Self Catering Scotland: Self Catering Edinburgh, Glasgow

Self Catering in Scotland: Holiday Cottages in Scotland

All Scottish areas, including the Scottish Highlands, Islands, Royal Deeside and the Angus Glens offer a host of self-catering holiday cottages. Lodges are also on the increase often in beautiful remote countryside locations or by the sides of lochs amongst the Scottish mountains. These can often sleep from four people upwards and so make an excellent choice for big family parties or groups. Being near the lochs there is often plenty of outdoor activities like fishing and/or water sports. Loch Lomond self catering properties are a popular choice amongst visitors to Scotland, whilst Isle of Skye self catering options give the opportunity to stay on the largest island in the Inner Hebrides. Visitors to southern Scotland might consider self catering Dumfries properties.

Obviously facilities do vary dependant upon the individual cottage and so it is worth considering what your ideal cottage has in this respect, and not basing your decision upon the appearance of the cottage alone. Also you should think about issues like accessibility, whether or not you are bringing pets or very young children, what exactly is included in the price, if you would be located near shops, restaurants or pubs and if smoking is permitted. Scotland offers a huge selection of pet friendly self catering holiday cottage accommodation (check out the choice of pet friendly Scottish Borders, Scottish Highlands and Islands dog friendly holiday cottages!) which is great news for dog owners and dogs alike!

There is more information about holiday cottages in Scotland available via the Holiday Cottages tab located to the right hand side of your screen.

Self Catering Glasgow, Flats and Serviced Apartments Edinburgh

Fully equipped self-catering and self-contained Edinburgh holiday apartments or flats have many benefits as a self catering holiday choice. Such benefits include independence - having your own door key, and a homely environment. Holiday flats and apartments are usually equipped with modern kitchen and bathroom facilities, utensils, TV, video or DVD players, and stereos. Further to this, expect to be provided with household items such as washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave and so forth. Extra privacy and flexibility comes with this choice of holiday accommodation.

For serviced apartments Edinburgh is a brilliant choice, with a range of serviced apartments to choose from. Across the country these are emerging as the most fashionable place to stay for short periods of time. An alternative to the hotel, serviced apartments allow the individual to receive the associated perks of a hotel visit - free housekeeping, maintenance and utilities - whilst maintaining the freedom and flexibility of having their own place.

Scotland Self Catering: Scotland Hostels

The choice of cheap hostel accommodation in Scotland leaves you with plenty of options. These range from youth hostels to cheap self catering bunkhouses within top outdoor activity locations like Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Fort William and surfing areas on the Western Isles and north coast of Scotland. The Shetland Islands Amenity Trust runs a camping bod scheme where bunkhouse accommodation is available in historic buildings on the islands including lighthouses and crofts. Cheap Scotland hostels make the perfect budget holiday accommodation base, not just for young groups and stag and hen weekends, but for families too. Youth hostels often offer family rooms and several independant hostel organisations offer accommodation for all age groups.

If you're looking for a cheap city base in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness then MacBackpackers have hostels in the heart of all of these cities. These and other hostel organisations have bases in a good variety of Scottish towns as well as in more remote countryside areas. Perhaps the best choice of hostels though, is in the Highlands of Scotland particularly around Loch Ness, Fort William, Glencoe, Aviemore and the Cairngorms.

The Highlands of Scotland and the Scottish Islands are particularly well served with cheap group bunkhouse accommodation, probably as until recently other choices were often limited in these more remote areas of the country. Hostels, bunkhouses and camping bods on Shetland are all popular in these areas. Walkers, climbers and mountain bikers will find the hostels around the Great Glen in the Highlands useful for basing themselves amongst the heart of the outdoor capital, Lochaber.

Self Catering Accommodation Scotland: Accommodation Grading

When graded Lake District self catering properties and those in the North West and across the UK are now rated by a Tourist Board star system of 1 star to 5 stars. Grading standards do vary between English, Welsh and Scottish Tourist Boards, but a broad definition of grading standards can be taken as follows:

1 Star: Fair and Acceptable - Acceptable overall level of quality. Adequate provision of furniture, furnishings and fittings.

2 Stars: Good - Good overall level of quality. All units self-contained.

3 Stars: Very Good - Very good overall level of quality. Very good standard of maintenance and decoration. Ample space and good quality furniture. all double beds with access from both sides. Microwave.

4 Stars: Excellent - Excellent overall level of quality and attention to detail. Either access to washing machine and dryer, if not provided in the unit, or a 24 hour laundry service.

5 Stars: Exceptional, World-Class - Exceptional overall level of quality. High levels of decor, fixtures and fittings, together with excellent standards of management efficiency and guest services. Excellent range of accessories and personal touches.

Self catering accommodation without grading may well be of exceptional standard. Many cottages and self catering venues are independently accredited by self catering associations locally. There are a number of self catering Wales properties that fall into the 4 and 5 star bracket, and as such are highly recommended.