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Tay Country and Where to Stay

Posted : 25 August 2020

After the long months of lockdown, and amid the ongoing foreign travel restrictions, people from across Scotland are flocking to discover the beauty and delights on their own doorsteps.

And, whether you’re looking for rest and relaxation or a base for burning off some cooped-up energy, where better to spend a few days than in the place officially named the best Staycation city of the Year in 2019?

Dundee has everything you would want in a cosmopolitan city break – attractions, bars and restaurants, High Street shopping and more – but thanks to its location you can combine the urban experience with easy exploration of Scotland’s beautiful countryside.

There are lots of beauty spots in the city itself, such as the stunning waterfront with its miles of spectacular views and easy to walk, run or cycle paths. The green spaces in the city also include Camperdown Park (with its wildlife centre), Baxter Park, Slessor Gardens, the Law and Magdalen Green to name but a few.

 

If you’re staying a while - and with lots of great hotels and B&Bs in the city, why wouldn’t you? – then the hills and lochs which surround Dundee are well worth exploring.

Less than half an hour’s drive from the city centre, Ballo Wood, which begins with the stunning Laird’s Loch, is a beautiful walking spot through a fairytale forest. Then there are a few access points to the wooded hill known as Ballo, popular with hikers and downhill cyclists. Bikers and hikers scale the hills often to take advantage of the well-laid trails and walking tracks.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Baker (@jitbak) on

Not far from Ballo in the Sidlaws is Lundie Craigs. Another perfect spot for hiking and biking, it’s worth the short trip for the loch nestled in the hills alone. The place is so photogenic, Disney movies are jealous! The views are endless and your Instagram feed will be too after posting all your #LundieFunDay photos.

If all that hiking and biking hasn’t tired you out, why not check out the Wild Shore Dundee water sports park in the heart of the city centre harbour area?  It has an inflatable obstacle course (popular with kids of all ages) and even a zip wire that allows for wakeboarding!  Alternatively, check out Outdoor Explore, who give guided kayak tours on the Tay - and you might get to meet a few dolphins!

 

Where to stay

After all that fresh air and exercise, you’ll need to unwind and maybe even treat yourself to a spa treatment or two. The spa hotels dotted around the city can take care of that! Have a look at the Landmark, Apex Hotel and Spa Dundee (overlooking Wild Shore Dundee) and Hampton by Hilton. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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If your Instagram feed isn’t full yet, city centre hotels with the views to write home about include Sleeperz Hotel, Hotel Indigo, Premier Inn and the Malmaison, to mention only four. These luxurious finds are sure to please everyone but if you’re looking for something more quaint and cosy the list of B&Bs with spectacular views of the Tay stretching all the way to Broughty Ferry. 

If it’s an apartment you’re after, Dream Luxury Serviced Apartments or Urban Quarters will make you feel right at home when you need to slow down and have your own space after a day of water excursions!

 

by Dundee City Council
Tay Country & Where to Stay

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