Scotland, family holiday this summer. How? Where? Any ideas?

[miljee]

We're thinking about heading up from Southampton to Scotland in July 08 with DSs, 9 and 7 (oh and possibly BIL from Oz...). We may even incorporate a trip to Northern Ireland but intend being away 10-14 days all up. Money is a bit of an issue (we normally camp on the English south coast) so what do you think about youth hostels? A hired camper van? Should we tour or pick a couple of bases and day trip? I don't think we'd camp cos all our stuff would fill the back of the Mondeo and would bang our fuel costs up- though SHOULD we consider this? I wouldn't want to be putting a tent up and down every 2 day or so either!

We wouldn't be planning on 'Berwick to John O Groats', exactly, just an overview I guess.

Any ideas about itineraries and 'must sees' gratefully accepted, to!

don't miss Glencoe

kbear any tips on where to stay in Glencoe? B&B or hotel?

And Loch Lomond of course

my friends have a farm/campsite - check out www.kinlochlevencaravans.co.uk or .com, can't remember which! It is blissful.

what kind of things do you want to be doing? if you want to major on scenery and the great outdoors I would suggest heading to the North West coast - there is a fantastic campsite with good facilities at Clachtoll in Sutherland right next to a gorgeous safe and sheltered sandy beach - if the weather's good that's my idea of paradise - there's enough to see in the area for a few days too - Ullapool, Lochinver, Gairloch, hydroponicum at Achiltibue, bone caves at Inchnadamph, fantastic mountain scenery all over the place. It's worth going further north up to Durness and Sandwood Bay also. Don't underestimate distances, it takes a long time to get to places - I lived in Skye for 6 years and got fed up of the 3 hour each way schlep to Inverness. The Clachtoll campsite is on the ukcamping website and I would highly recommend it. HTH

thanks kbear!

take PLENTY of midge repellent if camping, take it anyway but especially if camping in the west

take Avon Skin-So-Soft spray oil - that keeps 'em away!