A survey has asked Scots to reveal their ultimate happy place – and top of the poll (28%) are the white sandy beaches of the Outer Hebrides.
The research looked into places in the UK that evoke special memories and make us happy. In second place in the study is “hunting for Nessie at Loch Ness”.
Scoring joint second place with 21% of the votes is walking in the Lake District. The top 4 and top 5 happy places for Scots people to visit are the Roman baths of bath and Easting Chips in Padstow harbour.
Grescleit beach is just one of the white sandy beaches on the Outer hebrides. Pic: Richard Webb
Strength of the Staycation
The research was carried out by SACO, The Serviced Apartment Company, which polled holidaymakers and also found that two-fifths of Scots believe there is “no place like home” when it comes to holidays.
The Highlands were by the far the most popular holiday destination for Scots, followed by the Lake District and Cornwall.
Nearly two thirds of the adults polled said some of their fondest memories of being a child were spent holidaying in Britain and 62% are now trying to replicate those memories for their own children.
More than a third (39%) said some of their best holidays have been in the UK.
Another ‘happy place” is Loch Ness, seen here with Urquhart Castle in the foreground. Pic: Sam Fentress
It is the weather that motivates people to travel overseas for holidays but 70% said that if you could always guarantee the weather, they would never go abroad.
A spokesperson for SACO, which offers serviced apartments in Scotland, said: “Scotland has a huge amount to offer when it comes to holidays, from exciting city breaks to endless opportunities to discover the great outdoors.
“The dramatic and beautiful beaches of the Hebrides provide breath-taking views that you would struggle to match anywhere in Europe, so there really is no need to jet off abroad to feel happy and content.
“It seems that many parents are choosing to relive their childhood memories by visiting places of interest with their own children across Scotland for their holidays.”
British holiday benefits
Nearly half of those polled said the biggest benefit of holidaying in the UK was the fact you could travel at a time of day to suit you, and one in five love the fact you don’t need to take out expensive travel insurance.
Being able to travel by car, avoiding sweltering heat and being able to take the family dog along were also listed as benefits of the staycation, as well as it being more affordable.
Must-do ideas on a traditional British summer break included paddling, skimming stones and building sand castles.
Many activities revolved around food with eating fish and chips, cream teas, and sampling a traditional pub lunch on the holiday checklist.
A more honest 22% of those polled said it they actually like being blown about on a windy beach and just more than a third reckon that you haven’t experienced a true British holiday until you have been caught in torrential rain.
Interestingly, the research showed that a typical seven-day break in the UK costs £716, compared to £1,430 if you go abroad.
See 10 of my happy Scottish places to visit.
Infographic of Scots holiday happy places
