Holiday Cottages for Christmas

Christmas, no doubt is a time for celebrations and what fun would it be without family and friends? Spending time with your loved ones for Christmas might sound like a great idea but getting them together is the difficult part. However, you can think of making it easy by planning a family Christmas holiday away from home. Booking a large holiday cottage with lots of space and privacy not only means that your entire family can get together but it is also one of the best ways by which you can make merry, relax and enjoy the festive revelry.

Holiday cottages for the Christmas period can be a great value for money since the cost per head is comparatively low. You can get all the family or your entire set of friends under one roof without shattering your budget. Tastefully decorative Christmas cottages help spread the Christmas fervour right inside your home. Pet friendly cottages are available to put your pet worries aside while holidaying on Christmas! You can find secluded holiday cottages tucked away in the hills which gift beautiful views or find others right on the edge of the beach. There are also luxury Christmas holiday cottages which come with extras like gardens, swimming pools and al fresco social eating areas.

We have tried to make it as easy as possible for you to find holiday cottages that are available for Christmas. Given below is a list of great places you can choose to spend your Christmas holiday.

A few of our favourites that are still available for the Christmas week

1. Cliff Cottage

Location: Port Appin, Argyll

The skilfully renovated Cliff Cottage is within close proximity to the crystal clear waters of the Lyne of Lorne. The area is great for walking, fishing and boat trips. This pet friendly cottage with 8 sleeps is ideal for a large family.

2. Laundry Cottage

Location: Dunkeld, Perthshire

This detached holiday cottage nestles on a private 1200-acre estate, in the heart of Perthshire. The luxury cottage with 4-6 sleep comes equipped with all modern amenities. If you can’t spend the holiday without all of your pets, then this is probably the best one you can choose. The Laundry cottage allows as many as 3 pets!

3. Victoria House

Location: Newburgh

Contemporary apartment with a games room near St Andrews, Perth and Dundee. Victoria House offers fantastic views of the River Tay from the first floor living rooms. The cottage also offers a lot of space which makes it an ideal base for families and friends to holiday together.

4. Tynron Cottage

Location: Tynron, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire

Tynron Cottage comes with 10 sleeps and has wheelchair access as well. Nestling in the heart of the Dumfriesshire countryside, this cottage offers fantastic views of Tynron Doon.

5.Helm’s Deep

Location: Sandyhills, nr. Colvend

The Scandinavian style log cabin is just a short walk from one of the finest beaches along the unspoilt coast at Sandyhills Bay. The shared indoor heated swimming pool and sauna is another highlight of this cottage.

6. White Cottage

Location: Lower Largo, nr. Leven

Enjoy uninterrupted sea views from this pet friendly holiday cottage with 6 sleeps. Overlooking the Largo Bay, this delightful cottage is sited only 12 miles from St Andrews and offers the perfect seaside holiday with swimming, beach walks and endless rock pools to explore.

7. Carry Farm – Sandpiper

Location: Tighnabruaich

Scandinavian style and pet friendly holiday lodge near to the sea with 6 sleeps. You and your family can enjoy coastal walks direct from this property which overlooks the Kyles of Bute.

8. Ardanaiseig Cottage

Location: Kilchrenan, nr. Taynuilt

This spacious detached property enjoys a stunning setting with direct access to Loch Awe (one of Scotland’s most picturesque lochs). A great family holiday cottage with 10 sleeps. The games room with Playstation is another highlight of the cottage.

In addition to our favourites, there ae loads of other holiday cottages which are still available fo the Christmas season. You can find them here.

Factors to consider when choosing a holiday cottage

Location: The location of a holiday cottage plays a huge role in determining the success of your holiday. Its proximity to local attractions, the views it offers and the accessibility of the area are a few criteria by which you can judge the suitability of the cottage. The nearness of the cottage to local amenities also plays a great role in the overall enjoyment of your Christmas holiday. Having to drive a long distance to the nearest shop can often turn out to be a nuisance on a holiday in which you want to enjoy the peace of Christmas.
Facilities: Make sure that the cottage you choose has all the facilities that is required for your large family. In fact the price of the cottage depends very much on what facilities they have. Ones with, for example, a hot tub tend to be more expensive while you can find numerous reasonably cheap ones with adequate (not luxurious) facilities as well. The joy of staying in a cottage is that it gives you the feeling you are in a real home. Book one that provides all the facilities you and your family are used to in your daily life.
Kitchen facilities: If your family prefers a home-cooked meal during the stay, check out if the cottages you book have full kitchen facilities which include a toaster, microwave, oven and a grill. However, you need not pay much attention to this factor if you are planning to eat out in restaurants or stay outdoors most of the time.
Rooms: The number of rooms and also the room sizes is another important factor to consider. This of course depends on the number of members who will be staying at the cottage. Plan accordingly!

To share the spirit of Xmas here are a few great ideas on things you can do this Christmas season:

A Christmas holiday film together with your family in a holiday cottage will be just right for some Yuletide rejuvenation. You can think of relaxing along with your family during the festive afternoons by watching a flick that soundly captures the spirit of Christmas. “A Christmas story”, “It's a Wonderful life”, “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” are a few of the perennial holiday favourites which represent a merry tradition. Here is a list of the top 25 Christmas movies ever.

Staying at a holiday cottage naturally means that you will be having a lot of helping hands and so why not think about preparing a grand holiday feast. Turkey, roasts,ham, cheese, baked macaroni, noodles, cakes and pies can make your holiday a tasty one. Check out the various recipes and dishes you can try during Christmas.

Few things create a Christmas atmosphere better than a Christmas tree. Together with your family members you can think of decorating and placing a Christmas tree right inside your holiday cottage. Ask the holiday cottage owner if they will provide a tree for Christmas, many do.

Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow literally light up during the festive season and it won't cost you a penny to stroll down their streets taking in the sights. It is really worth visiting the big stores here too. Try booking a reasonably cheap holiday cottage near these areas if your intention is to tour these famous cities of Scotland and take in their spirit during Christmas. You would definitely be delighted by the fireworks lighting up the sky from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

For a cold comfort and to do something different, you can try a sea swim. Scotland has a lovely coastline and it will be fun to unwind at its beaches. If your idea of having fun is this, then book a holiday cottage near a beach.

Winter festivals in Scotland

If you are preparing yourself to visit Scotland during Christmas, you can very well plan your holiday around the numerous exciting winter festivals here that kick off on November 30th with St. Andrew’s day. As many as 60 events are celebrated around the country during the winter season. They include the well-known Hogmanay celebrations on December 31 and culminate with the Burns Night on January 25th.

City delights: Be a part of the Christmas bustle in Scotland’ most popular cities-Edinburgh and Glasgow! Right from the month of November through to January, the beautiful Princes Street gardens are transformed to an open air ice rink offering nothing but festive fun. Delicious food, the thirty-three metre high Edinburgh Wheel and the Santas Igloo Village renew the Christmas spirit. Coupled with lots of fun children's activities, jazz concerts, free film screenings and Celtic Connections Taste Sessions, Scotland offers a wide array of attractions for tourists to savour.

Pantomimes: Community centres, city theatres and village halls host traditional pantomimes including Babes in the Wood, Cindrella and Peter Pan. Truly a family event which provides entertainment and amusement, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without them!

St. Andrews Day: Join the fun and celebrate Scotland’s national day in Scotland.

Hogmanay: One of the best times to be around in Scotland. Watch the Scots celebrate Hogmanay and you will agree no one does it better. There are torchlight processions, traditional fire festivals, fireworks, street parties and live music to keep every member of your family entertained.
Find out more details on how you can be a part of the winter festivals in Scotland.

Winter sports in Scotland

Scotland is great during her winter months and serves as a great playground for those who visit the country during the Christmas season.

Outdoor ice skating rinks appear in Scotland from Mid-November to Mid-January. With these rinks kept open till late in the evening, skaters can enjoy the winter experience to its best.

The country’s five winter sports centres – Cairngorms, Glenshee, Glencoe, The Lecht and The Nevis Range offer great facilities for skiing and boarding. While Cairngorms is often tagged the “ski paradise”, Glenshee boasts of an extensive boarding and skiing experience and Glencoe is known for its thrilling terrain. The Nevis range is famous for its fantastic scenery. The Nevis range also offers great mountain biking opportunities.

If you are interested in knowing more about Winter Sports in Scotland, click here.

Packing list, helpful hints and tips for your holiday

One of the many benefits of staying at a holiday cottage is that you can pack and take along whatever and how much ever you want. The art of packing is definitely an easy one to get right if you know how. And, the tip to make sure you were right is when you return from a holiday having used the things you took with you more than once!

Packing essentials:

Entertainment: A selection of books, movies, toys and games (including things for an outdoor games if you are planning to have them) along with a portable DVD player or laptop guarantees entertainment during your stay. If you are on a family holiday and have room for more things, you can even think of the larger items like a paddling pool or beach gear.

Clothing: Its winter and so you will definitely have to take along clothes which are appropriate for the season. Shawls, woolen sweaters, cheaters, winter jackets or mufflers will keep you warm for sure. Pack sufficient changes of clothes for your holiday in addition to a few spare. Also pack shoes or boots that are comfy enough for walks and the outdoors. Tip: Wear your bulkiest pair during the travel as it will save you the trouble of having to carry them around.

Toiletries: When it comes to toiletries, always take a minimum. Travel-sized items are a great way of saving space. A first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic creams and painkillers are a great addition. You can buy almost anything anywhere these days but if you are keen about a particular brand or want to save money make sure you have packed your Comb, Paste and Toothbrush, Mouthwash, Soap, Sunscreen, Shampoo/Conditioner, Shaving Cream, Razor and extra razor blades (or electric razor), Towels, Earplugs, Cologne and Deodorant.

Make sure you take along your Passport and visa(s), Personal ID (Drivers license), foreign currency of your destination country, tickets, itinerary, cottage reservation and printout of emergency contacts.

Things you will have to keep arranged back at home

Arrange for a plant and pet (in case you are not taking your pet with you for the holiday) care.
Empty the refrigerator and also stop routine deliveries.
Make sure you lock your garage, windows and doors.
Consider a timer to turn lights on/off as it gives an impression that the house is occupied for the sake of your home’s security.
Leave your itinerary with a friend.

Weather in Scotland:

It is always better that you have a clear-cut idea about the weather of Scotland before you set out on your holiday. Scotland has a very varied weather owing to its position - surrounded by sea on three sides and situated on the edge of the European continent.

Areas like Ayshire, Angus, Lothians and Fife get the best of sunshine while places in the highland region receive the least. Sunshine hours are the least during the months of December and January with the winter days during these months being very short. The windy weather is Scotland (with a mean monthly wind speed of 16 knots) is beautiful too.

Though it snows in the north of Scotland you can never be guaranteed of snowfall. However, if you are very particular about enjoying a white Christmas, you will have to head towards the North West coast, inland and higher.

If your idea of a perfect Christmas is making a snowman, throwing snowballs at one another or going for sledding, snow-tubing and ice-skating, you can think of booking holiday cottages that are situated in the north of Scotland. Your best bet is to stay around the Ullapool, Aviemore or Braemar areas as they are likely to receive more snowfall.

What makes winter holidays in Scotland special?

With most of the people wanting to spend Christmas back at home, Scotland remains unhindered by large tourists’ invasions during the winter season allowing you to enjoy scenes of Scots going about their daily lives and activities.

Take advantage of the post-Christmas sales! You can save a lot of money even as you fill your bag with stuff like curios handicrafts, china, woolens and crystal.

As an end note, take a look at the Winter campaign initiated by the Scottish Government!