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Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'best boutique hotels' for unique holiday named including Skye lodge
Luxury accommodation up and down the country was singled out. Scotland's "best boutique hotels" have been named. Hotels up and down the country were singled out for their delicious food and stylish guest rooms. With summer more than halfway over, many Scots will be looking to book a last-minute getaway. Others will already be looking ahead to autumn, which is the perfect time for a cosy rural retreat. Travel specialists Hidden Scotland shared a list of 10 of Scotland's top boutique hotels. The experts rounded up small hotels from across the country. One boutique hotel featured on Hidden Scotland's list is Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye. The hotel and restaurant is situated in the island's hills, overlooking sea loch Loch na Dal. Kinloch Lodge offers a range of double rooms and suites that reflect Skye's unique landscape through their colours and fabrics, while its restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a separate all-day dining menu. The experts praised the hotel for its laid-back ambience and comfy rooms. Hidden Scotland wrote: "There's a gentleness to how the place is run. Fires are lit before you ask. Tea appears when it's needed. "The drawing room has the kind of furniture people actually use—sofas you lean into, shelves with books that have clearly been read, and a view that tends to slow the conversation. Some guests talk, others stay quiet. Either way, it works. "Rooms are comfortable without being styled into anything too defined. There are antique pieces and family touches, but the standout feature is often the light through the window, especially late in the day. Nights are still and the quiet settles in without effort." Meanwhile, another boutique hotel that earned a spot on the travel specialists' roundup is Glenmorangie House in Tain. The hotel, which is nestled in the remote Highlands surroundings near the Glenmorangie Distillery, includes six double en-suite bedrooms and three cottages that have all been individually designed. Hidden Scotland praised Glenmorangie House for its cosy and inviting atmosphere. The hotel was also singled out for its unique and homely interiors. Hidden Scotland wrote: "Inside, it's not what you expect from a whisky-branded hotel. The fire's on in the drawing room and the shelves are stacked with books that feel thumbed-through. "The tartans are warm, not loud. You get the feeling things were chosen because they belonged, not because they matched. "The welcome is easy too. Not overly polished, just friendly in the way you hope for when you're this far north." Elsewhere, the experts also singled out Cromlix in Dunblane. Cromlix is a Victorian mansion and estate situated within acres of hidden Stirlingshire countryside. The luxury hotel is known for being owned by Scottish tennis legend Andy Murray and his wife Kim Sears. The five-star accommodation includes individually designed rooms and suites, as well as a separate one-bedroom gate lodge. Hidden Scotland praised Cromlix for its "bold" interiors and amenities such as a tennis court, croquet lawn, and even a chapel. Meanwhile, the hotel's restaurant earned acclaim for its locally sourced menus and opulent dishes. Other hotels featured on the experts' list include The Fife Arms in Braemar and The Witchery in Edinburgh. The former is a 19th-century hunting lodge that was noted for its extravagant and stylish interiors, while The Witchery is situated at the gates of the legendary Edinburgh Castle and was singled out for its dramatic flair. The full list of Scotland's "best boutique hotels" can be found on the Hidden Scotland website.
Glasgow Times
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Everything you need to know about the O2 Academy in Glasgow
With so many artists like Kneecap and The White Buffalo coming to the O2 this year, you may be looking to know more about the venue, especially if you haven't been before. When did the O2 Academy in Glasgow open? According to Hidden Scotland, the 02 Academy, located on Eglinton Street, was originally built as a United Secession Church in 1825. The venue was then converted into the Bedford Cinema in 1921 before it was destroyed in a fire just 11 years later. The newly constructed cinema opened on Boxing Day that same year and remained a picture house until 1973. Before becoming a music venue in 2003, it was used as a bingo hall. The gig space was launched by Deacon Blue, with the venue since hosting The Killers, James Brown and more. How to get to the O2 Academy in Glasgow from the city centre The O2 Academy is only a short drive from the city centre, with those travelling from Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Station only needing to drive for around 11 minutes. Those making use of public transport can take the "Number 3" bus from West Regent Street before getting off at Bedford Street, a one-minute walk away from the venue, according to First Bus. What items are banned at the O2 Academy? The O2 Academy website lists the following banned items: Weapons, including but not limited to firearms, knives, combat weapons, explosives, heavy chains, etc Illegal drugs and substances, including unmarked liquid or pill medication bottles and nitrous oxide, etc Bags and containers larger than 40cm x 40cm x 20cm Alcohol, cans, bottles, including any glass objects or vessels or metal cans and objects Food or drink (unless required due to a pre-existing condition, which is supported with medical evidence) Liquids, gels and perfumes of more than 100ml Laser pens or pointers Professional cameras, including professional camera equipment Fireworks, fire-starters, and open flames Laptops, tablets, audio recording equipment, noise-making devices or card reading devices Skateboards and rollerblades, hover-boards, scooters, bicycles, and other personal motorised and non-motorised vehicles Non-service animals/animals not used by those with a disability Unauthorised solicitation, flags or marketing materials (e.g., posters, flyers, stickers) All unapproved unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones, unless expressly authorised in accordance with LNE's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Policy Chairs or stools Helmets Large umbrellas Pushchairs Spray cans, markers and graffiti pens Any item deemed to be dangerous by the General Manager What is the capacity of the O2 Academy? The Glasgow International Comedy Festival website states that the venue houses a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. It also has a capacity of 2,550, allowing it to cater to live gigs and cutting-edge dance events. Recommended Reading: Are there any age restrictions at the O2 Academy in Glasgow? The O2 states that restrictions can range from "only 14s and over" to "under 14s must be accompanied by an adult" to "strictly over 18s", etc. As such, those under the age of 18 or accompanying children should check in advance before booking tickets.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
The stunning UK beach that 'looks like Caribbean' with crystal blue water
The Caribbean may be out of your budget this year, but if you want a beach break that's a little closer to home, you might want to consider this stunning UK destination If you're looking for a beach getaway on a budget, you might want to consider this UK destination that 'looks like the Caribbean' thanks to its white sand beaches and vibrant blue water. Located on the Isle of Harris in Scotland 's Outer Hebrides, Luskentyre Beach is hailed as one of Europe's most beautiful shorelines. It is one of Harris' largest stretches of coast and also one of the most jaw-dropping shorelines, even earning it a spot among the UK's top beaches as per the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. People who live on this remote island are proud to call it home, especially when they can enjoy the beach year-round – often without crowds of tourists. A woman named Caz took to TikTok to show off the beach's beauty in a video, leaving viewers wondering if they're looking at Scotland or a much sunnier destination. "Scotland? Or the Caribbean?" Caz wrote on the video before sharing clips of her and her friends enjoying a day at the beach. The video included shots of them all diving into the crystal-clear water and playing football on the shore. The Isle of Harris has been basking in a spell of good weather, boasting sun-soaked days with warmer temperatures in the run-up to summer. This welcome change has allowed residents to spend time on their beach ahead of the busy tourist season in the peak of summer. The video capturing these sunny scenes garnered over 2.5million views in just three days, prompting some viewers to fantasise about enjoying the beach themselves. However, some remained sceptical about the location of the beach, as they couldn't quite believe it was right on their doorstep. "This is not Scotland," one person said, while another asked: "Where the hell are you finding beaches like this in Scotland." Nevertheless, the doubts were quickly put to rest by several people who had visited Luskentyre themselves. These visitors were quick to share their own experiences of the beautiful beach. "Luv Luskentyre beach it's gorgeous xx," declared one fan, while another added: "Scotland! I live in Scotland and me and family went there at one point! Gorgeous place!" "Just remember, that water is cold enough to send you into shock if you're not careful," said another. Meanwhile someone else chimed in with, "Might look like Caribbean but temp is far from it." According to Hidden Scotland, late spring and summer are the best times to pay a visit to Luskentyre beach. At this time of year you will get the warmest weather, vital for any successful beach day. The 'lingering light' at this time of year also creates beautiful views of the surrounding landscape that are hard to beat.
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Daily Record
The beautiful Scottish beach that 'looks like Caribbean' with bright blue water
Dreaming of a beach getaway? While the Caribbean may be on your bucket list, you don't need to travel as far as you might think to enjoy crystal blue waters and white sands You don't have to travel far to get a taste of the Caribbean, as a breathtaking Scottish beach boasts similarly stunning white sand and crystal-clear waters. Tucked away on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Luskentyre Beach is often praised as one of Europe's most beautiful stretches of coast. As one of Harris' largest and most jaw-dropping shorelines, it's no surprise that Luskentyre has earned a coveted spot in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards as one of the UK's top beaches. Locals are proud to call this island gem their home, and for most of the year, they have the beach almost to themselves. A woman named Caz took to TikTok to show off the beach's beauty in a video, leaving viewers wondering if they're looking at Scotland or a much sunnier destination. "Scotland? Or the Caribbean?" Caz wrote on the video before sharing clips of her and her friends enjoying a day at the beach. The video included shots of them all diving into the crystal-clear water and playing football on the shore. The Isle of Harris has been basking in a spell of good weather, boasting sun-soaked days with warmer temperatures in the run-up to summer. This welcome change has allowed residents to spend time on their beach ahead of the busy tourist season in the peak of summer. The video capturing these sunny scenes garnered over 2.5million views in just three days, prompting some viewers to fantasise about enjoying the beach themselves. However, some remained sceptical about the location of the beach, as they couldn't quite believe it was right on their doorstep. "This is not Scotland," one person said, while another asked: "Where the hell are you finding beaches like this in Scotland." Nevertheless, the doubts were quickly put to rest by several people who had visited Luskentyre themselves. These visitors were quick to share their own experiences of the beautiful beach. "Luv Luskentyre beach it's gorgeous xx," declared one fan, while another added: "Scotland! I live in Scotland and me and family went there at one point! Gorgeous place!" "Just remember, that water is cold enough to send you into shock if you're not careful," said another. Meanwhile someone else chimed in with, "Might look like Caribbean but temp is far from it." According to Hidden Scotland, late spring and summer are the best times to pay a visit to Luskentyre beach. At this time of year you will get the warmest weather, vital for any successful beach day. The 'lingering light' at this time of year also creates beautiful views of the surrounding landscape that are hard to beat.
Edinburgh Live
25-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Scotland's 'most gorgeous' beach 'looks just like Caribbean'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Caribbean is well-known for its pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, but it's possible to find a similar paradise without even leaving Scotland. Tucked away on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Luskentyre Beach boasts incredible white sand and turquoise waters, earning it the title as one of the top beaches in the UK and across Europe. As one of the grandest stretches of coast on Harris, Luskentyre has received honours such as the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for the UK's best beach. Given its beauty, it's easy to understand why island locals are proud and prefer to keep the beach relatively free of tourists for much of the year. One woman named Caz took to TikTok to show off just how much the Scottish beach resembles something you'd expect to find in the Caribbean. "Scotland? Or the Caribbean?" she wrote on her video while the video showed off moments from her beach day including her and her friends diving into the clear waters. The video also captured the friends enjoying a game of football on the shoreline before plunging into the sea for a refreshing swim. The Isle of Harris has been enjoying an unusual spell of sunshine and warmer weather, allowing locals to make the most of the beach before tourists arrive for the summer months. People were quick to comment on the video, and some people were shocked to learn this stunning stretch of coastline was right on their doorstep. "This is not Scotland," one unconvinced user wrote, while another asked: "Where the hell are you finding beaches like this in Scotland." These sceptics were soon corrected by people who had visited the beach, however, with many heaping praise on Luskentyre thanks to its stunning sands and crystal waters. "Luv Luskentyre beach it's gorgeous xx," commented one admirer, with another wrote: "Scotland! I live in Scotland and me and family went there at one point! Gorgeous place!" However, it's important to remember that while this beautiful destination may look like the Caribbean, you won't find the same soaring temperatures here. "Just remember, that water is cold enough to send you into shock if you're not careful," another person warned. Echoing the sentiment, someone else wrote: "Might look like Caribbean but temp is far from it." Hidden Scotland recommends visiting Luskentyre Beach in late spring or summer for the best experience, when the 'lingering light' casts stunning views that are hard to beat. This is also when the temperature is likely to be at its warmest, meaning visitors can soak up the sun and pretend they have hopped on a long-haul flight.
