A snowy Christmas-time holiday in Scotland

If having a white Christmas is an all too rare occurrence, you could head for a festive break in Scotland, where there is much more chance of enjoying the snow.

Among the hotels you could stay at is Ardanaiseig, which provides luxurious Highland accommodation that overlooks Loch Awe and the Argyll glens.

Voted this year's most romantic Scottish hotel, Ardanaiseig is hosting a week of fine food and celebration between December 24th and January 3rd, with three and four-day packages available for holidaymakers.

Christmas celebrations will start on December 23rd with afternoon tea. Champagne and canapes will be served in the drawing room before dinner and there will be a five-course tasting menu every night, except Christmas day, when a seafood buffet will be on offer.

You can go clay pigeon shooting on Boxing day or join a treasure hunt.

Hogmanay festivities include malt whisky tasting and a scavenger hunt, as well as the option of clay pigeon shooting, and a celebration of the new year with champagne and fireworks at midnight. Brunch on new year’s day includes Loch Fyne Oysters and Bloody Marys for late risers.

The hotel has converted a boat shed in contemporary style, which is located right by the water, and has sixteen individually furnished bedrooms.

The four-day Christmas special costs from £804 per person and the three-day Hogmanay special costs from £749 per person.

The Ardanaiseig Hotel is in Kilchrenan, by Taynuilt, Oban. For more information see www.ardanaiseig.com.

If you want Christmas to be a much a bigger affair, but still want to get away to the Highlands, then Castle Stuart, near Inverness, is an unbeatably grand place to stay.

The entire Castle can be reserved for a group booking of a maximum 16 people for either the Christmas or new year periods.

Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol without any corkage charge, while a piper and dancers, a murder mystery or ghost tour group, a Scottish ceilidh band, falconry, clay pigeon shooting, minibus and driver can all be arranged at direct cost.

Bookings for both periods include three night's exclusive use of the entire castle and eight bedrooms, full Highland breakfast and evening meal each day, with special festive meals provided for each celebration, at a cost of £8950.00.

For more information see www.castlestuart.com

Another option is the natural beauty of the Scottish borders, with a Christmas holiday break at the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel.

The hotel's three night programme offers a buffet, afternoon tea and welcome drinks on your arrival.

Christmas day begins with a traditional Scottish breakfast, followed by an organised walk from the hotel to explore the local area.

A five-course Christmas lunch is followed by a buffet supper in the evening with light entertainment.

On Boxing day there is a private guided tour of Dryburgh Abbey, which dates back to 1150.

Rates per person for the Christmas three night package start from £389.00 for a standard double room. For more information see www.dryburgh.co.uk XXX