West coast of Scotland - suggestions?

[paolosgirl]

Can anyone recommend a good place for a self catering family holiday on the west of scotland -beach on doorstep and town nearbyish essential. Thanks!

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Dh is from Glasgow and according to him Oban is the place he would most like to stay on a holiday. We keep meaning to but ....

The Isle of Arran is absolutely beautiful. It's called "Scotland in Miniature" because it has everything on one island. We spent our honeymoon there and try to go back every year, even if just for a day trip.

Arran and Ayshire

We got to the Glencoe area often (my favourite place!) there are plenty of lochs and the scenery is out of this world. have a look on www.lochaber.com for info.

Can I come too?

I can vote for Arran also. We went there and thought it was beautiful. The Isle of Mull is lovely too and if your kids are young enough and interested in it you can go to Balamory (Tobermory) which is just so pretty. Skye is beautiful as well... umm. I wasn't all that fussed with Ayr or that part of the coast, but it has a lot of "touristy" beachside resort sorts of things. Oban and Fort William are nice too. Glencoe was probably one of the most beatuiful places I've ever been to... There are really so many lovely places on the west coast of Scotland. It depends what sort of things you're looking for.

you can go and play on electric brae! I seem to remember that's near Ayr? (someone who lives nearby please correct me!)

Mull of Galloway

Have stayed here - it was a good holiday!

(Ours was at Drummore - possibly the ones at the bottom of previous link, but as it was over 11 years ago now...)

I think we have stayed here too - Dunmore, near Tarbert - think our cottage was behind where the picture was taken from though.

Lovely view over the loch.

Another vote for Arran. We've stayed here here . Lovely accommodation!

oooh, Demented's does look lovely.

We stayed (see previous post) in RH side of top property shown here . Mid-June, fantastic weather, never quite got dark so could see across loch etc, fab garden (see second pic - slide and swings) for kids to play in. Incredibly quiet, fantastic beaches a short drive up road, lots of interesting places for day trips eg Invereray.

Oh Jan - we got married in Tarbert and had fireworks set off over the loch - your piccies just brought back memories

Just looked at Demented's place - wow looks great! Was it as nice as it looks in RL???

Might have to book a visit up North!

Tarbert is lovely, isn't it, soapbox? A bit like Balamory!

Yes - very much so! You feel like you've gone back about 50 years in time. I like when you get to Lochgilphead and it feels like a proper shopping place after Tarbert!

It was gorgeous soapbox. The most amazing kitchen too, really well stocked, just perfect for pottering and making things you wouldn't have the time or inclination to do normally (although there is a housekeeper who will cook meals on request for a small fee, we had a lovely fish pie from her). The only thing is that the road up to the cottage is a bit makeshift but I believe improvements are to be made (and may even have been made by now), however when we stayed there our party of six adults and four children regularly travelled up and down with a Peugeot 406, Peugeot 106 and a BMW Estate so you certainly don't need a 4x4, just a little caution.

Try Ganavan Sands just outside of Oban. It's got a fab beach, Oban has lots to do and you can always get the ferry to other places for an excursion \link{http://www.ganavansands.com/\here}

Or I would recommend the Isle of Islay. Beaches a plenty and lots of lovely s/c accommodation. Not any huge towns though so it would be more peaceful so depends on what you are looking for. We stayed at Stables Cottage which has recently been renovated \link\www.tighcargaman.com\here}

Blast I never get those to work

try again

islay

oban

gairloch, is abit out of the way but the beaches are fantastic. mull is great too and actually is balamory.

we go to tighnabruaich for our holidays twice a year. its fantastic. you go to gourock and get the ferry to dunoon then a lovely drive over the hills to tighnabruaich. we stay with rellies but i know they have self catering holiday lodges. the beach is beautiful and so clean you can see right to the bottom. if you have a car there are a million places to go and see and play in, lovely beaches and im sure its near the other places mentioned, like tarbert. have a great time!

Another vote for Oban and the Isle of Mull. I can't wait to go back one day. I went to Mull pre kids b4 Balamory and I'd like to see it (only for the kids sake of course )

Demented's place looks gorgeous though. It'd be a nice place to go with another family with it sleeping 10.

Oooo I'm getting all nostalgic now as my late father was from Ayrshire. I'll have to get back there one day soon. Can you fit me in yur suitcase too paolosgirl?

I'm an Ayrshire lass and after 7 long years away we are hoping to return next year for good.

Would second Arran and Ayr and also Oban not forgetting Loch Lomond. The great thing is if you base yourself in say Ayr you are within an easy drive of loads of great places up the west coast not to mention Glasgow (a great shopping city) if that's what you're after as well.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you re the weather.

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Yes Pesme Gairloch is fab, I live there! I's quiet though. How much of a town do you need for the holiday? It's more like a large village. Perhaps not enough to do? Shops are adequate for food essentials.