Working holidays 'improve skills'

More people are choosing to learn new life skills while on holiday rather than simply relaxing, according to experts.

The idea of 'working holidays' may seem extraordinary to some, but it is a popular one, according to a spokesperson for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS).

'Thistle Camps', which are run by the NTS, are residential working holidays that last between five and 14 days.

Activities include woodland management, footpath repair and construction, gardening and archaeology.

Commenting on the concept of 'working holidays', a spokesperson for NTS said that there were benefits in terms of people learning new management skills.

"It gives them an opportunity to put them in action, because normally when they are doing this type of volunteering it is at the weekends, so a week long experience gives them a much more intensive opportunity to acquire skills."

She went on to say that most people are probably in the younger age bracket, but it appealed to people of all ages who were keen to engage with the outdoors.

According to research last month from VisitEngland, holiday trips taken by UK residents in England in the first four months of 2009 are up by 13 per cent.

Is learning whilst on holiday a good use of time?