It’s official: one of the world’s best ‘winter wonderlands’ is right here in the UK

Close your eyes and imagine yourself on holiday right now. Are you on a beach somewhere? Maybe you’re sitting in the sun with a cocktail. Either way, you probably didn’t picture yourself popping up to Scotland.

Or maybe you did, and you’re in favour of what newspaper the Telegraph has dubbed ‘coolcations’, which are apparently growing in popularity at the moment. Google searches for ‘cooler holidays’ have tripled in the past year, and people are actively seeking out the cold, especially in winter.

There are a few reasons that people are moving north. Some are aware of overtourism, especially in Europe, and want to continue to explore without contributing more to that problem, others have simply had enough of lathering on aftersun to peeling skin. The only issue is that it can be more difficult to know where’s worth visiting – which is where the Telegraph comes in. The newspaper has curated a list of the best ‘winter wonderlands’ in the world, and one of the picks is right here in the UK.

The Telegraph recommends Scotland for curious cool-cationers, the further north the better. The newspaper suggests ‘bonding with locals around pub fireplaces’ somewhere near ‘Abernethy Forest in the Cairngorms National Park’ if you’re looking for specifics, but anywhere that you can enjoy the natural landscapes will do. That’s not a hugely tall order in Scotland, which has two national parks and absolutely no shortage of gorgeous mountain ranges and lochs for some really cold water swimming.

We’d also like to add that Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, really comes into its element this time of year. There’s something about cobbled streets and a castle covered in frost that makes you believe that magic might be real after all.

You can have a look at the full list here, if you fancy venturing further afield. Until then, enjoy deer/Highland cow/orca spotting.

Tis’ the season at Time Out

Looking to spread the Christmas cheer? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a ranking of the UK’s best Christmas lights displays, and if you’re in the mood for mulled wine, here’s where you can find the best Christmas markets in the country. We are also keeping you up to date on all the latest Christmas news, including exactly where you can find the Coca-Cola truck.

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