Travel: Planning A Luxury Break In The Scottish Highlands

Loch Ness from Fort Augustus  Scotland
conner395 / Foter.com / CC BY

I’ve never been entirely sure why, but it seems that the words ‘luxury vacation’ are synonymous with sun drenched beaches on tropical islands. However, that need not be the case as there are luxury opportunities to be found all over the world. One great place for a luxury break which is largely underrated is the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland may not have the tropical climate that many luxury destinations can boast, but what it lacks in sunshine it certainly makes up for in stunning natural beauty. The Highlands feature many top quality facilities so planning a luxury break is fairly easy.

Get Started By Traveling In Style

The first step in planning your break is of course getting there, and you might as well do so in style. The main airport serving this area of Scotland is Inverness Airport and although it only offers limited services connecting with Europe it has provisions for private jet charters either from London or from the larger Scottish airports in Glasgow and Edinburgh which offer international flights.

It makes sense to start as you mean to go on by taking a private flight to Inverness. Even if you do not have your own plane, you will find it easy enough to secure a private charter flight from London. One in Inverness you can arrange luxury transfers to your accommodation with a local ar service.

Choosing Luxury Accommodation & Entertainment

The accommodation you choose will have a huge impact on your luxury break so it has to be 5 stars all the way. There are many of luxury hotels scattered across the Scottish Highlands many of which are house in former castles and stately homes.

One of these hotels is the Rocpool Reserve Hotel in the heart of Inverness which is very handy for the airport! The building has been likened to a miniature Greek temple thanks to its pillars and grand portico. The interior offers the sort of modern elegance that would not look out of place in Monte Carlo!

If you prefer something a little further into the Scottish Wilderness then the Alladale Wilderness Reserve boasts a stunning 5 star hotel in a remote and beautiful setting. It is the perfect way to relax and offers a range of activities including riding, shooting and escorted 4×4 safari tours.

Speaking of entertainment, you will also find a number of luxury spa facilities in the Scottish Highlands offering a luxurious way to unwind. Even centuries ago, people would travel to Scotland to ‘take the waters’ for health reasons thanks to the naturally soft water. The spa facilities are much more advanced than they were back then and now offer a range of premium treatments.

Sampling The Local Gourmet Cuisine

There are many Scottish specialties which may not sound particularly appetizing including Haggis and Black Pudding. However, there are also many delicious dishes including local salmon, cheeses, venison, fresh local seafood and of course whiskey. Even if you are looking to eat outside of your hotel, there are no shortages of quality restaurants in the Highlands.

A luxury break in the Scottish Highlands offers something quite different to one on a tropical island, but that does not make it any less upmarket. Scotland is the destination to choose when you are looking for elegance and grandeur rather than in your face opulence.

Author: Ben Llewellyn owns Private Jet Charter Prices.com and is dedicated to helping travelers to find their dream private aircraft charter. For private air travel from London visit privatejetcharterprices.com/London or catch up with Ben on twitter or Google+.