Winter is now well and truly set in but what could be more invigorating than getting outside to enjoy a crisp cold day followed by a night in front of a log fire at a cosy hostelry?

Let someone else take care of the household chores and head off for a weekend away. Just because the days are short it doesn’t mean you have to spend them hibernating.

Head down the A1 for an hour or so to reach the windswept, quiet, dramatic NORTHUMBERLAND COAST. Not far past Berwick-upon-Tweed you will find

The Holy Island, Lindisfarne. Explore the Priory which dates back to the 11th century and learn about St Aidan who a few hundred years earlier. Or, explore the castle, perched on its rock, before watching seals on the beaches. Stay the night in the wonderfully situated Crown and Anchor, by the Priory, and enjoy a fantastic meal.

It might sound a strange thing to suggest in winter but Northumberland has a range of really good beaches. There are few better than that below Bamburgh Castle. Put on a hat and scarf and stride out along the vast expanse of sand. If it’s windy, don’t worry, it will make the breaking waves even more spectacular. There are a number of places to stay nearby including the wonderful Victoria Hotel.

Further south is the pretty little village of a Alnmouth with a handful of pubs and a golf course as well as a lovely stretch of beach. A couple of nights here and you will feel able to cope with the rigours of Christmas or the challenges of the New Year.

Going across country and back into Scotland, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY is a brilliant place to get from it all.

Lonely glens and high mountains give way to the Solway Firth and lovely views.

One of the best retreats is the Balcary Bay Country House Hotel just south of Dalbeattie or head to Kippford, across Auchencairn Bay, here you will find a number of pubs/hotels and an equally rugged coast.

For brilliant escapism head to the Mull of Galloway and its lighthouse at the far south-west tip of the country. Just up the road is another lighthouse which doubles up as a hotel. The isolated Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel is one of the more unusual places to stay and serves up great food.

Going north, LOCH LOMOND is another year round destination. Cameron House, operated by De Vere, is one of the most stylish places to park yourself for a weekend of relaxation. Overlooking the waters you may wonder about climbing up the most southerly Munro in country, Ben Lomond. Just below this is a superb place to unwind after a day on the hill - the cosy Rowardennan Hotel.

If you don’t fancy too much effort amid the grandeur of the hills, boat trips run across the loch and there a number of places for a little stroll such as Balloch Castle Country Park at the southern end of the loch.

Right in the centre of the country lies LOCH TAY.This is another place blessed with hotels where you can retreat into a world of luxury. One is the Ardeonaig, on the south side of the loch, overlooking the might Ben Lawers.

If the weather is kind you can climb this and enjoy views right across Scotland. Alternatively, you may prefer a shorter excursion of which there are many. One place to head for is the Fortingall Yew. Going to see a tree might seem a little odd but this is the oldest living thing in Europe - dating anywhere between 3,000 and 9,000 years depending on who you listen to.

Loch Tay is also salmon fishing country and if this is your thing the Kenmore Hotel should be your destination. At the east end of the loch, it is outside this welcoming establishment here in January that season gets off to its start.

Finally, for a completely different break head to the wilds of CAITHNESS. This is remote, largely unspoiled country where the hurly burly of modern life appears to have no place.

Rugged coast? This place has it in abundance. Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the mainland (it’s not John o’ Groats), looks out over to Orkney across the Pentland Firth. This is said to be one of the most treacherous stretches of sea in the world and has seen many shipwrecks over the years. Further east are the Stacks of Duncansby, huge pillars of rock standing guard just off the coast and home to scores of wheeling seabirds.

For a more gentle landscape head to Dunbeath and enjoy a stroll up its strath, following in the footsteps of Neil Gunn’s novel Highland River of which you can learn much in the village’s fantastic museum.

Lybster, just up the coast, is a former home to the herring industry and the Portland Arms Hotel there is a great place to base yourself. Alternatively there are a number of good places to choose from in Thurso or Wick.