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Holidays

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

Holiday in Scotland self catering recommendations (autistic friendly) please

14 replies

Tinkerbellone · 06/03/2026 23:03

Hi I’m a Single mum. I have three ASD socially anxious teens. They want to go on holiday to Scotland. We haven’t all been away for years died to their needs.
The holiday needs to be quiet (isolated-ish) with WiFi, a hot tub (for me!) plus fishing on site - fishing preferably where we stay.
We cannot stay where there are lots of lodges next to each other and lots people. My eldest is too anxious for that.
Would like countryside and scenery with a village/town driving distance. My eldest teen loves fishing so something like a fishing deck ‘on the doorstep’ would be fabulous.

I have no idea where to look or anything. I am totally thrilled they’ve all agreed to come away. I will have to drive because they won’t go on a train.
thank you in advance ❤️

OP posts:
tutugogo · 06/03/2026 23:13

Look on loch Leven (near glen coe), or loch linnhe there’s quite a few options of small groups of lodges (not huge caravan parks) with private fishing. The place I stayed at isn’t available this summer as fully booked already but it’s a good starting place. To get completely isolated you will need to go inland from the lochs as landowners tend to capitalise on their waterfront space

lemonraspberry · 06/03/2026 23:21

The Crask Inn is one option (no hot tub though). Owner said he got a lot of fisherman coming to fish in the flow country
Or this option just outside Helmsdale https://www.logcabinsscotland.net/remote-detached-highland-lodge-hot-tub-sea-views/#prettyPhoto. A very quiet type of place.
or this Air bnb in South Ayrshire

Forgottenmyphone · 07/03/2026 07:05

Forbes of Kingennie Country Estate ad hot tub lodges and onsite fishing.

ExperiencedTeacher · 07/03/2026 07:38

we stayed in a lodge at Loch Awe last year that ticked all of these boxes. I found it on AirBnB

EBoo80 · 07/03/2026 07:45

I think the Borders or Dumfries & Galloway might be quieter than the Highlands, unless you go very far west and north. Plenty fishing there, lots to see.
Loch Ken has good fishing - New Galloway is a wee town with a shop but also 20-30 minute drive to Kirkcudbright or Castle Douglas for more variety. There are gorgeous wee cottages with kayaks at the Activity Centre there, which wouldn’t be in view of each other, but you might prefer more solitude.

2026onwardsandup · 07/03/2026 17:42

I think if you are driving that the Islands , whilst absolutely beautiful would probably be a bit much for a first trip .

If you are driving from England , I think you should perhaps look as others have suggested at the borders / Dumfries and Galloway .I think you will also need to factor in driving time ie how many hours with breaks would you be comfortable driving for without having to factor in an overnight stay ? As the options available for this may not be suitable for your children e.g busy hotels , premier inns etc ( dependent on budget too ).

I think you would need to look at fishing lodges / rural estates and then check out how many cottages etc are on site . There may be a few , but may be quite far apart from each other , have a lot of privacy - so that may work for you .

You will also need to consider budget , are you flexible for dates etc ?
I use cottages.com , air bnb a lot for family holidays . There are lots of filters re dates , budget etc . Had a quick look on Airbnb and there are filters re waterfront .

For the hot tub , this isn’t something I have searched for , but would usually be available in more luxurious accom where they are catering for couples on breaks .

I have had some great family holidays , staying on farms and private rural estates in cottages . Would probably have been close to rivers for fishing , but not “on site “ and no hot tubs .But if you are able to push your budget , you may get this offered in the luxury cottages etc .

I would try searching for luxurious fishing lodges and then try and check which ones would offer you the privacy you need and the hot tub.

You could also post in scotsnet to see if you get any more suggestions . Good luck and hope you all have a fab holiday when it comes .

Tinkerbellone · 07/03/2026 21:19

Wow thank you SO much. These suggestions are really great xx

OP posts:
NCfor24 · 07/03/2026 21:39

Don't know about fishing nearby but we stayed at Landal Brunston Castle for a week last year and it was brilliant. Was England school holidays and the site was very quiet - we had the pool and cafe/bar to ourselves. Lodge was amazing...a great home from home. Hot tub lodges were available. Would love to go back.

MabelMarple · 07/03/2026 22:24

We had a beautiful apartment with hot tub overlooking a lake in Castle Douglas near Dumfries.
Lochside Apartments.
lochsideapartments.co.uk/

ChaliceinWonderland · 07/03/2026 22:28

Took my teens on thd North Coast 500 trip. We stayed at loch assyht look up inchnadamph Lodge. It was amazing. Single mum here too. Teamed up with another single mum wd flesh to Inverness hired a car. It wax easy, remote, beautiful. Campsites o sky and Dornoch. Beware of midges though.

ChaliceinWonderland · 07/03/2026 22:29

Flew to inverness, even, !

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