Scotland Highlands or North Devon

[Kerry987]

We are finding difficult to decide where to go on holidays this year. I am dreaming of a nice beach but it looks like the Mediterranean is not an option this year.

Thinking of Devon. DH also suggested Scotland Highlands. Any advice on those places would be helpful. We will drive from London.

In Scotland you could go on Hogworts express steam train over viaduct.

Avon Skin so soft spray oil (the original one) does the trick.

Only if you are moderately attractive to midges. It doesn't work for DH. He needs to cover every square inch of exposed skin and his head with industrial strength insect repellant containing picaridin or deet or he ends up covered in bites.

East coast Scotland is generally midgie free. West coast is not. Its impossible to avoid midgies in some places eg Oban area can be terrible on a still day but if its windy they don't hang about. Definitely avoid camping if you don't like midgies!

As others have suggested somewhere like Nairn might be a good base with lots locally. Brodie has a castle, a lovely independent department shop and restaurant and there are beaches nearby. The black isle is also lovely and you can find self catering cottages easily. From London I would take the train or fly to Inverness and hire a car there. Otherwise its a 2 day journey there and another 2 days home.

Skin so soft does nothing for midges, they changed the formula years ago. Smidge works well though. So far they haven't been too awful this year but they are definitely around in their millions so be prepared.
Tourists are most definitely welcome in my part of the West Highlands but there isn't much tolerance of poor touristy behaviour this year. As long as you're not the sort to leave your rubbish behind you, park in dangerous places and ignore the social distancing measures in the shops and cafes you'll be fine. 🙂

Compromise with Northumberland/Scottish Borders?

Quieter than Devon, lots of beaches, walks, Castles, attractions like Alnwick Garden, no midges as far as I know, closer than Highlands.

Thank you very much. That’s all very helpful.

It will be news to the inhabitants of East Lothian to hear that North Berwick is not in Scotland!
@bettertimesarecomingnow

Northumberland is lovely but very popular with few choices of accommodation left.

Fife, St Andrews, Elie on the East coast. Good luck.

Yes, was checking accommodation in Northumberland and haven’t found much. Will keep looking. Need to book something soon.

Do want to visit Scottish Highlands at some point but without Midges.

We are staying in North Devon ATM in Watermouth Castle, only 7 apartments here each have own times at pool, own clubs for mini golf, large gardens so plenty of space. We did a boat trip out yesterday to Lundy Island to swim with seals and walk round the island and 10 of us on boat, all distanced in our family groups, loads of space on Lundy. Doing another boat trip, gorging in family group only and walk with llamas. If you are careful in what you book it's fine. Ilfracombe itself looked busier.

If you are still considering the Moray Coast, a cottage on the Duffus estate has become available due to a cancellation. Handy for coast (great beaches) / mountains / near Elgin.

(It's not mine -I just saw in come up on my Facebook page and thought of your post!)
www.duffusestate.com/?fbclid=IwAR2_JvntqjBCsEUhzHBtReQo3H0jWHQ71C82uSQsAYnLZEXiC6I6kPuLoxw