In this first episode, lifelong Glaswegian friends the Karens are tasked with choosing Scotland’s Greatest Luxury Escape. They visit a secluded retreat, The Hideaway near Dundee; enjoy a private cruise aboard Argyll Cruising on the wonderful west coast; and finally visit Glenapp Castle on the Ayrshire coast. But only one escape will make it to the grand final.
Scotland’s greatest campsite, caravan or chalet escape is decided by the Browns, a fun-loving family of four from central Scotland. With two kids under ten to entertain, how will they rate a night in the treehouses at Lanrick, a secluded, hand-crafted cabin at Arcadia Glamping and a campsite on a remote Hebridean island?
Scotland’s greatest waterfront escape is decided by Suzie and Shirley, two best friends from Edinburgh. These city slickers are like fish out of water when it comes to these remote escapes, but they find themselves wowed by the contemporary Inverlonan bothies, a retreat on Davaar Island and The Boathouse on Arran.
Scotland's greatest mind, body and soul escape is decided by father and daughter Graham and Aimee from Dumfriesshire. They jump out of their city break comfort zone into three well-being retreats, as they are soothed by the elegant Stobo spa, experience a close encounter at Sheepy Sleepovers and enjoy a handcrafted Romani caravan at Roulotte Retreat.
Scotland's Greatest Historic Escape is chosen by Mathew, his girlfriend Alexandra, little brother Malachi and mum Amanda, from Fife. This family of jetsetters have travelled all over the world but have never had a holiday in Scotland. They're stepping back in time to decide whether Douneside House, an Aberdeenshire retreat with a military past, 500-year-old Kilmartin Castle in Argyll and Bute, or The Lovat, a former train station hotel on the shores of Loch Ness, is their favourite.
It's the adventure escape category, and the Oliver family are tasked with rating the very best active getaways that Scotland has to offer. They take a trip to remote Doune Knoydart, which is only accessible by boat or a two-day hike across the mountains, Loch Ken Eco Bothies in Dumfries and Galloway, which boasts its own activity centre, and Eagle Brae, an eco-log cabin village set in an 8,000-acre estate in the heart of the Highlands. But which will they decide is worthy of a place in the grand final?
It's wildcard week, where we visit three escapes that don't fit into any of this year's categories, but that our industry panel decided had to be included. Kirsty and Helen from Perthshire rate former farm Monachyle Mhor in the Trossachs, House of Gods hotel in Edinburgh, and Glen Dye, a 15,000-acre private estate in Aberdeenshire.
It's the grand final of Scotland's Greatest Escape, featuring the seven category winners chosen by friends and family from all over Scotland. The seven finalist are: Argyll Cruising, Arcadia Glamping Cabins, Inverlonan Bothies, Kilmartin Castle, Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages and Loch Ken Eco Bothies. Now they need to impress our expert judges over three stages to win the crown and be named Scotland's Greatest Escape.
Expert judges visit unique and unusual holiday escapes, including an aluminium-clad property with an aeronautical theme and lots of quirky details.
As Grado gets up to mischief behind the scenes, the expert judges visit three luxury escapes to decide which one goes beyond expectations for its guests.
A cottage on a Highland estate, a converted bus and some quirky glamping accommodation go under the judges’ microscope as they search for the best budget-friendly holiday escape.
Holiday escapes among Scotland’s lochs, bens and glens are tested by the judges, and Grado goes behind the scenes. Lochside cabins and luxury lodges hope to win a place in the final.
Mouthwatering activities are on the menu as the judges visit holiday escapes specialising in foodie experiences. Meanwhile, Grado tucks in to find out what makes each one special.
Glamping pods on Mull, a bunkhouse on Rum and an outdoor centre in the Cairngorms are all hoping for a place in the grand final.
Bespoke cabins, a modern bothy and a boutique hotel are the holiday escapes in the Island and Coastal category as the judges continue their search for Scotland's greatest escape.
Grado hosts as the winners of the seven categories meet for the grand final. The judges must now decide which deserves the title of Scotland’s Greatest Escape.
