Although this is apparent, it’s very often the case that people think they need to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to find a place where they can truly relax in beautiful surroundings, wanting to feel as though they’ve been whisked away to another world.

Whilst there’s no doubt somewhere like the Caribbean can do just that, for most of us, there’s somewhere closer to home that can meet those needs exactly – and for us in the UK, that place is Sutherland, Scotland.

Serene Scotland

Scotland itself is well-known around the world for its lochs, glens and mountains, but many Brits – particularly the younger generations – seem to disregard the country as a true relaxation destination, when the truth is it is just as beautifully stunning and serene as many other global destinations.

And there are plenty of people who’d say certain parts of the country, such as Sutherland in the north, are more stunning and serene than anywhere else in the world!

One of the country’s oldest, traditional counties and the fifth biggest in terms of size (although it now falls under the Highlands umbrella), it is so sparsely populated that your average-sized Scottish town has more people living in it, resulting in a landscape that appears to be almost completely unspoilt.

Ben Hope

Take the 3,000 foot high Ben Hope, which provides glorious views of the surrounding area (including the Orkney Islands on a clear day), as an example.  Fantastic for amateur and experienced walkers alike (a phrase that applies to the whole of the county), Ben Hope is one of Scotland’s least climbed mountains – purely because of its location – giving it a very magical, traditionally-Scottish feel.

And a discussion about Sutherland can’t take place without a mention of Sandwood Bay.  Often reported as being one of the most secluded beaches in the world, its wonderful sands can only be reached by foot on a four mile amble along a well-trodden track from the nearest town of Blairmore.

But if you’re happy to make the journey, you can not only sample the golden sands and clear blue sea, but you get to view the awe-inspiring Am Buachille, a sea stack just off the coast that gives you a fantastic feeling of being watched over whilst you relax.

Sutherland is just one part of Scotland that oozes beauty and serenity and although every other part of the country does have its similar areas, when you’ve been to Sutherland once, you’ll struggle to convince yourself you need to go anywhere else when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life.

Images courtesy of Cottages and Castles.

Matthew Bettoli writes for Cottages and Castles who offer holiday cottages in Sutherland for your next getaway.

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A view looking along Glen Rosa, Arran / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by uplandaccess

And as much as it might be thought ‘Scotland in miniature’ is an exaggeration or simply marketing hype, the truth is there isn’t much of Scotland you can’t experience when you’re on Arran.

Arran’s Landscape

Starting with the island’s landscape, Arran is a particularly mountainous isle, not only producing some of the country’s best postcard photographs, but offering a fantastic array of walks for experienced and amateur walkers alike.

From leisurely walks to climbing challenges, try setting off from the village of Blackwaterfoot on the west coast and heading north towards Lochranza. It’s a beautiful walk, benefited tremendously by simply looking left – you’ll have an unrivalled view of the stunning Kintyre for the entire journey.

If walking isn’t your thing, what about a relaxing stroll through one of the islands many beautiful villages?

Home to no more than a couple of hundred people each, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll be blown away by one of two things – the sheer tranquillity of sitting outside, drink in hand, watching the world go by on an island that seems to be completely removed from any type of hustle and bustle or the simple friendliness of the people who are so proud of their island and love to share its intricacies and delights with everyone.

And if you’re looking for something a little more cultural or historic, how about Brodick Castle, a castle that’s still standing strong after 500 years?

Brodick Castle, Arran / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Magnus Hagdorn

Anyone for Whisky?

Or Arran Distillery, perhaps, if you’re partial to a wee dram? Although having only been established for just over 15 years, Arran Distillery produces some of the country’s finest single malt whisky and is the only distillery in the whole of Scotland that is allowed to use the famed Scottish poet, Robert Burns, on its labelling.

It’s also worthwhile keeping in mind that on top of the island’s ability to provide beautiful walks with stunning scenery, quaint villages to enjoy a relaxing time in and a range of popular attractions, there are also a number of golf courses on the island, courses that have arguably some of Europe’s most favourable backdrops.

The Isle of Arran is one of those destinations that people very often skim over when deciding on where to visit Scotland, as they can feel visiting a more well-known place will be more beneficial to the time they have.

But with so much to see and do and on an island that can at times seem like it’s completely your own, where else in Scotland would you need to go?

Matthew Bettoli writes for Cottages and Castles, who can provide comfortable Arran holiday cottages for your next Scottish holiday.

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Durdle Door, Dorset, England, UK by W. Lloyd MacKenzie

The vast majority of Durdle Door is composed of limestone which is why over the centuries it has slowly eroded away to form the arch. Its mammoth size however has led to its popularity over the years. Countless people have made their way to Durdle Door and to enjoy the English countryside.

The limestone rock formation has appeared in a number of music videos over the last few decades which have increased its popularity. One of the more popular videos is the Tears for Fears’ Shout video which was filmed on location in and around Durdle Door. Also, Pink Floyd fans have seen an image of the rock formation in the lyric books supplied with every “The Division Bell” album sold.

The rock that the Durdle Door is composed of stretch for great distances in every direction. They can be found hundreds of meters inland as well as out in the sea. Those who visit the Durdle Door will also be able to see the Bull which is located just off shore. This has been determined to be a continuation of the rock that the door itself is made of.

Durdle Door, Dorset Coast, England, UK by W. Lloyd MacKenzie

While there are many things to see and do in England, many people make the choice to head out into the countryside to get as far away from the hustle and bustle of life in London. While there are many great attractions in the capital city, some of the best destinations in the country are not.

There are countless castles and other ruins of days gone by that can be found in and around the area where the Durdle Door is located. The area known as the Jurassic Coast is one of the more popular destinations in the country.

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Those who are adventurous enough can make their way up to the Loch Skeen. The picturesque views of the area surrounding the peaceful loch are worth the almost hour-long walk it takes to reach.

Grey Mare’s Tail, Scotland, UK by Leon Pettit

Within the park, you will also find an earthwork fortress that dates back to the Iron Age. Known as Tail Burnt, the old fort was built upon a hill that has become known over the years as the Giant’s Grave.

If you are really up for an adventure, then you will need to bring your hiking boots because the trip up the side of White Coomb is a treacherous one. You may need to make your way through a herd of wild goats that live along the slopes of the hill. But the adventure is worth the effort as you stand over Tail Burn Gorge and simply admire the beauty that is the Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve.

Since not everyone is willing to take the long and tiring trek up to the top of White Coomb, there is a visitor’s center which comes complete with a CCTV system. From the center, you can watch over the nest of a Peregrine Falcon and even see the entire Tail Burn Gorge. Most of all is that the visitor center offers a state of the art interactive system that will help you to learn more about the nature preserve as well as its long and colorful past.

There’s a reason why so many people over the years have made their way to the Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve. The picturesque views of the valley, gorge and loch are definitely one of the biggest reasons to visit the area. Enjoying a peaceful day in the wilderness and a chance to become closer with Mother Nature is another popular reason that so many have visited the park to date.

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