so that one of them refused to spend the night in the haunted bedroom as they were terrified, stayed up all night in the sitting room, and got the first available taxi in the morning!

There are many haunted houses and castles in Scotland and the tales are legendary. Glamis Castle has many, including a servant girl with no tongue who haunts the grounds and Earl Beardie who still plays dice with the devil – with the rattle of dice and raised voices still heard today. Fyvie Castle has the green lady who has appeared throughout the castle over the last 250 years. By staying at the Castle Tower Apartment, it may be possible to experience this for yourself or at the very least be explained it on a private guided tour of the rest of the castle. Scotts Castle Holidays offers a great selection of large houses and castles in Scotland to choose from for self-catering holidays – which may or may not be haunted. Why not check out the selection of large holiday houses and castles in Scotland today at Scotts Castle Holidays.

According to the recent survey by “You and Your Wedding”, the costs for a wedding held in the UK in 2012 have risen 14% since 2009. The average total wedding bill now comes to a sum between £17,000 and £22,000. With figures like these it is no surprise that there has been a significant rise in choosing self-catering venues for so called “DIY Weddings”. Whilst hotels and exclusive use wedding venues offer attractive packages – it seems brides are looking for something different as well as looking at the cost saving aspect.

The “DIY Wedding”, where a self-catering castle or large house is booked and then the bride organises the wedding themselves continues to rise in popularity. However, not all self-catering venues will allow this and it is advised that you consult on venue selection beforehand. One such property that is ideal for weddings is this Baronial Castle (see image above) in Argyllshire. This self-catering castle sleeps up to 13 people, with a further holiday house, which sleeps 8 people, only two miles away. It can host religious or civil ceremonies within the castle for up to 40 people, with the dining capacity within the castle being able to cater for 13 people, with the maximum numbers for a reception being 40 people and for a buffet. For numbers above this size, then a marquee can be arranged, and can cater for numbers up to 150 people. The Scottish actress Kelly MacDonald and the bass player for Travis, Dougie Payne, are among previous happy couples that have chosen this option with Scotts Castle Holidays and we were happy to help with their castle selection and booking.

Scotts Castle Holidays offers a great selection of large houses and castles in Scotland to choose from for self-catering holidays. All potential wedding booking enquiries should be discussed in advance as some are more suitable than others. Most are ideal for the smaller more intimate wedding compared to the larger wedding. For the specifics on how to get married in Scotland, please check with the General Register Office for Scotland. Why not check out the selection of large holiday houses and castles in Scotland today at Scotts Castle Holidays.

When inspecting holiday houses for inclusion within Scotts Castle Holidays, it is best to get an all round picture of what is in the area as well as the property. The North West is one of the most picturesque parts of the Highlands of Scotland, but one of the least visited. The reason for the lack of tourists is simply a matter of geography, with Durness being 105 miles north of Inverness, which is seen as a long way. Well it is a long way, but you are rewarded with great scenery on the way and at your destination.

At Durness, if you head to Balnakiel Bay, there is the stunning Holiday House by the Beach, which is an old Georgian mansion house, which sleeps up to 17 people, that has been stylishly renovated. When estate agents talk about “location, location, location” – well with this large holiday house – it is “breathtaking location, location, location”. The bay is at the front of the house with a selection of golden sand beaches beyond – which is beautiful on clear days and dramatic in wild days. Two days were spent here in late September 2013, with both days mild, still and with clear blue sky.

This gave plenty of scope and time to chat to the local farmers, discuss Durness in detail with the helpful people at the local Visitor Centre and chat away to happy tourists who loved the beauty and serenity of the surroundings. What drew them up here? The fact that it is away from the rest of Scotland and is quiet in comparison; the amazing coastal walks, as well as the Munro’s to climb for the more serious walker; fishing in hill lochs, rivers and sea fishing; the secluded beaches and caves to discover; and the most north westerly golf course on the mainland is at Durness, for golfers. It is like the brochure of Scotland with its hills and glens – but for you only.

Those that make the effort to travel to the North West of Scotland are rewarded with some of the most beautiful areas of Scotland to discover. From mountain to sea, there is a majesty of scenery, where red deer roam and otters can be seen on a daily basis. It is ideal for families or friends wishing to spend a shared holiday together and getting away from the rat race. With activities for all the family and a stunning house and location to be in – experience some of the best of what Scotland has to offer. Why not find out more today at Scotts Castle Holidays.

Now that Commander Chris Hadfield, the Canadian astronaut has returned to earth in a blaze of publicity, thanks no end to his amazing rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”, it is worth reminding ourselves of the brilliant images he took whilst up there, including this one of the North of Scotland. His Twitter page shows more images he took from space, but the Scotland images are well worth looking at in more detail.

Scotts Castle Holidays are also on Twitter now – so whilst we may not be up in space photographing Scotland, we are updating images and text for all the large holiday houses in Scotland within the Scotts Castle Holidays portfolio. So wherever you are in the world or space, to keep up to date with all your plans for self-catering accommodation in Scotland, keep in touch via Twitter with Scotts Castle Holidays.

Why not stay at home this year and ski in Scotland? Scotland’s five mountain ski resorts offer close to home, great value skiing or snowboarding, amidst some of the finest scenery in Europe. You do not need a passport, costly travel insurance or foreign currency, unless you are visiting Scotland from overseas. Instruction is available at all resorts. Everyone speaks English. Food and drink prices are the same as the rest of the UK. There’s a wide choice of Scotts Castle Holidays venues near each resort if you are planning a short break or extended winter holiday.

The Victorian Fishing Lodge, which sleeps 14 adults, is situated only a few miles from the Nevis Range mountain resort near Fort William. Offering excellent value for money, this self-catering large holiday house is ideal for a group of family of friends. Contact the office today for more details on 01208 821 341.

Highland Lodge

Scotland has been named one of the top tourist destinations of 2013 by American broadcasting network CNN, following its high-profile appearance in last year’s record-breaking Bond film, Skyfall. The rugged scenery shots in Scotland involving Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench must have hit a nerve with many viewers and interest in travelling to Scotland as a destination has become more than watching a film. In response to the accolade, the VisitScotland chairman, Mike Cantlay, said: “The awe-inspiring images of Scotland in Skyfall will have whetted the appetite of many potential visitors from home and around the world”.

You too can come and stay at your own highland lodge like James Bond. This Traditional Shooting Lodge in the Highlands, 2 hours from Edinburgh airport, is on offer on a self-catering basis for up to 18 people, starting at £1,400 per week. Why not contact Scotts Castle Holidays today to find out more about your holiday in Scotland?