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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why Scotland isn’t more popular as a holiday destination

669 replies

N0rdicStar · 23/02/2019 07:52

Just been watching that hidden Scotland programme. I promise you I don’t work for the tourist board.Grin

I lived there as a forces child for a few years and was born there previously. Loved it but my mother hated it and refused to ever go back so we never did. Know nobody else who has ever holidayed there but oh my goodness it’s beautiful and seems to have everything- history, beaches, mountains, wildlife.....

Why do we all flock to Cornwall and the Lake District?

Is it the weather? Can’t just be the distance as the above are long distances for many.

On the back of that can you give me the best bits.

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 23/02/2019 12:45

Might be your idea of fun Skye but arriving somewhere at 8am, knackered from a long drive w 4 young children who are bright eyed and bushy-tailed is my idea of hell. Grin We always take a break in the Lakes or borders.

BarbarianMum · 23/02/2019 12:46

Cornwall is a worse drive though. Always go by train.

flamingofridays · 23/02/2019 12:48

I think the answer is pretty obvious! The weather!

Skyejuly · 23/02/2019 13:01

We stayed in Uig on Skye and we went from there. We took our eldest with us but the younger 3 stayed with my parents (who also came as we got married day before) as probably not great for younger ones. It's a long day. It was very pricey but if you want to go it's worth every penny. It's a very special day trip. You leave about 7am and have about 4 hours on Kilda then return back. Boat gets back about 6/7pm depending
Depends on weather etc but the tour from Uig (Skye) is highly recommended x

Skyejuly · 23/02/2019 13:03

Barbarian Haha. I think the kids were tired too as was broken sleep. We had to go to the registry office at 9.30 am for our paperwork, the breakfast then pottered around
Adrenaline kept us going I think and we shared driving.

Way home we left at lunchtime so they did get a bit bored but it wasnt too bad. Certainly not worth avoiding.

thedishonthecoffeetable · 23/02/2019 13:07

We did the nc500 plus more in our camper last year and it was amazing. The scenery is so beautiful. We did make sure we pulled into passing spots so as not to hold up locals. I absolutely loved Skye even though the weather was not good. Coming down the other side the weather was so hot I got sunburnt on the Falkirk Wheel.

ForalltheSaints · 23/02/2019 13:14

I think distance is a part, and the incorrect notion that many Scots hate English people.

katseyes7 · 23/02/2019 13:18

Weather. l've lived in the north (Northumberland then Yorkshire) all my life and it's just more of the same.
And tartan. Everywhere you go is awash with tartan. Which is fine in small doses and in specialist stores, but when every chain store seems to have windows full of it, it gets boring.

happytobemrsg · 23/02/2019 13:20

I went to Edinburgh with DH for 3 nights last March. It was bloody freezing (especially on the first day) but we loved it. Would definitely go back

blibblibs · 23/02/2019 13:28

We're going for Easter and I can't wait. We're Scottish anyhow but had to leave when the DC were small so we're taking them back for a history lesson.
We visit family a couple of times a year but we're heading further north this time. Live near the popular sculpture park stop off so journey won't be too bad.
I can't wait for all the tartan and bagpipes and tablet and stovies from Clarks.

UsedtobeFeckless · 23/02/2019 13:31

We go to a remote island with my cousin and his family every year, we've been doing it ever since the kids were tiny. It's bloody gorgeous and the people are lovely! Every one thinks you're delusional banging on about golden beaches and blue seas in the Hebrides though, and you definitely need a wet suit and a good book for when it rains ...

0rangeB0ttle · 23/02/2019 13:33

I've been to Skye and Outer Hebrides with lashing rain, tremendous winds and cannot see a thing on a couple of occasions. ! I've been again with pleasant weather and it's been a pleasure. The landscapes are stunning if you can see them ! It can also be an expensive holiday, compared to a week in the sun in Europe

Skyejuly · 23/02/2019 13:43

We found the rain passes over fast. We've not had a rainy week on last 2 visits it barely rained at all

Muddysnowdrop · 23/02/2019 13:46

Every chain store has windows full of tartan? What, M&S? PC World? New Look? Perhaps you mean, every tourist tat shop has them - just as tourist tat shops in London are full of Big Ben and London buses.

Redglitter · 23/02/2019 14:22

And tartan. Everywhere you go is awash with tartan

What absolute rubbish. Some of the crap and offensive stereotyping on this thread is unbelievable

0rangeB0ttle · 23/02/2019 14:24

I've already booked a holiday in Scotland for next year. I'm going and if it rains, I will still enjoy myself !

E20mom · 23/02/2019 14:31

The weather for me

Scabetty · 23/02/2019 14:34

After visiting several times in August (dh is a Scot) and been almost washed away with rain and floods I have stayed away. Having to buy a fleece lined water proof coat in summer isn’t a holiday. Beautiful country though.

propertywoe · 23/02/2019 14:35

When I grew up in the North on England we visited Scotland a lot and so did many of my family and friends. I now live in the south of England and Scotland is rarely mentioned as a holiday destination. I live closer to France than Scotland.

Scabetty · 23/02/2019 14:37

I agree that May/June is better and even April has been lovely weatherwise but I am an English term-time worker so can’t visit outside school holidays sadly.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 23/02/2019 14:39

@IamPickleRick - how far is your drive? My parents used to haul 5 kids on 2 day drives to get to out holidays!

littledoll33 · 23/02/2019 14:41

Scotland is beautiful, but because of the midges, better visited in April to June, then early Sept to early Oct. Been 3 times and enjoyed it a lot. Very friendly natives too. Smile

Sleepyblueocean · 23/02/2019 15:17

We enjoyed many holidays in Scotland both the cities and countryside but it's now too far to travel with ds and not worth it when we have beautiful countryside on our own doorstep in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.
Ds having autism and liking familiar means that we are reluctant to travel a long distance to somewhere new with the risk of a week of screaming and refusing to leave the house.

otterturk · 23/02/2019 15:17

Cold

Doubletrouble99 · 23/02/2019 15:20

We are in the Borders which is an area many people forget about but we have beautiful scenery and coast line. Few midges, fantastic outdoor activities like mountain biking with world class centres around Innerliethen, loads of castles and ruined Abbeys, loads of history because of all the battles with the English and the Border Reivers - the cowboys of the Borders! Come and see the Common Ridings and join in the fun.
Not as far as the Highlands and we now have a beautiful reopened railway.

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