Scotland

[Beetroot]

We are planning a week in Scotland at Whitsun

We want to go to Oban, take boat to Fingal Caves and to Puffin island.

Would like ideas on where to stay on the islands. Anywhere to do some climbing nearby

Any other places to visit.

Will have four adventurous and curious kids

Looks like it's near Fort William rather than Oban

Stay on the island of Iona, it is probably one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is a wee island off Mull and you can easily go access the places you wish to see from there. You aren't allowed to take a car on to the island but it is so small you don't need to, you can walk from one side to the other in about half an hour with the children. The beaches resemble something you see in all the tropical brochures, the Maldives haven't a look in! Bare in mind I recommend this when I come from the west coast of Scotland (near Skye to be exact!

Ganavan is the closest sandy 'beach' to Oban about 10 mins North. It sounds like MamaG's place - there are two tiny 'islands' that are covered at high tide and you can walk to at low tide. The swimming is safe. Go round to the next cove for a shingle beach and puddingstone outcrops to scramble/boulder up without ropes. Lots of rock pooling opportunities.
I spent days there as a child.... With islands out to sea to look at as well. Spoilt by this I have always thought that the English Coast (at least in Yorkshire where I live) was very boring by comparison.

There is (or was, its a while since!) a foot ferry over to Kerrera from just South of Oban - for a gentle walk and NO cars. YOu can also explore a bit of the old drove road as you walk from Oban down to the Ferry.

Glen Orchy has lovely waterfalls.

We watched golden eagles from the back road over to Loch Awe. Once even saw the adults teaching a youngster to hunt by dropping a (presuamably dead) pre-caught rabbit from one to the other, with the youngster trying to catch it mid flight.....

I second the paean of praise to Iona - the beach and machair is beautiful - but not much in the way of climbing!

I live on Iona so I definitely recommend it - although think you might struggle for accommodation at this time of year...

However, Mull has absolutely everything you have mentioned...lots of outdoor stuff, boat trips, etc!

Have fun!

We spent the Spring Bank Holiday week this year on the Isle of Coll - you get the ferry from Oban & it takes 2 1/2 hours. Quite unspoilt, lots of beautiful beaches, largely midge-free even in summer (due to wind, apparently!), interesting birds (including corncrakes), wild flowers, otters basking shrks etc, a pottery on the pier that does sessions for children a couple of times a week. You can hire bikes, although apparently only adult-size ones, & the same ferry also goes to Tiree next door, which I think often holds the record for the most sunshine in the UK.

My ds first suggested we go to Coll having 'done' Katie Morag in school (Year 2), and these books are based on Coll, so that's another possible angle if your children know these books.

It's got a good cafe (that does great meals inc veggie & fairtrade ingredients), and you can even buy warm Coll fleeces from the PO to keep out the winds (we got one each & they were highly necessary but also a good souvenir!)

I've also been from Oban to Barra & cycled & island-hopped up to North Uist - or you can keep going up to Harris. Wonderful beaches & wildlife there too.

I agree that Iona's a magical place, & personally I like the smaller islands as they're somehow more manageable & you can get to know them.

Enough to do for a whole summer, never mind one week!

teuch - we will ahve to book soon then I guess

I could not do the whole summer as I need some sun!"!!

I LOVE Katie Morag OTH! Was there anything on Coll Katie Morag'ish? I really want to go one day, but we stay all the way over in Glen Coe and its about 3 hours on the boat from Oban.