As the Scottish Government announced its latest lockdown easing on Thursday, lodges, caravan parks and other self-contained accommodation are getting set to reopen.
Starting Friday, July 3, the five-mile travel limit will be lifted for most of Scotland. Those seeking a getaway will be able to travel to a holiday home, lodge or caravan for a staycation, with most opening back up in mid-July.
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Whether your holiday will change much from pre-lockdown times depends on what you plan on doing. Those seeking a peaceful getaway exploring the countryside should be relatively unaffected. However, families looking for activities for kids such as indoor play areas, swimming and other close-contact or indoor events will be more restricted or not available at all.
Gyms, swimming pools and live entertainment will be closed for most holiday parks in Scotland, in line with Government guidelines. Those heading down south will see rules and opening times differ. Bars and restaurants are expected to reopen from Thursday, July 15 throughout Scotland - but only under certain conditions.
Beer gardens will start to reopen from Monday, 6 July. You can find the best ones in Glasgow here.
Any communal or indoor activities which do open will be subject to social distancing rules, which largely remains 2 metres in Scotland for adults. Children under 12, however, do not have to abide by social distancing rules when outside – even around adults.
Graham Donoghue, Sykes Holiday Cottages CEO, said: “Holidays will feel much the same but a lot of planning has gone in behind the scenes to ensure the health and wellbeing of our guests and property owners.
“We’re working with our UK property owners and contractors to make sure every cottage in our care is deep cleaned and sanitised during guest changeovers. Visitors will also be given essential items such as hand soap, hand sanitiser and cleaning products to use during their stay.
“My advice is to take this opportunity while you can to explore what there is to see and do on home soil, perhaps in the quieter, lesser-known destinations you haven’t previously considered.
“Also, a holiday is what you make it. Some places may not be open or operating as normal, but it’s all about the simple pleasures of a break away - whether that’s a scenic walk in the countryside or takeaway fish and chips on the beach”
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Parkdean Resorts, which owns several holiday parks throughout Scotland will introduce a hands-free check-in at their sites, meaning customers will have to check-in online before they arrive. Other businesses will have similar policies in place.
While indoor play areas will be closed families can enjoy the arcades which will remain open with Parkdean saying they will be regularly sanitised.
A spokesperson for Parkdean Resorts said: “Our parks are ideally designed for social distancing and we have introduced a number of stringent safety and hygiene processes and procedures, from drive-through check-ins, Perspex screens and special hygiene stations to the introduction of one-way systems and clear social distancing markers.
“While our parks may look slightly different, there will still be the same great service that holidaymakers have come to expect of Parkdean Resorts, celebrating our amazing beaches and countryside. Our teams are ready and waiting to welcome holidaymakers from 17th July.”
Luxury lodge operator Cameron Lodges said it has introduced new cleaning measures to ensure the safety of customers. They said staff will wear full PPE and sanitise visitors' keys and lodges after each stay.
Allan Reich, director of Cameron Lodges, said: “At Cameron Lodges, we are lucky to be based in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with plenty of wide-open space to allow guests and staff to socially distance.
“Ahead of our reopening on Friday 17th July we have looked at every aspect of the guest journey, from start to finish, and have made a number of changes to ensure our guests enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday.”
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