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Holidays

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

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Original poster

Scotland-anyone been?

31 replies

notasheep · 07/05/2006 21:02

Plan to get in the car drive there with tent and stop as and when to camp,caravan or b an b for 2 weeks all very independant and go as we please.

Could this end up being a nightmare?

dd6 ds1

OP posts:

Pruni · 07/05/2006 21:10

Have been there as in am Scottish and lived there a lot.
When are you going? You need to plan for a) midges and b) wet/cold weather.

There's certainly enough places to go for a two-week round trip but I would plan a bit as the west coast is sparsely populated - you'll need to know where you can get supplies if necessary, and it takes much longer to drive around than you might guess from a map becuase most roads are single track beyond Fort William.

Also do not forget that Sunday closing is a reality there - the church has a lot more say than elsewhere.

Also, avoid (except for shopping/ferry purposes) Fort William and Mallaig, they are absolute dumps.

It's lovely though.

Original poster

notasheep · 07/05/2006 21:14

Thaks for that Pruni,we are hoping to go first 2 weeks of Summer holidays,have looked on internet but havent a clue about which areas to stay.

At least i now have a reliable car,brand new

OP posts:

Pruni · 07/05/2006 22:14

notasheep, you really need miaou, she lives in a gorgeous gorgeous area.

There are just loads of places. Why don't you get a map and we can see if we know any, or can advise to avoid? (We being the Scottish and Scottish-located mnetters)

Your plan of driving round and stopping where it's lovely is a good one. With your children, I'd also find out if there are any adventure-type places to go to. I'm from Speyside and I know there are a few places there and thereabouts to entertain kids.

Oh don't go to John O'Groats (unless you really want to say you've been) or Wick (under any circumstances!).

brimfull · 07/05/2006 22:20

what's Wick like pruni?

schneebly · 07/05/2006 22:21

you could do...
dumfries, ayrshire, kintyre, oban, loch lomond, perthshire, inverness, edinburgh and back down the east coast - that would be nice but a lot of driving! I live in kintyre so any questions you have I will try to answer - bring a cagoul and some avon sss oil spray for midgies!

Original poster

notasheep · 07/05/2006 22:22

would also like to include trip to Tobermory

OP posts:

schneebly · 07/05/2006 22:27

you can go there from Oban and they have a youth hostel with family rooms!

Original poster

notasheep · 07/05/2006 22:32

Right i need to get a very detailed map of Scotland,I am getting so bloody excited as i have never been there-a disgrace really,sooooo may trips away when there is so much in the UK

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schneebly · 07/05/2006 22:45

you will love it I am sure! Good plan is to get a map and choose the places you really want go to - you could book those and then fill in the gaps as you please! There are usually lots of places to stay - I hope you have a great time.

Skribble · 07/05/2006 23:07

Helloooo its a big place up here. You really have to think what are your priorities for places to go. Tobermory can be a nice trip but you would have to take in to consideration the cost of taking the car on the \link{http://www.calmac.co.uk/summer-mull-timetable2.html\ferry}.

Its not all sheep, hills and highland coos. We have cities, motorways and even electricity .

Skribble · 07/05/2006 23:13

Hve a look at the \link{http://www.visitscotland.com/sightsandactivities/\Visit Scotland} website for more info. they have an events guide, perhaps you could time your visit to stop off at a couple of festivals, fairs or Highland games.

When are you planning on coming?

maisiemog · 07/05/2006 23:23

Notasheep I remember nearly going to a log cabin place near the harbour in Mull. I'm not sure if it has camping facilities, but the reason I liked the look was it was pretty cheap for a cabin, and there were loads of activities, like archery and kayaking etc...
There can't be many log cabin acitivity camps in Mull can there????
PS I live in Edinburgh and it's worth a visit on your way through the countryside. Fife is very nice and picturesque, go to the East Neuk for fish and chips and rock pools. St. Andrews for a bit of history in an easily walkable town.
I love central region and recommend Dunkeld, the hermitage and everything around that area. You can camp at Tummel Bridge and Kinloch Rannoch, it's gorgeous.

Skribble · 07/05/2006 23:24

Heelloo again, on the Visit Scotland website I noticed they have \link{http://www.visitscotland.com/sightsandactivities/itinerary/\Suggested itineraries} which might give a idea of what is possible.

If yoou are camping you might want to consider thinking about Youth Hostels as a stanby for really bad weather. Even if it is just for one night to get stuff dried out. The \link{http://www.syha.org.uk/SYHA/web/site/home/home.asp\ Scottish Youth Hostel Association} are more traditional than the hostels you see offering 20 bed mixed dorms. what about a night in the SYHA's \link{http://www.carbisdale.org/\Carbisdale Castle} for a bit of atmosphere}. Under 5s can now stay if family rooms are availible.

maisiemog · 07/05/2006 23:26

Also Loch Katrine and go on the ferry. Drive up Loch Tay, it's lovely in Summer. The Lake of Menteith definately has camping and is very cute with a little island you can visit. Lovely surrounding countryside as well, good for walks and cups of tea.
Loch Ness got to go there, Fort Augustus at one end, you can see the Crinan (I think that's right) canal. And Lots of castles.

Alipiggie · 07/05/2006 23:27

Sutherland is a fantastic area - lots to see and do, Dornoch beach is beautiful - like the mediterranean, white sand and blue sea. East Neuk of Fife - St Andrews' area also great - bear in mind though that is the area where the swan with bird flu was found. Sadly as the area is so so beautiful and there's lots in that area for children to do. Islay is also great for a visit but maybe a limited entertainment for small children. Go along with the suggestion of the Visit Scotland website. Lived for five years in Scotland and holidayed there every year. You'll enjoy yourselves.

maisiemog · 07/05/2006 23:39

Yes Dornoch is beautiful totally agree. Lovely beach and stunning scenery.
You are going to be quite busy aren't you NAS.

Skribble · 08/05/2006 00:06

StAndrews will be fine unless you plan on snogging any wildfoul or chickens /

Original poster

notasheep · 08/05/2006 12:49

Crikey-2 weeks isnt going to be enough is it?

the only problem i can foresee at the minute is midges.

Really appreciate all this info from you lot!

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KBear · 08/05/2006 13:06

this is a lovely site - we go every year. Great shower/toilets (very important when camping!!) and perfect peace.

\link{http://www.kinlochlevencaravans.co.uk\Caolasnacon}

KBear · 08/05/2006 13:08

sorry, that was the link to the old website....

try this \link{http://www.kinlochlevencaravans.com/here}

KBear · 08/05/2006 13:08

hmmmm

this?

\link{http://www.kinlochlevencaravans.com\here?}

seb1 · 08/05/2006 14:52

Midgies hate Avon Skin So Softly Woodland Fresh HTH

meowmix · 08/05/2006 15:00

if you want very wild highlands try the areas around Loch Torridon. Great walking and beachy bits but not much else. Fantastically isolated.

St Andrews is lovely and they reckon the bird was long dead before it hit our shores anyway (was washed up - prob died at sea). We loved Dunkeld and sort of liked Pitlochery, bit old ladyish. There are some great sites around Loch Lomond but it gets busy.

babylily · 08/05/2006 15:30

Trossachs are lovely (if you can avoid arriving anywhere at the same time as the inevitable Lochs and Glens coaches!). We've cycled around Loch Katrine many a time(DH with DD in one of those trailers), there is hardly anyone there, you can hire bikes and it's just gorgeous.
Fife coast is great too for nice wee fishing villages.

Dornoch and Embo - definitely try and get there.
Cairngorms/ good camping.
You could do a good circuit in 2 weeks, as the distances aren't huge and the roads pretty quiet, but you need to plan well.
Don't underestimate the midges/ or the cold! There is a reason why it is so green and rugged and it is the 900 different varieties of rain we have!

Original poster

notasheep · 08/05/2006 20:21

dp is getting all girly about the midges!

Another big thank you for all this fab info,looks like i may have to plan more than i had thoughtblush]

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