Holidaymakers flock to Scotland to escape heatwave as 'coolcation' trend grows
As the UK experiences a heatwave, holidaymakers are heading to Scotland to escape high temperatures, with temperature tourism on the rise.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Record-breaking heat in England and Wales has prompted a growing number of holidaymakers to head north to Scotland in search of cooler conditions, a trend being dubbed 'coolcation'. At the start of July, Scotland was on average five degrees cooler than England, and families from London have been enjoying the milder climate while kayaking on sea lochs near Glencoe.
Local water sports operators say they have seen a steady increase in visitors this time of year who are coming specifically for relief from the heat. One couple who run self-catering holiday cabins in Lochaber said guests from France, Italy and Spain have told them they chose Scotland for the temperature, and more UK visitors are now doing the same. 'They came for the rain,' the couple said, noting that people now want the Scottish weather rather than apologising for it.
Dutch walkers in the Highlands said they were enjoying the scenery and cooler weather, though they acknowledged the midges. Tourism is important to the Scottish economy, supporting around a quarter of a million jobs, but there are concerns about over-tourism in popular spots like Skye. However, industry figures point to other areas such as Moray, Aberdeenshire and the Scottish Borders that could benefit from the shift in holiday preferences.
The trend reflects a broader rethink of what makes a good holiday in a time of extreme heat, with Scotland's lochs and mountains always appealing and the milder climate now part of the attraction.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | BBC One |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors are coming to Scotland specifically for cooler weather, a trend reported as growing. | ||
| In July, Scotland was on average five degrees cooler than England. | · | |
| Tourism in Scotland supports around 250,000 jobs. | · | |
| Water sports operators in Glencoe reported a steady increase in visitors seeking relief from the heat. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The regional BBC channel focused on the 'coolcation' trend, featuring interviews with holidaymakers and local business owners. It highlighted the economic benefits of tourism and the potential for spreading visitors beyond hotspots like Skye, while also noting the shift in attitudes towards Scottish weather.
- “After the staycation, what about a coolcation?”
- “Temperature tourism is based on the idea of leaving the stifling heat behind”
- “They came for the rain”
The national signed broadcast presented the same report, framing it as a shift in holiday preferences. It omitted the specific economic impact figures and the over-tourism discussion that appeared in the regional version, focusing instead on the personal experiences of visitors and business owners.
- “After the staycation, what about a coolcation?”
- “They came for the rain”
- “Rethinking holidays in a time of extreme heat”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.