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UK Travel

Five days in Scotland

61 replies

lisalisa · 28/03/2016 23:21

We are thinking of taking the family to Scotland for 5 days starting April 22 when kids have school hols. Wondering what area to aim for and what there is to do. Quite like the idea of wildlife safaris and some gentle walking - I'm rather overweight so no mountain climbing - unusual landscapes, Loch Ness if poss . Not sure beyond that really where to base ourselves but plan is to train up from London them maybe hire a car. Any ideas / pointers pls? So far I've learnt that the midges around Loch Lomond are terrible and that's about it !

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lisalisa · 29/03/2016 17:50

Bump

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maldivemoment · 29/03/2016 19:51

How old are the children & how many in your party? What does a 'usual' holiday look like for you? Do you want to base yourself somewhere and take day trips each day or would you be happy staying somewhere different each night?

The choice up here is endless but, yes, the midges are f*cking fierce!

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HirplesWithHaggis · 29/03/2016 19:55

Midges aren't that bad in April, which is likely to be breezy enough to keep them grounded.

The Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie (pronounced Kin-you-see) is highly recommended by friends in the area.

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lisalisa · 29/03/2016 20:03

Hi Maldivemoment - yes to Bandung ourselves in one place and day trips. We are reasonably active but no mountains. We are a centerparcs type family and also enjoy adventurous things too ( well the kids do - I'm a bit overweight to join them right now)! So on our last holiday they went coasteering, had a surfing course and we did some crabbing together and general pier side fun. 6 kids aged 5, 10, 14, 16 and 19 plus me and dh.

Hireples thanks that sounds nice

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MashesToPashes · 29/03/2016 20:11

Big hike to Loch Ness but it's hard to beat Dumfries and Galloway. The terrain is softer, so easier walks are available. I'll dig up some links for you (am slightly evangelical).

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FloraFox · 29/03/2016 20:29

Glencoe is a great place. Lots to do there and a good base for sightseeing.

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YouMakeMyDreams · 29/03/2016 20:41

Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and around aviemore may suit you. Lots of adventure type things for every ability and age. Driving distance to Inverness and Loch Ness.

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rapunzel · 29/03/2016 20:51

Aviemore area or Dumfries sound like they could be what you are looking for. Aviemore has lots of outdoor adventure/wildlife parks within a reasonable distance, as well as the Cairngorm mountain railway, good biking trails and Loch Ness is not too far away.
Dumfries area has Galloway ice cream factory and farm park, and a chocolate factory that the younger 2 would love, Mabie farm park is fab too..plus lagaan outdoor centre and Galloway adventure centre are fantastic for outdoor stuff.

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SenecaFalls · 29/03/2016 20:54

The Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore

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Elllicam · 29/03/2016 20:58

Around Aviemore and strathspey is lovely. There are lots of walks, you can go up the funicular railway, landmark is good for the kids and the highland wildlife park and the highland folk museum are great. The folk museum is especially good, it has actors in the black houses who stay in character and chase hens around and spin.

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Elllicam · 29/03/2016 20:58

Cross post Seneca :)

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hilbil21 · 29/03/2016 20:58

Blair Drummond safari park if you are going to be near the Loch Lomond area - it's not far from there X

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georgedawes · 29/03/2016 21:00

I'd go to skye, so much to do for children and adults. My favourite place in the world.

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lisalisa · 29/03/2016 21:18

Wow thanks everyone. Georgedaws - I am being drawn to Skye as my lovely daddy who died a few years ago ( still painful to type that) used to sing to me as a bedtime lullaby that song "speed Bonny bay " which mentions Skye. Always wanted to go there. Isn't it very far away though ?

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nc060 · 29/03/2016 21:23

Aviemore would be a perfect location! Less than an hour to Loch Ness, highland wildlife park nearby, Cairngorms on hamd(there is a train up the mountain) so plenty of walks to do, strathspey steam train. I could go on, love that area!

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georgedawes · 29/03/2016 21:24

It is quite far I agree! But if you get the sleeper to Fort William it's not that far from there by car. I adore the place, been many times but still not done all the things I'd like to! You could even get the jacobite train to Mallaig and then the ferry to skye. (Goes across the Harry Potter viaduct!). But you would need to book car hire for Skye, very hard to do it without it.

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HarrietSchulenberg · 29/03/2016 21:35

I'm with Mashes in being evangelical about Dumfries and Galloway, especially the coast around Portpatrick and Galloway Forest Park.

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HirplesWithHaggis · 29/03/2016 21:41

m.youtube.com/watch?v=DuugoISmrmY Fond memories, OP? Grin

If you're going to Skye, and your hire vehicle isn't too huge, take the ferry from Glenelg. It's an experience.

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SenecaFalls · 29/03/2016 21:43

Skye is lovely but if I were going to an island and only had 5 days, I would go to Mull. Just as lovely and more manageable for a shorter visit.

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notcoolintheslightest · 29/03/2016 21:43

Hi,

I stay in the highlands about 45 minutes drive to Aviemore. It's really got it all.
The cairngorm mountain range is worth a visit. you can take the funicular railway to the top ( so no walking involved 😊) there is a wee restaurant at the top of the mountain
m.visitcairngorms.com
Loch Morlich is worth a visit

Aviemore has lots of different outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained

The Highland wildlife park is close by to Aviemore. Part is walk around the other part you drive round . www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk

There is the fantastic landmark adventure park which is close to Aviemore too. www.landmarkpark.co.uk/

Highland folk museum is great and free. www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/

There is a train station in Aviemore and Inverness train station is further north.

Loch Ness is stunning on a beautiful day and from there you can take the stunning road to Skye. If you don't mind driving it's about 3 hrs from Inverness.

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georgedawes · 29/03/2016 21:46

Got to agree about the Glenelg ferry haggis! Best way to get to skye, just the drive to the ferry is incredible! Please can I come op! I will be your tour guide :)

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lisalisa · 29/03/2016 21:48

Wow thank you all so much - going to explore all this in depth. Seems like I need two weeks though to properly do it all justice not 5 days. Re the midges - are they only in one particular area or everywhere that there's water ? Hirples - going to open that link when my teens have left my room . Is it " that " song ?

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originalmavis · 29/03/2016 21:49

You have to see the Falkirk wheel. It's bloody amazing (but I'm an engineering bore).

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northdownmummy · 29/03/2016 21:51

Check out Arran, often deacobed as Scotland in miniature.

My favourite place is Oban, we stayed at the youth hostel there on our honeymoon, it's in a great location and has lovely family rooms. Oban is a great base for exploring and day trips out to the islands.

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