Highlands trip - Summer 2023

[SubParbanMum]

Looking to get some advice for our family holiday next summer. We have 10 days booked in August, children will be 5 and nearly 2. We’re flying into Inverness but will have a car to drive around.

kids will be happy on the beach even if it’s windy and cold but we fancy some whale watching, good but relaxed places to eat and obviously amazing views and walks.

does anyone have a good itinerary? Or suggestions of places?

thank you!!

Landmark Adventure Park at Carrbridge is fun! Also a day out at Loch Morlich beach at Aviemore.

My home turf. Definitely landmark and Highland Wildlife Park. If you're heading north Dornoch and Golspie have lovely but windy beaches. East, you've got Nairn and Findhorn beaches. If you head west, you've got ullapool.
Plenty activities for kids too.
Aviemore is very touristy, has go karts and reindeer and lots of activities.
Which way were you thinking of?

You will be immensely lucky if you see any whales while you're there, but the info in this website will help you maximise your chances.

www.moraydolphins.co.uk

Glenmore up from Aviemore has lots to do, as pp said, Loch Morlich, high ropes, bike hire and what my ds once upon a time called 'the best visitor centre in the UK with a lovely cafe, stupendous cakes and nice lunches. Worth a few days there
For dolphin watching go to Chanonry Point on the Black Isle.
Not sure if you have accommodation booked, but the Highlands can get very full very quickly so bear that in mind.

If you’re happy to drive to it the Nevis Range centre outside Fort William has a gondola and nice easy walks, it’s in the same area as Ben Nevis but the gondola means you can travel up and get some nice views without a lot of effort. Great cafes there too. There’s a World Championship downhill mountain bike event on 3-5 Aug so it’ll be busy then (although that is a fantastic family event if any one likes biking), otherwise it will be as normal.

Wow thank you so much everyone.
are there any islands anyone would really recommend?

im hoping to head west purely because I went to the east coast when I was (a lot) younger.

great point about accommodation - prices are sky high too but I think that’s just UK holidays in general now.

You could definitely drive to Ullapool and get the ferry to Stornaway for a trip to Lewis & Harris, stunning places!

I'd avoid Aviemore personally. Too touristy. Our favourite loop is Ardnamurchan (Sanna beach is other worldly) then the smaller ferry over to Mull. We've seen more wildlife Ardnamurchan and Mull than anywhere else.

Other options would be the drive over to Mallaig and Arisaig and Skye loop.

Accommodation wise I think you'll struggle to find self catering for less than a week at a time. Hence the suggestion for Ardnamurchan for a week and Mull for remainder of days (Mull more glamping / per night) accommodation.

If you take a ferry with Caledonian Macbrayne look into getting a hopscotch ticket (it allows multiple crossings).
On Mull you could mooch around Tobermory (aka Balamory) , go on a whale watching trip, go to Staffa/fingals cave, visit the distillery, drive down to the bottom of the island and catch the ferry over to Iona.
Beware of the midges though !