BRITS have thousands of incredible destinations to choose from when it comes to staycations.
But Scotland is proving to be top of the wish list for summer holidays this year.
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According to a study by the Expedia Group, Scotland has seen the highest increase in interest in the last year, with a 65 per cent rise compared to 2022.
The country is world-famous for its breath-taking natural landscape and nature reserves, as well as tourist hotspots like Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
The holiday company analysed demand for UK stays in 2023 and compared it to the same period in 2022.
The study found these to be the top Scottish regions for UK travellers: Scottish Highlands, Fife, Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire.
The average price of a holiday rental in Scotland is £85 per night.
Most holiday rentals sleep up to four people, so you could bag stays from £21pp a night.
There are also plenty of hotels available in Scotland, and the average price is £100 per room per night (£50pppn).
There are plenty of activities and places to visit in the country that are budget-friendly too.
Besides the usual shopping tours and food breaks, you’ll find walking tours, museums, historical sites and beautiful beaches.
For instance, Scottish highlands were used as the backdrop for many scenes in James Bond‘s Skyfall, so 007 fans could spend a day following its footstep.
City lovers taking a staycation in Edinburgh could follow the famous Harry Potter trail, which is free to join.
The tour usually lasts about 75 minutes, and you could swing by The Crofter bar and restaurant for cheap eats and pints afterwards.
The top-rated thing to do in Aberdeenshire is to visit The Gordon Highlanders Museum.
The museum shows the 200-year story of the Gordon Highlanders Regiment, from the Napoleonic Wars to the modern day.
During your tour, you’ll find displays, films and even a mini-figure hunt and free comics for little ones.
The museum has 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, and a reviewer called it a ‘must-see experience’
Elsewhere, in the Fife area, it is no surprise to have the St Andrews Cathedral as the top-rated attraction.
St Andrews Cathedral was the largest cathedral in Scotland, and you can now visit its remains.
The museum has a collection of medieval sculptures and relics; you can even enjoy stunning views from the top of St Rule’s Tower.
St Andrews’ West Sands beach is another must-see, and is also rated 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor.
Scotland is surrounded by nature, so it should be no surprise that it has some of the UK’s most picturesque beaches.
The St Andrews West Sands also won the Scotland Beautiful Beach Award in 2028 and has received awards for 25 years.
The beach is just a 15-minute walk from the town centre and is also a great backdrop for running or swimming.
We’ve also revealed the UK beach where it ‘feels like you’re abroad,’ and it’s one of the cheapest places to visit.
And these are some of the most tranquil staycation spots in the country.
If you don’t mind travelling further, we found the European island that is the ‘new Mykonos’ but with cheap hotels and quiet beaches.
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