WELCOME Yourguidetotravellingsafely thisautumnandwinter

IN these difficult times it has never been more important to stay safe, but that does not always have to mean you stay indoors. Your annual travel plans may have been put on hold while longedfor holidays abroad have been cancelled, however, with careful thought and planning you may be able to travel more locally instead.

In fact, since Covid, staycations are on the rise and, according to The Cumberland Staycation Survey (August 2020) on Coronavirus & Lockdown, more than 200,000 Scots are planning a trip within the UK for the forthcoming festive season. If you have booked a holiday during this period then you can still go, say the Scottish Government guidelines, but you should only travel with and stay with people from your own or extended household group.

Understandably, venturing anywhere during the Covid-19 pandemic is daunting, which is why we have put together this guide to help you travel safely, and responsibly. Your safety is of utmost importance and Scotland’s hospitality industry recognises this and has, in the past couple of months, been introducing new safety policies, rules and regulations for guests in response to Covid-19.

Inside this guide, you will discover some of the safety measures that hotels and restaurants are adopting – which, as you will learn, goes far beyond installing more hand sanitising stations – as well as finding out why self-catering accommodation could be the ideal getaway for you and your family.

Perhaps you are currently in a social bubble as a couple, or with another loved one, unable to mix with close or extended family at present because of the guidelines.

This could mean it’s the perfect opportunity to “get away from it all” and escape to your favourite B&B in a quaint little town or to a luxury hotel you have always wanted to visit.

Covid-19 may have ground the hospitality industry to a halt until recently, but now that premises are reopening they are delighted to be welcoming guests back – and have some fantastic overnight deals to tempt people back. See inside this guide for special offers and discounted prices.

Once you have chosen where to visit, and are all booked up, be sure to take your face coverings and remember to regularly sanitise your hands, adhere to the rules (which may vary from premises to premises), avoid close contact with other guests and respect the social distancing rules. But, above all, use this time on your getaway to relax and have fun.