Scotland

This coastal gem boasts Viking history, a famous ice cream parlour, and independent shops – and it’s a place I’ve been visiting since childhood that’s magical even when the weather isn’t the best

Summer is in full swing across the UK, bringing with it some glorious weather over recent weeks. With hopefully more sunshine to come, now’s an ideal time to organise a seaside trip or two.

Britain boasts countless spectacular locations, and although the heatwaves have been great, we all know how unpredictable the weather can be here.

But there’s one particular spot I’ve been returning to since I was young that gets lively during summer without becoming overcrowded, and even when it’s pouring down, it’s still amazing.

Largs, a lovely seaside town on Scotland’s west coast, sits approximately an hour’s drive from Glasgow. Famous for its Viking museum, traditional amusement arcades, and ferry services to the Isle of Cumbrae, it’s somewhere many Scots will likely have explored during the warm summer months.

This picturesque town positioned on the Firth of Clyde offers everything you could want from a coastal getaway, with a range of hotels and places to stay.

We stayed at the Old Rectory, a beautiful holiday home sleeping up to 14 people, featuring a hot tub and plenty of room for unwinding. One of the best things about Largs is how near you are to the waterfront regardless of where you are.

The charming Victorian seafront is packed with things to see and do, offering an impressive selection of eateries serving everything from classic fish and chips to delicious Thai cuisine.

Largs has immense historical importance as the location of a landmark battle in 1263, which signalled the end of Norse dominance in Scotland.

The Vikingar museum offers a fascinating glimpse into this heritage, though for a truly hands-on experience, the annual Largs Viking Festival in August is highly recommended. As luck would have it, the festival was in full swing during our trip, featuring dramatic battle re-enactments, live performances and some spectacular outfits.

Beyond its Viking roots, Largs is equally famous for its art deco ice cream parlour, which has been pulling in the crowds for generations.

Nardini’s, fondly known as Scotland’s most beloved café, has built its amazing reputation on its welcoming atmosphere and exceptional ice cream. Much like Vikingar, it enjoys a fantastic waterfront setting, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a scoop or two of your favourite flavour.

Alongside their extensive range of cakes and light bites, it’s a great choice for lunch or a quick snack while strolling along the promenade.

Venture into the town centre and you’ll uncover charming narrow streets bursting with independent gift shops, cafés and yet more ice cream parlours. On one particular morning, we chose to have brunch at Perk – a lively café bursting with plants and books, featuring an outstanding menu to match.

The vanilla matcha was an absolute treat, and the feta and avocado waffles were impossible to resist.

Still peckish after your meal? There’s a cake counter overflowing with pastries and other indulgent sweet treats available to take away.

While Largs may lack the familiar high street chains, it more than compensates with a wonderful selection of independent traders stocking truly unique items.

A large market tent has vendors offering everything from organic dog food to wooden lamps, jewellery, soaps and even tarot readings – you could quite easily spend hours browsing.

If you want to venture a little further, jump on a quick ferry crossing from the harbour to the Isle of Cumbrae, home to the delightful town of Millport.

The island is small enough to cycle around in just a couple of hours, with a well-earned pint awaiting you at the finish before a speedy 10-minute sail back to the mainland. Nearby, the breathtaking Kelburn Castle stands tall – a spectacular park and estate that hosts its very own summer music festival.

It’s perfectly suited to families too, featuring several playgrounds, cascading waterfalls and plenty more to uncover, all within a 10-minute drive from Largs. Truthfully though, Largs alone provides more than enough to keep visitors thoroughly entertained for either a day trip or a full weekend break.

If you’re lucky enough to visit on a bright day, it’s absolutely ideal. But even in wet weather, there’s no need to panic – it makes those seaside walks all the more refreshing and the welcoming ice-cream parlours even more tempting.

NESTLED in the Scottish Highlands is one of the quirkiest holiday homes in the country.

Eagle Brae is a Scottish hidden gem made up of beautiful log cabins that sit on a remote hillside.

It’s consistently rated as ‘the most unique luxury log cabin resort in Scotland‘ and made an appearance on Tripadvisor’s 2026 Best of the Best Awards this year.

It is part of the worldwide one of a kind category – and came in third on the list overall.

To make the cut, the hotel or holiday home has to be in the top one per cent of over eight million listings on Tripadvisor – so it’s a very impressive feat.

On Tripadvisor, Eagle Brae has 696 five-star reviews – one guest called it the “best place in Scotland” with others calling their stay “magical”, “faultless” and “heaven on Earth”.

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The unique stay was described by Tripadvisor as “Hobbit-level cottagecore” thanks to its Middle-earth look.

Eagle Brae is made up of ten wooden log cabins with open-air decks and grass on the roof.

Inside all the cabins it’s very cosy with log burners, comfy sofas, plaid patterned curtains and cushions, with deer antlers hanging on the walls.

The larger cabins can sleep up to six people to suit family stays, smaller ones sleep up to two people – and dogs are welcome too.

The log cabins are self-catered, so each is kitted out with a fully-equipped kitchen.

There’s even a concierge service for anyone who wants a fully stocked pantry before arrival.

Eagle Brae is near Glen Affric National Nature Reserve and the River Farrar so there’s plenty of opportunity to do outdoor activities.

They offer guided canoe trips, black grouse safaris, pony trekking, mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting and even pony trekking.

At Eagle Brae and while exploring the area, you’re likely to spot wildlife like red deer and squirrels, pine martens and perhaps even a golden eagle.

Back at the log cabins, on a clear night, it’s possible to see the Northern Lights.

Rates for larger cabins like Aquila that sleeps six offer short breaks from £1,064.

Rates for Parus, which sleeps two, has short breaks from £833.

Here are the top 10 ‘one of a kind’ hotels in the WORLD…

According to Tripadvisor these are the most unique stays…

1. Crane Hotel Faralda, Amsterdam
2. Valley Views Camping, New Zealand
3. Eagle Brae, Scotland
4. Taj Lake Palace, India
5. Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia
6. Treehouse Lodge, Peru
7. La Tour D’eole, Morocco
8. Nayara Bocas Del Toro, Panama
9. Fingal Hotel, Edinburgh
10. Skylodge Adventure Suites, Peru

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to a 25-year playing career.

Gordon, 43, ended his second spell at first club Heart of Midlothian this summer and was part of Scotland’s World Cup squad.

He first left Tynecastle for Sunderland in 2007, with the Black Cats paying a then £9m British record fee for a goalkeeper. Gordon made one of the most famous saves in Premier League history when he denied Bolton Wanderers’ Zat Knight from close range in 2010.

However, a serious knee injury affected his time at the Stadium of Light and, at the end of his five-year spell, he entered a two-year spell out of the game rehabilitating and coaching.

Gordon joined Celtic in 2014 and won his first league title, adding four more during a medal-laden six-year spell before returning to Hearts. A double leg break in 2022 resulted in another lay-off but the veteran keeper again recovered to return to playing.

If you’re looking for a crowd-free holiday, this island is the perfect option.

As the summer holidays approach, the excitement of planning a getaway often comes with the puzzle of picking the perfect spot. Luckily, being in Britain puts the diverse beauty of Europe just a stone’s throw away.

Navigating the sheer volume of stunning destinations on our doorstep can be quite the task. For those who crave peace and quiet, the secret is finding those hidden gems tucked away from the main tourist paths that still promise a sun-soaked, relaxing experience. To help you out, the travel pros at Solmar Villas analysed over 160 locations to pinpoint the absolute best spots for a crowd-free break.

Whilst most of the destinations are overseas, there is one place right here in the UK that made the list.

The Isle of Harris in Scotland came in at sixth place on the list of the quietest places to enjoy a summer holiday. Harris is the southern island of Harris and Lewis which are in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

Despite being the third biggest island on the British Isles, Harris and Lewis has a population of just 20,500 people. Known for its white-sand beaches, dramatic landscapes and low population density, it remains one of the UK’s quietest summer staycation escapes.

One of the most famous sights on the island is Luskentyre Beach which is frequently mentioned on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

This long stretch of bright white sand looks as if it’s been plucked straight from the Caribbean — although the water is likely a little bit colder.

Luskentyre Beach sits on the north coast of South Harris and is protected by the island of Taransay, which you can see across the water.

Taking a wander down the white sand you can spot dolphins, seals, otters, eagles and sometimes even whales. The Isle of Harris is a gorgeous spot for a relaxed summer holiday without having to bother about airport security or expensive international flights.

To get to the island, ferries go daily from the Scottish mainland and you can take a car with you too so you can better explore what the island has to offer.

Sharon Bradbury, a travel expert at Solmar Villas , said: “Many families don’t have the option of travelling outside the school holidays, so choosing the right destination becomes even more important.

“What stands out from this research is that some of the world’s most enjoyable summer destinations don’t necessarily attract the biggest crowds. For families looking to make the most of their summer break, it can be worth looking beyond the usual hotspots.

“A quieter destination often means a more relaxed experience from the moment you arrive.”

The 20 quietest places to visit on school holidays

1. Alonissos, Greece
2. El Hierro, Spain
3. Skopelos, Greece
4. Mustique, St. Vincent and Grenadines
5. La Gomera, Spain
6. Paxos, Greece
7. Åland Islands, Finland
8. Isle of Harris, United Kingdom
9. Costa Verde, Spain
10. Koh Yao Noi, Thailand
11. Mani Peninsula, Greece
12. La Palma, Spain
13. Skeleton Coast, Namibia
14. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
15. Cantabria, Spain
16. Esposende, Portugal
17. Koh Mak, Thailand
18. Con Dao Islands, Vietnam
19. Aitutaki, Cook Islands
20. Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

Last May marked 21 years since Benitez’s Liverpool pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history, when the Anfield side roared back from three goals down to defeat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

Yep, life moves fast.

Benitez had moved to Merseyside off the back of stunning success in Spain, winning La Liga twice and the Uefa Cup with Valencia.

He failed to win the Premier League at Liverpool, but his coaching thrived in Europe and established him as one of the continent’s elite managers in the early to mid-2000s.

He consistently led the Reds to the latter stages of the Champions League, including another final in 2007.

He also won the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013, plus multiple domestic cups during his time in England and Italy with Inter Milan and Napoli.

People often praise his detailed defensive work above anything else. That is crucial at all levels of the game, but particularly in international football, where there is less time to work on complex patterns of play in possession.

Liverpool greats Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have often hailed Benitez’s tactical nous and described him as the best coach they worked under, but a long time has passed since then.

Benitez has had nine jobs since leaving Anfield in 2010, lasting less than a year in six of those.

He was adored during his three-year spell at Newcastle but was dismissed quickly at clubs such as Inter, Real Madrid, Everton and Celta Vigo.

ALL over the planet are incredible islands – but these ones have been declared the best in the world.

Travel + Leisure has found the very top destinations from Asia to Africa and Australia – not to mention one spot went to the UK.

The best islands were declared from reader votes of which there were hundreds of thousands.

In top spot was the Thai island of Koh Samui which got a top score of 95.64 out of 100.

The publication said: “This first-time winner in the Gulf of Thailand—with an array of elevated accommodations, luscious jungles, and roaring waterfalls—has become a leading destination for self-care.”

It was also praised for its beaches, vibrant culture and waterfalls.

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The island is south of Bangkok, known for its pretty beaches, not to mention bargain cocktails and tasty street food.

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill who went last year said: “The island has luxury resorts and picture-perfect beaches

“But the real Thailand is in the busy beach bars flogging happy-hour deals, tiny restaurants with garish tablecloths, and the constant thump of Thai boxing promotions from crackling loudspeakers.“

In second place was the beautiful Maldives followed by the Galapagos Islands and Bali.

But in 13th place is the first and only UK island to make the list – Skye and the Hebrides.

The wild Scottish archipelago is known for mountainous landscapes, rugged coastlines and rare white-sand beaches.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding, who visited Eilean Shona – part of the Inner Hebrides – described it as a “real-life Neverland”.

She said: “Whilst there isn’t much to do on the island, it is the perfect retreat away from the modern world and the stresses of day to day life.

“The island has an endless amount of walks you can take, and a couple of mine included heading to the summit and to the opposite side of the island where I found Shoe Bay, with a white sand beach and crystal clear waters.

“And whilst exploring the island, make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife as birds of prey often circle overhead.

“In less than 24 hours I had completely fallen in love with the island.”

Other top islands close to the UK include Malta which is dubbed one of the ‘jewels of the Mediterranean’.

Its capital, Valletta, is one of the sunniest cities in all of Europe – it gets on average 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily which are a short flight away for Brits also got high marks.

In Greece, Milos and Crete placed in the top 25 – as did Paros, which was last year’s winner, some of which are set to be the next big Greek island holiday destinations.

One writer visited Paros last year and loved the island for its “beautiful beaches, traditional villages and a buzzing nightlife.”

She added: “One thing I loved about the island is that it has everything you want out of a holiday.

“Whether that’s a quiet spot on a sandy beach to relax, head off on a wild boat party, or eat authentic Greek food on a candlelit table.”

Here’s the full list of the ‘best islands in the world’…

Here are Travel + Leisure’s best islands in the world – and their scores out of 100…

1. Koh Samui – 95.64
2. Maldives – 95.38
3. Galapagos Islands – 94.99
4. Bali – 93.20
5. Phuket – 93.18
6. Seychelles – 92.95
7. Fiji – 92.71
8. Sri Lanka – 92.67
9. Dominica – 91.87
10. Zanzibar – 91.83
11. Golden Isles – 91.59
12. Sardinia – 91.57
13. Skye and the Hebrides – 91.17
14. Malta – 91.00
15. Grenada – 90.36
16. Madeira – 90.33
17. Azores – 90.18
18. Maui – 89.70
19. Sicily – 89.53
20. Milos – 89.50
21. Virgin Gorda – 89.43
22. Crete – 89.39
23. Vieques – 89.38
24. Paros – 89.33
25. Kauai – 89.16

A couple converted an £8k van during the pandemic, despite having no experience, and since then have swapped exotic trips abroad for staycations to some very unusual UK locations

A “battered” carpenter’s van that cost £8,000 changed the course of one couple’s lives after they turned it into a home on wheels.

Andy and Claire Stocks, also known as St Christopher of Atlantis to more than 45,000 followers on YouTube, have swapped foreign holidays for staycations in their van, sharing their adventures across the UK’s underrated spots with their fans.

The Barnsley couple fell into van life accidentally, taking on the task of turning a van into a motorhome after their Mercedes broke down during the pandemic and they were unable to get parts. “It started to get this intermittent fault on the dashboard and I didn’t really want to part with the car, but it got worse and worse, and it was coming up more and more,” Andy explained.

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“I was a little bit annoyed at it. So, I decided to buy a van instead. I just kind of threw the teddy out of the pram because the car that I liked, I couldn’t have.”

But that van ended up being life-changing for the couple. They swapped exotic jaunts to hotels and Airbnbs in the Far East and Central America for simpler staycations, and have now semi-retired to spend more time on the road and focus on their YouTube channel.

The couple has also turned their adventures into a book: It Started with a Van, due to be released in paperback on July 16. The story begins with them finding a van and deciding to give vanlife a go, with Andy noting he had no experience and “an unrealistic amount of confidence” when he took on the project.

Andy admitted that the start of the project had its hitches. “The first job that I had to do – there’s a bulkhead that separates the cab from the back to stop things flying into the cabin. So, I had to remove that. I thought that was going to be a really easy job. And I started taking the bolts out, and they were all good apart from one bolt, and that took me two weeks to actually get rid of. So it kind of set the tone for everything else that followed.”

While they learned some skills from YouTube and a book on conversions, the couple went into the project blind, doing jobs after work in the winter whenever they had enough light.

In addition to the initial cost of £8,000 for the van, the couple spent a “few thousand” on the renovations, although they haven’t worked out the true amount. Andy joked: “I might be in trouble with her if I did.”

Their first trip in the van was to Conwy in Wales, and it took place with the build half-done. The couple admitted it was less glamorous than many vanlife influencers would have you believe.

“I was trying to sell the lifestyle to Claire. What actually happened was we sat in a car park with a sandwich. On the bare floor,” laughed Andy.

As they worked on the van the couple had the idea to put updates on their progress on YouTube. They have since built a base of thousands of subscribers. But at first, the reception wasn’t quite what they expected.

Andy said: “When we put it out on YouTube, I think people thought it was a bit of a joke. Some of the initial comments were, ‘Oh, that was really funny. That was, you know, you made me laugh.’ And actually, that wasn’t your intention at all.

“No, I put my best foot forward thinking this would show people how to build a van, but they thought it was more of a funny sort of parody type thing really.”

However, they persevered and have now cut their work days to three a week to allow them to spend more time in the van and creating YouTube content.

In a typical day, the couple travel to a campsite and create a video tour of the facilities. “A lot of people book campsites off the back of us. We turn up, we set the pitch up, then we grab the cameras, and then we will go and tour the campsite and the surrounding area. And then when we’ve done that, we come back to the motor home and we’re working basically,” Andy said.

“The illusion is that we are out and just on campsites and enjoying ourselves., But we’re editing, we’re dealing with the social media side, the comments. And so it’s like our motor home now, it’s a bit like an office on wheels.”

Despite the success of their build, Andy conceded that if they had to do it all again, he’d “probably get somebody else to build it because I really found out what my limits were.”

After enjoying adventures that took them all the way to Italy through Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium, plus lots of staycations, the couple eventually traded in their carpenter’s van, opting to buy a motorhome instead.

As a couple on the road all the time, Andy and Claire noted that living in tight quarters can lead to annoyances. Their original van had no separate seating area, just a bed, and no built-in toilet, so they had to rely on campsite facilities and stay “mega organised” to cope.

The couple also dealt with breakdowns and an incident where they ended up trapped in a full-blown blizzard. Perhaps most memorable was when they ended up in completely the wrong place.

Andy said: “We did have an occasion where we put in the wrong location into the satnav. I went to the completely incorrect country. It said we should have been somewhere in France. We ended up in Belgium.”

Debunking a common myth, Andy and Claire say they like to support the local economies in places they visit, often highlighting local cafes, bars, and shops on their channel.

And their trip highlights? The Isle of Mull was a favourite of Claire’s as it has “the most wonderful sunset we’ve ever seen”. She recommended a campsite called Fidden Farm and said: “And the beaches truly are white beaches up there”, comparing it to the Maldives.

Andy’s favourite was a little more unusual: “This is a really random place that we would never expect it. We went to Hartlepool Marina and we saw dolphins. It was so beautiful, kind of an industrial location actually, but then you look up and you’re watching the dolphins.Goodness!

“The Northeast is a bit like that. You know, you can be on a beach and you look one way and there’s industry, but then you look the other way and you’ve got wildlife. Everywhere has got something going for it.”

So, will Andy and Claire ever hang up their motorhome keys? The couple said that they’d like to stay on the road for as long as possible. “We are quite young to be motorhomers. The demographic of our channel is a lot of people that are older than us. So, we’ve got all that to go and we’ll do it as long as we enjoy it,” Andy added.

And his advice to anyone thinking of taking on this kind of life? “Just do it now while you can. Just do whatever you want to do. Get out and do it. That’s my advice.”

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Finn Russell will not feature in Scotland’s opening Nations Championship match of the summer series but could feature against South Africa, says head coach Gregor Townsend, who welcomes back Jonny Gray.

Fly-half Russell, 33, has not fully recovered from the calf injury that kept him out of the latter part of Bath’s domestic campaign and was not considered for the match at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba on Saturday (20:10 BST). The Scots face the Springboks in Pretoria on 11 July then Fiji at Murrayfield on 18 July.

Tom Jordan starts at 10 in Russell’s absence, with Fergus Burke among the replacements.

Gray returns against the Pumas, having missed this year’s Six Nations, while fellow lock Scott Cummings, 29, and prop Pierre Schoeman, 32, will win their 50th caps.

“Great for [Jonny Gray] to be back in the squad,” said Townsend. “Since his move to Perpignan, he’s played very well so his form’s been rewarded with this opportunity. It’s nice obviously nice that him and Scott Cummings are playing together.

“Jonny was at Glasgow when Scott came through as an 18-year-old. It will be great to see them both back int he second row again.”

Overall, the XV in Cordoba shows eight personnel changes to the team that finished the Six Nations with defeat to Ireland in Dublin in mid-March.

Full-back Kyle Rowe, centre Rory Hutchinson, wing Jamie Dobie, fly-half Tom Jordan, hooker George Turner, prop Elliot Millar-Mills and Cummings are the players joining Gray in coming in to the side.

Kyle Steyn moves from left to right wing to accommodate Dobie. Prop Zander Fagerson and wing Darcy Graham, who started in Dublin, drop to the bench.

Gregor Hiddleston could make his Scotland debut off the bench.

“We’ll have to gel quickly,” Townsend said.

“It’s our first game since we played in Dublin. We’ve got a lot of evidence in the Six Nations and November that when we get our game in place in attack and defence, we can cause problems to any team in world rugby and do more than that, convert opportunities.

“I believe that our squad now is much deeper and we use that bench to continue what the starters are doing or actually raise the energy.”

Scotland: Rowe, Steyn, Hutchinson, Tuipulotu (capt), Dobie, Jordan, White; Schoeman, Ashman, Millar-Mills, Gray, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Hiddleston, Sutherland, Z Fagerson, Samuel, Brown, Horne, Burke, Graham.

THE best islands in the world have been revealed and there is one in the UK that snuck into the top 50.

The 50 Best Islands in the World was revealed by Big 7, having run for seven years.

The study looks at everything from popularity on social media and travel trends to insights from the editorial team.

And coming in no.1 was Sri Lanka which was praised for “having it all”.

It said: “Whiling away blissful days beach-hopping along the 833-mile coastline is part of the charm, but Sri Lanka offers much more beyond the shore.

“Itineraries fill up quickly here, between the timeworn temples, colonial towns, misty mountains, and wildlife safaris in Yala National Park, home to tigers and elephants.”

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The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski recently visited and said: “It was the off-grid excursions that gave me a real sense of what this region was truly about – a half-day cooking experience was just my cup of tea.

“And one night, an elephant stepped out from some undergrowth and plods slowly into the oncoming traffic, where drivers pulled to a casual halt until the lumbering giant disappeared.”

However, the only UK island to make the list was the Isle of Mull in Scotland, coming in 23rd place.

Making the list for its “rugged coastline and unexpectedly white sand,” it added: ” It’s an island of contrasts – where highland cows bathe in the calm, crystal-clear sea, and foamy waters crash into basalt columns.”

The island has everything from the coloured houses of Tobermory, as well as dolphin and seal watching – and even fluffy highlands cows on the beach.

While Mull was the only UK island to make the list, the nearby Achill Island in Ireland came in 8th.

It made the top 10 for its “soft pink sunrises and turquoise seas to moss-green hills and fiery sunsets.”

Europe fared well too, with many in the top 20 including Madeira (4th), Milos (10th), Ischia (15th), Ibiza (17th) and Corsica (18th).

Popular islands Brits will know such as Jamaica was in 19th, while Bali was in 20th and Mauritius was 24th.

Sardinia, Hvar and Key West all just made it into the top 50.

World’s 50 Best Islands

1. Sri Lanka
2. Mo’orea, French Polynesia
3. Socotra, Yemen
4. Madeira
5. The Galapagos, Ecuador
6. Great Exuma, Bahamas
7. Seychelles
8. Achill Island, Ireland
9. Koh Lipe, Thailand
10. Milos, Greece
11. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
12. Madagascar
13. Ilha Grande, Brazil
14. Kangaroo Island, Australia
15. Ischia, Italy
16. Dominica
17. Ibiza
18. Corsica
19. Jamaica
20. Bali, Indonesia
21. Koh Rong, Cambodia
22. Yasawas, Fiji
23. Mull, Scotland
24. Mauritius
25. Salt Spring Island, Canada
26. Yoron Island, Japan
27. Munroe Island, India
28. Unguja (Zanzibar Island), Tanzania
29. Haida Gwaii, Canada
30. Sal, Cape Verde
31. Cocos Island, Costa Rica
32. Cuba
33. San Juan Islands, USA
34. Sardinia, Italy
35. Jeju Island, South Korea
36. Siargao, Philippines
37. Greenland
38. Caye Caulker, Belize
39. La Gomera, Spain
40. Hvar, Croatia
41. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
42. Waiheke Island, New Zealand
43. Benguerra Island, Mozambique
44. Hydra, Greece
45. Bozcaada, Turkey
46. Key West, Florida, USA
47. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
48. Barbados
49. Eysturoy Island, Faroe Islands
50. Bissagos Islands, Guinea

There aren’t many roads in Britain where you can pull over to cook breakfast and finish it without seeing a single car. While my friend Ben got the stove going, I wandered around the ruins of Dun Dornaigil, an iron age broch (stone roundhouse) more than 2,000 years old. Above us, low cloud drifted across the dark cliffs of Ben Hope. This was exactly the kind of lost lane we’d come to Sutherland to ride.

Our journey had begun the day before, in Lairg – the traditional “crossroads of the north”. With its Spar shop, hotel, train station and a population of about 800, Lairg is the largest inland settlement in one of the most sparsely populated regions of Europe. Sutherland – literally, the “southern land” of the Vikings, who held sway over the far north of Scotland from their stronghold on Orkney – tests life to its limits: bare mountains, impassable peat bogs and one of Britain’s wildest coastlines.

Today, the region’s biggest draw isn’t a particular place but a route. The North Coast 500 is regularly ranked among the world’s greatest road trips – and has been dubbed the “Instagram highway”. Over the past decade, its runaway success has doubled the traffic on its roads. Plenty of cyclists do ride the 516-mile (830km) circuit, or parts of it, but we had not come to this far-flung corner of Scotland to spend our time amid a procession of motorbikes, sports cars and campervans.

Heading west from Lairg, we turned into Glen Cassley. On the map, it’s a dead-end lane that dwindles to a rough 4×4 track. After a couple of miles bumping along the gravel, a ribbon of silky-smooth tarmac appears as if by magic (it is, in fact, a service road for a dam and a small hydroelectric generator). It led us up a steep climb over the top to Loch Shin.

From here, the only way across the next range of hills was an old drovers’ road over the Bealach nam Meirleach – or Thief’s Pass – a name hinting at earlier use by cattle rustlers. Thanks to Scotland’s enlightened access laws, we were free to give it a go. The only question was whether our fully laden touring bikes would be up to it. Though boneshaking at times, it was a thrilling 8-mile ride over genuinely remote hill country, passing a string of lochans (small lochs) flanked by huge, glacier-scoured cliffs. Descending into Strathmore, we found the perfect wild-camp spot by the river. Perfect, that is, until the midges appeared, forcing us to don our slightly absurd nylon head nets to keep them at bay.

The next day, after our roadside breakfast by the broch, we continued on a narrow road from Strathmore to the tiny hamlet of Altnaharra. The very name has a romance to it, and I’d heard it now and again on weather bulletins in the depths of winter (the weather station here jointly holds the record for Britain’s coldest recorded temperature: –27.2C in December 1995). A small hotel, originally a 17th-century drovers’ inn but reopened in the 1820s to bring anglers and deer stalkers to the area, is open from March to October. With the sun blazing in a cloudless sky and the land so lush and green, it was impossible to imagine the long, dark winters where heavy snow can leave the handful of local people cut off for weeks.

Downstream of the hotel is a three-arch stone bridge built by Thomas Telford, wittily dubbed the Scottish “colossus of roads”, who gave Sutherland its first proper highways. We set off on his road to the coast. It crosses the western edge of the Flow Country, a seemingly infinite expanse of mountain and blanket bog. Walter Scott described this far north of Scotland as the “immeasurable wilds” and the distant, never-changing horizons can be disorientating. As the miles ticked by, my eye was drawn instead to the microcosm at the roadside: verges dotted with delicate flowers, mosses and lichens; dark, still pools of water ringed with reeds and tufts of pure white cotton grass.

Eventually, we reached the coast and the village of Tongue. As we freewheeled down the hill, a sea eagle picked us out and glided overhead, matching our speed, as if lazily sizing us up for its next meal before deciding we weren’t worth the bother. We stopped for our lunch on the sunny terrace of the Tongue hotel, a former hunting lodge furnished in the Highland style – all dark wood, polished brass, tartan and antlers. Tongue overlooks a shallow sea loch where whales, dolphins, seals and otters are regularly spotted. In the 1970s, a causeway and road bridge were built across the mouth of the Kyle of Tongue, replacing a ferry crossing. Almost no one drives the narrow old road around the loch. It’s a genuine lost lane, with views across the turquoise waters of the loch and inland to the shapely granite peaks of Ben Loyal.

On the far side of the loch is the Moine, for centuries another impassable morass of blanket bog. To cross it, we had no choice but to join the stream of traffic on the fast and wide A838, which forms part of the North Coast 500. A closer inspection of the map revealed a few fragments of the original road, now abandoned. Some sections were a muddy quagmire, but others were surprisingly intact. Along the way, we stopped in at the roofless ruin of a small house where travellers once took refuge from storms.

Across the Moine, we reached the northern tip of Loch Hope, where the Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen has just opened what may be the country’s most expensive hotel: rooms at Hope Lodge cost upward of £1,550 a night. Povlsen is a paradoxical figure. Scotland’s biggest private landowner, his fortune was made from fast fashion, an industry widely criticised for its record on the environment and on labour. Yet, as well as running a handful of luxury retreats, his company WildLand has made ambitious commitments to nature conservation and rewilding on his vast estates. After pondering what comforts lay behind the metal gates of Hope Lodge, we set off down a narrow lane along the shore of the loch, where we spotted two campers quietly rewilding themselves for free.

We soon discovered this was a gem of a lane, with its thick sward of grass up the middle, winding its way past drifts of heather and eucalyptus-scented bog myrtle, and through sun-dappled glades of downy birch and sessile oak. Stopping in a narrow ravine, we drank deeply of the cool, peaty water that spilled down in a cascade. On this 20-mile stretch, we passed just two farmsteads. The emptiness of places like Strathmore is the legacy of the notorious early 18th-century Sutherland clearances in which thousands of farming families were evicted, often violently, to make way for commercial sheep grazing.

Returning to the crossroads at Altnaharra, it was time to turn south on to the road to Lairg. Our destination for the night was the Crask Inn, a historic drovers’ haunt that offers cyclists free camping in the garden. We pitched next to a lone German who was closing in on John o’Groats, the end of a ride that had begun a fortnight earlier at Land’s End. Our tour of just three days had covered 130 miles. We had travelled along lonesome highways, forgotten byways and the remotest of hill tracks. In setting out to avoid the North Coast 500, we had ended up riding where no campervan could go.

Jack Thurston’s new book, Lost Lanes Scotland, is out now (Wild Things Publishing, £18.99). This tour combines two rides from the book

GOING on holiday is something we all look forward to, but with rising prices across the board, wouldn’t it be great if you could go somewhere in the UK that looks abroad?

Think white sands and crystal clear waters – the UK is home to some great destinations that will make you feel as if you have jetted off somewhere.

So, let’s put it to the test – can you guess which of the following destinations are abroad and which are in the UK?

One image above shows Tresco Abbey Gardens on Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly and is noted to look more like a thriving tropical jungle than the UK.

The gardens – which first opened in the 1830s – are home to more than 20,000 plants, from 80 countries, sprawling across 17 acres.

Nestled in between the plants, you’ll also find hand-carved figures made from the wood of shipwrecked boats.

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The other image shows one of the forests found on La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain.

The forests are much-loved by tourists that are keen hikers, with multiple trails through them.

More specifically, Los Tilos Forest is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on the island and is one of the largest laurel forests in the Canary Islands.

Answer: The first image shows Tresco Abbey Gardens on Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly and the second image shows La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain.

One image shows Dartmouth in Devon, littered with Tudor-style houses that make it look as if it has been plucked from the Netherlands or a quaint German village.

The Dutch port-style harbour is home to The Butterwalk, which is a row of overhanging half-timbered Tudor buildings dating back to the 1630s – mimicking the buildings commonly seen in the Netherlands.

The town is home to plenty of independent shops and cafes to explore and to venture around the estuary the town sits on, make sure to hop on a river cruise.

The other image shows the historic houses in Celle, Germany.

The town in northern Germany sits on the banks of the River Aller and is around 25 miles from Hanover.

The town is home to one of the largest and most densely packed collections of half-timbered houses in Europe dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Answer: The first image shows Celle in Germany while the second image shows Dartmouth in Devon.

One image shows Portmeirion in Gwynedd in North Wales, which was built by architect Sir Clough William-Ellis to look like the Italian Riviera.

With pastel-coloured houses and a subtropical micro-climate, it really feels as if you could be in the Med.

The village has a central plaza and other European-style features include classical pillars and ornate domes.

Thanks to the micro-climate, you’ll also find exotic plants including palm trees.

Day tickets to Portmeirion cost around £20 per adult.

The other image shows the popular fishing village of Portofino on the Italian Riviera.

Known for its pastel-coloured houses, the village is cobbled throughout and boasts a number of designer stores and seafood restaurants.

To get to Portofino, jump on a ferry from Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Camogli or Genoa.

Answer: The first image shows Portmeirion in Gwynedd in North Wales, while the second image shows Portofino in Italy.

One image shows Blackpool Sands, which is one of the UK’s most picturesque beaches and when there you’ll find a beach bar that transports you to the Med.

Complete with straw umbrellas, the cafe and bar features natural materials throughout including wood and stone.

If you prefer to be on the sand, then eat outside at one of the tables that sit directly on the golden beach.

The other image shows a beach bar in Crete in Greece.

The Greek island is known to be a haven for holidaymakers with tonnes of resorts to choose from.

Answer: The first image shows a beach bar in Crete, Greece, while the second image shows the beach bar at Blackpool Sands in Devon.

One of these is Luskentyre Beach, which can be found on the Isle of Harris, in Scotland.

Well-known for its massive stretches of white sand and turquoise waters, it is easy to think that you are in the Caribbean instead.

The beach overlooks the island of Taransay and is a great spot to head off on walks.

There is a car park near the beach where you’ll also find toilets.

The other image shows Exuma Point Beach in The Bahamas.

Known for its shifting sandbars, the beach features white sand and crystal clear waters.

During low tide, you can even walk along a mile-long sandbar and spot starfish and conch shells.

If you are really lucky, you’ll spot baby nurse sharks and lemon sharks swimming in the shallow water.

Answer: The first image shows Exuma Point Beach in The Bahamas and the second image shows Luskentyre Beach in Scotland.

One of these images shows St Andrews Lakes in Halling, Kent, which is a huge outdoor attraction with bright turquoise waters found in a former quarry.

Looking like it is from elsewhere, visitors can head to the lakes for the day and enjoy an inland beach, floating lodges and a number of activities including Kent’s largest inflatable obstacle course.

If you really want to get into the holiday mode, there is a Nordic-inspired spa onsite with wood-fired saunas and hot tubs right by the lake.

When the family gets peckish, there is also an onsite pizzeria and cafe.

The other image is of Bercsenyi Beach in Balatonakarattya, Hungary.

The beach is one of the most popular and largest family-friendly beaches around Lake Balaton.

At the edge of the beach you’ll find lots of trees and when on the beach you can even have a go at sand volleyball.

For a bit more of adventure, you can also hire water bikes and kayaks.

Answer: the first image shows St Andrews Lakes in Halling, Kent and the second image shows Bercsenyi Beach in Balatonakarattya, Hungary.

One of these images is actually the newly-opened Nici hotel in Cornwall, which has a huge 20-metre indoor pool overlooking the coastline.

But for the true ‘abroad feeling’, head outside to the clifftop heated pool with views over the ocean and a vibrant poolside bar.

According to the hotel’s website, The Nici is “inspired by the sun-soaked glamour of the Amalfi Coast” and has the “indulgence of a Mediterranean escape”.

There’s even direct lift access from the hotel to the beach below.

Rooms at The Nici Newquay cost from £155 per night.

The other image shows Hotel Imperial Med’s bar in Santorini, Greece.

The hotel is only home to suites and sits on Aghia Paraskevi Beach.

Stays at the hotel cost from as little as £111 per night.

Answer: The first image shows Hotel Imperial Med’s bar in Santorini, Greece and the second shows The Nici, in Cornwall.

One picture shows a beach on Eilean Shona in the Inner Hebrides in Scotland.

Named Shoe Bay, to visit the beach you must be staying on the island – which has a number of different cottages and shepherd’s huts.

Shoe Bay sits at the west end of the island and boasts beautiful white sands and gentle, crystal clear waters.

There isn’t much to do across the island, but you can head on scenic walks and spot the local wildlife.

The other picture shows Fuvahmulah Island’s beach in the Maldives.

The coastline on the island is more rugged than other islands in the Maldives, with volcanic-like soil mixed with pebbles.

The island itself is small measuring only three-quarters of a mile wide by just under three miles long.

Answer: The first image shows Shoe Bay on Eilean Shona in Scotland while the second image shows Fuvahmulah Island’s beach in the Maldives.

The UK is home to some of the most beautiful seaside towns, but one stands out for a key reason

The UK has been so hot this week that I made three trips to the beach in seven days, despite not living particularly close to one. Still, an hour or so’s drive is a small price to pay when there’s a brilliant day or evening by the sea waiting for you.

I’m aware the pleasant weather won’t stick around, which explains my eagerness to spend as much time outdoors as I can. Of my several seaside trips, one location really caught my attention for one particular reason — the food.

Troon, roughly 45 minutes from my home city of Glasgow, proved the ideal spot to spend a warm evening as the heatwave drew to a close.

It’s been over six months since I last went to Troon, which was on a bitterly cold and snowy January day. This week’s outing couldn’t have been more different. After finishing work one evening, we hopped in the car and made our way down to the coastal town overlooking the Firth of Clyde, with one clear goal in mind.

Despite Scotland’s heatwave coming to a sudden halt during the day with a torrential thunderstorm, the sun managed to emerge once more as we strolled along the shoreline. Likely due to the earlier weather, it was pleasantly peaceful, with just a handful of people wandering about on the sand.

While it was lovely to be able to walk on the beach without the bitter wind battering us like last time, the stroll was fairly brief, as it was time to head up to the harbour to get some food. We finally managed to make it to The Wee Hurrie for dinner.

The Scottish fishing fleet had been tied up back in January so it hadn’t been open, which although was our own fault for not checking, still put a major dampener on the day — especially given the icy cold weather.

This award-winning chippy is renowned for its fresh seafood and its prime spot right on the harbour. And it was 100% worth the hype, being one of the best meals I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating.

The scampi was incredibly fresh, coated in a delicate batter that left me feeling neither bloated nor uncomfortable afterwards — a genuine rarity for a chip shop. Choosing just one dish was actually really hard, given how varied and imaginative the menu is.

Where else would you find fritto misto, noodles and lobster all on the same menu?

It arrived alongside a gorgeous tartare sauce and a wedge of lemon, generously seasoned with salt and vinegar. Despite being light and crispy, it was wonderfully filling and satisfying, and the portion sizes were spot on.

At £14.30, it was worth every single penny, and I genuinely can’t stop thinking about it.

It’s a takeaway so you can’t sit in, but loads of people were queuing up to order before taking it home in their cars. We ate standing up outside the shack, which I think says everything about how tasty it was.

The food may have been our main reason for heading to Troon that evening, but with the weather still pleasantly warm after we’d finished eating, a stroll down the high street seemed the perfect way to round off the night.

By this point it was around 7pm, so many of the smaller independent shops and cafes had shut up for the day, but the pubs appeared reasonably busy, with people popping in and out of takeaways, restaurants, shops or simply strolling about as we were.

If I hadn’t been driving, I would have definitely nipped into Lido on the high street for a couple of drinks, but sadly it wasn’t to be on this occasion.

It was a shorter visit than previously, but far more enjoyable thanks to the delicious food and the beautiful evening sunshine. Whether you’re in the area with a few hours to spare, or travelling from further away, Troon is a wonderful place to explore.

Scotland, who have played at each of the past two European Championships, booked their spot at a World Cup for the first time since 1998 in dramatic fashion with an unforgettable victory against Denmark at Hampden Park in November.

Backed by tens of thousands of fans who had travelled to the United States, John McGinn’s deflected strike against Haiti earned the country’s first win at a World Cup for 36 years.

That would be Scotland’s only goal of the tournament.

They lost to a second-minute strike by 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in their second match, so they entered their final group game against Brazil knowing a draw would probably be enough to send them through as one of the best third-placed teams.

However, first-half defensive errors would prove their undoing.

They once again conceded early when defender Scott McKenna was robbed of possession inside his own penalty area, gifting an opener to Vinicius Jr.

The Real Madrid forward was denied a second when the video assistant referee (VAR) deemed he had fouled Jack Hendry before rolling the ball past Angus Gunn, but just before half-time Scotland again gave the ball away near their own goal and Vinicius Jr nodded in at the back post to make it 2-0.

Matheus Cunha extended Brazil’s advantage after half-time and a late rally failed to yield a reply that would have improved Scotland’s goal difference.

“Over the three games you’re definitely looking at below-par performances,” said Willie Miller, who played at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups for Scotland.

“I keep looking back on the Denmark game [November’s 4-2 win to seal qualification] with those outstanding goals, but they didn’t get anywhere near those levels.”

The former defender described the lack of a top-class striker as “a major issue” and said he was “uncertain about the logic of a few selections”.

However, he did back Clarke by adding: “He got us there and that’s what the Scotland manager’s job is.

“He has introduced a real togetherness in the squad as well, which wasn’t always the case.”

With 81 matches under his belt, Clarke is Scotland’s longest-serving manager.

Support from the Scottish FA has been emphatic, with their coffers significantly enhanced by participation at three of the past four major finals.

Euro 2028 will be staged in Scotland, England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland and it will be difficult for the co-hosts not to qualify.

“I’m sure he can go again over the next few years if he wants to,” Miller added of Clarke.

“The new contract was a positive step. I think it was the right thing to do.”

Scotland conceded soft, early goals in defeats by Morocco and Brazil, with former striker James McFadden saying: “The defending was certainly below the standard we’re used to and the errors were costly.

“I just feel the players could have shown more. We could have done better against Morocco in terms of having a go.

“But a lot of people think we should have had two penalties and a red card in that game, which is nothing to do with the manager and players.

“Against Brazil, we gave them two gifts.”

The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico is well and truly under way with the group stages nearing a conclusion.

It is the biggest World Cup in history with 48 teams taking place.

Here’s a list of the games and where you can watch and listen to them in the UK.

From early on, we were looking at the game, yes, but also working out the mad significance of it all. We turned elsewhere to see what all of this meant in the grand scheme of things.

Before the games began on Wednesday, Scotland were sitting relatively pretty as second of the best third-placed teams in the tournament.

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s win over Qatar dropped Scotland to third. Brazil’s dominance dropped them further. Down and down they went, their buffer all but removed, their obsession about results elsewhere in the coming days multiplying as they went.

Back to Charlotte, North Carolina they’ll go on Thursday; battered and dazed, uncertain of their future in this tournament, if they have one.

As it stands, the predictor has them playing Mexico on Tuesday – a shot at redemption or another trip to a torture chamber?

That might turn on its head, of course. Other teams in the coming days will have plenty to say about this yet.

Scotland are sweating on a place in the last 32. That’s the no-man’s land they’re living in now, frantically looking at the respective fates of Senegal and Ecuador, Curacao and Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and others.

There was a certain inevitably about it. Until Bolivia earlier this month, Scotland have never beaten South American opposition, never beaten Brazil in 10 attempts going back 50 years. They rallied and created moments but it was too little, too late.

First, Scott McKenna was caught on the ball by Bournemouth forward Rayan and Vinicius Jr skipped past Angus Gunn to score.

Gunn and full-back Nathan Patterson were then caught under a Bruno Guimaraes cross as Vinicius Jr nodded in his and Brazil’s second before half-time.

And Manchester United’s Mateus Cunha made it three after the break on a night where Scotland huffed and puffed, but were ultimately outclassed.

“We lose poor goals at poor times against a team that can punish you with quality,” McGinn told BBC Sport. “We had a few chances but we’ve got to wait now.

“The lads are gutted, we fell short on quality but we gave it absolutely everything. The lads are empty now. It’s unlikely [that we qualify] but we’ll wait and see.

“It’s a bit raw at the minute but we appreciate the support of the fans, we know it’s difficult to be there. Hopefully the journey is not over and if we have to go again, we will go again.”

Bystanders captured the moment police arrested a machete-weilding man, believed responsible for a suspected anti-Muslim stabbing rampage in Edinburgh. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced the attacks as “absolutely appalling.”

T20 World Cup, Group 2, Headingley

England 200-5 (20 overs): Dunkley 57 (37), Capsey 40 (25); Gordon 2-30

Scotland 162-7 (20 overs): S Bryce 34 (24)

England won by 38 runs

Scorecard. Tables

England’s batting sparkled again as the hosts closed on a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with an 38-run victory over Scotland at Headingley.

Sophia Dunkley ensured injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was not missed by capitalising on three dropped catches in making 57 on her return to the side.

Alice Capsey stroked 40 and Heather Knight 25 but most impressive was a barnstorming unbroken partnership of 61 from just 21 balls from Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson.

Together they took England from 141-5 after 17 overs to 200-5 after 20 – with Kemp hitting an unbeaten 39 from 16 balls and Gibson an 11-ball 30 not out.

After an edgy chase over Ireland in their second match, this was more reminiscent of England’s performance on the opening night of the tournament when they piled up 219-1 against Sri Lanka.

The Kemp-Gibson pyrotechnics pushed the target beyond Scotland and, despite an admirable effort, they finished on 162-7 – their highest score batting second in T20 internationals.

A win in either of England’s last two matches, against West Indies on Wednesday or New Zealand next Saturday, will likely be enough to secure a top-two finish.

Scotland, who have a win and two defeats, play New Zealand on Tuesday.

June 20 (UPI) — Police arrested a man after stabbing five people in Edinburgh, Scotland, in suspected anti-Muslim attacks.

The man was allegedly roaming the streets of the city Friday night and stabbed five people and damaged a car and business. The attacks began near a mosque in the west of Edinburgh, where two men were injured. The Scottish Association of Mosques said two worshippers were attacked in a park after leaving the Broomhouse mosque.

Police said that five men in total, two of them 22 years old, and others ages 24, 27 and 39, suffered a range of injuries. Three of them were treated at a hospital, though none of the injuries was life-threatening.

A 36-year-old white man was arrested, and counter terrorism officers have joined local Police Scotland in an investigation.

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said in a statement that there is “no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland.”

Police got reports of attacks near shops in the west and north of the city, and said three other men were attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk areas. Police eventually confronted the man with a taser and arrested him, though they said the taser was never used.

“There is a profound sense of shock, alarm and anger within Muslim communities across Scotland today,” Omar Afzal, director of public affairs for the Scottish Association of Mosques, told The Scotsman. “These latest attacks are deeply disturbing. However, they do not exist in a vacuum. For years, Muslim communities have warned about the consequences of anti-Muslim hatred becoming normalized in public discourse. When prejudice is left unchallenged, it creates an environment in which some individuals feel emboldened to act on that hatred.”