Staycations set to resume in Scotland from next month as lockdown begins to ease

Staycations could be back on the cards for Scots from next month, according to the timetable for lockdown easing published by the Scottish Government.

It is currently illegal to leave your local authority area - unless it is for essential purposes - under the current stay at home lockdown restrictions.

But this rule could end in just over five weeks time as some of the coronavirus restrictions begin to ease.

Travel restrictions across mainland Scotland are scheduled to be lifted from April 26.

Nicola Sturgeon announced a series of indicative dates for lockdown easing at Holyrood yesterday (Getty Images)

It is also hoped that tourist accommodation will be reopened from this date - which will pave the way for Scots to go on much-needed staycation once again.

However, it is expected that rules on household mixing indoors will also apply for stays at all types of accommodation.

Nicola Sturgeon announced a series of indicative dates for lockdown easing as the number of new cases of the virus continue to fall across the country.

The reopening of non-essential retail and the hospitality sector is anticipated to take place over the coming weeks, while rules of meeting others outside are set to be relaxed.

Staycations could be back on the cards for Scots over the coming weeks (Getty Images)

Hopes of restrictions eventually coming to an end were raised yesterday, as the First Minister set out plans for Scotland to move to ‘at least’ level zero on the country’s alert system from the end of June.

But a date on the resumption of international travel is yet to be announced as news of new variants of the virus continues to cause concern.

Sturgeon indicated that international travel would not be able to restart before May 17.

A date for the resumption of international travel is yet to be announced by the Scottish Government (Tony Nicoletti Daily Record)

Speaking at Holyrood yesterday, Sturgeon said: “I know how difficult the last few months have been. And I will never underestimate - or stop being grateful for - the hard, painful sacrifices that everyone has made.

“As we move into the summer, an even greater degree of normality - hopefully something much closer to actual normality, with the ability to hug those we love - will become possible. All of that should fill us with optimism.

“This is certainly the most hopeful I have felt about the situation for a long time.”