Your Travel Expert on: Wedding Anniversaries in Scotland

I love putting together an itinerary to celebrate a wedding anniversary. The hotels when told it is a special occasion, always do something outstanding for my clients. Being part of the Signature Travel Network, this means we get a room upgrade, a free breakfast, early check in and late check out, plus other amenities which amount to thousands in savings.

My suggestions for Scotland, where I am from, can be something along these lines using the traditional anniversary themes.

1st anniversary – paper. Spend a day in Edinburgh, at the Scotsman Hotel, which used to be the headquarters for the Scotsman newspaper.

2nd anniversary – Cotton. Visit the beautifully restored cotton mill village at New Lanark Visitor Center near the Falls of Clyde, under an hour’s drive from Glasgow. This is now a World Heritage Site, and offers you a fascinating insight into life at the mill in the l9th and 20th century.

3rd anniversary – Leather. Get a car and driver, or join a tour bus, and ride through some of Scotland’s stunning scenery on one of the country’s National Tourist routes. The Argyll Coastal Route takes in Loch (Lake) Lomond, the well know Rest and be Thankful viewpoint and Oban, before winding up past the dramatic Glencoe and on the Fort William, Scotland’s adventure capital which is the U.K’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. When I was a little girl, I asked my father why the road had such a funny name. He told me that when drivers got to the top, they took a rest and said a prayer that they made it so far.

4th – Flower. Whisk your loved one away for a visit to one of Scotland’s wonderful gardens to enjoy a romantic amble together to see the flowers. There are four Royal Botanical Gardens and over seventy National Trust for Scotland gardens. I think I have been to all of them.

5th – Wood. Escape the hustle and bustle and make your anniversary special by booking a stay in a traditional wooden lodge by a loch, in a forest, or on an island. Enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling, walking and watersports and of course, a log fire in the evening.

6th – Sugar. Have some tasty treats such as Orkney fudge, fine shortbread. My favorite Scottish desert if you are a chocolate lover, “Cranachan”.

7th – Copper. This anniversary provides the perfect opportunity to find out about Scotland’s national drink, Whisky, and the part that copper plays in the making of it. Tour a distillery and taste a wee dram or two at the end

8th – Bronze. Discover craftsmanship from the Bronze Age at sites across Scotland, including Orkney, Shetland, and the Highlands. I love the Bronze Age Village in Sumburgh, in the Shetland islands.

9th – Willow. Go visit the Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

10th – Tin. Many local museums have displays of popular toys from the past.

15th – Crystal. Discover collections in many museums.

20th – China. Situated in over 200 acres of magnificent parkland, the Houses of the Binns in Linlithgow is a l7th century property with a fascinating history which holds a unique collection of the finest china and porcelain.

25th – Silver. Visit a workshop to see how silver jewelry is made. I love the modern Sheila Fleet pieces on the Orkney Arts and Crafts Trail.

30th – Pearl. Visit Ballindoch Castle in Banffshire which is known as the Pearl of the North. www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk

35th Coral. Look out for coral on the Isle of Skye. Claigan Coral Beach at the north west tip of Dunvegan Peninsula is worth seeing.

40th – Ruby. Visit Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayrshire to find out about Scotland’s National Bard , show that your love is like a red, red rose.

50th – Gold. Do something special. Take a private land rover safari in Perthshire where you can see the stunning scenery, and have a specially packed luxury picnic. Visit the Highland’s Red Deer Centre.

You don’t know what life has in store for you, so don’t put off a special trip with your loved one. Enjoy travel while you can.

Slante Mhor – good health

Maureen Jones

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.