A kids free week in Scotland!

[BackinLondon2019]

Hi all,

I have a whole week kids free end of July and I would like to spend it travelling around Scotland on my own. The plan is to get to Edinburgh by train (I'm London based), spend two days there then rent a car and drive around staying in Airbnbs or similar (do I need to book accommodation in advance or can I just go with the flow?)

Looking for recs on places I shouldn't miss and ideas on best routes. I'm into good food, amazing landscapes and I'm really in need of disconnecting from my usual hectic life in London (very demanding job, single parent to 3DC with zero support).

Thank you!

Oh and just to add.... not into hiking or anything too strenuous. I just want to chill and take it easy :)

We are going to be staying near Stirling in June and have gathered the following recommendations from family and friends:
Stirling Castle
Blair Atholl
Kelpies
Falkirk Wheel
Dollar Glen
Loch Leven
Kinross
Bannockburn
Wallace Monument
Whisky Experience, Edinburgh
The Pineapple
Culross
Alloa Tower
Rumbling Gorge

I'm particularly looking forward to the Falkirk Wheel boat lift
www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/

Drive up the east coast. Visit Dunnotar Castle. Head into Stonehaven for the fish and chip shop on the seafront.

Drive around the Cairngorms through Ballatar and Tomintoul. There's a big loch at the bottom of the Cairngorms worth a visit. Through Kingussie and Newtonmore then over to Ben Nevis.

Drive down the side of Loch Lomond, down to Glasgow then across back to Edinburgh.

Thank you both!! Really enjoy the seaside, fish and chips sounds amazing. Love the boat lift too, will definitely be including it in my route :)

We stayed in a lovely hotel called the Lodge on Loch Lomond. Right on the shores. Next to a lovely village called Luss. Sauna in the room. Swimming pool.

Mnahmnah it sounds great, I'll check it out thank you

Applecross on the west coast road - drive the (terrifying) Bealach Na Ba to get there and watch the sun go down over the sea with lobster and chips at the Applecross Inn. It's amazing. Only in good weather with decent visibility though. Otherwise you will die on the road and highland cows will eat your bones before anyone finds your body.

OMG that road looks terrifying! Added to my list

Also worth visiting at Falkirk are the Kelpies.
The West coast, Highlands and Islands are spectacular, but it can take a long time to get anywhere so check your driving times on Google maps first.
I would suggest you book accomodation in advance as it's the height of the summer holidays in Scotland and the usual tourist spots will be very busy.
Oh and take midge spray!

The East Coast has better weather and is very pretty, but the West coast is more spectacular. Rannoch moor and the road into Glencoe through the great Glen is spectacular and you can stay in Ballachullish. From there you can head up to a Fort William ( which is a bit of a dump) and then up to either Plockton which is a lovely villlage or across the Skye bridge to the North of Skye. Skye is big and it takes a while to get anywhere decent once you arrive there.
I would agree that Applecross is beautiful but would never drive the road again.
Loch Lomond is very near Glasgow and imo lacks the rugged beauty of lochs further north .

The train ride from Glasgow to Oban is lovely too

Also, Loch Katrine is eerie and mysteriously beautiful. Really stood out for us

Just remember distances are long and past Perth, you won't see motorways ..check driving times

Thank you all! Lots of suggestions, that's amazing, thank you. I'll need to spend some time working out the best route..... I do enjoy driving but I don't want to spend most of my time on the road either.

Great suggestion about booking places to stay as well, I can imagine it's not like London where you have always plenty of accommodation available

If you head on from Applecross visit the Kishorn Fish Bar, check opening times, but had the best fish pie EVER.

Also, we visited the Applecross Smokehouse and picked up the best smoked trout pate and a side of salmon. Now order them every year for Christmas. Heavenly.

I’d go west coast. Head up through Callendar and the trossachs to Oban and then over to mull. Have a night on Iona if you really want to get away from it all. I wouldn’t go any further north if you’ve only got a week and want to include Edinburgh for a couple of days. Definitely book accommodation in advance.