Help! Holiday in Scotland (November)

[Piemistress]

Hi,

We are looking for a family hols in Scotland for me, DP, DS age 2.8yrs and DD 3 months.

Original plan was to go to Center Parcs Winter Womderland but it would be a 5hr drive not incl stops and our DD really dislikes the car, she will howl and howl before taking a catnap and wake up howling again. So we have decided to look a bit closer to home.

Looked at the Creiff Hydro and Aviemore McDonald Resort but they are both £££££ if we want to have DS in his own room (DD still up quite a lot at night).

Any suggestions where there is plenty to do if the weather is minging? Ideally wouldn't have to do much driving around!

Thanks pie

There are plenty of self catering holiday houses in Aviemore that come with passes for either of the pools in Aviemore which will be much cheaper than staying on either resort. Lots to do with little ones in the area, we've been going there with our two since they were tiny. I can dig out some links to houses if you want?

The Hilton at Coylumbridge (near Aviemore) has family rooms which have separate bunk bed room for kids - not as expensive as taking 2 rooms. There is loads there for kids (soft play, pool etc).

That would be lovely PPP, thanks. Aviemore is a 2.5 hr drive so could probably cope with the howling! Will check out the Hilton too, thanks!

Have stayed here it was nice and had a pass for the main resort. It has fields out the back with lovely views over the Cairngorms.

Also stayed here, nice house. It doesn't say explicitly that it comes with a leisure pass or Dalfaber, but it did when we went.

Not stayed here yet but we will do, it looks lovely and is v reasonable (nearly £200 less than the other 2). It says it comes with leisure passes but doesn't say which one so you'd need to check.

Oooo will have a squizz! Thanks!

Try to avoid school half term if you can. Another vote for nr Aviemore here. The rothiemurchus estate is magical

We're off to Aviemore for two weeks shortly, I can't wait!!!!

Family room in the youth hostel in Aviemore ? We used to do it with our lot when they were younger, i think they have some en suite family rooms ( well they do at some hostels like Oban, not sure about all of them).

Don't think I could subject DS to DDs night wakenings and have them in the same room. We have been to Aviemore quite a few times but slept in our camper van but not really practical with two little ones in November!

Another vote for aviemore here! Go and see the cairngorm reindeer (20 min easy walk with guides up the hill where you feed a herd of around 50 - they are v v tame and it's just a brilliant experience!)

You'll have a fab time (but take waterproofs and lots of jumpers!)

not sure where you're based but, as an alternative to Aviemore, which is good what about staying in Edinburgh? we once stayed at the Holiday Inn Corstorphine Rd which is adjacent to the zoo and is also on a bus route into the city for everything else; I don't know about their room options as we all stayed in one. How about self-catering? either in or near Edinburgh or Glasgow so you have all the fab museums; in Glasgow the Riverside Museum (transport) and Kelvingrove (natural history amongst lots of other things) are really good, and free. For Glasgow I would base selves near Loch Lomond so you can get best of countryside and access to swimming pools, city stuff etc. I like self catering because it can still give you the extra bedroom space you need without breaking the bank, especially in November.

Tbh, center parcs winter wonderland is as over-hyped as you can imagine, although we do love center parcs! Having done aviemore with kids in a wet June, I'd be wary about a wet and cold november, its such an outdoors place. I also think you could have a good time in Glasgow. If you're after a good pool, time capsule at coat bridge is very center parcs like and I don't think you'd pay for your kids. Only 30 mins (if that) to east of Glasgow. Loads of good soft plays, free museums, science centre is great and you get in free with club card, xscape is fun with child friendly eating. I think where you stay depends on whether you want to be cooked for or not! I always reckoned lodges at Cameron house looked lovely (!) But apar from that you're really into hotel territory.

I am tempted by the city option. I lived in Edinburgh for a few months but that was nearly 20 years ago! We are in Aberdeen so same distance really to Aviemore, Edinburgh or Glasgow. Will ponder some more, thanks so much fir suggestions!

we looked at lodges at Cameron House, v nice but hugely expensive; styed at www.eastcambusmoon.com instead which is by Loch Lomond but handy for Glasgow, Stirling. Edinburgh is a good day trip too.

Cottages4you has lots of self catering accommodation and should be cheaper in the off season - but aviemore won't be cheaper in the winter due to skiing.

The Hilton was offering 'toddler' breaks that might be worth a look. Can't remember the t&cs.

If you do go to aviemore then the highland wildlife park and the folk museum at newtonmore are both amazing.

I quite fancy Glasgow for a short break but it is so difficult to find non-hotel accommodation. Inverness is also nice and not any further than aviemore really.

November is (or used to be) very low season in Aviemore - it's the lull inbetween October half term and the skiing season ramping up at Christmas/new Year. However, we've been going for years and years and we've noticed the prices have been creeping up quite a bit in the last few years even in November. If you look around though, there are still some reasonably priced houses available. This is a good site for a browse.

Thank you for all the suggestions! It's looking like a weekend now not a week as have just sold our house much quicker than anticipated so need to find another for 8 weeks time and my stress levels are rocketing!

Congrats on the house sale!

Thank you!