Scotland summer holiday with teens - base and itinerary advice

[Ckannte]

Hey all
We've decided this year that we want to do Scotland for our summer holiday. Usually we are a villa holiday somewhere hot but the kids are getting older and the beach and pool doesn't cut it for them anymore.
We ideally would like to do mon-fri somewhere and see extraordinary scenery with some hiking involved too.
Can anyone recommend a good base? And itinerary?
Happy to stay in a haven/hoseasons type place but want plenty to keep us busy.
Will think about how to get there later as travelling from London so either fly then hire a car or drive all the way.
"Kids" will be 18 and 14.

We stayed in Callander. Lots of walking, some swimming in lochs, visited Doune and Stirling castle.

We had a great time in Dumfries and Galloway. Whilst it’s not got the drama of the Highlands, it’s still got a lot going for it.

We enjoyed activities with https://www.lochken.co.uk and also enjoyed exploring https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park

Fort William or Aviemore areas are both worth looking at.

Fort William - not an amazing town, but we like the Glen Nevis area. If your a family into Mountain Biking then the Nevis Range has some good routes, you can also go up in the ski gondolas in the summer and have a nice walk. If you’re up for a challenge you could tackle Ben Nevis. Walk or cycle along the Caledonian canal. Go to Glen Finnian and walk and see the Harry Potter viaduct. Glen Coe isn’t far either and loads of amazing walks. Scenery in stunning. My kids are slight younger at 10 and 12 but they love an active holiday and are great mountain walkers and bikers.

Isle of Skye is great for scenery and hiking though pricey. We flew into Inverness and hired a car to go there, could combine with Ben Nevis area after.

Aviemore area is perfect, we stayed in Boat of Garten last time which is a bit quieter than the main town . Loads of accommodation options

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ For anything from a 90 minute beach stroll to a full mountaineering expedition.

In the summer I’d say Aviemore area as plenty to do. Further west will be plagued with midges

Cairngorm and Loch Ness areas are amazing. Mountain karting and the funicular on Cairngorm Mountain, paddle boarding on Loch Morlich, walking and boats on Loch Ness.

Glen Nevis area is great for walking, the wire bridge to the waterfall in the Glen is great!

Do you/they like historic sites? Loads of amazing castles to visit all over. Skye gets very, very busy. Trossachs are accessible & loads of walks, bike trails, go ape, castles etc.

another vote for Aviemore

Aviemore is a great base. Dalraddy holiday park just outside has decent chalets and it right on the spey way so handy for biking. Loch insh also has chalets and lots of water sports on site for the taking. There is loads to do....mountain bike trails, clay pigeon shooting, massive zip slide runs, loch morlich for swimming and water sports.