Five days in Scotland

[lisalisa]

We are thinking of taking the family to Scotland for 5 days starting April 22 when kids have school hols. Wondering what area to aim for and what there is to do. Quite like the idea of wildlife safaris and some gentle walking - I'm rather overweight so no mountain climbing - unusual landscapes, Loch Ness if poss . Not sure beyond that really where to base ourselves but plan is to train up from London them maybe hire a car. Any ideas / pointers pls? So far I've learnt that the midges around Loch Lomond are terrible and that's about it !

i'd aim to stay in Aviemore/Kincraig and arrange stuff from there.

We use to live in the Outer Hebrides and if you had more time i'd really recommend a week there, there is loads to see and do, its a very special and remote place. feel free to pm me if you like

Oban has some really good restaurants, too.

That brought back memories although the lyrics I remember ( and now sing to my dd) are a bit different . I have

Speed Bonny bay
Like a bird on the wing
Over the sea to Skye
Carry the man who was born to be king
Over the sea to Skye
How the wind blew
Restless the tide
Fickle the tired men
How the winds blew
Restless the tide
Charlie is king again

It's that song, yes. :).

Midges don't like bright sunlight or breezy winds. They do hang out in long grass, damp areas, and under trees in the shade, so all of these are worth avoiding. However, April really isn't all that bad, July - September are the worst months.

And if you go to see the Falkirk Wheel, you must have a keek at the Kelpies.

We stayed in this self catering holiday cottages last year, which is in Carrbridge, very near Aviemore.

Less than a 5 minute walk to Landmark Adventure Park. And there is loads to do in Aviemore. Lots of lovely walks too.

Aviemore is quite central too for exploring a bit further afield.

That brought back memories although the lyrics I remember ( and now sing to my dd) are a bit different . I have

Speed Bonny bay
Like a bird on the wing
Over the sea to Skye
Carry the man who was born to be king
Over the sea to Skye
How the wind blew
Restless the tide
Fickle the tired men
How the winds blew
Restless the tide
Charlie is king again

Skye Boat Song

Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that's born to be King
Over the sea to Skye.
Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunderclaps rend the air;
Baffled our foes stand on the shore,
Follow they will not dare.

Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,
Ocean's a royal bed;
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head.

Many's the lad fought on that day,
Well the claymore could wield;
When the night came, silently lay
Dead on Culloden's field.

Burned are our homes, exile and death
Scatter the loyal men;
Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath,
Charlie will come again.

Lyrics by Sir Harold Boulton, Bart., 1884. The first half of the tune is said to be an old sea shanty; the other half is traditionally attributed to Annie MacLeod.

(Slightly less cheerful lyrics)

Aviemore / Strathspey area should be midgie free in April

Speaking of Culloden, that's worth a visit, too.

Crieff hydro? It caters from toddlers to teenagers, plenty of activities in the hotel & surrounding area. Only an hour's drive north of Glasgow or Edinburgh. The surrounding area is very scenic too. We did go to a wildlife park when we stayed there previously, sorry can't remember it's name. Although there is Blair Drummond safari park within driving distance, just outside Stirling.

Or Aviemore, as others have suggested - it's a further drive though.

Five days isn't long, consider how much of that time you want to be spending in a car. There's plenty of brilliant options nearer the central belt - Loch Lomond, as others have said, and just beyond there you get into Argyll on the west coast - it's simply stunning. See www.argyllsecretcoast.co.uk for ideas plus www.argyllholidays.com for accommodation options and www.argylladventure.com/ for activities the family will enjoy. (Zombies? who knew?) A couple of days and nights over on that side, then a drive east via The Falkirk Wheel, which is definitely amazing (I'm NOT an engineer although maybe still a bore) and The Kelpies. Edinburgh is definitely worth a day trip. A night or two in St Andrews and all around the East Neuk of Fife including the gorgeous wee fishing towns of Crail and Anstruther and that would give you a great stay with an amazing flavour of some of the best of Scotland.

We stayed on the Black Isle just north of Inverness for five days last August - staying at the lovely Station Hotel in Avoch,, pronounced Ock. We did a Loch Ness cruise, a dolphin watching trip from Avoch, visited Landmark Forest adventure forest, near Aviemore etc. I think there's a wildlife park on the Black Isle but we didn't make it there. We would like to go on the furnicular railway at Aviemore another time. fort William is also within easy reach. We flew to Inverness on Flybe from Birmingham. easy jet fly there from Luton and Gatwick. Didnt hire a car this time as a friend who lives up there drove us around but car hire seemed reasonable from the airport.

Fantastic all thank you

Desperate to know which direction form Aviemore notcool lives. I'm in the highlands and about an hour away.
papergirl you're not missing much at the Black Isle wildlife park it's name is grander than it sounds. Children love it but it does always feel like a bit of a let down and seems expensive for what it is although I believe they have upgraded the play area over the winter and we did have fun playing with baby goats in a barn last time we were there.

I know that you wanted walks but thought I'd tell you about our (that is me and DS who was 6 at the time) trip to Scotland a couple of years ago...

Day 1 - Dundee. A real odd place but we had a wonderful walk along the sea and they have HMS Discovery which tells the story of the race to find Antarica
Day 2 - Perth. It was sunny on this day and so it was lovely! We visited again last year and went to the Black Watch museum which is all about the highland army and there's some stunning scenery - and a good park.
Day 3 - Inverness. Coach trip to Loch Ness and Urquart Castle, and a visit to Leaky's Bookshop. Haggis at the local Weatherspoons for afters! Fantastic!
Day 4,5&6 (looks like we went for 6 days not 5!) - Edinburgh. We went to Edinburgh Castle, Real Mary Kings Close learning all about the Black Plague (DS is still an expert), had an amazing walk up to Arthur's Seat, all of the little free museums down the Royal Mile and even saw the pandas at the zoo.

We stayed at Travelodge and travel by train with a rail card and keep some costs to a minimum. Don't forget that if you have English Heritage membership you get into Historic Scotland properties half price during first year of membership and free in subsequent years.

We love Scotland and keep going back every year exploring a bit more each time. Our next trip will include Aaron and Mull I think....

Ooo HarrietSchulenberg Have you been to the Raider's Road.

The Otter pool is lovely. Lots of paddling opportunities, and our dog had a lovely time fetching stones as big as his head out of the water and presenting them to me.

Thank you so much everyone and littleredhen that sounds fantastic! I'm now blinded by science ! There's so much to see and do !

We are planning doing the whw this year, if anyone has by recommendations.

I've done it mavis! I can honestly say it was one of the best holidays I've had. Brilliant fun and great not to have the car for a bit and just soak up the scenery. When are you doing it? If you can, start mid week as it is easier to book accommodation.

Probably late summer. We've done it before (pre child) and said 12 year old will be coming along. I rember one God awful stop that had a campsite and all night disco.

Bet they will love it! Are you carrying you bags or using a sherpa company? No way could we have carried it. The only places I didn't like were the Rowardennan hotel and kingshouse. Although they may be better now!

We carried our packs last time. 'Somebody' decided it would be cheating if we didn't.

Wow you are hard-core! Don't think I'd have made it if we'd done that! Hope you enjoy it. I'd love to do it again.

No, they were bloody heavy and I almost got jammed in the sheep creep! I was leaping over craggy bits with a huge backpack, with water running down sheer rock next to loch Lomond (with a drop to the loch. I must've been mad. I lost 3 toenails (I have omitted to tell littlemavis that fact).

Stay in Newtonmore or Aviemore. The Highland wildlife park and the landmark park are both near. Can go up the Cairngorms. Couple of Lochs to walk around. Fishing in Aviemore.