Billy Boyd's best of Scotland

Published on Tuesday 16 September 2008 19:25

Thrills, spills and romantic breaks

SURFING www.machrihanish.net I have a real passion for surfing after being introduced to it by Orlando Bloom during the filming of Lord of the Rings. I love going surfing with friends in Machrihanish on the west coast, and Pease Bay and Coldingham Bay in the Borders. My ultimate perfect surfing day in Scotland would be to get an early rise, and drive to Machrihanish when the surf is fantastic. On the way I would stop off in the picturesque town of Inveraray in Argyll for some breakfast and on the way back, stop off at Loch Fyne for something nice to eat.

A ROMANTIC BREAK AT THE ARDANAISEIG HOTEL www.ardanaiseig.com I discovered the romantic Ardanaiseig Hotel on Loch Awe in Argyll with the help of VisitScotland. I was looking for a beautiful retreat that would also welcome my dog.

Ardanaiseig is located in a remote place of quiet tranquillity and natural beauty, where the slopes of Ben Cruachan fall into the clear water of Loch Awe.

It is so beautiful I asked my girlfriend to marry me there. The building itself was built in 1834, and designed by the famous architect William Burn.

REALLY GOOD SEAFOOD eeusk.com As you are never very far from the coast, Scotland is full of delicious fresh seafood. I particularly like the fresh catch at the award winning Ee-Usk restaurant in Oban. The restaurant sits on the water’s edge and has a large glass front with magnificent views over Oban Bay to Kerrera and the Mull and Morvern Hills. Most of their fish is caught locally.

LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES www.lochlomondseaplanes.com Flying in one of these features next in my list of perfect days in Scotland. I particularly want to use their city centre service to hire a charter plane and fly to Orkney.

ORKNEY www.visitorkney.com Orkney’s history can be felt everywhere in its scattered islands. My perfect day in Orkney would involve going to the amazing St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.

WHITEWATER RAPIDS www.rafting.co.uk I am a bit of an adrenalin junkie, and white-water rapids are next on my list of things I’d like to do. I’ve never done it before and I hear it’s great in Scotland. It’s great for groups of friends who want to have maximum fun. When the rain falls the rivers come to life!

GOLDEN EAGLES www.raptorworld.co.uk On a recent day out with VisitScotland, I got to handle a golden eagle at Raptor World, which has a base at the Scottish Deer Centre near Cupar in Fife. This was the highlight of my day and I would now like to go and hang out with some other eagles – but not the rock band!

EDINBURGH’S SUMMER FESTIVALS www.edinburghfestivals.co.ukA trip to Edinburgh during one of its festivals is an unforgettable experience. I have performed at the festival on many occasions and it is my favourite time of year in any city in the world. With the International Festival, Book Festival, Fringe and the Tattoo the city is transformed into an exciting, non-stop celebration of the arts.

ROLLING DOWN A HILL IN A BALL www.naelimits.co.ukOtherwise known as zorbing, this is when you roll down a hill harnessed into a special 12ft cushioned plastic ball – probably most easily described as a human hamster ball! I want to try that for a giggle.

10 A ROMANTIC DAY IN ST ANDREWS www.saint-andrews.co.uk Romancing the love of my life is an activity I enjoy doing. I would begin the perfect day in St Andrews by walking right along that big beach, then having a fantastic meal in a great hotel. The next day, instead of going home, I would have a day the spa and then another a fantastic meal.

&#149 Go to www.visitscotland.com/perfectday to plan your perfect break.