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Is it just me, or are you counting down the days until you can go back to Scotland for a visit? Not just me I see. ๐
I’ve been thinking of Scotland more than usual lately, and I decided to write a Scotland holiday gift guide for 2020.
Ok, even though I’m not local to Scotland, from the time I spent there, it charmed me. I think about it all the time. I can’t wait until I can go back. I absolutely know I’m not the only person! So, without further ado, here are some of the ways you can incorporate Scotland into your gift giving this year.
Table of Contents
1. Weekend Holidays on Islay
Planning a future getaway to Islay? I mean, aren’t we all. If you’re itching to make future plans, why not get gift vouchers or make future bookings to the two best places to stay on Islay?
A gift for a future holiday is kind of one of the best ideas for a Scotland holiday gift guide!
- Glenegedale House: luxury bed and breakfast on Islay, located in the south of the Island near the three peaty whisky distilleries – Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Ardbeg! Prices are around 200ยฃ per night. For vouchers and bookings, send them an email at: [email protected]
- Port Charlotte Hotel Islay: a warm and delicious hotel, located in the village of Port Charlotte. Wonderful restaurant and lively bar in the hotel. I’ve reviewed the Port Charlotte Hotel in full, in case you’re curious about a stay there. Prices range from 105ยฃ for a single room in low season to 310ยฃ for a family room in high season. For vouchers and bookings, send them an email at: [email protected]
2. 2021 Scotland Calendar
Some things can go digital, but calendars are best in print! Especially when there are gorgeous views of a vast countryside! or really cute puffins, take your pick. If you remember back to August of this year, I went on a photography and puffin tour with Bryan from Distinct Scotland. Was it the single greatest photography experience of my life? Absolutely. Is the calendar the next best thing, considering that I can’t travel right now? 100%.
Currently on sale for ยฃ15.99 (approx $20 USD), they can be pre-ordered online, here.
3. Hebridean Highwayman
When in the time of coronavirus… wear. a. mask!
Enjoy tartan (and other fabric) face masks, made directly on Islay. Shop the Islay collection if you have a favorite Islay distillery and choose a mask of their official tartan. I have the Bowmore mask, and am waiting to get myself a Lagavulin one. The tweed keeps you warm, so it’s is perfect for the coming winter.
Order online on their website, here. Face masks average 12 GBP ($16 USD). Worldwide shipping!
4. Lussa Gin
Lussa Jin, is made by three remarkable women on the island of Jura. The gin producers are three of 220 people on Jura, along with 6000 red deer. Their gin is made of 16 different botanicals foraged around their distillery in Ardlussa. It’s light and perfect with some light tonic, which I tried when I visited their distillery for a chat and a sip.
Currently they’re selling a limited edition Bramble Liquer. Made the perfect holiday gift to a certain friend I stayed with during lockdown. Treat your lockdown buddy to a refreshing liquer this holiday.
Or go on the fancy side, and get the Gift Box Set, with 2 glasses. A 70 mL bottle of their signature gin, with 2 glasses, beautifully etched with the distillery badge.
Check out their online shop, here. Shipping within the UK only.
5. Outlander Virtual Tours
When I was in Scotland during lockdown, all I wanted to do was to go bouncing around the country to visit all of the locations from Outlander. Midhope Castle (Lallybroch in the series) was just a stone’s throw away. So close, yet so far!
Enter Mary’s Meanders Virtual Outlander Tours. It was the first virtual tour I participated in, and it was really an entertaining night during lockdown. We got to “visit” a lot of the main filming locations from the series, as well as hear Anne and Emma’s personal stories with Diana Gabaldon (Outlander Author) and Sam & Caitriona.
For fans of people watching, it also gives you a new set of people to watch ๐
At only 8 GBP ($10.65 USD), you have the option of the Virtual Classic Outlander Tour or the Virtual Outlander (and more) Tour.
Back due to popular demand ๐ #VirtualOutlanderTours – book your place via our website or FB page.
โ Mary’s Meanders Tours (@MarysMeanders) November 21, 2020
November 22 & 28th.
More dates to follow. #Outlander #OutlanderFans #BringingScotlandToYou pic.twitter.com/w6s4hgd2lu
6. Inner Hebrides Sea Glass
I bought some sea glass jewelry made by Inner Hebrides Sea Glass from The Blue Letterbox in Port Ellen on Islay. A pink ring for myself, and a light blue pendant for my sister. Luckily for you, this delightful jewelry made from sea glass is available online now too!
Personally, I love this Christmas tree ornament, made from light green sea glass. How cute would this be as an addition to your Christmas tree!
Check out their online shop, here. Gifts range from 7 GBP to 65 GBP ($9 USD to $85 USD), and ship worldwide!
7. Hidden Scotland Magazine
Want a reminder, twice a year, on how much you love Scotland? What about the new magazine by Hidden Scotland? I absolutely love Hidden Scotland’s instagram account, which introduces me to the best places in and around Scotland.
For 15GBP ($20 USD), get their first issue delivered right to your doorstep. Perfect for those cold nights, dreaming of Scotland with a dram by your side.
Check out their website and order here!
8. Spirited Soaps
Love homemade soaps and candles? Love whisky or gin? What about the combination of the two?
I had the opportunity to visit with Gemma at Spirited Soaps when I visited Islay over the summer. And if there is anything she loves, its the idea of marrying a huge part of local culture (for Islay – the spirits!) with something home made. Their soaps and lotions are beautiful and rich, even without the connection to the islands.
For UK residents, check out their website here!
For all others, send a note to Gemma to work out the shipping options! Gemma is delightful and can be reached via email: [email protected]
9. Give the Gift of a Food Tour!
I’ve written about my love of food and food tours excessively on my blog. So it should be no surprise that I am suggesting an Edinburgh Food Tour to include for all those foodies out there! Buy vouchers for future food tours, when we are all able to safely travel to Edinburgh and walk around and eat tons of deliciousness!
Check out Eat Walk Edinburgh for available tours and vouchers! For my full review on my food tour, click here.
And remember, blog readers will get an exclusive 5 GPB discount! Use discount code LT5OFF, which is valid until June 2021.
10. Whisky Tasting Set
You can’t write about Scotland or Islay without a nod to its whisky culture. So, how about some scotch whisky tasting sets?
The Say Hello to Jura tasting set is sold out for now, but if you’d like to gift a bottle of Jura with etched whisky glasses, what about this Jura 12 gift set!
For other whisky gift ideas, check out The Whisky Exchange or Saucey. Worldwide shipping!
Bonus gift: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Membership
A little bonus on your Scotland Holiday Gift Guide!
Give the gift of a whisky club membership, with access to its member rooms in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London and partner bars globally. Discounts on events and monthly whisky available for purchase!
Buy or gift a membership for 85ยฃ, here!
Parting Thoughts
Hope you got some good ideas from this post! If you’re like me, you’re anxiously waiting to return to Scotland and bask in all the glories of haggis, whisky, lochs and bothies. Why wait until coronavirus disappears when you can gift the essence of this amazing place!
Hope you enjoyed the Scotland Holiday Gift Guide!
Pin it for later!
Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.ย She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!ย She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.
Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!
Some great ideas, Lannie. So glad you did not just go with shortbread and tartan! I love the face masks – if we have to wear them may as well make them attractive and/or relevant. I particularly like to give some of the beautiful Scottish jewellery which is available. Shiela Fleet in Edinburgh has some lovely designs and not too expensive. (Hope my daughter currently in Edinburgh is reading this!)
I love the virtual Outlander idea! I did an Outlander tour of the Highlands before lockdown and LOVED it. But this hits the spot until we can all get back out there again! Thanks for the tips!
OMG Lannie, this is the perfect Scotland trip for my cousin! She is very much into Scotch & Outlander! Was going to order some scotch but sad it doesnโt ship to US. Definitely weโll have to visit!
Puffins for me please. ๐ ๐ ๐