Scottish Highlands holiday

[Bettymakesadecision]

Hoping all you knowledgeable folk can help me plan a cheap long weekend in the highlands. Either March or October for me, DH and DC7. We’re from Hertfordshire and have never been to Scotland but would love to see the highlands, lochs and enjoy good views. I was thinking perhaps flying to Inverness from Luton and spending 2 nights in a guest house. Do you happen to know any gems? Pricewise, I have a tight budget so cheap but still nice. Is that even possible? Happy to stay in one room. We can rent a car if we need to.

That’s Liathach on the Applecross Peninsula. About 1.5-2hrs west of Inverness and 1 hour south of Ullapool

I’ve been to the Highlands in October, when it’s been like June (and in June when it’s been like October), and I’ve been in the Highlands in October (and most other months) where it hasn’t stopped raining for weeks and was getting really cold. You’re best of assuming it will be cold and wet!

Probably the best suggestion.

If it’s a two night trip with a 7 year old, I’d suggest flying to Glasgow and heading to either Gourock or Largs in around 30 mins. From there you could see some lovely coastal and mountain scenery and hop on the ferry to various destinations at not too much expense. Choose from Millport - Isle of Cumbrae, Rothesay - Isle of Bute, Brodick - Isle of Arran (known as Scotland in miniature) or go from Gourock to Dunoon on the ferry and drive through some very pretty Argyll scenery.

Ooh I think a long weekend won't be enough time! The Highlands are so amazingly beautiful. We like to stay roughly in the vicinity of Glencoe, Oban, that sort of area. There are mountains, obviously, but also astonishingly beautiful beaches within reach, Glenfinnan viaduct and Steall waterfall are fun to go see if your kid is into Harry Potter (maybe yours is a bit young!). Glen Affric is extremely pretty if you're heading further north.

Oh also, beware the midges. I have heard such horror stories. We tend to go as late in spring as we dare (e.g. May) and so far have been lucky to not be bothered at all. But it's variable year by year.

We go to the highlands regularly with our DC from Wales.

Two nights won’t be enough; you’ll want to stay much longer!

We love Aviemore, Rothiemurchus and Glencoe - so so much to do for all ages.

We usually do three weeks and travel around. We’ve used a mix of hotels, self catering (which I prefer) and airbnbs.

The Torridon is wonderful but with DC your ages, Rothimemurchus, the Cairngorms and Glencoe would have more to offer you all.

A note of midges: we go July time and only once have had an issue. It was at dusk. We’ve never ever had a issue.

Not a problem in and around Inverness..

We found that flying didnt save much time - but you may be closer to the airport than we were - we tended to drive

2 nights in march or October - it’s the weather not midges to think about

I would stick to Edinburgh which has big enough pretty hills for small children and lots of indoor stuff too and no need to hire a car saves a bit

If it's just for a long weekend I'd forget about driving around torridon and Glencoe or you'll spend all weekend in the car and these places look stunning but there's really not much else to do apart from serious hiking and you won't be doing any of that with a 7yr old! Fly to Inverness and take the train down to Aviemore. OK it's a tourist hotspot and not the prettiest village but it has plenty of child friendly walks and activities and a decent bus service so you don't need to hire a car. Bear in mind the hours of daylight in March and October won't be long and that far north could be an hour shorter at each of the day then you'd get at home.

That is indeed in Torridon, it's a munroe called Liathach.

Inverness has amazing places and scenery in every direction but you do need a car.

I live north of Inverness and am happy to suggest some itineraries.

We went in May to Torridon. Beyond beautiful, quite rainy, midges. Stunning nevertheless.

I would fly to Glasgow and get the train up to Fort William. It's not the prettiest town but the scenery en route is amazing and you will find plenty of affordable accommodation.

March is not the best time to visit the Highlands. A lot of things don't open until Easter, which is the beginning of April next year. I would suggest October would be better, but you will need to book early because of Scottish and English school holidays pretty much throughout the month - all different weeks. The weather tends to be better in October too, though expect rain whenever you come.
As others have said, you would be better with a car, though it is possible to get around on buses or trains, you just need to be organised.

We drive up from Hertfordshire as well at least once a year, mainly to visit family. Flying Luton to Inverness is a good call but Inverness isn’t particularly exciting, other than using it as a base to visit the Loch Ness area. Head north up the A9 from Inverness towards Dornoch, Golspie and Brora. Before Easter not much is open and a lot closes in October as Scottish schools have an earlier half term than down here. Head west towards Ullapool or Torridon where it is very scenic but not a great deal to do and bear in mind the roads are not great, particularly in poor weather. That all said, the views , lochs and beaches are stunning and well worth the trip

@Notpop
I would agree that Inverness doesn’t seem a great place itself, though near some great places. I will say that I have only stayed on the outskirts but if anyone watched the documentary Highland Cops, there seems to be a lot of inner city deprivation and drug use.