One particularly stunning part of Scotland that is a popular destination with wintertime holidaymakers is Loch Lomond and the Trossachs – which is also a National Park. This National Park status means the area’s natural beauty is extremely well protected, and thus there is an abundance of untouched wilderness to explore that is a bustling with wildlife. Naturally, this makes Loch Lomond & The Trossachs a great destination for nature lovers, as well as those who enjoy hiking and exploring a landscape at length. Visitors will need somewhere to stay and where better than in a Scottish country cottage in the heart of the national park. With a good comfortable place to call home for a few days, you can really enjoy days out on the hills and on the lochs.
View holiday homes around Loch Lomond
This national park lies to the north west of Glasgow in Scotland. Holidaymakers love Scotland’s west coast. It encircles Loch Lomond and includes several smaller lochs such as Loch Katrine, Lochs Arklet, Achray and more. A great number of streams feed the lochs so that the surrounding valleys are crisscrossed with them.
The landscape is gently hilly and peppered with sheep, with tree lined roads and forests. Imagine it as Scotland’s lake district, except with a much lower population that Cumbria and you have an idea of what it looks like. Waymarked trails welcome hikers and mountain bikers. Pleasure boats ply the waters of Loch Lomond, there are watersports and fishing in various lochs.
This is tourist country and lots of people tour the area, staying at the various hotels, B&Bs and self-catering cottages. Lonely white washed or granite farmhouses stand back from the road against a hilly and wooded backdrop. There is an extensive choice of holiday accommodation and plenty of tea shops and inns to quench the thirst and hunger of holidaymakers.
A winter escape to the snow
A wonderful winter escape to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is highly accessible, particularly when you consider the versatility of accommodation on offer in the area. There is an abundance of self-catering cottages to choose from, most of which can be found online. This is undoubtedly the easiest way to find your perfect accommodation, as not only can you instantly see prices and pictures, you can tailor your search to meet your specific requirements.
Not everybody will want the same thing from their break in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, but everyone will no doubt want to secure their ideal cottage. This of course varies from person to person, but there are a few things to keep in mind while on the hunt. Firstly, if you are a pet lover, you will be aware of how difficult it can to leave your pets at home while you’re on holiday. Finding somebody to feed and walk dogs isn’t easy, for example, and can bring about more stress than it’s worth. Many cottage owners allow you to bring your pets with you, though, which means you can invite your furry friends along for the ride. And Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in particular is an ideal destination for this, as there are hundreds of great walking routes to explore, incorporating hills, rugged terrain, and of course, lakes.
Book a cottage holiday in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs area for Christmas or New Year
Pets aside, there are many ways to turn a good self-catering cottage break into a great one. At Christmastime in particular when the weather is cold, you might be inclined to push for luxury, which could include exceptional quality beds for that perfect night’s sleep, a huge HD TV for those nights snuggling on the sofa, a blazing log fire, or even a power shower to therapeutically wash away the dirt from a hard day’s trekking. One luxury addition that is extremely popular with holidaymakers is a hot tub – which is great for couples in particular. It really is incredibly romantic and relaxing to share the bubbles with your favourite person, and talk the night away under the stars. Perhaps surprisingly, a hot tub doesn’t need to break the bank either, as many cottage owners are competing for your custom, helping keep costs down.
Whatever kind of self-catering cottage suits your needs, you certainly won’t be spending all your time there anyway, as Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has an abundance of things to see and do. If you are up for something a bit different, you can explore the region on horseback, which can be an authentic way to get a feel of the area at a good pace. For those into their sporting activity, angling is a big local favourite, as there are lots of great fishing spots in the area, as well as a good variety of fish. Golfing is also popular and there are some stunning courses to take on, while those looking for an adrenaline rush will be pleased to know water sports like kayaking are easily accessible. Overall, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is a great winter getaway spot with lots to see and do, and abundance of cottage accommodation to choose from.
Read more cottage breaks around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs