spent

The seaside spot is perfect for a wintery day trip or weekend away, and even in the freezing weather, it’s so charming

We’re already a week into January, and while the start of a new year can be invigorating, it’s tough to kick-start your routine after the celebrations. You’re likely feeling drained after returning to work, eagerly awaiting a weekend of rest.

However, exploring a new town or village can do wonders for your mood, which is exactly what I did last weekend. Bracing the frosty breeze, I embarked on a half-hour train journey from Glasgow to Troon, a seaside town bustling in summer but much quieter in winter.

It was an almost perfect day trip, with one minor hiccup threatening to ruin the trip – but don’t let that deter you.

Nestled on Scotland’s west coast with views over the Firth of Clyde, Troon is the perfect coastal retreat from city life. Admittedly, my last visit was around age 15 and I had never been during winter, but craving some outdoor time before returning to work, this seemed ideal.

Upon getting off the train, we made our way to the waterfront, which was freezing yet beautiful. The sun was shining, and although the sea would have been unbearably cold for a dip, it looked stunning, reports the Express.

Depressingly, the sun had begun to set as early as 1pm during our visit, but it provided a lovely backdrop for photos. We walked along the huge beach for around an hour, climbing on top of a paved hill at the end to really take in the panoramic views of the town below.

For kids, there’s a huge play area that was bustling even in the biting cold, so I can only imagine how busy it’ll be in summertime.

When the chill became almost unbearable, it was time to seek out some food. Troon boasts an array of great places to eat and drink, from the stylish Scotts restaurant by the marina to numerous fish and chip shops dotting the high street.

One of the main reasons for this trip was to try out The Wee Hurrie, a seafood shack near the water that had been highly praised by relatives and friends. With TripAdvisor users hailing it as the ‘best chippie in Scotland’, we couldn’t wait.

After braving the icy beach walk, our hunger was intense, so imagine our dismay when we found The Wee Hurrie shuttered. This was our fault, and we should have checked ahead, but the combination of freezing temperatures and hunger nearly brought me to tears.

The closure was due to the Scottish fishing fleet being docked for Christmas, which is entirely understandable. As of Friday (January 9), it’s back in business, and you can bet I’ll be running back as soon as I can for some beachfront fish and chips.

By 3pm, we were still on the hunt for lunch, so we started our journey back to the town centre. As if to rub salt in the wound, it began to snow – but luckily, it was just a brief flurry that ended as quickly as it had started.

I wasn’t expecting much activity on the high street at this time on a Sunday in early January, but I was pleasantly surprised to see plenty of people bustling about, popping in and out of eateries and shops.

Still craving seafood, we stopped into Tempura and ordered a serving of battered prawns and chips each. It hit the spot perfectly, and spotting a tempura Mars bar on the menu made me laugh. You cannot escape the deep-fried life in Scotland.

Despite the slight hiccup with our initial food plans, it was still a great day out – albeit a bit chilly for my liking. But rest assured, as soon as that first hint of warmth graces us in March, I’ll be heading straight back there.

A journalist who spent a night in one of Blackpool FC’s hotel rooms claimed he was told there would be a fine a jaw-dropping sum if he opened the curtains during one key moment

A man who spent £137 on a hotel room was shocked to discover that he might be fined £2,500 if he simply opened the curtains.

Said hotel room is inside Blackpool FC’s Bloomfield Road ground and sits behind one of the goals at either side of the team’s pitch.

However, the individual staying in the room, journalist Ben East, was warned that if he opened the curtains during a match, he could be fined £2,500.

Baffled by the instruction, Ben said he checked the rules with members of staff downstairs, who said they didn’t police it as a hotel, but that ‘apparently’ guests could be fined if they are caught opening the curtains.

Commenting on the matter for the Telegraph, Ben remarked that keeping the curtains shut during a match rather ruined the experience, especially during Blackpool’s game against Bradford.

He said: “All of which slightly ruins the executive pitch-view selling point, of course – it’s now just an incredibly beige room with a hint of maroon.

“I then hear about Swan’s finish on BBC Radio’s 5 Live Sport, minutes after hearing the roars from outside. It was deft, sure, but it wasn’t worth £2,500 to see in the flesh.

“To threaten people with this sort of penalty for peering out of the window of a room that has been converted from an executive box sounds absurd – or at least conceptually flawed.”

Furthermore, Ben added that other stadiums don’t have the rule, such as Bolton Wanderers, who he said didn’t require the curtains to be closed in their stadium rooms.

A spokesperson for Blackpool FC said: “Whilst the hotel and football club understand any frustrations this may cause, all EFL and FA regulations must be observed. This includes limitations on the consumption of alcohol within sight of the pitch whilst a match is in play.”

Ben’s comments about Blackpool FC’s hotel room came months after data showed the city of Blackpool received a boost in tourism numbers.

The annual STEAM report, that independent measures tourism indicators, shows that visitors to the area were on the rise, with the city attracting 21.5m tourists in 2023, six percent up on 2022 figures.

When the figures were released in March last year, Blackpool Council leader councillor Lynn Williams MBE said: “Blackpool welcomed large crowds thanks to a diverse programme of major events, the launch of new attractions, a two-month extension of the autumn Illuminations season, and the expansion of the hugely successful Christmas By The Sea village.

“All of these factors, combined with strong partnerships and impactful marketing, reinforce our commitment to keeping Blackpool as the UK’s most visited seaside resort and firmly establishing it as a thriving year-round destination.”