JANUARY can be depressing with the cold, damp weather biting and a serious lack of sunshine.<\/p>\n
So it\u2019s no wonder that the first month of the year is the peak booking time time for travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n From hiking to whisky, there\u2019s lots of new and award-winning places to visit<\/p>\n The North East 250 takes in some stunning spotsCredit: Damian Shields<\/p>\n With folk desperate to shake off the post-Christmas season blues and set their sights on blue skies, thousands of Scots will be looking at holiday<\/a> options.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re after a staycation, we have rounded up the experts advice on trending locations, award-winning spots and must-see attractions in 2026.<\/p>\n CANVAS OPINION<\/p>\n The Camping and Caravanning Club pulled together a list of the best places to visit in the coming year \u2013 with one Scots road trip a must.\u00a0<\/p>\n While many tourists head up north to take on the NC500, the vanning experts have recommended the North East 250.<\/p>\n One of ten\u00a0Scotland touring routes\u00a0recommended by the club, the journey takes in several off-grid locations.<\/p>\n It starts in Moray before taking in the\u2019 country\u2019s \u2018granite coast\u2019 and branching off inland to the edge of the Cairngorms and the Balmoral Estate. <\/p>\n The experts suggest staying at Tarland and Speyside Club Sites, which start from \u00a37.45 per night.<\/p>\n And while you\u2019re on the route, visit the Aberdeen<\/a> Titanic Exhibition where rare artefacts from the iconic boat disaster will be on display from March 28 to\u00a0April 12.<\/p>\n NO MEAN CITY<\/p>\n While Edinburgh has long dominated the tourist check-list, Scotland\u2018s biggest city is \u2018having a moment\u2019.<\/p>\n In October Glasgow was named the friendliest city in the UK.<\/p>\n And earlier this week, it was listed as number seven on the world\u2019s top trending cities. It beat the likes of Abu Dhabi and Vienna in the ranking \u2013 and was the only British location on the top 10.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no wonder really as Glasgow<\/a> is a hub of culture, art, shopping and music. It\u2019s now\u00a0firmly on Michelin\u2019s radar\u00a0with multiple starred restaurants, such as Cail\u00a0Bruich\u00a0and\u00a0UNALOME.<\/p>\n And it will also be hosting the Commonwealth<\/a> Games later in the year with a host of events planned for visitors.<\/p>\n DRAM FINE<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a whisky<\/a> fan, Scotland is, of course, the place to be.<\/p>\n And two Scottish whisky experiences have recently been making waves wit top awards.<\/p>\n For the second year running, The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery has been crowned the World\u2019s Leading Whisky Distillery Tour at the World\u00a0Travel\u00a0Awards, recognised as the Oscars of the tourism<\/a> and hospitality industry.<\/p>\n The Johnnie Walker Experience won again<\/p>\n The Singleton distillery took a top award<\/p>\n Located on the North Coast 500 and easily reached by train or car, the distillery which is rich with heritage has become a favourite for locals and travellers alike.<\/p>\n Its team has reimagined the traditional distillery visit with a stunning bar, creative cocktails, hot drinks, and locally sourced platters and soups, creating a must-visit destination with something for everyone.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, The Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh<\/a> has once again been named both Europe\u2019s Leading Spirit Tourism Experience and the World\u2019s Leading Spirit Tourism Experience.<\/p>\n Home of the world\u2019s number one Scotch, The Johnnie Walker Experience is an eight-floor sensory destination that has become a cornerstone of Edinburgh\u2019s visitor scene since opening in 2021. <\/p>\n Over its four and a half years, it has welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors from 141 countries, guiding guests through an immersive journey into the 200-year heritage of Johnnie Walker while offering world-class creative cocktails at its celebrated 1820 Rooftop Bar.<\/p>\n TAKE A HIKE<\/p>\n For those wanting to get further a field, a new walking tour <\/a>has been created by locals to offer small groups an amazing adventure in the Cairngorms National Park. <\/p>\n Expert guides are on hand<\/p>\n Beginning in the Speyside region, you will walk amongst glorious Caledonian pinewoods and magnificent glens, visit one of Scotland\u2019s finest castles, and spend an evening spotting at a local wildlife<\/a> hide, hopefully catching sight of red squirrels, ospreys, crested tits or the elusive pine marten. <\/p>\n In the second part of our tour, you will explore the delights of Deeside \u2013 hiking through stunning scenery again and taking a wander along overlooked trails.<\/p>\n The experienced guides bring the Cairngorms to life through their knowledge of the flora, fauna, history, geography, culture and rich stories. Whether you\u00a0travel\u00a0alone or with others, expect a friendly welcome that makes you feel right at home.<\/p>\n At night, you will be able to relax in hand-picked locally owned accommodation, where guests can enjoy hearty Highland meals and the warm hospitality the region is known for. <\/p>\n WILD AND WONDERFUL<\/strong><\/p>\n Cairngorm Bothies, the holder of a Gold Green Tourism Award for off-grid and slowcation accommodation nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, has announced the new collaborative project for 2026, \u201cMountains to Sea\u201d Winter Escape<\/a>. <\/p>\n This tailored, four-night package offers guests a luxurious, sequential experience of Scotland\u2019s most dramatic landscapes.<\/p>\n Stay in a mountain bothyCredit: DAN MILNER<\/p>\n They are a cosy haven<\/p>\n The sea is the next stop on the trip<\/p>\n The immersive journey begins in the mountains. Guests check in for two nights at Cairngorm Bothies, enjoying cosy solitude, wood-burning stoves, and direct access to winter<\/a> hiking and mountain wildlife\u2014fully immersing them in the \u2018Mountain\u2019 experience.<\/p>\n The itinerary then transitions seamlessly to the Sea component through a partnership with the renowned Dalriada Luxury Lodges overlooking Stonehaven. <\/p>\n Guests spend the following two nights unwinding amidst spectacular clifftop views of the North Sea, perfectly positioned to explore the Aberdeenshire coastline and historical sites like Dunnottar Castle.<\/p>\n AND RELAX<\/p>\n For fans of a sauna and a swim, Scotland has loads of great spa hotels<\/a>.<\/p>\n And a new kid on the block is opening this year.<\/p>\n Ayrshire\u2019s leading hospitality group, SimpsInns, has revealed its plans to open a \u00a33million sea view spa in spring<\/a>.<\/p>\n The spa opens in spring<\/p>\n The Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride will be the home of the new state-of-the-art spa with its commanding sea views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran.<\/p>\n Special features will include six treatment rooms, a four-person Rasul experience, indoor thermal area with sauna and steam room, as well as three experience showers.<\/p>\n FAITHFUL TO FUN<\/p>\n The latest series of the Traitors<\/a> has been attracting millions of views.<\/p>\n And for those who\u2019s like to experience a bit of the highland luxury on show on screen, there\u2019s a new break on offer.<\/p>\n Highland Coast Hotels has announced plans to launch new Traitors-inspired breaks in the far north of Scotland from spring.<\/p>\n Taking inspiration from the hit BBC<\/a> TV series, the group has devised a new visitor itinerary to help showcase the dramatic and rugged landscape of the North Highlands and the region\u2019s most iconic castles, including Dunrobin, near Brora, and The Castle & Gardens of Mey, near John O\u2019Groats.<\/p>\n The Traitors was filmed at Ardross Castle, just north of Inverness<\/a>, which is the gateway to the North Highlands and the official starting point of the world-famous North Coast 500.<\/p>\n Visit a Traitors style castle<\/p>\n Unlike Ardross Castle, Highland Coast Hotels\u2019 venues are open to guests all year round and are the ideal starting point for exploring the land of \u2018The Traitors\u2019, adventure with a one stop shop booking facility. \u00a0<\/p>\n