The Guardian has launched a new travel competition inviting readers across the United Kingdom to share their best Scottish holiday experiences for a chance to win a luxury getaway worth £200.
Running until April 6, the contest seeks authentic travel recommendations from those who have explored Scotland’s diverse landscapes, from rugged Highland peaks to vibrant city centers.
Competition Details and Prize Package
The Guardian community team announced the competition on March 30, searching for genuine travel insights from readers who have experienced Scotland firsthand. The winning entry will receive a £200 voucher redeemable at any Coolstays property worldwide, giving the victor access to over 3,000 unique accommodations across the globe.
Tom Hall from Lonely Planet will judge all submissions, selecting the most compelling and useful travel tip. The winning entry, along with other standout recommendations, will be featured in both the Guardian Travel print section and its digital platform.
What Organizers Are Looking For
The competition welcomes a broad spectrum of Scottish travel experiences. Submissions can cover adventure activities like hiking through the dramatic Glencoe valley or kayaking across serene sea lochs. Urban explorers can share discoveries from Scotland’s cities, including cultural highlights like Dundee’s acclaimed V&A museum.
Other potential topics include wild camping experiences on mountainsides, culinary finds at waterside inns serving fresh Scottish seafood, or road trip adventures along the North Coast 500 route.
Entries must be concise, limited to approximately 100 words, focusing on practical advice that fellow travelers can actually use.
Submission Guidelines and Requirements
Participants should craft their tips with clarity and specificity. While photos are welcome and can enhance submissions, the competition judges entries based solely on written content quality and usefulness.
Due to legal restrictions, only UK residents are eligible to enter. The deadline falls on Monday, April 6 at 10am BST, giving potential entrants just one week to compile their Scottish travel wisdom.
The Guardian has provided access to previous competition winners and submitted tips, allowing new participants to gauge the style and depth of content that resonates with judges.
Scotland’s Tourism Appeal
Scotland continues to attract millions of visitors annually with its combination of natural beauty and cultural richness. The Highlands and islands offer some of Europe’s most pristine wilderness areas, while cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee provide world-class museums, dining, and entertainment.
The North Coast 500, often called Scotland’s answer to Route 66, has become increasingly popular since its 2015 launch. This 516-mile circular route showcases the northern Highlands’ coastal scenery, historic sites, and remote communities.
Scotland’s tourism industry has rebounded strongly, with both domestic and international visitors seeking authentic experiences beyond traditional tourist hotspots. Insider recommendations from fellow travelers have become increasingly valuable as people look for unique, off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
How to Enter
Interested participants can submit their travel tips through a dedicated form on the Guardian website. The form requires the travel tip itself, optional photo uploads, and basic contact information for prize fulfillment purposes.
Entrants should review the complete terms and conditions before submitting to ensure compliance with all competition rules.
As Scotland’s tourism season approaches its peak spring and summer months, this competition offers travelers a platform to celebrate memorable experiences while helping others plan their own Scottish adventures. The blend of potential prize value and publication opportunity makes it an attractive proposition for the UK’s travel enthusiast community.
Whether your Scottish memory involves standing atop a Munro summit, exploring medieval castles, sampling single malt whisky in Speyside, or discovering hidden beaches on remote islands, the Guardian wants to hear your story. Share what made your trip special and you might just win your next unforgettable stay.
Have you explored Scotland’s hidden gems or well-loved landmarks? Submit your best travel tip before the April 6 deadline and help fellow adventurers discover what makes Scotland truly special.
