With January finally over and Valentine's Day just around the corner, it might be time to start thinking about booking a cosy mini-break.
Forget the usual stuffed toy, bouquet of roses or dinner at your usual haunts, why not enjoy some time away with your loved one instead?
Thankfully, Scotland has loads of wonderful options that are easily accessible, meaning you can really impress this year.
We've pulled together some ideas of the most picturesque towns and villages around Scotland that will offer the ideal place to stay on a romantic break from the dreary day to day of the working week.
Culross, Fife
Instantly recognisable to fans of Outlander, this beautiful little Fife town (pronounced Coo-riss) offers a place where you can step back in time to the Scotland of the past.
Beautiful and unforgettable, there's plenty to do and see including the beautiful Culross Palace, as well as enjoying romantic walks around its quaint cobbled streets.
Aberlour, Speyside
Scotland's home of whisky, Speyside, is as welcoming as you might expect, with distilleries always within walking reach.
The ideal trip for any spirits fans (there are also gin distilleries like Avva Gin and Caorunn offering tours and tastings), the region is a great place to discover your next favourite tipple.
And in Aberlour, you have a beautiful example of a picturesque Highland town, with quaint cafes and stunning architecture dotted around its main street.
The home of Walker's shortbread (where you can buy big bags of the offcuts) Aberlour also has a stunning walk down by the river Spey where if you are lucky you might spy the salmon leaping.
Killin, Loch Tay
Lying close to the spectacular Loch Tay and offering walks in the nearby mountains of Breadalbane, the lovely village of Killin is best known for the Falls of Dochart, easily viewed from the Bridge of Dochart - (an ideal place for a proposal maybe? We are just saying...).
Nearby, you'll find stone circles, medieval castles and even a beautiful nature reserve, meaning there are plenty of activities to keep even the most avid and adventurous couple happy.
Hawick, Borders
An area of the country that deserves a lot more love is that of the Borders where you'll find Hawick, the largest of the Border towns.
A beautiful area, famed for its textiles, Hawick is also home to the recently opened Borders Distillery, which is housed in a gorgeous Victorian building and a stunning sight in itself, with not only vodka and gins on offer but also whisky soon too.
You'll also find the walks along the banks of the River Teviot to be an ideal way to while away a pleasant afternoon, just remember to wrap up warm and snuggle in close together as you wander around.
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
The vibrant colours of the buildings in this wonderful little town (the inspiration for the children's TV show Balamory) are matched only by the vibrant colours of the coastal scenery that surrounds the town.
A magical place on the Isle of Mull – which is worth exploring too – it's also one of the best places in Scotland to enjoy the freshest seafood around, meaning if you are a pair of foodies it doesn't get much better than this.
Pittenweem, Fife
Recently named the top trending hidden gem for 2022, this charming little fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife is filled with bags of character.
Though there are fewer fisher boats now it is still easily one of the best places in Scotland to get a fish and chips, thanks to its exciting family-run chippies.
Speaking of which, once you've grabbed your prize supper head down to the harbour for the ideal place to watch the sunset, be warned though, you might need to coorie in with your favourite person as you eat.
Brodick, Arran
The ideal basecamp for exploring 'Scotland in miniature', Brodick is a welcoming town with stunning views of Goatfell, the Isle of Arran's soaring peak.
Enjoy leisurely strolls along the beach, take on challenging hikes on Goatfell or discover the wonder of whisky with a trip to the island's two exciting distilleries in Lochranza and the newly opened Lagg.
And if you seriously want to impress the foodie in your life then a trip to the Arran Cheese Shop is a must.
Braemar, Aberdeenshire
Nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Braemar is one of Scotland's highest villages.
Another one for outdoorsy type couple, this is the perfect place for mountain biking, hiking and of course skiing trips at the nearby Glenshee Ski Centre.
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