CASTLES CHRISTMAS
Cottages & Castles Becomes the Largest Self-catering Letting Firm
COTTAGES & CASTLES, the Scottish holiday lettings firm, has bought fellow leisure company Arran HideAways. The acquisition will add 140 properties to Cottages & Castles’ stable, transforming the company into the largest self-catering holiday letting firm in the country with more than 500 sites.
No figure has been revealed, however it is expected to boost Cottages & Castles’ turnover by as much as 30% to more than £3m. Arran HideAways has already secured 1,114 weeks of accommodation occupancy for October 2008 to October 2009. This number is expected to increase as Cottages & Castles opens up each property to a wider market audience of potential holidaymakers.
Cottages & Castles manager Sue Bourne said: “Arran is very much a second home island and is a popular holiday destination with huge potential on a national and international level. Given the current economic downturn, coupled with more people holidaying at home, we believe Arran is set to become the place to holiday for 2009.”
Arran HideAways will continue to manage the self-catering properties on the Isle of Arran. It will also run guest services on behalf of Cottages & Castles.
Credit crunch conscious festive revellers are booking up Scottish castles and country mansions as they are now one of the most affordable options for spending holidays, according to Cottages & Castles Ltd, Scotland’s largest specialist holiday letting agency.
An indulgent festive getaway need not be as expensive as you may think, with people paying as little as ?22 per head per night to stay in some of the most spectacular rural properties in Scotland.
Cottages and Castles’ fabulous range of properties for rent are perfect for those looking for an idyllic Christmas or Hogmanay, particularly large groups of friends seeking a stunning castle or mansion to house a festive Highland Ceilidh.
The firm has advised that it still has some spectacular properties available for Christmas and New Year.
Sue Bourne, Manager for Cottages and Castles, said: “We have experienced a steady influx of bookings for properties over the festive period as more people have decided to stay at home. Scotland is a very popular destination over Christmas and New Year with the average price per head for renting out one of our properties far cheaper than a holiday abroad.
“Larger properties such as county mansions and castles have been in great demand with large groups looking to host their own Hogmanay parties. There are still some fantastic properties in spectacular locations throughout Scotland available to suit all requirements and budgets.”
Law Castle in West Kilbride, Ayrshire and Persie House in Perthshire are two of the best value castles and large houses still available.
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CASTLES CHRISTMAS Q & A
Any fun and fantastic ideas for my boyfriend and I to spend 3 nights in Edinburgh over Christmas?
My man and I are going to Edinburgh for 3 nights from the 23rd December. We are definitely planning on visiting the castle, and the Christmas markets. Can anyone suggest any cool things to do or see, doesn’t have to be the usual touristy things just anything that’s been fun, unique or interesting. Please don’t suggest the ghost walks as that will freak me out – i’m scared! Oh and any really nice restaurants or bars. We’re always up for an adventure so share any fun and exciting experiences you have had in Edinburgh!!
Well, it really depends on what you are looking for….Edinburgh has everything!
Bars – Student type bars are in Grassmarket (all with storys to tell of rogues being hung in the square outside), or try The Three Sisters in Cowgate nearby. The more upmarket bars are on George Street (behind Princes Street), or the roads perpendicular to Princes Street.
Rose Street is worth a visit for pubs too, although there are not so many as there used to be. In days of old people would go drinking there with a stick of chalk and the challenge was to drink a half in every pub along the street and draw your chalk line as you went. Seldom did anyone make it because every other door was a bar, not so now, but there are still a few. The Rose Street Brewery where they brew their own beer on site once featured in a Deacon Blue video too!
Restaurants are spread all over the city, best to ask the concierge in your hotel to recommend one nearby. Although, if you are pushing the boat out, try and dine at The Witchery which is up by the Castle. It’s not cheap, but it is the best.
At Christmas they have a funfair set up at the top end of Princes Street, which is lovely.
The Castle is nice but if you don’t fancy it at least walk up to the battlements and look out over the city. Remember to listen out for the one o’clock gun too, which goes off every day at…er…one o’clock!
Holyrood Palace is supposed to be nice but I’ve never been, and Dynamic Earth is down that way too, which again I’ve not been to but is supposed to be interesting.
Take a walk up Arthurs Seat, a nice big hill, but with fantastic views.
Have a great time.
Top Tip – if you are lurching out of a hostelry at 3am and feeling peckish, there is a little restaurant up on South Bridge called Pizza Paradise which serves typical Italian fare until 5am, and they will serve you alcohol with your meal too. Not sure if the food is good, have always been in there drunk, but we always go back….
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