Tag: staycations

Post-roadmap travel options from Rabbie’s

The eco-friendly way to see the best that the UK and Ireland has to offer

We are set for another summer of staycations, calling for experiences even more off the beaten track to discover the UK and Ireland’s natural beauty and spread the tourism wealth.

With an increased demand for sustainability-focused, eco-travel, Rabbie’s continues to expand its domestic travel options without sacrificing its excellent green credentials.

Rabbie’s ensures that the places we love are there for future generations to enjoy and advocates ‘taking only photos and leaving only footprints’. Explore the best of what the UK and Ireland has to offer – its wildlife, vistas, delicacies and rich history – all while actively preserving its future …

Visit the sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of your dreams, but in Scotland:

After so long spent at home, the far-flung islands and dolphin-spotting on the three-day tour of Lewis, Harris and the Outer Hebrides are a welcome escape. Visit the incredible Luskentyre beach known for its tranquil waves, white sands and Loch Braun, home to native whales and dolphins.

This area of outstanding natural beauty comes with a rich history, with Viking relics left behind from over 800 years ago, including the Callanish standing stones to visit as well as the opportunity to experience life as a highlander at the centre of traditional crofting, Arnol Blackhouse. The tour departs from Inverness, and costs from £209 per person.

Hiking through the delightful depths of Derbyshire and rewarding yourself with a delicious Bakewell tart:

Derbyshire is England at its most quintessential, full of quaint cottages and luscious rolling hills. On the Derbyshire, Peak District & Poole’s Cavern tour, visit Castleton, nestled in the hills and the Celtic settlement with former ruins located nearby on the hill of Mamtor.

After a hike to one of the most photographed spots of the county at Monsal Head, tuck into lunch in Bakewell, home of the iconic almond puddings. ‘The cherry on top’ of the afternoon consists of a visit to Poole’s Cavern, a limestone cave system previously marvelled at by Mary Queen of Scots, full of stalagmites and stalactites.

Take a bite out of English history and embrace the natural awe of the UK whilst staying carbon-neutral. The one-day tour, departing from Manchester, costs from £39 per person.

Take in the soaring mountains, spectacular wildlife, and mystical history of Ireland’s West Coast, with nothing in between you and the Atlantic:

A jam-packed three days full of the Emerald Isle’s less visited, awe-inspiring wonders such as the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara National Park. On the West Coast Explorer Tour, Rabbie’s transports guests to a world of dungeons and dragons at Dunguaire Castle, and natural beauty spots such as the Cliffs of Moher and Lough Corrib’s scenic shores which were captured in “The Quiet Man”.

Of course, no trip to Ireland would be without a tipple, enjoy a drink at Locke’s Distillery, the oldest in the world as well as a bite to eat in the foodie hub of Galway. Departing from Dublin, the three-day tour costs from €309.00 per person.

With social distancing measures in place, reduced group sizes and increased cleaning measures, Rabbie’s offers worry-free journeys so you can enjoy a sustainable staycation without concerns. 

To arrange a private tour call Rabbie’s on +44(0) 131 226 3133 or email explore@rabbies.com.

Staycation Scotland: remember key fire safety measures

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is updating its advice to business owners and dutyholders as Scotland moves into phase three of its exit from Lockdown.

As Scotland sees an increase in ‘staycation’ holidays throughout the summer months, SFRS is urging holiday letting businesses and duty holders to ensure that premises being used as rental accommodation meet the appropriate level of fire safety provisions.

Scotland’s national fire service is urging business owners and duty holders to consider the following steps:

  • Carry out a fire risk assessment for your premises or a review of your existing fire safety risk assessment as soon as possible to determine if any further actions are required
  • Ensure that you have provided the required level of automatic fire detection to safeguard sleeping occupants
  • Ensure you have provided the required level of firefighting equipment
  • Ensure that occupants know what to do in the event of an emergency
  • Check that all means of escape routes are adequately protected to allow a safe evacuation

Alasdair Perry, SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer for Prevention and Protection, said: “We appreciate that businesses and dutyholders who run holiday rentals will be excited to re-open and welcome people back to their facilities in the coming weeks and months.

“As demand for accommodation will undoubtedly increase, we are acutely aware that this could place pressure on business owners – however safety from fire must remain high on their priorities.

“We are therefore asking anyone who rents out a property as a holiday let to ensure that a thorough fire safety assessment has been carried out to determine if any action is required, before welcoming any guests to your facility.

“It is also important that those visiting are kept safe and aware of what fire safety measures are in place, and they know what to do should a fire occur during their stay.

“It goes without saying that these recent months have been trying times for Scotland as a whole, but we cannot become complacent and must continue to work together to drive down the risk of fire across the country.”

Recently, SFRS has also highlighted safety and awareness guidance to ensure that social distancing and protection measures within businesses do not impact on overall fire safety; and warned against the risk posed by excess stock and packaging.

As more and more retail outlets, public areas and workplaces continue to re-open, businesses and duty-holders are advised to ensure stock rooms and fire exits do not become blocked by surplus materials to allow for safe and easy passage in the event of an emergency or fire drill.

Premises owners and operators are also asked to look at the possibility of increasing waste collections to avoid overspill, and to ensure goods are stored safely and appropriately.

DACO Perry added: “We’ve already seen some businesses and buildings reopen, but we understand for many this will be the first time they will have opened their doors for quite some time.

“We appreciate that many workplaces will have taken robust measures to protect staff and members of the public through means such as the installation of plastic screening.

“However, we would also ask that businesses consider what impact any changes or installations could have on fire detection or fire safety measures.

“For example, it is possible that screening installation, along with any increased loading or materials in the premises, may obstruct automatic fire detection apparatus such as smoke alarms.

“We would also remind people to manage their premises for excess stock and waste and to consider if this would increase the risk of a fire, or hamper fire safety measures and escape plans.

“We would also remind both staff and members of the public that one-way systems in place, installed to manage social distancing, need not be followed in the event of any emergency. If fire occurs, occupants of buildings should continue to leave by the nearest exit or emergency route as quickly as possible.”

For more advice on fire risk assessments or to speak with an officer, you can find contact details for your local SFRS fire safety enforcement office here.