We miss city breaks: the excitement of exploring bustling streets, seeing the sights and soaking up the culture (basically eating all the street food and sampling a cocktail or five).
If you’re already dreaming of your post-lockdown adventures, you may want to look north of the border. Because Scotland offers a totally different kind of break. For a start, its cities are full of surprises, from Dundee’s water sports to Aberdeen’s sandy beaches. And not only are they packed with green spaces, you can go from cityscapes to sweeping landscapes in under an hour. It’s the best of both worlds, so here are five city breaks with a difference to try when it’s safe to travel again.
Live the fairytale in Aberdeen
Aberdeen is one of the best places in Europe to see dolphins. Head to the Torry Battery, where you can spot bottlenose dolphins, seals and otters all year round, thanks to panoramic views of the harbour.
And the magic doesn't stop there. Just outside Scotland’s third-largest city, you'll find the fairytale pink Craigievar Castle, said to be the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Set among rolling green hills and woodland trails, it certainly feels like it’s straight out of a Disney film.
Soak up the creativity in Dundee
Not many places can offer their own aqua park with huge inflatables to rival the Wipeout obstacle course, but this small coastal city in eastern Scotland is undergoing an exciting regeneration and is home to lots of unexpected gems. As well as its floating assault course, the Foxlake Dundee waterpark, located on the waterfront, offers wakeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding.
If you prefer to stay on dry land, check out the V&A Dundee and its new exhibit, Night Fever: Designing Club Culture, which charts the evolution of the nightclub. And if that's put you in the mood for a night out, we suggest the speakeasy-style Draffens Secret Bar - if you can find it.
Enjoy island life in Inverness
Island hopping isn’t something you normally associate with a city break, but Inverness’ Ness Islands are a peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustling city. The natural islands sit in the middle of the River Ness and are connected to the banks by a series of Victorian footbridges. It's the perfect spot for a picnic and a scenic stroll.
And if that’s given you a taste for island life, you could head out of the city to Ullapool on the north west coast, where you can catch a boat over to the Summer Isles to spot some of the local wildlife, from sea birds to seals. Or you can spend the day exploring the stunning coastline of the North West Highlands Geopark by sea kayak.
Spot the Big Five in Stirling
Near to the historic city of Stirling is Blair Drummond, a safari park that's home to over 350 rare and exotic animals. So once you’ve visited Stirling Castle and scaled The National Wallace Monument, head out to see the lions, elephants and rhinos. Many of the animals are free to roam in large enclosures covering 120 acres.
And you don’t have to finish your wildlife tour there. Less than an hour outside Stirling, you’ll find yourself in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, which happens to be home to Scotland’s own Big Five: red deer, otters, red squirrels, golden eagles and seals.
Eat like a queen in Perth
Perth was Scotland’s capital and the playground of kings and queens for five centuries. You can explore its history with a trip to Scone Palace, the coronation place of Scottish monarchs. And you can also dine like royalty thanks to the city’s quirky mix of restaurants. Our pick is The Bothy, a Highland-themed restaurant serving neeps and tatties.
For afters, we suggest a trip to Aberfeldy, a picturesque town around an hour out of Perth, where you can pop into Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery for a dram or two.
Always check the latest government restrictions relating to Covid-19 before travelling. For more information go to the VisitScotland website.
Find out more about a Scottish city break at VisitScotland. Keep an eye out for businesses using the We’re Good to Go logo, plan ahead and travel responsibly.
Alison is head of content for the Good Housekeeping Institute, responsible for product reviews across homes, beauty, wellness, family and food & drink. She lives by the William Morris quote that you should “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Alison has over 15 years' experience as a lifestyle editor and has written features on everything from misophonia to how to dress like Claudia on The Traitors. She has also interviewed everyone from Dame Joanna Lumley to the Kardashians.
In her spare time, you'll find her hanging out with Monty the cocker spaniel and refreshing the Sezane website every five seconds.
