Babymoon Ideas and Breaks in Scotland

If you've never heard of one before, you might be thinking 'what is a babymoon?' A babymoon is simply a relaxing holiday alone or with your partner before your baby arrives. There are all kinds of babymoons: babymoon spa breaks, romantic babymoons, luxury babymoon getaways and babymoons on a budget. It all depends on how long you want to spend on holiday and what you want to do during your trip. The main thing is to relax and have fun before the nappy changes and midnight wakeup calls make travelling a little trickier!

The best time to take a babymoon? The second trimester is often a good time, when the worst of the morning sickness has passed but before it becomes too uncomfortable to travel. It's always important to ask your doctor for advice before travelling during pregnancy. And the best babymoon destination? Well, that's easy - Scotland of course! Whether you want to take a relaxing country escape, a chic city break or indulge in some treatments at a top spa hotel, Scotland has it all. Read on for some of the different options you have for your babymoon.

One of the things that makes Scotland the perfect babymoon destination is the ease of access to coastal and countryside retreats. One minute you could be in the city and within an hour or two (often less) you could be relaxing in high quality accommodation, somewhere special.  If time is precious, you might even be thinking about weekend babymoon ideas. Sometimes a long weekend is all you need to relax and recharge during your pregnancy.

If it's fresh air and spectacular scenery you're looking for, without venturing too far from the city, then here are three destinations that tick all the boxes.

Arran

Looking for a peaceful island retreat that's easily accessible from the mainland? The Isle of Arran on Scotland's west coast is a great location to escape busy city life and reflect on the arrival of your little bundle of joy. Enjoy a quiet, restful break on Arran, which will dazzle you with its ever-changing coastline, misty mountain peaks and pristine beaches. Foodies will not be disappointed either, with local cheese, beer, chocolate and ice cream always on the menu - perfect for those pesky cravings!

Moray Coast

On the opposite side of the country, you'll find the Moray Coast - a beautiful stretch of coastline famous for pretty villages and outstanding beaches. Lying between Inverness and Aberdeen, this beautiful part of Scotland is a haven for walkers and wildlife enthusiasts. Possibly the most famous resident of the Moray Coast is the bottlenose dolphin, which can sometimes be seen swimming in the Moray Firth. A babymoon here promises serenity, sea air and stunning scenery.

East Lothian

Championship golf courses, picturesque castles and charming coastal towns all in one place - only in Scotland! East Lothian is just a short distance from Edinburgh and has all these things and more. So, while one of you is catching up on some well-earned rest, the other could be out playing eighteen holes. Perfect! Other reasons why this is one of the best babymoon destinations in Scotland include fab seaside hotels, trendy restaurants and plenty of independent shops to browse.

If ever there was a good time to take an indulgent spa day, it's during your pregnancy. Many mums-to-be find that a few special treatments can help them relax and combat tiredness. Once again, it's a good idea to speak to your doctor about which treatments to enjoy and which to avoid. You'll find that spas often provide tailored pregnancy massages and treatments too. Depending on what stage of pregnancy you're at it might be that you just go for a manicure, pedicure or aromatherapy session.

Babymoon spa packages mean plenty of time in the spa, of course, but there's also the promise of exploring the area around your hotel. Even just a gentle walk in the grounds could be the key to those feelings of wellbeing. Here are three spa hotels in Scotland which cater for mummies-to-be!

Knock Castle

A magical setting for the perfect pampering, Knock Castle Hotel & Spa is a Perthshire favourite. Located one hour from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, in the historic market town of Crieff, Knock Castle has spectacular woodland and mountain views that will make your babymoon extra special. Enjoy a facial, moisturising hand treatment and foot massage to reduce tension.

Cameron House on Loch Lomond 

Look after yourself and your bump with a revitalising trip to Cameron House on Loch Lomond. With 17 treatment rooms and a team of highly trained spa therapists, Cameron Spa is one of Scotland's premier relaxation centres. Pre-natal treatment includes a deeply nourishing body massage designed to target areas prone to stress and tension during pregnancy. Don't miss the rooftop infinity pool, which has views across the Carrick Golf Course, lodge resort and beyond to the mountains.

Stobo Castle

When it reopens its doors again, be sure to head to Stobo Castle for a soothing gentle massage suited to your individual needs. Nestled in beautiful Scottish Borders countryside, Stobo Castle is famous for its excellent service and peaceful ambience. The grounds here are befitting a Scottish castle, with rolling hills, trees, a loch and even Japanese Water Gardens to increase feelings of zen. 

An idyllic setting, a happy couple, a baby on the way - what could be more romantic? Choose Scotland for your babymoon and the setting will take care of itself. From Highland retreats to boltholes in the Borders, you'll find beautiful, restful places across the country. Decide whether you want to be waited on hand and foot at a luxury hotel or escape the crowds in quiet self-catering accommodation. The choice is yours!

Take a short weekend trip or a longer break to one of these romantic destinations. Take a look at our Romantic Breaks & Getaways page for more inspiration.

Skye

It's one of Scotland's great islands and pretty much as romantic as it gets. Skye has a cinematic quality that impresses visitors from all over the world - its distinctive and majestic geological features are begging to be photographed and explored. Although some of the walks on Skye will be a bit strenuous during your pregnancy, there are still plenty of places to visit such as Coral Beach and Talisker Beach. Babymoon accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to welcoming bed & breakfasts.

Dumfries & Galloway

From luxurious country house hotels to cosy cabins, Dumfries & Galloway has all kinds of places you could stay on your babymoon. If you have never visited before you will be impressed by the beauty and romantic atmosphere of the region. Showstopping activities that you could try include stargazing in Galloway Forest Park or visiting a nature reserve such as the Mull of Galloway.

Aberdeenshire

On a romantic babymoon, there is likely to be one thing at the top of your list: great food! Of course, you can find top cuisine across the country, but there is something special about the local produce in Aberdeenshire. From hearty Aberdeen Angus beef to award-winning seafood, you'll find an abundance of fantastic restaurants serving quality fare. Don't forget the fascinating castles and culture this part of Scotland offers too!

Bringing a new baby into the world might have got you thinking about your budget - so an affordable babymoon could be high on the agenda. If you are indeed looking for babymoon packages on a budget, Scotland has much to offer. Have you thought about glamping? While camping probably isn't the right option during pregnancy, glamping on the other hand offers some welcome home comforts and the promise of a relatively cheap babymoon.

Check out these three glamping options, which combine the thrill of the wilderness with a charging point for your phone!

Eco Pods

Staying in an eco-pod is a great way to have an environmentally friendly holiday. Made from sustainable materials, this unique style of eco accommodation is suited for chic glamping breaks. For a truly wild experience, travel out to the Western Isles where you'll find eco pods such as Hebrides Bothy.

Tipis, Wigwams & Yurts

Another variation on the glamping theme, tipis, wigwams & yurts offer all the fun of wild camping without the fuss. Such accommodation offers spacious and bright interiors and even electrical sockets, kitchenettes and TVs.

Lodges

Taking a self-catering lodge for a few nights in a beautiful location could be the perfect budget babymoon choice. You'll be able to control what you spend on food but still feel at home on your holiday.

For some couples, babymoon breaks could present the last chance to go on holiday until things become more settled. This means it could be a good time to splash out on a 5-star luxury experience. Everybody deserves a little treat from time to time and a luxury babymoon will give you a chance to unwind and reflect on what's to come. Go on, indulge!

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to 5-star luxury in Scotland - here are three hotels for inspiration.

Gleneagles

Located just one hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, and with its own train station, The Gleneagles Hotel is truly iconic. Known as a golfer's paradise, Gleneagles offers so much more. The 850-acre estate epitomises rugged natural beauty and the hotel is a great place to try Michelin-starred cuisine when it reopens in 2021.

Waldorf Astoria Caledonian

Enjoy early nights and late mornings in the luxurious atmosphere of the Waldorf Astoria Caledonian in Edinburgh. A visit to Scotland's capital is always fun, but staying in a top hotel makes it even better. Situated right beside Edinburgh Castle, this stylish hotel offers the best in Scottish hospitality.

Fairmont St Andrews

Luxury is the name of the game at Fairmont St Andrews, a 520-acre estate with a unique coastal setting. You'll find lovely restaurants and world-class facilities at this Fife hotel. Experience the history and culture of medieval St Andrews on a tranquil babymoon by the sea.