Touring Scotland - what/where is on your bucket list?

[longtompot]

Dh and I are just chatting about going away in a couple of years, which would be our 25th wedding anniversary. I've always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, and to tour Scotland, so hopefully we can combine the two.
We would like to tour in a camper, either owned or hire one, and take our dog (hopefully she will still be with us as she will be 8).
So, where would you go, what would you say we must see, where we must go?
We would also like to stop by the Lake District on the way up.

North West coast, it's stunning. Yo see the northern lights though means you are considering the winter months which isn't really ideal in Scotland in a campervan....

Definitely Edinburgh, and Google North 500.
I like the islands so mull, Harris etc. Stunning beaches.

Fairy pools on Skye.

Visit the Reindeer in the Cairngorms

Get your vows renewed at the Blacksmiths at Gretna Green (if you can) and become a tourist attraction. As a member of a wedding party there it's a weird feeling to have dozens of Chinese tourists take photos of you. If you want a decent beer though, you'll need to drive over the border to The Metal Bridge.

The place itself isn't much but the countryside around it is gorgeous and there are Red Squirrels!

The north west generally especially Ardnamurchan and Mull (and outside high season, Iona). Check out ferry prices and look for deals - the Outer Hebrides are well worth a visit. Make sure your dog is on a lead and well-behaved in sheep farming country. You can let them off the lead on Forestry Commission land. The midges can be fearsome. It rains a bit in Scotland.

I’ve just googled where you can see the northern lights from and surprised to see Edinburgh mentioned - been here many years and never seen them. Far far north I think!
I love Loch Ness

The beaches on Harris . You can get the ferry from Uig, which is in the waternish area of Skye - and has a dark skies area .

Orkney Islands if you are into history - standing stones and ancient settlements, Kirkwall cathedral, the WW2 historical links like the Italian Chapel, the amazing views, the music, the seafood and the lovely people.

Ohhhh our islands as many PPs have said

Outer Hebrides for sure, although please be considerate about where you park your camper as it pisses locals off no end to find them beached in passing places. The beaches are just beautiful and the sky at night is amazing; the stars look so much bigger/closer up there! Callanish standing stones near(ish) Stornaway are very special and Luskentyre, Seilabost and Horgabost beaches are nigh on tropical. Book your ferry early as they seem to be getting busier each year.

Dumfries and Galloway in the southwest corner is an often missed as most people herd past it en route to the Highlands, or through it to get the ferry to Belfast. Portpatrick is a beautiful little harbour town with some touring campsites. If you go in September look out for the Wigtown book festival, and Sandhead in Luce Bay is a beach to look out for. Galloway Forest Park is one of my favourite places in the world and is a certified dark skies space so perfect for star gazing, or kayaking on Clatteringshaws loch. Take the coast road up through Ayrshire for stunning views of Ailsa Craig.

Midges are horrific inland but less bothersome near the coast where the wind gets them to bugger off. I don't recall them too much in SW Scotland but they're ferocious in the Highlands and don't fucking sleep so for god's sake keep your windows shut.

Highlands get very busy and can seem like tourist hell in the summer, which is a shame as the scenery is wonderful. Head north of Ullapool where it's less crowded and gaelic is still spoken, as it is in the Hebrides. Beware the narrow roads if your camper is big, and be prepared to meet gigantic motorhomes coming the other way!

Orkneys for me.

We have loved visiting in no particular order

Loch Ness & Inverness
Dunrobin Castle
Drumlangrig Castle
Edinburgh
Pitlochry - Fish ladder and Hydroelectric museum
Ullapool - (Best Fish & Chips we have ever had!)
Aviemore in the summer has some excellent walking routes.

We tend to go in May time, some lovely weather but not too busy.

Outer Hebrides of course .

Caves of Smoo and the Silver Sands of Moran. Glen Coe is one of the most beautiful places on earth imo and Torridon as well. I also love Rannoch Moor for its utter emptiness.

Morar not Moran (even then I’m not sure it’s spelled correctly).

Glen Affric is ridiculously stunning. That and the North Coast 500. I love Scotland so much my heart hurts.

Glasgow is brilliant for dogs, as is Perthshire. As suggested you could go up the north west coast by going to Skye, getting the ferry to Harris and then drive up through Lewis- though be warned there aren't a whole lot of dog friendly eateries on Harris/Lewis if you don't plan on leaving the dog in the camper.
Edinburgh is an obvious choice, but for good reason!

St. Andrews and the east Neuk of fife if you're near Edinburgh.

What a lovely way to spend your anniversary.

North Coast 500 and some of the beautiful beaches up North.

So lucky to live in such a beautiful country

Applecross ❤️

Edinburgh
The Kelpies
East Coast villages
Islands - Iona, Mull, Harris, BARRA etc.

East Neuk of Fife, Elie is lovely and the beach is dog heaven. The Ship in Elie is a super-dog-friendly pub and restaurant.

The East Neuk of Fife. Do it as a day trip from Edinburgh.

Ooh, cross post!