Scotland coast - where do you recommend?

[hotpotmama]

Is the west coast the nicest?

Don't want an 8 hour drive so probably mid to southern scotland?

where are you driving from?

argyllshire is lovely. tayvalich? but the roads are deceptively slow.

Manchester.

Why are the roads slow? Are they winding?

West Coast is spectacular! Cliffy, phantastic sunsets, brilliant landscapes, pleasantly empty of crowds.
East Coast tends to be dryer, can be windy, has sandy beaches.

West Coast also has more homicidal midges...

Roads are slow as narrow, at times winding, v far up North at times single lane and not necessarily well maintained.

I lurve the West Coast !

The west coast is not as cold as the east but it is wetter.

In the west, what about the Isle of Arran- you could drive about 4-5 hours to Ardrossan form Manchester and then an hour's ferry ride. It is described as Scotland in miniature.

In the east, St. Andrew,s?

We always go to Mull - it's perfect imo. Might be a touch far for you though.

St Andrews for me every time if you are going from Manchester. I just love it there and the beach is fab. It takes about 4-5 hours depending on traffic and most is motorway apart from last 40 mins.

Depends on what you are looking for from your holiday?

st andrews is nice enough but tbh the west coast is about a zillion times nicer and less pringle wearing golfers

West much much nicer. Lovely sunsets and beaches and the people are nicer. I second Arran.

Wow so many replies! Thanks.

So, if it is raining is there enough to do up there for a week or on the Isle of Arran?

And will it take ages to drive from one attraction/beach/ castle to another place where there's something to do?

Any recommendations for places to stay? Cottage/ lodge? Preferably near a beach.

I love Arran but to be honest, if it rains there's not much to do. It is a great place if you love walking, cycling etc. I think there are some nice beaches but we've only ever been at Easter or the October holiday so haven't been bothered with teh beach.
Oh - don't know age of your children but you can buy Arran Passports on teh ferry - they have clues in them to various spots on the island and at each spot the children get a badge.
ACtually - that's a good idea for a rainy day.
Can't help with accomodation as we have always stayed at the Auchrannie Resort (good pool, great family rooms, food OK, drink pricey)

i think you would struggle anywhere on the west coast on a rainy day. the normal solution is to don waterproofs and carry on as normal.

Dumfries and Galloway closer and very beautiful.

d&g is beautiful but the coastline is not as spectacular

dont forget to visit Edinburgh if your near lovely city avoid Fort William awful place

East Neuk (St Andrew's, Elie, Crail, Pittenweem)! My DH hails from there and boasts it is the "Scottish Riviera" We live on the West, and everyone I talk to here seems to escape to the East Neuk at weekends/ holidays!

What about the 'coast' of loch lomond? We have stayed in a beautiful place near Balloch, about an hour north of Glasgow before.
The accommodation is called Lorne Mill (sp?), and there are 3 dissused watermills in acres of private land.
The family which own them are lovely and have kids too, so all gemmed up on family stuff in the area. Tis v. beautiful - been back twice!

West is by far the nicest, if wetter!

D and G and maybe South Ayrshire/Arran?

Further up the west coast is the most beautiful of all imo, but adds to your journey by a good few hours.

second east neuk - just lovely.

Mull of Galloway - stunning scenery and Portpatrick is lovely.

threeandcounting

Was going to come over this weekend, but the DSs made other arrangements. I've never been in the winter, but I bet it's lovely.

Three and counting, do they do self catering at the Auchrannie? I tried to download a brochure but think it was for buying a place.

Thanks everyone for all the replies!!

Crinan Canal is spectacular, also has hotel with the bestest, freshest sea food ever

Applecross probably even more stunning, but quite far north. Wester Ross is well worth a visit.

And then there are the Summer Isles, sigh!

We have not been oop north since arrival of DCs, mainly because I cannot bear the thought of having to listen to LOs whinging about midges - maybe IABU there ...
Northernlurker, how is Mull in the summer for beasties?

agree that the east neuk of fife is very very lovely. Also, lots of villages and towns to visit and lots of tourist attractions close by if the weather turns nasty.

I love arran too but I would probably recommend fife to a scotland novice

i am from Scotland but have to say i was diappointed by the East Neuk of Fife i thought it would be more like Cornwall(which i love) than it is .Crail smells horrible agree Arran is lovely and that is like Cornwall all those palm treess etc