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Holidays

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:
Miaou · 29/12/2005 21:46

You'd be very welcome, Jan!

Gillian76 · 30/12/2005 00:39

Another vote for the East coast here. We used to live in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee and I worked in St Andrews. Lovely but quite touristy esp in the summer with the golf. But there are some gorgeous little fishing villages in the East Neuk and beautiful beaches.

The West (where we are now) is more dramatic in terms of scenery but damper on the whole!

winniewoo · 30/12/2005 03:39

If you thinking about East Coast there is a place SC called Morton of Pitmilly which I believe caters for children with pool. Worth a look!
Dumfries and Galloway is also nice with plenty to do for kids, near the beach and also not too far from Stranraer where there is the ferry terminal to Ireland for day trips.
Went to Balamory two years ago..v disappointed. Lovely place but visit over in 2 hours.
Will vote on a holiday up near Aviemore although don't stay in centre. Landmark Forest Park worth a visit. Perthshire also good. V central. try the tourist board..visitscotland.com for accommodation options.

Gillian76 · 30/12/2005 10:54

My children were also disappointed by Balamory. They fully expected Josie Jump to be at home receiving guests! Pretty village although it's overrun with toirists in the summer.

Gillian76 · 30/12/2005 10:59

Had a look at Morton of Pitmilly. Looks lovely! Bit expensive for the larger properties in the summer but great location and facilities.

geogteach · 30/12/2005 11:23

Can I hijack? We are going to a wedding in Glenfinnen at Whitsun with DS1 (5), DD (2) and DS2 (1), we have booked flights to Edinburgh and are planning to stay on for the rest of the week, but where, looking for self catering, and my mob are expecting a trip to Balamory, any suggestions?

Auntybrandybutter · 30/12/2005 11:30

I keep saying this but I highly recommend welcome cottages!
High standard of self catering cottages very low prices

Auntybrandybutter · 30/12/2005 11:31

here

Auntybrandybutter · 30/12/2005 11:34

stayed here in oct lovely

Original poster
SPARKLER1 · 30/12/2005 20:00

Wow - thanks for the response everyone. So many lovely places to choose from.
I love the idea of taking the kids to see Balamory - dd1 would love it I'm sure. I'm going to look into it in a bit more detail.
Glasgow way would be better for us I guess - not so much travelling. There will be enough driving to reach that point as we will be coming from the south coast. It's going to be interesting enough as it is - I suffer with travel sickness .

OP posts:
Milgestoe · 30/12/2005 21:00

We had a magical week on Mull last June, staying v close to Tobermory, here . it was a brilliant family holiday, with a play park, plus huge trampoline in the gardens, a childrens zoo near Tobermory. Bloody long way away, though, and we flew to Glasgow. Would have been cheaper going on a package holiday, but don't regret it for a moment, it was fantastic.

Miaou · 30/12/2005 21:15

geogteach - just been talking to dh as this is our (fairly) local area. Try looking for places in Lochaline, Acharacle, Kilchoan and Strontian - Acharacle and Strontian are fairly convenient for Glenfinnan and also for access to Mull; Lochaline is beautiful but a long way out, but you can get the ferry across to Fishnish and drive up to Tobermory from there; Kilchoan is also remote but beautiful and there is a ferry from there direct to Tobermory. Are you into lots of walking/outdoorsy type stuff? There isn't a lot of "things" to do around the area but it is stunningly beautiful.

Auntybrandybutter · 31/12/2005 09:11

Is Tobermory where Balamory is filmed then?

Gillian76 · 31/12/2005 09:14

Indeed Aunty!

Auntybrandybutter · 31/12/2005 09:15

bit thick arent I?

Auntybrandybutter · 31/12/2005 09:18

is this it?

Gillian76 · 31/12/2005 09:22

Wrong one, Aunty, that's in Canada! Hang on...

Gillian76 · 31/12/2005 09:23

Try \link[http://www.tobermory.mull.com/\this}

Gillian76 · 31/12/2005 09:24

Oops... this

Auntybrandybutter · 31/12/2005 09:27

could stay here

Gillian76 · 31/12/2005 09:28

Yes that's it. My kids were very disapointed Josie wasn't at home. We had to say she was away on holiday!

grumpyfrumpy · 01/01/2006 17:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Auntybrandybutter · 02/01/2006 18:51

try Welcome cottages

tamum · 02/01/2006 19:11

There's a lovely, quite expensive but child-friendly hotel fairly near to Loch Ness, Polmaily House.

elliott · 02/01/2006 19:32

ah yes, that reminds me I must try and book a holiday at polmailly. b of a long drive though....
What age of child would you say it was best for tamum?