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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Recommendations of where to stay in Scotland please

84 replies

SPARKLER1 · 29/12/2005 19:46

I have always fancied going to Scotland for a break. We are thinking about going in the school summer holidays. As it is such a long drive we shall probably do the journey in two phases. Drive for 4/5hours stay somewhere overnight and then on to Scotland the next day, then do the same thing returning home.
The only thing is, having never been to Scotland before, we haven't a clue where to stay.
Our priorites are obviously the children. If they are happy and entertained we will have a good time. So we will need somewhere suitable for dds who will be 4 and 7 at the time. Will probably look to stay in a holiday park.
Please could anyone recommend a place to visit?
Thanks.

OP posts:
Pruni · 29/12/2005 20:00

Message withdrawn

Screwballmuppet · 29/12/2005 20:08

We used to live in Troon....it's on the west coast and is beautiful!!!! definately would reccommend. Here is a

I had a lightbulb moment of wanting to move closer to inlaws for help with children (I did go a bit funny after having the kids thats my only excuse)....so we moved but were working on moving back in the next few years.

Screwballmuppet · 29/12/2005 20:09

oh link hasn't worked...anothertry

OnZephyrstDayofXmas · 29/12/2005 20:11

WE drove across scotland from Aberdeen to Ullapool and stopped at a few places which were stunning but prob not too much to do for the kids. That said, we stopped in Inverness which had a nice little town and a big wildlife park place which looked brill.... unfotunately we were there at the time of foot and mouth so never got into anywhere..always planned to go back though as it did look fab.

Janh · 29/12/2005 20:15

I'm afraid I am going to be doing this to the nth degree about UK holidays (because I work for this company now and think it's great) but have a look at cottages4you . Put in the dates, regions and prices you would like and tick swimming pool (because that should bring up quite a few places with multiple cottages + play areas etc - it's not a reliable search however).

Alternatively I can personally recommend Dunmore - we stayed here several years ago with kids aged 14, 11, 8 and 3 (at white house in second photo) - there is a play area with swings and slide in the communal garden, fabulous beaches within a very short drive and great walks into the hills behind the houses; not expensive either. The distant water in the first photo is where ferries sail between Tarbert and Islay. We went in mid-June (so not school hols), the weather was fantastic and it was one of those perfect holidays you never forget.

sammac · 29/12/2005 20:16

Arran is lovely, and you have to go by ferry, which kids love. It has it's own climate and has much better weather than the mainland. Lots to do in a non-themepark style ie no mcDonalds etc. It's supposed to represent all of Scotland with hills and beaches.

sammac · 29/12/2005 20:17

Janh, I always seem to follow you on a holiday thread!

OnZephyrstDayofXmas · 29/12/2005 20:18

How about taking them to Balamory? (Tobermory) or is the 7 year old too old for that?

tamum · 29/12/2005 20:19

I was going to suggest Arran too. There are self-catering properties here , and it would also be worth having a look at Auchrannie , where there are cottages, a hotel and an up-market kind of lodge hotel. Lovely place

xmasmcmudding · 29/12/2005 20:20

The West coast is gorgeous. If you go to the coast, then some parts of Ayrshire are worth a nosey. Culzean Castle (National Trust pronounced Cullane) is great.

Or my part of the world in Stirlingshire is lovely. The East coast of Loch Lomond is quiet and beautiful. The West coast is more touristy with things to do rather than see IYSWIM. 3/4 of an hour away from Glasgow.

Glasgow is fab, but I'm biased being a Glasgow girl. Plenty of great family stuff, like the Science Centre or the Transport Museum. And the shopping is excellent - obviously. Plus you're only an hour's drive (max) away from Edinburgh for the castle, zoo etc.

If you really fancy a get-away from it all break then have a Google for the West coast islands like Arran or Cumbrae. Arran is family holiday central and beautiful. Cumbrae is much smaller, and although we go their for our summer holidays every year, some people might see it more as a day trip place. Both islands are in Ayshire-ish (officially).

sammac · 29/12/2005 20:21

I'll add my agreement to Auchrannie too. Stayed there a few times, in the hotel and the spa hotel. Was just trying to get a link too.

xmasmcmudding · 29/12/2005 20:21

Hoorah - crossed posts recommending Arran - now you have to go there!!

We had our homeymoon in Brodick Castle which was amazing!

tamum · 29/12/2005 20:22

What a fab place for a honeymoon!

Arran definitely in the lead....

xmasmcmudding · 29/12/2005 20:24

Tamum!! Thanks for that limk! Just found the 2 bed cottage dh and I stayed in for out last sprog free holiday when I was 4 weeks before having ds.

It was this one
Ah memories!

Janh · 29/12/2005 20:25

Argyll & Bute (also west coast, where Dunmore is) is fab too - the Gulf Stream makes it much warmer than many places further south - we visited some NT gardens near Oban (forget which) and there were tropical flowers

xmasmcmudding · 29/12/2005 20:28

Tamum - Bordick Castle was the most romantic place. We booked it through the NAtional Trust - they have loads of properties to rent. We had the enire top floor - it used to be the butler's apartment. 3 huuuuge bedrooms and just me and dh. I don't think they offer the castle any more, But if they do it's amazing being the only people there at night.

We had a bit of a Scooby Doo moment dancing aroung the floodlights at midnight projecting massive shadows that could be seem from the other side of Brodick Bay. It was so funny at the time, now I would tut tut cos I'm such a fogey

xmasmcmudding · 29/12/2005 20:28

Brodick!!!

Miaou · 29/12/2005 20:30

Pruni, I have to agree with you about Fort William, it is my local town and most definitely a hole! If you want to buy any outdoor gear you've got 101 shops to choose from but anything else (children's shoes or clothes, for example) - forget it!

That said, Glencoe is close by and stunning. There are quite a few planned activities at the Scottish National Trust park during the summer - we spend a lot of time up there. Worth a visit if you are nearby.

We also went to Kingussie National Park which I reviewed here and is worth a trip if you are up in the Aviemore area.

tamum · 29/12/2005 20:30

Ahhh, sounds great Coming back to earth with a thud, there's a really good adventure playground in the grounds of the castle....

Janh · 29/12/2005 20:32

blimey, miaou, is that where you are? I have been assuming all this time that you were in Ayrshire near your parents (that is where they are?) - had no idea you were in the frozen north!

MrsSpoon · 29/12/2005 20:32

Arran is lovely. The East Neuk of Fife would also be worth considering, Elie is gorgeous in the sun. Loads of quaint little fishing villages around there. You could also pop into \link{http://www.insiteswd.co.uk/theanstruthefishbar/The Anstruther Fish Bar} where Prince William is rumoured to have gone for his fish and chips, fab fish and chips, almost worth the journey on their own!

MrsSpoon · 29/12/2005 20:34

Anstruther Chip Bar

Miaou · 29/12/2005 20:55

here is where I am. Mum and Dad are in Strontian (15 miles down the road). Come and see us Jan, we are accessible now!!

Janh · 29/12/2005 20:58

Oh, I'd love to, Miaou!

I just showed DS1 the pics of Dunmore and he recognised it instantly but when I said "we could go there again?" he said no (ratbag) (Meaning family hols out once you are big, strong and 17!)

However we could do it with DS2 and a friend - that would be fab - will discuss it!

Pruni · 29/12/2005 20:59

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