The friendly Scottish area that was named 'most welcoming in the world'
If there is one thing that Scots are known for, it is our friendliness. Tourists visiting Scotland frequently rave about the welcoming attitude of locals, who are usually quick to offer advice or directions.
As previously reported by the Daily Record, the 10 "most welcoming destinations" in the world were revealed in 2024. Placing at number one on the list was Perthshire in Scotland.
The study, which was carried out by Booking.com, saw the experts take into consideration more than 309 million verified customer reviews. Perthshire area beat out locations such as the Penghu Islands in Taiwan, Trentino in Italy, and Erongo in Namibia.
Perthshire is a historic county situated in the heart of central Scotland. Also known as the 'Big County' or 'the Shire', it is regarded as among the most picturesque regions in Scotland.
Perthshire features more than 200,000 acres of forest, making it a popular destination for those keen to do a bit of wildlife spotting. There are also many friendly towns and villages located around the region.
One Perthshire destination that was singled out by Booking.com was Auchterarder. The town was even named the second "most welcoming" in the UK behind Brampton in Norfolk.
Auchterarder is located north of the Ochil Hills in Perth and Kinross, around 13 miles out of the city of Perth. The town is home to approximately 6,000 people, and is best known for the historic Gleneagles Hotel.
Gleneagles is a five-star luxury hotel, spa, and golf resort that dates back to 1924. One of Scotland's most iconic hotels, it features more than 200 individually designed rooms and suites and a two Michelin star restaurant.
Elsewhere, Auchterarder is home to one of the longest main streets in the whole of Scotland. Running for more than a mile in length, it features a huge variety of shops selling fashionable clothes, artisan foods, antiques, and much more.
Auchterarder's High Street also includes a number of cafés, restaurants, and pubs. Cafe Kisa offers freshly ground coffee and homemade scones, Delivino is a delicatessen and wine cafes, and The Niblick is a friendly pub with a wide selection of drinks, live sport, and music.
For those who are interested in a trip to Auchterarder, but unable to splash out on a stay at the Gleneagles Hotel, there are plenty of other accommodation options in the area. One of these is 32 Cruachan Lodge, which can be booked for as little as £333 for three nights through Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The property is a log cabin that is located in the Grand Eagles Luxury Lodge Park, around just one mile out of Auchterarder. It features two bedrooms, and sleeps up to four guests.
The lodge features an open-plan living area with a kitchen, dining area, and sitting area. There is also a front patio with furniture to enjoy when the weather is nice.
On Sykes Holiday Cottages, 32 Cruachan Lodge has a rating of 4.2 out of five based on 53 reviews. Visitors have praised the accommodation as "very quiet" and "peaceful", though another guest described it as "not good".
Elsewhere, Oak Cottage in the nearby Perthshire village of Comrie can be booked through holidaycottages.co.uk. The property, which features three bedrooms and sleeps up to six people, can be booked for £632 for three nights.
Oak Cottage is a detached holiday let set within a lawned garden with furniture. Inside, there is a living room with a wood burner, a fully equipped kitchen, and a modern family bathroom with a shower over bath.
On holidaycottages.co.uk, Oak Cottage has received only positive reviews from visitors. However, some holidaymakers may not like the property's location and prefer to be closer to Auchterarder.
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Wales Online
14 hours ago
- Wales Online
Stay in an old sweet shop in one of Wales' most visited towns
Stay in an old sweet shop in one of Wales' most visited towns The two-bedroom property has an open-plan living space, a patio and a warm welcome to your furry friends It's located right at the heart of Conwy town centre (Image: Sykes Holiday Cottages) With the sun out, warm weather and the summer holidays underway, many of us are considering ways of making the most of this season with our friends, family and loved ones. For a well-needed break, there are plenty of options in Wales as a great alternative to a holiday destination abroad. One popular choice that has earned impressive feedback from a handful of guests is The Old Sweet Shop right at the heart of Conwy town. This two-bedroom property has an open-plan living space, a patio and a warm welcome to your furry friends. Available to book via Sykes Holiday Cottages, the Welsh property accommodates for four guests, but dates for the latter half of 2025 are already filling up. While there are only three days available for the rest of August, September has nine nights available, with four nights at the property now costing £596 down from £822 (£149 per person). READ MORE: Little-known mountain walk with 360-degree epic views LATEST: Welsh town's cliff railway pulls you up to incredible coastal views and hilltop café In October, four nights could cost you around £489-£510, £387-£398 in November and around £387 in December. While the name of the accommodation suggests a classic, vintage feel to it, the decor of this property is anything but. It comes with a modern open-plan living space, so plenty of room for you and your loved ones to hang out and chill, whether you're lounging on the gorgeous, velvety blue sofa in the sitting area or socialising around the table in the dining area. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . If you want a place where the young ones can enjoy themselves, there is a basement study and children's playroom here. But if you are looking for something the whole family can enjoy together, the living area comes with a Smart TV and Wi-Fi, so you can snuggle up on the sofa in front of the open fire and watch your favourite movie during the cooler months. For a more quieter setting during the warm weather, there's also an outdoor space at the property that you and your family can enjoy. The accommodation comes with an enclosed patio with furniture with it - the perfect place to sit back and relax in the afternoon sunshine, perhaps sip a glass of wine, and breathe in the beautiful Conwy fresh air. And while you'll have plenty of options to dine out in the county itself, you might want to eat in for one evening. This house comes with pretty much everything you will need if you are planning on cooking your own meal - an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge and freezer, kettle and toaster, and a handy dishwasher for anyone who is in charge of washing up after dinner. The old cottage has a modern feel inside (Image: Sykes Holiday Cottages) The house comes with two double bedrooms, with bed linens and towels included with your stay. In the shower room, you'll find a walk-in shower, as well as a modern-looking basin and WC. The old cottage also comes with a washer and dry for when you need to wash and dry your clothes. According to Sykes Holiday Cottages, two "well-behaved" pets are welcome, as long as they are not left unattended at anytime in the property, and are not allowed on beds or furniture. And while the accommodation is very close to amenities in the town, including the Conwy train station that is only a two-minute walk away, there is a public car park nearby which is only a short walk from the property. For other places to stay in the county, you could stay at IXORA Hotel & Spa Snowdonia in Dolgarrog, which as suggested in the name, has a spa and wellness centre at the hotel. Or if you are looking for somewhere closer to Conwy town, you could stay at The Quay Hotel and Spa just across the river in Deganwy, which also has a spa and glorious views of the town and its castles and the mountains behind it. The property has a modern, open and spacious feel to it (Image: Sykes Holiday Cottages) Guests who have stayed at the cottage so far have raved about The Old Sweet Shop. On Sykes Holiday Cottages' website, the property has received an impressive rating of 4.9 out of five stars based on six reviews. "Very appreciative of the welcome pack and fully stocked fridge/cupboards etc, a real home from home experience," one wrote. "Didn't need to buy anything! Would definitely go back." A second one said: "Gorgeous property and the most generous welcome pack ever! Cottage was absolutely spotless and in a great location within the town. Could not fault anything with our stay - will definitely recommend to anyone visiting Conwy and would stay there again in a heartbeat if we return! Thanks again". And a third wrote: "Thank you for allowing our dogs to stay too. That made the holiday for us. We will be booking again". While one group had an issue with noise pollution, they enjoyed their stay. With a five-star rating, they wrote: "The owners were simply outstanding in their efforts to assist with my enquiries regarding local disability parking. The cottage welcome pack was amazing and the kitchen was extremely well kitted out with all types of cooking equipment (I enjoy cooking !!). "There is a slight issue with road noise as there seems to be a lot of noisy cars whizzing past at times (Boy Racer types)..So take some ear plugs ..Glad we Town is a lovely place and has many good pubs and places to you enjoy a pint of real ale ..You won't be disappointed. "We would definitely visit recommend this property if comfort and cleanliness is of importance to you." But most of the reviews were positive. One review said: "The property was spotless, well facilitated, location was perfect - we absolutely loved our stay!" Places to visit nearby As a north Whalian myself, if I were to recommend any place to stay for someone who is visiting the region for the first time, it would be Conwy town. With the property nestled right at the heart of the town centre, you have so much on your doorstep. Conwy is undoubtedly most famous for its ancient castle, and when you see it, it's easy to see why. Part of one of Wales' UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Castell Conwy features a concentric design with eight towers. It forms part of King Edward I's "Iron Ring", a series of imposing fortresses built in Wales during the late 13th century to solidify English control after the conquest of Wales. Within the castle's walls, you can investigate the inner and outer wards, which have many rooms, and explore the castle walls, which have 21 towers and completely enclose Conwy town. For me, it is one of the most striking looking castles in Wales - an exceptionally well preserved site that carries a lot of history. View of Castell Conwy in the old walled town of Conwy on the coast of north Wales (Image: Getty Images) The high curtain wall and eight lofty towers rise almost as impressively as when they were built more than 700 years ago. And when you've had a walk around the castle, head down to Conwy harbour which overlooks the River Conwy and Deganwy. Here you can try out a lobster pot and have a cheeky pint at Liverpool Arms. On a warm, beautiful day, there is nothing better than grabbing a pint and sitting outside the pub on the harbour and soaking in those lovely views. And if you fancy a bit more history, a short stroll on the harbour can take you to The Smallest House in Great Britain. If you're feeling peckish, there's plenty to try out in the town. Dylan's Restaurant on the High Street is a great place to go if you're with your family as you are guaranteed to find something on their menu that everyone likes. But if you are looking for something that has made it onto the Michelin guide, head over to the renowned Jackdaw restaurant, which is only a four-minute walk away from the property. The Smallest House in Great Britain is located near Conwy harbour (Image: Getty Images) Located on the first floor of a characterful building that was once a cinema, chef and owner Nick Rudge has created a fine-dining restaurant that prides itself on showcasing the very best locally sourced ingredients with its modern, flavourful tasting menu. For a delicious afternoon tea, go to Upstairs at Anna's, or a bit further out of the town, you could dine at The Mulberry at Conwy Marina or Signatures at Aberconwy Resort & Spa. For drinks with friends, you can head to The Erskine Arms or Bank of Conwy. With a train station right next to you, you can go anywhere - you can go as far west as Holyhead or even go across the border to Chester in the east. But a car might be handy for your travels across north Wales and Conwy is a good spot to stay because you have everywhere nearby. You can take a walk through the Conwy Valley, visit the iconic Ty Hyll, or stroll through Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed or Llandudno promenade. Some of the best beaches in the county include Conwy Morfa, Llandudno North Shore, Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, and Llanfairfechan. Colwyn Bay looking towards Rhos on Sea (Image: Rejedef/Wiki) A bit further out, the neighbouring county of Gwynedd is the home of most of Eryri national park and Yr Wyddfa. Here you'll find Llanberis, Caernarfon, Pen Llyn, and the Italianate village of Portmeirion, which is roughly an hour's drive away. Article continues below And along the A55 to the west you'll find Anglesey - Ynys Mon, Mam Cymru. If you travel along the A55 and then along the A4080, you can find yourself on Traeth Llanddwyn in an hour.
Daily Record
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Meet the chef teaming up with Michel Roux Jr at Crossbasket Castle's new Trocadero's restaurant
Kevin Barron discovered his passion for cooking as a teenager during a work experience placement at his aunt's hotel in Clydebank. Crossbasket Castle's head chef is teaming up with Michelin-starred restaurateur Michel Roux Jr to deliver a dining experience unlike any other in Scotland. Originally from Luton in North London, Kevin Barron discovered his passion for cooking as a teenager during a work experience placement at his aunt's hotel in Clydebank. he was so captivated by the kitchen environment that he extended his stay by three weeks. From this point on, he never looked back, ultimately leaving school at 16 years old to start mastering his craft as a professional chef. After receiving his formal training at Barnfield College in North London, he went on to work with several boutique hotels, picking up a 3 AA Rosette Award as a head chef at just 24 years old. In 2008, following the passing of his father, Kevin relocated with his wife, Annie, to Kenya, where he played a central role in the launch of the newly built Ole-Sereni Hotel. As the lead food and beverage executive, he designed the hotel's kitchens and developed concepts for its three restaurants: a grill room, buffet restaurant and café terrace. The success of this venture led to his leadership in opening a sister hotel for the group. Kevin said: 'Nothing prepares you for landing in Nairobi. It was surreal and unlike anywhere I'd ever been. But I loved it and ended up staying in Kenya for 12 years. My wife and I were married there, and both our daughters were born there.' Though he never imagined leaving Kenya, an opportunity he couldn't refuse arose when he was headhunted to join Glenapp Castle. He continued: 'I've always been drawn to Scotland — it has one of the finest natural larders in the world. I couldn't pass up the chance to work there again after all those years.' Kevin's next chapter brought him to the renowned Crumplebury Estate. There, he was immersed in a truly farm-to-fork experience. The estate raised its own livestock and cultivated a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and herbs for its fine-dining and pub venues. It was here he was able to perfect his craft of working with fresh ingredients and appreciate the mastery of flavour creation. Following the sale of Crumplebury Estate in 2024, Kevin found himself once again back to Scotland, where he was given the chance to cook for the acclaimed Michel Roux Jr and the executive team at Crossbasket Castle. While a slightly daunting experience to cook for such a high-profile and successful chef, the opportunity paid off and he was appointed executive chef of Crossbasket Castle in 2024. He said: 'As soon as I heard of the plans for Crossbasket Castle, I knew it was a place where I could thrive. It's an extraordinary and incredibly diverse venue. 'Since joining, I've had the pleasure of doing so many different things, from summer barbecues, to weddings and cooking demonstrations alongside Michel Roux. Now, with Trocadero's, we're creating something truly original — a dining experience where food and cocktails are served in rhythm with the show.' With Trocadero's, the team is reimagining fine dining and shifting the spotlight back onto the ingredients themselves. 'With the introduction of Trocadero's, we've stripped back the theatrics of the fine dining experience to concentrate on the story of the ingredients,' Kevin explains. 'Sometimes in fine dining, the presentation can overshadow the produce, and that's not what we are trying to do here. We want great food and be served in a great setting.' All beef and seafood at Trocadero's are sourced from Scotland, a deliberate and sometimes challenging decision. Kevin continued: 'It's a brave move to go local. Cheaper options exist, but we're committed to showcasing authentic Scottish flavours through our dishes and ensuring that we do them justice in how they are prepared. 'Even something as seemingly simple as a rib-eye steak involves so much consideration. From the oil and seasoning to the provenance of the beef, we take considerable care to get it right. Indeed, we even spent three months just sourcing the right charcoal for the Josper grill. 'You don't get into this trade for the hours or glory,' he adds. 'You do it to witness the joy on a guest's face. Food brings people together, and to be part of that experience is a privilege.' What really sets Trocadero's apart is the incorporation of entertainment, which aims to transport guests back to a magical bygone era that promises the best top music entertainment acts, immersive dining experiences and crafted cocktail and drinks offerings. The hand-selected team exist to bring a level of entertainment and service which is set to be incomparable to anything else already on offer in Scotland. Taking its name from the beloved 1950s dance hall in the local town of Hamilton, Trocadero's boasts one of the most sophisticated live performance set-ups in Britain. Kevin continues: 'When the doors swing open in the kitchen, you hear the beat and then a flurry of dancer go by – it just hits different from other restaurants.'
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Daily Record
The friendly Scottish area that was named 'most welcoming in the world'
It makes for a perfect staycation destination. If there is one thing that Scots are known for, it is our friendliness. Tourists visiting Scotland frequently rave about the welcoming attitude of locals, who are usually quick to offer advice or directions. As previously reported by the Daily Record, the 10 "most welcoming destinations" in the world were revealed in 2024. Placing at number one on the list was Perthshire in Scotland. The study, which was carried out by saw the experts take into consideration more than 309 million verified customer reviews. Perthshire area beat out locations such as the Penghu Islands in Taiwan, Trentino in Italy, and Erongo in Namibia. Perthshire is a historic county situated in the heart of central Scotland. Also known as the 'Big County' or 'the Shire', it is regarded as among the most picturesque regions in Scotland. Perthshire features more than 200,000 acres of forest, making it a popular destination for those keen to do a bit of wildlife spotting. There are also many friendly towns and villages located around the region. One Perthshire destination that was singled out by was Auchterarder. The town was even named the second "most welcoming" in the UK behind Brampton in Norfolk. Auchterarder is located north of the Ochil Hills in Perth and Kinross, around 13 miles out of the city of Perth. The town is home to approximately 6,000 people, and is best known for the historic Gleneagles Hotel. Gleneagles is a five-star luxury hotel, spa, and golf resort that dates back to 1924. One of Scotland's most iconic hotels, it features more than 200 individually designed rooms and suites and a two Michelin star restaurant. Elsewhere, Auchterarder is home to one of the longest main streets in the whole of Scotland. Running for more than a mile in length, it features a huge variety of shops selling fashionable clothes, artisan foods, antiques, and much more. Auchterarder's High Street also includes a number of cafés, restaurants, and pubs. Cafe Kisa offers freshly ground coffee and homemade scones, Delivino is a delicatessen and wine cafes, and The Niblick is a friendly pub with a wide selection of drinks, live sport, and music. For those who are interested in a trip to Auchterarder, but unable to splash out on a stay at the Gleneagles Hotel, there are plenty of other accommodation options in the area. One of these is 32 Cruachan Lodge, which can be booked for as little as £333 for three nights through Sykes Holiday Cottages. The property is a log cabin that is located in the Grand Eagles Luxury Lodge Park, around just one mile out of Auchterarder. It features two bedrooms, and sleeps up to four guests. The lodge features an open-plan living area with a kitchen, dining area, and sitting area. There is also a front patio with furniture to enjoy when the weather is nice. On Sykes Holiday Cottages, 32 Cruachan Lodge has a rating of 4.2 out of five based on 53 reviews. Visitors have praised the accommodation as "very quiet" and "peaceful", though another guest described it as "not good". Elsewhere, Oak Cottage in the nearby Perthshire village of Comrie can be booked through The property, which features three bedrooms and sleeps up to six people, can be booked for £632 for three nights. Oak Cottage is a detached holiday let set within a lawned garden with furniture. Inside, there is a living room with a wood burner, a fully equipped kitchen, and a modern family bathroom with a shower over bath. On Oak Cottage has received only positive reviews from visitors. However, some holidaymakers may not like the property's location and prefer to be closer to Auchterarder.
