Babymoons are booming in Scotland with more couples planning an escape before their bundle of joy arrives, according to new search engine data by VisitScotland.
The national tourism and events organisation has found that interest in breaks before baby arrives, are on the rise with online searches for Babymoon Scotland having increased massively in the last three years.
The notion of babymoons is becoming more popular in general with searches for the term up 46% year on year.
Increases in inspiration-led terms like UK babymoon ideas (+56% year on year), best places for babymoon (+91% in five years), and babymoon destinations UK (+2000% in five years) highlight that the trend is entering the mainstream.
For breaks in Scotland specifically, interest has risen by 400% since 2020.
Additional studies also show that more people are visiting Scotland to celebrate a special occasion this autumn.
The latest domestic sentiment tracker, which is jointly commissioned by VisitScotland, Visit Wales, and VisitEngland, revealed that 21% of people from the UK, planning a trip to Scotland, put marking a milestone at the top of their to-do list compared to just 9% last year.
Browse our domestic sentiment tracker.
Earlier this year, VisitScotland identified that the Celebreaktion trend continues to increase in popularity and encouraged the Scottish tourism industry to embrace and benefit from this boost in interest.
Combining celebrating a special occasion, such as a pending birth of a baby, wedding, birthday, or university graduation with a holiday, these trips offer a chance for couples, and multigenerational groups to come together and extend quality time with quality travel.
These visitors look for exclusive use accommodation, tailored activities, and private dining options.
VisitScotland has highlighted just a few babymoon ideas on a new section on their consumer website.
Read about romantic getaways in Scotland on visitscotland.com.
Canopy & Stars, various locations across Scotland
Soon-to-be parents can enjoy a luxury glamping break with Canopy & Stars. Cocoon in a cosy cabin or treehouse stay, while being immersed in Scotland’s great outdoors. This experience is said to help beat morning sickness thanks to being out in nature.
Browse babymoon stays with Canopy & Stars.
The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
This hotel will tailor a stay for parents-to-be when they mention the trip is a babymoon.
The team will organise special amenities including gifting a Bonnie the Owl soft toy, direct guests to the bar for a mocktail, and the new refurbished Irene Forte Spa offers an an indulgent maternity treatment.
Read more about the Irene Forte Spa on roccofortehotels.com.
The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire
This country retreat offers a range of activities, from learning about falconry to beautiful scenic walks. Mocktails and maternity massages are available for expectant mums and at bedtime, mums-to-be can even request their very own pregnancy pillow.
Find out more about celebrating a babymoon at Gleneagles.
Some hotels featuring pregnancy safe spa day options
Fairmont St Andrews, Fife
Browse through luxury spa treatments at Fairmont St Andrews on menumodo.com.
Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire
Book a spa break at cameronhouse.co.uk.
Cardona House Hotel and Spa, Peebles
Get spa massages & treatments in Peebles on macdonaldhotels.co.uk.
Cairndale Hotel and Spa, Dumfries
A family run hotel based in the heart of Dumfries.
Discover their spa treatment menu on cairndalehotel.co.uk.
Abigail Shaw, VisitScotland Search Engine Optimisation Manager, said: “With a life-changing experience right around the corner, spending quality time together as a couple appears to be growing more popular for parents-to-be."
"Scotland is the perfect place to book a babymoon this autumn and winter with many experiences to enjoy and relax before baby. From fully tailored breaks with special babymoon goodies to spa days filled with mum-to-be bliss."
“In recent years, we’ve seen a shift towards more experience-led travel and marking special occasions with a trip like babymoons. Our research shows these experiences are constantly evolving with visitors seeking things that tap into milestones, personal interests, or actively support their health and wellbeing."
“It is important that we keep up to date and understand what our visitors want, so that Scotland continues to be a destination of choice.”
Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, which recently launched a campaign focused on the Celebreaktion trend, said: “Our Stay. Celebrate. Belong. Take a Celebreak in Scotland campaign is all about marking life’s special moments – and a babymoon is the perfect example."
“With demand for babymoons and romantic wellness travel in Scotland continuing to grow, self-catering offers parents-to-be the space, flexibility, and freedom to relax and recharge at their own pace."
"By booking direct with our owners, guests also enjoy those thoughtful touches that make a babymoon in Scotland truly unforgettable.”