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Below are a few websites you may find useful when planning your holiday in Scotland. ( Much of this information, but with some new links, you will find duplicated on our other website, www.fivestarholidaycottage.co.uk )

Please click on links underlined in blue to visit the relevant site. Please click on your browser's BACK button to return to this page.

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Edinburgh and Glasgow and Prestwick Airports
www.baa.co.uk - British Airports Authority - Information about the UK's major airports.
www.easyjet.com - basic, low cost, flights within UK 
www.ryanair.com - This budget flight company operates from Prestwick Airport (22 miles) 35 km south west of Glasgow. Although described as 'Glasgow' be aware, if renting a car, that this is not the same as Glasgow International Airport which is 8 miles to the west of the city.
www.easyvalue.com - Impartial comparisons for online shopping, including best-value flights on any given day.

Car hire websites
The following have depots at either Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport or both.
www.alamo.com - Alamo Rent A Car
www.avis.co.uk - Avis Rent A Car
www.hertz.co.uk - Hertz Rent A Car
www.nationalcar-europe.com - National Car Rental
www.easyrentacar.com  incredibly cheap car rental, currently operating only out of Glasgow Airport.
http://www.budget-uk.com - with depots at most airports
www.holidayautos.com - makes hiring a car a doddle. Breathtaking choice, simplicity and good value.
www.leisurecars.com - also offer discount hire from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

City car hire firm: www.capital-carhire.co.uk operate from Edinburgh itself, very close to HAYMARKET Train Station and offer competitive rates with good customer care.  Everything from family cars to limousines and chauffered minibuses. For limos and minibuses visit www.xlimo.co.uk

All-in-one Train, airline and Bus Timetables
www.travelinescotland.com - Plan any public transport journey within and from Scotland to main points in the UK by bus, coach, ferry, flight or underground.

For similar information covering the whole of the UK, use www.traveline.org.uk

Railtrack Travel Information
www.railtrack.co.uk/
Definitive resource for UK rail timetables

Other useful train websites
www.britrail.com - British Rail Website
www.scotrail.co.uk - Scotrail Website
www.thetrainline.com - Useful for timetables and to book your train tickets online in advance.

Ferry information
www.superfast.com  will convey you ( and your car ) to Rosyth, just 20 miles from here, in luxury.  Drive on in Zeebrugge, Belgium, relax in luxury and drive off in Scotland.
www.calmac.co.uk - Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries links the Scottish mainland with its islands.

Other Useful Travel Links
Ferry Crossing Tickets Online - Great deals on ferry tickets throughout Europe including Eurotunnel crossings, cross channel, Irish sea. All ports available including Folkstone, Calais, Hull, Dover, Dublin, Douglas & Holyhead.

Fully Inclusive Car Hire -Fully inclusive car rental and hire worldwide.

Holiday parking near uk airport - Find a secure car park at all major UK airports. Easy online booking with instant online airport parking documents.

Online Airport Hotel Accommodation in the UK - Airport hotels at all major UK airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester. Instant online accommodation confirmation and hotel directions.

VIP Lounges at Major UK Airports - Airport executive VIP lounges at all major UK airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester. Instant online confirmation and lounge directions.

Short Breaks in Europe and USA - Short break holidays with hotel accommodation throughout the UK, Europe and North America. Also London theatre break short stay holidays and special offers.

Food And Drink
www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/fooddrink.html
This article from Edinburgh University gives a good overview of the culinary delights you can expect in Scotland. It links to other food and drink sites.

For an Aladdin's cave of traditional food, wine, cheese and exciting products visit www.valvonacrolla.co.uk .  Their fabulous shop is  at 19 Elm Row, Leith Walk, Edinburgh  and their VinCaffe nearby.

www.scottishhaggis.co.uk
Enjoy the sound of bagpipes whilst you read about that great chieftain o'the puddin' race. This award winning website from haggis makers McKean's of Scotland includes information on how to cook haggis and Rabbie Burns' "Address to a Haggis"

Famous Grouse Movie
For a bit of fun, play this!  And perhaps sample some Famous Grouse tipple! 

http://www.whiskyweb.com
Discover more about our national drink

www.mrshamilton.com
Another Mrs. Hamilton!  Just 10 minutes' down the road from us you can purchase tender succulent lamb bred from another farm on the Pentlands. Bring it "home" to Crosswoodhill to cook. We can supply the mint to go with it...

And to ensure you get the freshest and finest of produce, visit
www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk to discover what's on sale and when.
 

Eating Out
www.taste-of-scotland.com - Where to eat in style in Scotland.  Describes select establishments, some within easy driving distance of Crosswoodhill.
www.edinburghguide.com/society/food/index.htm - This online Edinburgh Guide offers various listings of Edinburgh pubs and restaurants for all tastes and budgets.
www.edinburghrestaurants.co.uk - the website for the Edinburgh Restaurateurs Association. These are excellent, exclusive eating places but not for those on a low budget.
www.list.co.uk/restaurants/index.php offers a more comprehensive and cosmopolitan selection to suit every palate and budget

Websites specific to:

Currency Conversion - Exchange Rates
http://finance.yahoo.com/m5

Insurance for Your Holiday
http://www.tpstravelinsurance.com
For UK guests booking our accommodation and wishing to insure against cancellation, we recommend Travellers Protection Services Ltd.

Tours and Guides
www.timberbush-tours.co.uk - This 4 STAR Edinburgh company runs 1, 2, or 3 day guided tours in luxury mini-coaches to the Highlands and/or the hallowed hame o' golf. Why not take a rest from driving and enjoy one of these before or after your stay at Crosswoodhill?
www.stga.co.uk - These Blue Badge Guides can give visitors a memorable, entertaining experience of Scotland in a total of 19 languages.
www.celtictrails.co.uk - offers unique half and whole day personalised tours from Edinburgh to sites of prehistoric, Celtic and mediaeval interest, including Rosslyn chapel.

Scotland's heritage
Historic Scotland which owns Edinburgh and Stirling Castle, as well as many other historic castles and abbeys, have a special Scottish Explorer ticket valid for 7-14 days. Good value.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

The National Trust for Scotland has many beautiful castles and historic houses in its care and their Trust Touring Pass is excellent value for money
www.nts.org.uk/

Disability Information
www.radar.org.uk This site has a wealth of information for disabled people in the UK
www.arjo.com - For hoists on the move. One call to Arjo Hire can solve handling problems for a disabled guest. From Arjo's homepage, click on 'others' and select 'UK', then 'Hire' or phone 01452 506050.

For wheelchair hire whilst at Crosswoodhill, try  www.med-ecosse.co.uk or contact the local West Lothian branch of the Red Cross via e-mail:   brcswl217@hotmail.com          

British Weather
http://www.metoffice.com

A touch of tartan.
www.geoffreykilts.co.uk - Geoffrey (Taylor) Kiltmakers & Weavers:  kilts, tartans

or just down the road from us, visit www.macdonaldkiltmakers.co.uk , kiltmakers of over 50 years, offering excellent value for money.

Genealogy
www.scotsancestry.co.uk   a dedicated family researcher can help bring your ancestors to life
www.scotsgenealogy.com - Scottish Genealogy Society
www.scottish-roots.co.uk - Scottish Roots Ancestral Research Service.
www.ancestralscotland.com 
www.ar-turas.co.uk - Ar-turas specialises in providing cultural, social and historical contexts to bring the family tree to life.
www.samanthagodley.co.uk/ Unlock Your Family's History

Mapping Websites
www.streetmap.co.uk - UK Street Maps Online 
www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/scotland.html - Whisky Map of Scotland 
www.multimap.com - UK Multimaps 
Good directions to Crosswoodhill. Type in EH55 8LP as a destination.
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk - Order your hiking maps in advance
www.aqua3.com - Europe's No. 1 publisher of all weatherproof leisure maps, publishing over 3000 titles including Ordnance Survey, IGN, Kompass and more..

Type PENTLAND HILLS  in this space for the map covering our area. The 1:25000 map shows the most detail for walkers. 

For route planning: use www.rac.co.uk/routeplanner

All About Edinburgh
To discover What's On in Edinburgh click on www.edinburgh.org/events/
The Edinburgh Directory :  has all sorts of useful contact numbers.

Festival and Event Sites
www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk - Information on Edinburgh's Festivals
www.edfringe.com - Edinburgh Festival Fringe  (August)
www.eif.co.uk - Edinburgh International Festival (August - September)
www.edintattoo.co.uk - Edinburgh Military Tattoo (August)
www.eft.co.uk All year round drama, ballet and opera in Edinburgh
www.edinburghshogmanay.com - Edinburgh is of course the place to bring in the New Year!
www.list.co.uk is the most comprehensive entertainment and events listing site, covering both Edinburgh and Glasgow
With Children in Mind
www.kidsedinburgh.com/eventsearch.php - Proves there's no shortage of imaginative events and activities geared to kids' enjoyment.

Weddings and Romance at Crosswoodhill
Midcrosswood's been the perfect honeymoon setting for many couples.
But for a small intimate ceremony, why not think about actually getting married in the cottage? We know of a Minister happy to do this for you.
For help with other wedding essentials we recommend Irene Mason:
www.getmarriedinscotland.co.uk

Visual memories
Living close by is a talented artist who has achieved global fame with her flower paintings. View www.jennietuffs.co.uk  before you visit!  Cards, prints, posters and glorious originals available locally.

Activities
www.scottishgolf.com and www.uk-golf-guide.com are on the ball! Check out our local golf course at Harburn.
www.fishing-uk-scotland.com allows you to go fishing for information.
www.phicelandics.co.uk offers a smooth ride when it comes to information on icelandic pony trekking on the pentland hills.
www.adventurescotland.com lets you discover more about the largest indoor rock-climbing centre in Europe, just 15 miles from us. + lots of other exciting sporting opportunities. Fancy stepping off a 30m high building on a skyride over a huge natural arena? This is the place to go. Impressive

Looking for something excitingly different?
See Scotland as you've never seen it before! Here are 2 suggestions, happening less than an hour's drive away from Crosswoodhill. Not cheap but exhilarating.....
Hot air balloon flight (with champagne), more on www.scotair.com
Soar over lochs and mountains on a seaplane, more on www.lochlomondseaplanes.com

Visual beauty now!
Tempted to pamper yourself whilst staying at Crosswoodhill?  Discover  what's on offer at our local health and beauty shop, Elysian Fields Beauty Therapy  

Customer Care
We are proud and passionate about Scottish Tourism and support the new Pride and Passion for Scotland movement sweeping Scotland. This aims to inspire and motivate more Scots to become the Visitor's Champion, contributing to an exceptionally good experience you will be proud to tell people about when you get home.

Carefully Selected Links to Cottages in Other Areas:
For those who yearn to be beside the Scottish seaside these lovely 4 Star cottages in Argyll offer the perfect retreat. www.craobhcottages.co.uk

Escape to the Edge,  to the ideal romantic Hebridean 5 STAR retreat for two. Matched by a stunning island location, click on www.stay-hebrides.com for a preview of these irresistable turf-roofed, luxury cottages on Harris, close to glorious deserted beaches. 

Wonderful for families, this group of luxury cottages near St. Andrews, Fife is much more than just a place to stay. It offers lots to do on site. http://www.pitmilly.co.uk/ 

For a different kind of holiday, in a striking setting near Loch Lomond, within a quiet private estate of chalets and lodges, consider www.sandwood-lodge.co.uk

Combining a trip to Scotland with visiting Ireland? Have a look at www.rathmullancottages.com - for quality cottages and caring owners in Donegal, Ireland.

Individual sites mentioned in the "Days Out" page