Please help me plan a week in Scotland ... from this Saturday!!!

[Honeymoonmummy]

Last minute dot com as usual - we only decided yesterday that we're going to go camping in Scotland this Saturday for a week. Neither of us know Scotland v well, I have relatives in Ayr so Sat/ Sun we'll stay in a hotel in/ on way to Ayr and see relatives then move onto camping, but don't know where to camp or where we should visit (other than Tobermory!!).

Please can someone help me to plan our trip, what are must-see places to go? We have two DC, 5 and 7, so where we go will be largely dictated by places which appeal to them.

Thanks in advance!

Thanks all. So DH seems to like Glencoe, which is 2 hours from Aviemore (per google maps, appreciate may be longer) - so now thinking if we based ourselves in Glencoe for 3 nights after Ayr, we could do a day on the islands and a (long) day in Aviemore (could come back with kids in PJ;s if needed); then another 3 nights in Stirling area. Will this work??

That's a lot of driving about and as beautiful as Glencoe is, there isn't a lot to do. You could go up the gondolas at Fort William and maybe walk about a bit but effectively you'd be staying there while spending your time driving in opposite directions for two solid days.

Also, you should double the time that Google tells you it takes between places unless you're a local.

Glencoe is beautiful (I used to work there!) but if you're not a serious hill walker there's not that much to do there.....and the midges will be horrendous (I live nearby now and haven't been able to sit out any evening since the beginning of June) I take it you're looking at red squirrel campsite? Oban is better. Aviemore is fab.

Right. After extensive calls to campsites and discussions with DH we are going to leave Aviemore this time because it's just too much for 1 week, similarly we'll probably also leave Stirling/ Saint Andrews/ Edinburgh this time, and concentrate on West/ central Scotland. So for now I've booked the boat in Troon for SAturday night and a nice campsite in Oban Sun and Mon night so that we can properly do Mull/ Iona.

Not booking anything after Monday night yet, will play it by ear once we're up there but because of the campsite availability of nice sites it will probably be either Dumfries and Galloway (because the site looks amazing), a lovely site on the bank of Loch Lomond or Glencoe.

Stirling maybe if we run out of things to see which I doubt we will and save Aviemore for next time.

Thanks all for your advice

Sounds like a god idea not have the itinerary all set. A day isn't enough for Mull and Iona. You'd spend it all driving or on ferries.

If you do go to glencoe the NTS visitor centre often has kids activities on in summer hols, landrover safaris, guided walks and usually a free exhibition on.
Also there is the isles of glencoe hotel which has a small swimming pool, and you can hire sea kayaks and I think do rib boat rides.
In fort William (if it's a rainy day, only 40 mins ish from glencoe) there is a new climbing wall (look up three wise monkeys) a large swimming pool, soft play. There is also a huge climbing wall including ice climbing in kinlochleven (20mins ish from glencoe)
There is also a new cycle path linking up Oban and ballachulish (village next to glencoe) if you're taking bikes, and castle stalker on that road is a worth a stop for a scenic photo, I'm sure I saw that there is now a wildlife hub of some sorts there.

I will shut up now have fun!!

Ooh thanks Highlandbird, v useful! GruffaloPants - thanks, that's helpful to know, we'll just see how we go. Is Iona worth the trip?

It's Highland Games and agricultural show season. It might be fun for your children to do one of those if you see one on your travels.
I agree with everyone regarding travelling times, it will usually take longer than you think it will to get anywhere.

I love Iona. It's very peaceful. I only went pre kids though. But if your lot like walks and nature it should be good. The abbey is lovely.

P.s. Have a lovely time!

Hi all, quick update. We had a fab night on the boat (thanks to pp, sorry can't see name as posting on moby), then have spent 2 nights inc tonight in Oban but the weather has been awful, just non stop rain. We've ploughed on, had our day with relatives in Ayr and a day in Mull (Tobermory only on bus as couldn't take car) and it was enjoyable but I still haven't booked anywhere after tonight and the weather forecast is bloody awful everywhere.

We're contemplating either staying in Oban a third night and doing glencoe/fort William tmrw (raining so steam train/ climbing wall) and then maybe travel over to St. Andrews which is the only place I can find with the crappy campsite wifi that isn't forecast rain in the next 5 days.

Any thoughts??? Other than go home - which has been mentioned, trust me!!

Forecast all down the East looks better (as does Stirling)- how about heading over near Edinburgh and if it's not great then you have plenty of indoor options? Maybe somewhere like Dunbar? They at least have a swimming pool and I think are near a train line for Edinburgh and it's on the beach if the weather is good. maybe not as picturesque as the Fife coastal villages but better access for stuff to do if weather not great?

Poor you. The weather is terrible!

I'd head somewhere you can do indoor things. My suggestion would be Stirling castle and Wallace monument, plus Blair Drummond Safari Park, but I'm sure there will be other good indoor suggestions. If you head to St Andrews and it does rain, try the SeaLife Centre there.

You also have East Links farm nearby (activity Farm place) and Fox lake if they stuff for kids that young. And just checked, it's 25 mins on train into Edinburgh.

www.eastlinks.co.uk/

If you're heading towards Falkirk way I'd really recommend a trip to the wonder that is The Falkirk Wheel. My DCs love it.

Head for Edinburgh for lots to do inside.

Ugh the weather forecast has changed between last night and this morning, it's now saying rain in St. Andrews fri and sat.

Aviemore is back on the table - in fact anywhere is back on the table if there's loads of indoor things to do. Currently weather in Stirling looks best ...

Most Indoor stuff in City directions.

Edinburgh - loads - National Museum, Museum of Childhood, Queens Boat, Swimming pool, Shopping, Camera Obscura etc etc.

Dundee - Science centre, Discovery Boat, Swimming Pool, Currently have an oor Wullie trail, (outside)

Stirling - Castle, Monument (though mostly outside) Bannockburn centre, Swimming Pool

Also many outdoor things in all locations for when weather brighter

Think we've covered most of what Aviemore has and to be fair, most of that is enjoyable as long as not chucking it completely - most exposed I would say is Highland Folk Museum but loads of indoor bits - just need to walk between them all.

You could also take canoes and stuff out from Loch Morlich in Aviemore so really doesn't matter if it's wet :)

ANother thread with links for Aviemore:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/uk/2693376-Rainy-day-out-in-aviemore?

Just back from Aviemore.

Heaving with people but no midges.

If you just have the day there then Landmark is very good.

With a lot of stuff being in the forest, I don't think it ever feels quite as wet when it's raining - maybe that's just me though. I'd take some dry bottoms for the kids if you do Landmark as mine used to get a bit damp on the water slide boats :)

Dry in aviemore at the moment. Not very warm but windy which keeps the midges away.