More Scots head for the sun

Scots are going on more foreign holidays

There has been a sharp rise in the number of Scots who are spending the Christmas holidays abroad this winter.

Travel agents say 15% more people have opted to seek out the sun this year.

The increase, says the Association of British Travel Agents, is down to the cold weather and a rise in the number of foreign holidays taken per person.

Last year about 87,000 people booked their Christmas holidays through their travel agent.

People are jetting off to the sun

This year, 15% more people are heading abroad, with the most popular destinations being the Canary Islands and Benidorm.

Sandy McPherson of the Association of British Travel Agents said: "I think people's horizons are expanding all the time.

"They are going further and further afield. People are getting more adventurous in what they're trying travel-wise.

"But, also, people have more leisure time, so where in the past people might have taken one or two holidays a year, we're beginning to see people take three or four.

"And particularly at this time of year when the weather in Scotland is very dreich, it is very nice to get away for some sunshine in the middle of winter."

Travel agents say they expect to stay busy for the rest of the winter, with those people booking their summer holidays after returning fresh from their Christmas break.