14 Mar 2024
Key Events and Openings in spring 2024
Perth Museum, Opening 30 March
The new Perth Museum will open its doors on Saturday, 30 March, Easter weekend, after a £26.5 million redevelopment project. The world-class cultural and heritage attraction will highlight the fascinating objects and stories that put Perth and Kinross at the centre of Scotland's story. The new museum will showcase various objects of interest, including the 3,000-year-old Carpow Logboat and the Stone of Destiny (one of Scotland's most significant historical objects, an ancient symbol of Scotland's monarchy that was used to crown Scottish Kings, returning to Perthshire for the first time in over 700 years).
The first exhibition on display at the brand-new museum will be 'Unicorn', the first major UK exhibition to explore the cultural history of Scotland's national animal from antiquity to present day.
Scottish Crannog Centre, Perthshire, Opening 1 April.
The Scottish Crannog Centre is currently building a new museum located at the site of Dalerb on the North side of Loch Tay in Perthshire which is also set to open this Easter. A crannog is a house built over water, usually with a bridge or causeway joining them to the shore, and visitors can step inside one to discover unique insight into life in the Iron Age. The aim of The Scottish Crannog Centre at Dalerb is to be the most sustainable museum in Scotland. The new visitor centre will showcase internationally significant archaeological collections, an Iron Age-inspired village of craft and technology demonstrations, and the first of three expert-led, but community-built, crannogs.
Edinburgh Science Festival, 30 March – 14 April
The Edinburgh Science Festival was the world's first such festival when it launched in 1989. Today it remains the UK's largest Science Festival and for two weeks each year, it offers a range of amazing experiences for all ages, with a programme of exhibitions, events, workshops, performances, screenings and discussions between some of the world's foremost scientific minds.
10th anniversary of the John Muir Way, 21 April 2024 &
10th anniversary of The Kelpies, 27 April 2024
The John Muir Way - which first opened on 21 April 2014 - stretches across Scotland's heartland it links Helensburgh in the west with John Muir's birth place Dunbar in the east and is fully way-marked for walking and cycling. Check out the one- and two- day routes here and head to some of the sites of particular interest, including the famous Kelpies at Helix Park (also celebrating 10 years in 2024), or the John Muir Birthplace museum in Dubar which is free to visit.
There will be a full day of celebration for The Kelpies with Kelpies 10, on Saturday, 27 April from 7pm, with full details to be on the website here.
Glasgow Film Festival, 28 February – 10 March
Glasgow is one of the friendliest film festivals on the planet with a wide-ranging programme that celebrates every corner of world cinema and provides a fantastic showcase for the best of Scottish film. The festival has a long tradition of championing new talent and ensuring that the very best films from the annual submissions are given a platform in the public programme.
Find out more about what's on here: Glasgow Film Festival
Farm Retreats
Spring brings new life to the farms in Scotland as lambing season takes place throughout April and May each year. Experience life on a working farm tour where visitors can discover the ins and outs of lambing season, as well as day-to-day farm duties, and stay in unique and unusual accommodation: 18 Quirky Places to Stay on a Farm in Scotland | VisitScotland.
Lambing on Loch Lomond, Lennox of Lomond
Established in 1750, Lennox of Lomond has seen eleven generations of the Lennox family running the farm on the western shores of Loch Lomond. The farm offers its visitors exciting tours, such as quad bike trailer tours, sheep dog tours, and day in the life of a farmer tours, and provides cosy lodge accommodation on site.
In spring, the farm welcomes over 1,000 new lambs to the farm, and visitors can meet these new additions at Lambing Sessions in April. Visitors can choose between a weekday evening, a weekend, a half-day, or a full day lambing experience and spend the day relaxing with furry friends in the lambing shed. Tickets will be available to purchase shortly here: Lambing on Loch Lomond | Lennox of Lomond.
Whispering Cow Walks, The Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin
The stunning Pierhouse Hotel in Port Appin has partnered with Highland Fold Ice Cream to offer visitors guided Whispering Cow Walks during the summer. These walks will allow visitors to see the cows relaxing on their own turf, to learn about the breed, and to try their ice cream made from Highland Cow milk. Walks will run to the end of November.
Wild Saunas
Scotland is filled with opportunities to enjoy the benefits of water with an abundance of wild saunas. The Treehouses at Lanrick in Stirlingshire unveiled a stunning new woodland sauna and cold-water plunge pool in 2023, enhancing the wellness element of guests' stays with luxury sustainable eco-friendly treehouses. In Perthshire, visitors can stay at the Taymouth Marina and indulge in the facilities at the loch side spa, featuring a slide that goes directly into the loch.
For those looking for the perfect seaside sauna, try Haar Sauna in the stunning Shetland islands. The comfortable wood-fired sauna offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Scotland's most northerly island, in the wild and wonderful setting of St Ninian's Beach. Or visitors can go to Fife in the east of Scotland and relax in the Elie Seaside Sauna, a restful escape angled towards the setting sun.
John O'Groats Trail
The John O'Groats Trail is a 147-mile coastal walking route from Inverness to John o' Groats, traversing shorelines, cliff tops, back lanes and footpaths of the Scottish Highlands. The walk is meant to be used both by long-distance walkers going as far as to or from Land's End, and local walkers looking for a coastal stroll.
Last minute Easter getaway……. Rosneath Castle Park, Argyll has some great value Easter breaks from just £15 per person per night for a 7-night getaway.
Nestled on the banks of an idyllic loch, Rosneath Castle Park is a stunning setting for caravan holidays in Scotland. Located near Helensburgh in Argyll on Scotland's West Coast, the quiet holiday park is the perfect destination for discovering nearby Loch Lomond, the copper-coloured hills of Argyll and the Scottish Highlands. Rosneath is a superb base for exploring the Argyll region and discovering a landscape of mountains, sea lochs and woodlands. With walking trails on the doorstep and many more within easy reach, there are numerous opportunities to discover scenery and amazing wildlife.
The park has a range of facilities from an adventure playground, soft play centre, Castle Isle Bar & Restaurant, live entertainment to park shop.
There is also an abundance of attractions to visit locally with Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Glengoyne Distillery and Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park to name just a few.
Breaks:
Stay on Monday 8th April for 4-nights in a Loch View 3-bedroom Caravan (sleeps 8) from £19 per person per night (price based on 8 sharing) – Total holiday price £582
Stay on Friday 5th April for 7-nights in a Lomond 3-bedroom Caravan (sleeps 8) from £15 per person per night (price based on 8 sharing) – Total holiday price £817
Stay on Monday 8th April for 4-nights in a Loch View 3-bedroom Caravan (sleeps 8) from £19 per person per night (price based on 8 sharing) – Total holiday price £582
Stay on Saturday 6th April for 7-nights in a Loch View 3-bedroom Caravan (sleeps 8) from £17 per person per night (price based on 8 sharing) – Total holiday price £907
Book online: www.rosneathcastle.co.uk
Last minute Easter getaway……. Isle of Gigha Camp and Motorhome Site is a small site close to the ferry slip that welcomes motorhomes, campervans and tents. The camping area has a wilderness feel about it with 17 vehicle-free, small to medium size tent pitches separated by bracken, long grass and wild flowers. The campervan and motorhome area provides 10 level pitches with hardstanding bays and grass to one side, six with electric hook-up.
Gigha is captivating – small in size but crammed full of possibility, with sandy beaches and clear turquoise seas, stunning views and amazing sunsets, and many archaeological and historic sites to be discovered. Whatever the time of year visitors can immerse themselves in the colours of Achamore Gardens as well as seeing a plentiful variety of wildlife and birdlife. Campervans and motorhomes will find no need to move once pitched up as the island is the perfect size to explore at leisure by foot or bike, making use of our extensive path network guiding you to all of the best sites on the island. And the campsite is located so close to the ferry slip, campers need not bring a car over at all.
Breaks:
The site has availability from Saturday, 30 March right through until Sunday, 14 April 2024.
Seven nights for 2 adults, 2 children and a dog from £168 for a medium tent; or £182 for a motorhome.
Book online: https://www.gighacampsite.co.uk/
The Gigha ferry departs from Tayinloan on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula. The journey takes 20 minutes. You can purchase tickets in advance of travel, online. For more information: www.calmac.co.uk
