Reach for the stars in Scotland

A GUIDE to stargazing in the North Highlands of Scotland gives visitors a greater chance than ever before of seeing the Northern Lights and other astronomical highlights.

The skies of the North Highlands are some of the darkest in Western Europe, making them ideal for spectacular views of the night skies. 

The guide, The North Highland Dark Sky Experience, suggests 40 locations across Caithness, Sutherland, and Ross-shire to view the skies. Supported by the Highland Council Tourism Development Grant, it also offers stargazing tips for visitors and local residents.

Sites suggested by the guide include:

· Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown, Caithness

· Leitir Easaidh Car Park beside Loch Assynt, Sutherland,

· Loch Broom, Wester Ross

· Tarbat Ness, Easter Ross

It can be downloaded from www.northhighlandsscotland.com

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Put Scotland’s nature in the frame

NOVEMBER 30 is the closing date for entries for this year’s Scottish Nature Photography Awards.

It’s open to professional and amateur photographers from around the world, but entries must be photographs taken in Scotland.

Launched in 2010 to provide a platform to celebrate Scotland as a key destination for nature photographers and to acknowledge the excellence of the photographic work that is undertaken there through the award of the title of "Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year".

The annual competition invites entries of images taken in Scotland by professional or amateur photographers from around the world.

One of the key objectives for the Scottish Nature Photography Awards is to encourage and promote emerging talent.

The "Student Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year" competition is open to students over the age of 18 undertaking a Photography element in their education courses and the "Junior Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year" title is open to young photographers under 18 years of age.

For full details about the categories and how to enter, go to www.scottishnaturephotographyawards.com

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Picture Credit: 'Overall Winner' - courtesy scottishnaturephotographyawards.com

Take a walk on Tenerife

NEXT year sees the first Tenerife Walking Festival (March 10-14)

Participants pay a joining fee of €20 (£15.84) which includes a welcome pack, daily transport to each trail, a wristband that gives discounts in local stores, restaurants and museums and the services of a professional mountain guide on every walk. 

During registration participants are required to select four walks from a total of 15, ranging in price from €15 (£11.87) to €20. Go to www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com

In Puerto de la Cruz – the festival’s nerve – participants will also get free entry to the city's main attractions, including the Botanical Gardens, the Lago Martiánez Leisure Park, and an outdoor lido designed by César Manrique.
Iberia Airlines is offering a 15% discount on flights to Tenerife during the period of the festival. Tickets can be booked via www.iberia.com/WALKING/en

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Picture Credit: From Top -  'Plaza del Charco in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife' and 'Masca Road' both by Jens Steckert via Wikimedia Commons

Win a holiday!

COAST & COUNTRY COTTAGES has launched its 2015 property portfolio with a competition to win a South Devon holiday worth £500. For full competition details, go to www.coastandcountry.co.uk/tastecompetition

The agency has more than 430 holiday properties ranging from waterside apartments to country houses.

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‘Rising consumer confidence reflected in holiday spending’ - Deloitte

UK CONSUMER confidence rose over the past three months to a three-year high resulting in a net increase of household spending on holidays, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker.

Net spending on holidays rose 4%, meaning those spending more outnumbered those who cut back for the first time since the Tracker began in 2011, with holidays the one area of discretionary spending to enter positive territory.

Spending on short breaks and eating-out also rose, by 10% on a year earlier, although those spending less year-on-year still outnumbered those spending more by 3%.

Consumers also reported being likely to spend more on holidays in the final quarter of the year than last year. The tracker forecast net spending on short breaks and eating out would also improve over the next quarter.

Deloitte’s head of travel, hospitality and leisure Graham Pickett said: ‘Even without growth in real incomes, consumer confidence has continued to rise. Lower oil prices and commodity prices and a strengthening pound have led to a sharp decline in inflation. An improving jobs market and lower inflation have also been a real tonic. Consumers have found more in their pockets to spend on non-essentials like holidays, short breaks and eating out.’

However, he added: ‘All is not rosy in the aviation and travel industry. There is still a correction needed between the demand levels being seen versus the capacity that has been brought into the market over the last six months.’

The Deloitte Consumer Tracker is based on a quarterly survey of 3,000 UK adults.

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Fare cut on the Heathrow Express

HEATHROW EXPRESS – on a mile-for-mile basis, the planet’s most expensive railway – is cutting fares. 

One-way fares are being reduced by £6, or more than 25%, for passengers who book online one week ahead. The return fare on the same terms is being cut by £5.

Heathrow Express has had until now a simple one-price structure for journeys to Central London, at £21 one way and £34 return for the 15-minute journey.

The company, owned by Heathrow Airport, attracts six million passengers a year, helping to bring in an income of £124 million.

The price cut is aimed at not only winning more passengers but also showing the rail regulator that it should be considered as the operator of future railway services to the airport.

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Picture Credit: "Heathrow Express P1180327". Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Beckham’s boost for the Highlands

VISITSCOTLAND says the appearance by David Beckham in a television commercial is great news for tourism in the Highlands.

In the advertisement for HAIG CLUB Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Beckham is seen riding a motorbike in Glen Affric near Inverness, before toasting his Highland adventure with friends at Glen Affric Lodge. Parts of the ad were filmed on the Isle of Skye.

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: ‘He may be advertising a single grain whisky, but David Beckham plus stunning Highland scenery adds up to a winning blend for Scottish tourism.’

Beckham described the Highlands as ‘ridiculously beautiful’

...... and he's not wrong there!

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Picture Credit: From Top -  'Dog Falls, Glen Affric' and 'Deer in Glen Affric' both by Nilfanion (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons