Tag: Visit Scotland

Visit Glasgow during the Film Festival

Posted on by Amy Moore

The Glasgow Film Festival begins on 26 February this year, bringing with it a whole host of exciting activities and great films. And with a packed programme, there’s no better way to get there than with Caledonian Sleeper.

Stay Somewhere Special

For those stepping off the train, the Grand Central Hotel is ideally located within Glasgow Central Station. In a beautiful Victorian style building with sophisticated rooms and suites, as well as two excellent restaurants, this hotel offers quality and convenience.

Malmaison is based in a former Episcopalian church, with boutique rooms and first class wining and dining, this is the perfect choice for those looking to indulge themselves during their visit.

Apex City of Glasgow Hotel has a range of comfortable rooms and suites with a Scandinavian influence. It is located just seconds from the famous Sauchiehall Street, meaning it is surrounded by some of the city’s best bars and restaurants.

For a different experience, Airbnb has a wide variety of properties, spanning from luxury penthouses to peaceful cottages beside the River Kelvin.

What to see

Over the course of the festival hundreds of screenings will be held with themes set to include Local Heroes, Cinemasters and Women Make Film. Visitors should ensure they check out the events programme to find what appeals to them but we have picked out some of the best action for viewers.

For a totally unique cinema experience Glasgow’s iconic Argyle Street Arches will be transformed into ‘Neo-Glasgow,’ and will be screening a host of films between 28 February and 1 March, including Total Recall, Wall-E and Train to Busan.

The opening gala of the festival will be held on 26 February at the Glasgow Film Theatre with the UK premiere of award-winning drama Proxima, from renowned director Alice Winocour.

Other highlights include the multiple award winning Always in Season at the Centre for Contemporary Arts on 29 February and Days of the Bagnold Summer at the Glasgow Film Theatre on 4 March.

Beyond the screen

When not taking in a feature on the big screen there plenty of related activities to keep film buffs happy. The Film Fanatics Walking Tour is a two-hour tour visiting iconic film locations from around the city including Trainspotting and Outlander with some surprises thrown in along the way.

The Glasgow Film Festival Quiz, held on 2 March, offers a chance for experienced quizzers to show off their credentials. Held at Glee Club and hosted by Joe Heenan, this night will be a combination of head-scratching trivia and sidesplitting laughs. Doubletree will be hosting a series of behind the scenes events with well-known industry figures teaching audiences the tricks of the trade.

Where to Eat 

Glasgow is renowned for its fantastic restaurants and for those visiting for a limited time it can be hard to know where to start – so we’ve selected some of our favourites to help those struggling to decide.

The Butterfly and the Pig is situated in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, just a minute away from the Glasgow Film Theatre, ideal for grabbing a bite after a screening. With a welcoming shabby-chic interior the restaurant serves up generous portions of traditional Scottish cuisine with its own unique style.

Finnieston, one of the coolest areas in Glasgow, has a veritable feast of trendy restaurants to choose from. Alchemilla is one example, serving up delicious Mediterranean inspired small plates and a fantastic selection of wines in a stylish setting.

SushiYa, located in Glasgow’s central hub, offers a selection of Japanese dishes for lunches and dinner. The freshly made sushi platters are a highlight and are perfect for a quick stop off on a busy day.

Explore Dundee and the Tay Country

Posted on by Amy Moore

Explore Dundee and the Tay Country

 

With a central location and a great mix of city and countryside, Dundee is an ideal location for a break away.

We’ve created a guide to the best and most interesting places that the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design and the Tay Country has to offer, so travel with Caledonian Sleeper to find out more.

 

V&A Dundee

 

The V&A Dundee, opened in 2018, has transformed the waterfront in the city. With a calendar of events and exciting exhibitions, it’s a must-visit for anyone going to Dundee.

New to 2020 is Tea and Tour – an experience combining a tour of the museum with an expert guide, followed by afternoon tea at Tatha Bar & Kitchen.

 

Broughty Ferry

 

Beside the sea, Broughty Ferry’s mix of pubs and restaurants makes it a relaxing and interesting place to visit, not far from the heart of Dundee. Find good quality Scottish produce at Forgan’s, where you can dine in the main restaurant, outside, or in a private bothy – there’s something for everyone.

The Broughty Castle and Museum explores the history of Broughty Ferry as a fishing village, the history of whaling, and wildlife that can be found in the area.

Broughty Ferry beach and esplanade are some of the best places in the local area to spot bottlenose dolphins– particularly from May to September.

 

Explore the coast

 

Tay Country has a range of coastline to discover. The Fife Coastal Path is Scotland’s longest continuous coastal path in the 117 miles between Kincardine and Newburgh. Take a walk along or take a boat trip to the Isle of May to see the sea life and wildlife.

Enjoy the abundance of local seafood along the route, including the seafood shacks in Crail, where the fishermen recommend their catch of the day.

 

Go outdoors

 

Explore the home of golf in Tay Country’s St Andrews. For the full golfing experience, enter the ballot to play a round at the Old Course, or try your hand at golf in one of the 111 other courses in Tay Country.

Go for a walk around the rolling countryside or beaches, or go adventurous and bag one of Tay Country’s many Munros.

Explore the UK’s best mountain ranges

Posted on by Amy Moore

Ski season is in full swing and snowsports enthusiasts are heading for the mountains. Scotland is home to five outdoor ski resorts offering the best outdoor snowsports opportunities across the UK.

With each of the resorts accessible from one of the stops on our route, you can travel with Caledonian Sleeper and wake up at the foot of the Scottish mountains ready to enjoy the best of what the country has to offer – both on and off the slopes.

 

Glenshee Ski Centre

Located near Ballater and easily accessible from both Aberdeen and Perth railway stations, Glenshee is the largest ski resort in the UK, stretching over four mountains and three glens. The resort offers 36 runs totaling over 40km in distance, plenty to explore over a weekend for even the most intrepid skier. For the beginner, Glenshee has a ski school on site and a range of easier runs perfect for finding your feet on. The resort also offers sledging, skiing, snowboarding and ski touring.

 

Cairngorm Mountain Range

Cairngorm Mountain is one of Scotland’s most breathtaking locations, with stunning views of the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Morlich. The resort is easily accessible from Aviemore railway station. During the winter months it is transformed into a snowsports paradise with 30km of pisted runs for skiers and snowboarders.

Recently launched at the mountain is a 70m slope for tubing, a perfect activity for both children and adults. You can also visit the Mountain Exhibition to learn the history of the local area. Other activities available include a winter garden, geocaching and guided walks. After a busy day exploring the areas and the slopes, there are two cafes and a mountain shop at the resort to rest and relax.

 

Aviemore

Aviemore is the ideal place to stay for those who love the outdoors, located just 11 miles from the Cairngorm Ski Centre and surrounded on all sides by the stunning scenery of the Cairngorm National Park. There are a range of beautiful walks in the local area, including Glenmore Forest Park and Rothiemurchus Forest. Aviemore also offers an array of activities, varying from wildlife watching to quad biking.

 

 The Lecht

The Lecht lies in the Eastern Cairngorms and can be accessed easily from both Aberdeen and Aviemore railway stations.

There are slopes catering to all levels of skiing and snowboarding and the resort even produces man-made snow, enabling them to extend the skiing season. The Lecht offers The Penguin Park for budding young skiers and snowboarders.

 

Nevis Range

Just ten miles from Fort William railway station, Nevis Range is an idyllic getaway for snowsports fans and families. The only mountain gondola in the UK offers incredible views, as well as a handy way to explore the mountain and rest tired legs.

Going for a guided walk with a photographer will guarantee a perfectly framed photo of your group, with the picturesque Nevis Range as the backdrop. Two mountain trails are accessible from the gondola station, Sgurr Finnisg-aig and Meall Beag, both boasting panoramic views, stretching as far as the Inner Hebrides.

 

Glencoe

Glencoe is the oldest ski centre in Scotland, established in 1956. It has gained a reputation for being Scotland’s most challenging ski destination and contains the steepest black run in the UK. However, this should not discourage beginners from visiting as there is a beginner’s area, perfect for those learning their skills.

Opportunities for hillwalking are not to be missed as Glencoe is within Rannoch Moor, designated as a world heritage site due to its incredible natural beauty. Activities such as tubing, sledging and camping are all also available at the site. There are two cafes at Glencoe providing home cooked food every day.

Visit Glencoe with Caledonian Sleeper to Rannoch railway station.