LOVE IS certainly in the Scottish air this Valentine’s Day as more than a third (36%) of Scots is whisking their Valentine on a Lovecation this year. That is double the amount who got away last year when only 17% of Scots took a romantic Valentine’s break.
With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday this year more people are expected to take advantage and whisk their loved one away for the weekend. Romantic Scots will be spending on average £226.39 on their Lovecation which will give the economy a love boost of £590 million this Valentines weekend.
These findings have been revealed in a new report out today by Travelodge who operate 580 hotels across the UK, including 46 properties in Scotland. The hotel chain surveyed 2,000 Scottish adults to seek their plans for this Valentine’s Day.
Key findings revealed that a cultural city break is Scots top romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day with 31% of adults heading to Edinburgh, Glasgow, York and Newcastle.
The second most popular type of romantic break for Scots this Valentines is a trip to the countryside with the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales as the top three romantic locations.
Top 10 destinations for loved up Scots this Valentine’s Day weekend
- Scottish Highlands
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Lake District
- York
- Aberdeen
- Newcastle
- Yorkshire Dales
- London
- Cardiff
The study also found that 71% of Scottish adults are making a Valentine’s purchase this year. This can include a gift for a partner, a Valentine, a pet, their children or a friend.
The average spend on a gift will be £28.29 with one in twenty Scots (5%) saying they will be spending in excess of £100. The collective spend of Scots equates to just over £108 million being spent for love.
Romantic words written in a soppy card is Scots top Valentines gesture of love this year with nearly three out of ten (28%) adults sending their sweetheart a card. The second most popular Valentines gift is a bouquet of flowers with a fifth (20%) and just over one in ten (12%) Scots will show their partner how much they love them with a romantic meal.
The list below details the top ten gifts scots will be purchasing for their Valentines this year
- Card
- Flowers
- Romantic meal
- Box of chocolates/sweets or a cake
- Jewellery
- Book
- Clothing
- Tickets to a concert
- Tickets to a football match
- Handbag
Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge Spokeswoman said: “Love is definitely in the air this Valentine’s Day. As this special day falls on a Friday this year it has certainly inspired a lot more Scots to take a Lovecation and opt for the priceless gift of spending quality time together to create special memories.
“Scots getting romantic and taking a Lovecation this Valentine’s Day is also great news for the economy as the romantic getaway will give the economy a nice boost of approximately £590 million.”
“Our hotels in popular romantic hotspots such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Fort William, Newcastle and the Lake District are gearing up for a busy weekend. Our hotels that have a Bar Café have ordered extra breakfast supplies for couples who will be indulging in a late lazy weekend breakfast.”
Further research findings revealed that the biggest Scottish spenders are loved up Edinburghers whose average spend on a gift this year will be £37.43. Amorous Aberdonians are the next most extravagant, spending on average £29.54. Glaswegians are a more prudent bunch, spending just £22.04 on average.
The research also revealed that an unromantic 27% of Scottish adults reported that they will not be getting their partner anything this year as they don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day.
