Blackpool is a seaside resort built on the English North West coast, which remains intensely popular with tourists coming from the close by towns and cities which include Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester and more. Blackpool is also fanatically popular with visitors from all over Scotland who often turn up in large numbers in a similar fashion to the groups of factory workers of the past on their factory day out. Occasionally it would seem as though the resort is smothered in hotels and entertainments and although there is a great deal of Blackpool bed & breakfasts it is advisable to book in advance to be sure. Accommodation varies from cheaper lodgings to classy five star. You will find many on the sea front but, if you would prefer book somewhere less

raucous

there are some further inland.

Blackpool began to see its first visitors in the eighteenth century who came to indulge in  the new craze of sea bathing. When the railway arrived, in 1846, the town experienced an increase in the number of tourists to “take the cure” as it was called. These days tourists can travel to Blackpool by railway, automobile or plane arriving there much faster than the Victorian workers who could take up to 48 hrs from as nearby as Manchester.

The Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The most busy attraction in the seaside resort of Blackpool, in Lancashire, which entices approximately seven million customers a year, is Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The Pleasure Beach is an incredibly large funfair with fear inducing big rides, for example Grand National, Ice Blast, Valhalla, the Big One, Zipper Dipper and Wild Mouse, and including many, many more sideshows, food booths, children’s rides, thrill rides, sidestalls and games. The most recent big thrill is Infusion, the first ride in the world to feature a suspended looping type of coaster entirely over water.

 Please remember: If you are planning to visit the Pleasure Beach as a group or family it is possible to make considerable savings by purchasing a wristband for unlimited rides especially if you will be staying until you have been on nearly every ride as individual prices soon amounts to a great deal.

How To Get There And B&B Accommodation 

As mentioned earlier in this article, Blackpool is very easy to get to nowadays as it is possible to travel to the town by automobile, railway or air. If you are arriving by train you will, most likely, be arriving at the main train station in Blackpool, Blackpool North found on Talbot Road. Just a short distance further down Talbot Road is where you will find Blackpool National Express Coach Station, Blackpool’s main bus station. The other rail station, Blackpool South, is at Waterloo Road, which is much closer to the Pleasure Beach. Blackpool’s airport is located approximately 2 miles south of the town centre and was previously known as, Blackpool Squires Gate Airport, one of the oldest British airports.

Blackpool bed & breakfast accommodation is priced fairly low. Accommodation is less expensive in the off season and more expensive on weekends. Hotels in Blackpool are at their most costly during the Blackpool Illuminations, which is really peak season in Blackpool.

A handy tip: Some hotels can be extremely busy and rather noisy especially those found between Central Pier and North Pier. If you rather stay in a quieter location try booking accommodation beyond the North Pier.

The town of Perth is also commonly called to as the  ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Situated on the River Tay’s banks, the town of Perth was, for centuries, the capital of Scotland and during medieval times the bustling little town was known by local folk as St. John’s Toun or Saint Johnstoun. Perth’s name, or Peairt in the Gaelic, is derived from the Pictish word for a copse. Today  this idyllic little town is an excellent location as a base for a touring vacation with a large number of Perth bed and breakfast to choose from.

Whether stay for 1 week or 2 you will discover that there very many exciting things to do and see in Perth and the surrounding region. Tourist attractions include; shopping, restaurants, sport and leisure pursuits and historical attractions and other entertainments. It was not that long ago that the town was an extremely successful port chiefly involved in the export of whisky, leather, bleached products and linen. These days the tourist industry provides much needed wealth and much appreciated employment for the young of the area who are happy to take employment in the many guest houses and hotels in Perth and similar businesses.

One of the most famous attractions, which is easy to get to from Perth, is Scone Palace, one of the finest historical country homes to be found in Scotland. Here folk can learn about the very interesting history of Scone Palace, where at one time, Scottish kings were crowned for example, Robert The Bruce who took to the throne in 1306.

Approximately 3 miles away, from Perth, you will discover the 16th century Elcho Castle, which has the most glorious views over the River Tay. Elcho Castle dates back to around 1570 when the Wemyss family commissioned it’s construction who were it’s owners until the year 1929. Elcho Castle is now in the capable hands of Historic Scotland.

Only a small distance west of Perth can be found the fine medieval structure of Huntingtower Castle. Situated in stunning the castle has, over the centuries, undergone many  minor redevelopments and alterations. It began life as 2 separate and distinct towers however constructed pretty close together.

As well as the tourist attractions discussed above the town of Perth has many more, meaning that it is an awesome place for a vacation for you and your family. Other visitor attractions and places, worth seeing, to be found in Perthshire include the following; Kinnoull Hill, Perth Ice Rink (for curling etc.), Perthshire Visitor Centre, the Black Watch museum in Balhousie Castle and Perth Art Gallery & Museum.

If you are considering a weekend break in Perth you will discover plenty of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will discover a massive listing at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/

Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, was granted city status in two thousand and one and at this moment in time is the only Highland city. Strangely Inverness has no statutory boundaries which causes problems with people estimating population. The situation is exaggerated because of the fact that the population of the city is sharply increasing, Inverness has the highest growth rate in Great Britain. One thing we can say for certain is that Inverness has a very content population, Inverness was ranked 5th in a survey taken, by the Telegraph (2008), of 189 UK cities for quality of life. Following on we can say that Inverness is a pretty cool place in which to spend time and this is most probably one of the facts which make the city amazingly popular with tourists. Crucially there is a great deal of Inverness bed & breakfasts with the majority of it being able to be booked online.

Inverness is also often called the gateway to the Highlands of Scotland for the obvious fact that it is best placed to make the most of the Highland public transport system and a large amount of visitor attractions are relatively easy to get to. Probably the best way to reach them is by going on a tour or day trip. A few tour companies visiting places such as, Urquart Castle, Loch Ness or Culloden or for the more adventurous visitor it is possible to visit Orkney and John O’Groats in a single day. It is also possible to go on a small selection of city tours, such as those run by City Sightseeing.

A small amount of visitors stay in two different cities or towns in the Highlands of Scotland as an example Inverness and, later, Fort William. Fort William is more popular with sports people especially ramblers, mountaineers and hill walkers who take their chances getting to the top of Ben Nevis which is only a short distance from the town’s center. In a similar way to Inverness bed & breakfast in Fort William and rather like all bed & breakfast accommodation in Scotland it is commonly cheap, excellent value for money and incredibly tidy, clean and comfortable with the best hospitality.

An important thing to remember is that the airport for Inverness is, roughly, 7 miles away at Dalcross. You can catch a bus or hail a cab to the small and busy airport which is not too expensive. If you will be needing a map of the area then you should get one of the free ones at the tourist office, on Castle Wynd. While you are in Inverness you should make a point to visit Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, Inverness Castle, the ’stone of tubs’ and Mercat Cross especially the Castle Garrison Encounter, a fun interactive experience.

Ever since Inverness became a city Fort William has been the largest town in the Highlands. Fort William is a massively popular tourist center with a great many people arriving to climb or just view Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain. In the article that follows I discuss a small number of different places well worth a visit if you are taking a weekend break in Fort William.

The Thought Invoking West Highland Museum

The West Highland Museum in Fort William was founded in 1922. A group of people from Lochaber wanted to create a museum, about life in the Highlands, for the people of the Highlands. The current building was purchased in 1926 from the British Linen Bank, and is situated in Cameron Square, just off the Hight Street. Fascinating and small is how some people describe the museum. The collections in the museum present a fascinating insight into life in the West Highlands throughout the years. Folk from all walks of life are represented, through the superb collections of photograph’s, artefact’s and picture’s

The Historic Old Inverlochy Castle

In fort William there are two Inverlochy Castle’s, the Old Inverlochy Castle and the newer Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle, constructed in the village of Torlundy (which is now a luxurious hotel). The Old castle was said to have been constructed between 1270-1280, by John “the Black” Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. Although the castle is in ruins, the layout has not altered much since it was first erected. Lord Abinger made alterations and enhancements to the house, in preparation of a visit by Queen Victoria. Old Inverlochy Castle is still an important part of English and Scottish history, due to the part it played during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s.

The Fascinating Jacobite Steam Train

A trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, is an exciting way to experience the enchanting scenery of the Highlands. The Fort William to the port of Mallaig journey takes one on a magical trip through the glens. One of the most sensational parts of the ride is going across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which the majority of travelers will be familiar with because of the fact that it was used in the movies of the exploits of Harry Potter and his friends. The 84 mile excursion takes you past Loch Nevis, Loch Morar and Ben Nevis, with a stop in Glenfinnan before reaching Mallaig. There is about an hour and half in which to explore Mallaig, before the return journey, back to Fort William. This journey has repeatedly been described as, one of the Great Railway Journeys of the World.

There is plenty of accommodation in Fort William available to book online but you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Fort William at http://www.fortwilliamhotelscotland.com/

The city of Stirling has played an important role in the history of Scotland, especially during crucial moments. In and around Stirling has an incredible selection of excellent visitor attractions and a multitude of photographic opportunities. In the following article I introduce three places to visit in Stirling; Stirling Old Town Jail, Stirling Castle and Argyll’s Lodging:

Stirling Castle

Set two hundred and fifty feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on 3 sides by shear cliffs is Stirling Castle. The castle is very important in the history of Scotland, there have been several coronations within the castle, including that of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. The castle was also witness to a violent murder in 1452. The eighth Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. Stirling Castle is the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although they are, unfortunately no longer garrisoned there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, can be found within the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail

The Stirling Old Town Jail we see today is not the first jail in Stirling, for four hundred years, Stirling’s prisoners were secured in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was awfully overcrowded, and smelled dreadful, with 24 prisoners to a cell, and no sanitary facilities. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, due to the inhuman living conditions there, and in 1847 the new jail opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial jail, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military jail in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a visitor attraction, and was only restored in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled lift that rises to a viewing deck at the top of the jail. From here you is able to look out across the Forth Valley, and gaze upon the Highland mountains.

Argyll’s Lodging

Argyll’s Lodging is found on Castle Wynd, situated in the middle of Stirling and is Scotland’s best existing renaissance house. The house was constructed circa 1630, by Sir William Alexander, originator of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, and was then appointed the first Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging became the property of the Argyll family on his death and was added to by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, laigh hall, bed chamber and drawing room, have all been restored and furnished, as they would have looked when the ninth Earl lived there, around 1680.

If you are considering having a short vacation in Stirling you will find plenty of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will discover a huge range at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/

Perth, the ‘Fair City’ in Scotland an ex royal burgh is situated at the head of the Tay estuary. Between the 12th and 15th centuries Perth vied with Dunfermline to be the capital city of Scotland. In the article below I introduce three places to visit in Perth, Scotland; Scone Palace, Elcho Castle and Huntingtower Castle:

Scone Palace

Today, Scone Palace is the home of the Earls of Mansfield, and a popular attraction to travelers from around the globe. The palace is an integral part of Scotland’s history, as the kings of Scotland were once crowned there. Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone Palace, in 1306, as well as Charles II when he took possession of the Scottish Crown in 1651. There is a beautiful and mysterious mood to the palace, which is justifiably so.In the past the site served as an important meeting place of the Picts and there was also an early Christian church on the site.

Elcho Castle

Located around 3 miles from Perth, with breathtaking views across the River Tay, is Elcho Castle. Elcho Castle is one of the prime examples of Sixteenth century constructions in Scotland today. The Wemyss family authorized the erection of the castle in the 1570’s. The land had been in the family since 1468, when it was assigned to them by King James III. In 1633, the leader of the family was given the titles of Earl of Wemyss and Lord Elcho. Elcho Castle and it’s lands remained in possession of the Wemyss family until 1929. At this time, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, granted the castle to the nation. The castle has recently been renovated and is now in the hands of Historic Scotland.

Huntingtower Castle

Found just west of Perth is the medieval Huntingtower Castle. Even though the structure is medieval in origin, it has been significantly redeveloped throughout most of it’s history. The Ruthven family were occupiers of the castle and lands from the C12th to the C17th. During this time the castle consisted of 2 separate towers, erected 3 meters apart. When the Murray family took occupancy, later on in the 17th century, they decided to merge the two towers, making the house appear more like a regular country abode. The bridging work between the two towers is still clearly visible today, on both the inside and the outside of the building.

If you are considering having a holiday in Perth you will discover a large selection of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will discover a huge selection at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/