Calling people who know about Scotland...

[frogs]

A little advice, please.

Firstly recommendations for not too expensive places to stay in Edinburgh with three children in tow. We want to stop off for a couple of days on our way back from the Highlands at the end of May.

Secondly, how long does it really take to drive from Edinburgh to Skye? And is there a reason why the AA website recommends going via the Kyle of Lochalsh rather than the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale? The latter looks to be quicker, and is closer to the part of Skye we're staying in. Just wondered whether it was going to be single track road all the way from Fort William.

Many thanks!

Bensmum3, don't worry about the extra for the dress -- it's not as fancy as it looks (Primark) and won't have cost much extra in postage as it's so light.

We're going to be in Skye the week of Saturday 21st May, and really looking forward to it as we need to get away from London. My only fear is that it will rain stair-rods all week.

If you're looking for things to do with the kids while you're here in Edinburgh there's a book called "Edinburgh for the under 5s" that the NCT does (assuming they're that young!) which is good for days out etc.
The new Valvona & Crolla is well worth checking out for a nice lunch!!!

Mmm, Valvona & Crolla. Lovely.

They do the most amazing pistacio tart. mmmm. Now I'm starving....help! Would be hot footing it down ther if it wasn't peeing with rain. Mind you, Peckhams do nice tarts & they're just round the corner. Oh dear!

I don't want to hear about it peeing down with rain in Edinburgh, thank you very much . I want you to tell me it is all balmy sunshine and little soft breezes -- no horizontal rain blowing in off the Firth for us, please. Bear in mind that this bracing week in Scotland is not as well as a fortnight in the Mediterranean sun, it's instead of. Our friends are already giving us the sympathetic smiles reserved for people about to do something really really stupid. I fear we may be turning into one of those maniacally hearty families off wife swap who learn the silly way that you can have much more fun being a couch potato with a 30" telly.

I'm very jealous Frogs. Dh went up to Iona for 10 days last month, and keeps telling us how fantastic it was, and what amazing wildlife he saw, and how we must all go one day ...!

It hasn't been a very warm, dry Spring so far, but here's hoping!

Everyone down south keeps going on about how nice it is just now. It's raining on and off here today, and jackets are still necessary.

But let us be hopeful we'll get a summer this year!

You'll need midgy repellant by the bucket load or a truck of skin so soft by avon. We stayed at Slegachin (crap spelling) on Skye and the midges were horrendous. Hopefully not bad when you're going though.

We've had some nice sunny days and the cherry blossom is out so it's not too bad . We're off to the Western Isles soon on holiday so also keeping fingers crossed that we have some un-Scottish weather and get to see the sun.
Hope you have a great holiday.

Frogs, if you get chance, take the kids to the Dynamic Earth exhibition in Edinburgh(by the parliament building)- I went with dd1 and dd2 on a school trip a couple of weeks ago and it was fantastic. There are lots of audio-visual shows and buttons to press, plus loads of information to look at and read.

Slight hijack - Bensmum3 is the school still planning the school trip to Edinburgh and are you thinking of going there? It's brill!

To find accomodation in Edinburgh, just put "family rooms" edinburgh hotel into Google and see what you get. There are tons of privately owned hotels and B&B and the family rooms are usually in the massive upstairs drawing rooms of the Georgian house.

We stayed in a great place in Royal Terrace (city centre) the last time the whole family were there, but I can't remember the name. Newington is a good bet, as Expat-in-Scotland suggests.

Frogs, it would be advisable to bring at least one or two warm sweaters each and waterproofs if you have them,wellies are usually a good idea too, skin so soft works a treat if you can get some,(not that we are troubled by midges here), But I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear, we have just had a beautiful day, washing all dried on the line, I've been out and about in just a t-shirt and fleece today.
Where on Skye are you going to stay ?And Thankyou for the dress.
miaou, we are off to Glasgow next week, just in Edinburgh for one day, I think we will just miss frogs if she decides to go through Mallaig.

LOL at the waterproofs. Dh was advised to get waterproof trousers before he went to Iona, and duly did. They were good quality and withstood some serious Cumbrian showers ... but they weren't up to Iona rain! He still got soaked.

I still want to go though.

The skin-so-soft stuff to get is the Dry Oil Body Moisturising Spray, Woodland fragrance (green one) - your Avon rep should be able to tell you but Avon don't sell officially as a midge repellant

Bensmum3, didn't realise it was Glasgow - have a brilliant time!

Visited my sister in Dunfermline last October with my DS and DD (then 6 & 4). Went to Edinburgh a couple of times and can recommend the Castle and Zoo(much better than London Zoo). Also if you fancied getting on a train Aberdour isn't too far away and has a beautiful sandy beach. Weather when we were there was really no different from home (Sussex) which surpised most of my friends when I got back! Was my first visit to Scotland and I loved it.

We are already equipped with a comprehensive selection of waterproofs, wellies, wetsuits and fleeces. Like I said, we're fast turning into one of those nauseatingly hearty families, so anyone in the area may wish to avoid us.

We're staying right in the south of Skye, at the Aird of Sleat in a little cottage in the middle of nowhere. Apparently lots of great walks nearby, and presumably plenty of castles for really wet weather.

Thanks for all the tips -- where do you get Avon stuff from? I thought all that 'Avon calling' thing went out in the seventies.

You can order it directly from the Avon website, frogs, or there are one or two Avon reps who are mumsnetters who may be prepared to send you some

For accomodation in Edinburgh there is the Holyrood Apartment Hotel which is supposed to be child friendly and gives the option of seperate bedrooms within an apartment for the kids. Best place to book is HotelConnexions.co.uk.
The hotel is based very near Dynamic Earth. The museum is great for the kids too and free!!