Suggestions for a two week Scotland holiday with wildlife and islands

[Huskysledging]

We have hired a camper van before and loved it. We are keen to visit Scotland for next summer for two full weeks.

We have happy to camper van as it will be August. Or stay in the clean and warm accommodation a bit out of the way if we have great scenery.

We really want to see lots wildlife and great landscapes not too far away from great pub and some civilisation though. Also love history but don’t really like cities although never been to a Scottish one!

Happy to go in a boat, happy to coach ride much less happy to do a flight unless it is to get completely out of the way. Find train much more expensive than coach normally. Happy to do one week somewhere and then another somewhere else. We like islands.

Can anyone suggest some Scottish places to visit. Thanks

Also we love cruises! We are two adults and a teenager!

Fred Olsen does some brilliant cruises round the Scottish islands

We love islands too. Where have you been in Scotland already? If you are hardy to midges then the Western Isles are wonderful - you could look at a CalMac island hopping ticket to see a selection along the west coast.

If you prefer something less midgey go to Orkney or Shetland but they have an identity all of their own which makes them less typically Scottish.

Car hire is pretty easy once you get there but may not be necessary, depending on where exactly you want to go.

Dolphin watching in the Moray Firth (from the Black Isle)

Culloden Battlefield has a great visitor centre

Birds of Prey centre by Aviemore

All of these places are geared for campers and visitors. Remember to book your campsites, "wild" camping in a van is very frowned on this year.

MULL.

Most definitely MULL. Happy to give lots of guidance

fly to barra as it lands on a beach!!!! flight is only an hour. scenery is amazing. maybe come back by ferry.

Please do I’m all ears!

I need to look at a map but isn’t Iona near by?

We want to support the local campsites and economy and I’m not a fan of wild camping !

Immediately thought of Mull

I have done a flying visit to Stirling and Edinburgh before in my 20s but DH and our teenager haven’t been. We loved Norway in the summer and determined to do Scotland ♥️

If possible, I'd go earlier than August - June would be better, IMO, but maybe you need to stick with the english school hols? In which case, wait until.the scottish schools are back.

I'd suggest Mull also, and do a day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish isles (for puffins) and a trip to Iona.

Maybe 4 days there, from Oban. Then up to Skye, and on to Harris/Lewis maybe. And back via Ullapool?

We have happy to camper van as it will be August.

Don't forget it can be rainy and sub 20° in Scotland in August!

The Highland Wildlife Park in the Cairngorms is great.

Oban. Lots of opportunities to visit islands by ferry.

Please don’t go to Scotland in a camper van. It’s horrific for everyone, especially local people on such narrow roads. Go to Edinburgh and then on to mull. Book a holiday home.

Oh ok. We thought we might coach up and then hire one or something.
Thanks

Any in particular you might recommend?

Happy with the temperature would be like 1st August to 14 th August and we are date restricted

If you want to base yourself in a few areas, it might be useful to know that all single journey bus fares in Highland region are £2 now. So if you get to Inverness, you can go to Ullapool for £2. Or Thurso and catch the ferry to Stromness and have a few days on Orkney.

Any particular wildlife you’re interested in?

If you do go to Mull, then I’d recommend a day trip to Staffa to see the puffins and Fingal’s Cave.

I'm just back from a regular visit to Mull, have a look at the current forecast, the rain has been biblical!

But on good days you can't beat it - hills and beaches, history and culture.

I wouldn't take a camper van anywhere in rural Scotland unless you are VERY confident at reversing, the locals will sit and wait for you to do so, if you are closer to a passing place than they are. And make it clear when you are driving too slowly and want past.

Mull has whale watching: https://sealifemull.co.uk/

A trip to Staffa is essential (with puffins if very early August): https://www.turusmara.com/

Lots of land based tours for otters, eagles, deer: https://www.naturescotland.com/

And the food is exceptional and award winning: https://www.mullandionafood.co.uk/

Loads of accommodation (don't bother wirh Airbnb or Booking.com): https://www.isleofmullcottages.com/

The Isle of Carna looks amazing!

Harris and Mull. Cruise the inner Hebrides. NC500 very popular in a campervan! Orkney. Loch lomond Luss

Drive up the stunning east coast to catch a ferry to Orkney. Lots of history,loads of wildlife. Although also love Oban,Mull,Iona and similar wildlife.

I'd avoid Skye in August - it'll be very crowded.