Help me with inspiration for short family break <2hrs drive from Stirling?

[cptnancyblackett]

We’ve moved away from Scotland but come back in summer to stay with family for 3 weeks. While there we go away for a few days to give everyone a break from us(!)

Can I ask for help with inspiration for where we go this year?
Criteria are 2/3 nights, <2 hours drive from Stirling, self catering, prefer basic to luxury which is useful as our budget isn’t big! 2 adults and DC 8 and 4.

Previously we’ve stayed at Kilchonquhar castle in fife. DC loved Elie beach, ice cream, fish & chips, having a go at golf and putting in the grounds - older one loved the freedom to go out and ‘play a round’ on his own. We loved local running, biking and tidal swimming pools, and lunch at Cambo for a treat.

We’d happily go back there, but I’m always keen to explore somewhere different. Any recommendations?

Wemyys Bay Caravan Park is a good shout. The park has good facilities such as swimming pool etc. Close to the ferry to go some day trips and also close to Largs for a wee day down the coast for some fish & chips.

Faskally Caravan Park in Pitlochry is also lovely. Again, good facilities including pool, bar/restaurant and some great walks to be done.

If caravans aren't your thing, I'd have a scout about on Air BnB and see what there is. Sometimes there's lovely wee spots that most folk have never even heard of.

https://www.pitmilly.co.uk/
We liked here when the kids were young. Original cottages cheaper than new ones. Beach and StA Close by.

Bracken Lodges on loch Tay. Plenty to do in nearby Kenmore and Aberfeldy.

Mains of Taymouth and the Kenmore club are also in the area but I find them expensive unless you get a late deal.

Oh this is brilliant, thanks all.

@RowanMayfaire I don't know the stretch of coast around Wemyys Bay at all, thanks for getting me looking there. The kids love messing about on a beach, which beach(es) are good along there for kids?

Also interesting to think about loch options - we had a great few days by loch Insh in Kincraig a few years back. Will have to weigh up whether not being by a sea beach would be acceptable to the clients!

One of the worst holidays of my life was at weymss bay caravan park, it was properly grim. We couldnt wait to leave, place was a health and safety hazard all over. I've been on many cheap UK breaks, my standards weren't high! Honestly, avoid!

What about Aviemore? So much to do and loch morlich is beautiful.
We've stayed at great, cheap glamping pods at Craigtown meadows in St Andrews. We also got a cheap lodge with hotub break at Beech Hedge outside Perth last summer.

Largs might suit although I don't think there's any accommodation on a site like Kilchonquhar castle. But it's right by the sea, good chippy and Nardini's ice cream on the prom, take your bikes over to Cumbrae and cycle round the island with a stop in Millport to play on the beach, you can go up to Wemyss Bay and over to Bute for a day, Kelburn castle estate is fun to explore......
or Hunter's Quay just outside Dunoon has that feeling of a "going on a boat" adventure without needing to pre-book ferries or add hours to your journey. It's also a bit off the main tourist trail so tends to be a bit cheaper than other places.
Crieff hydro but might be too £££ and no beach.

Oh no @TartanMammy ! Before having kids we were pennypinching bike tourers with a knack for finding the cheapest room/shelter wherever we ended up each day - I wonder how it would compare with some of the places we've ended up!

Aviemore area definitely suits us, but as we know the area fairly well I'm trying to think of something new this year before going there or to Fife!

Thanks for the info @MiddleAgedDread , thats really useful. How are the midges round there in August?

Definite no for Crieff hydro - aside from the £££ theres no sea or loch and I think we'd all get twitchy in a big hotel. Also, I went to a friends wedding there where her english groom proudly wore a kilt for the first time, proudly sat down to play his guitar and sing a song to my friend, and proudly displayed far more than any of us wanted to see! Can't be doing thinking of that all holiday!

Not sure if it is too far but Harvest Moon at Dunbar is fabulous

https://lochtay-vacations.co.uk

I went in May / June so not sure about midges but didn’t have any issue with them then. I went to Dunoon in September and don’t recall any problems then.

Colonia Dene Lodges at Coldingham. Very close to St Abbs and Eyemouth and some lovely places to visit in the Berwickshire area.

Lunan Bay / Stonehaven outdoor pool nearby
The Galloway coast beaches and good cycling forest and Wigton book town
Inverary can explore Argyll
Lochgoilhead
Oban acccess to islands

Oh wow @maximalistmaximus, Lunan bay looks like a proper gem. We've never explored that part of the coast - thanks for starting me looking around there.
(And thanks everyone else for your great recommendations, so many great places to explore, although I'm sure I never appreciated it before I moved away!)