Is Wales or Scotland a sensible choice for a coastal break end of July?

[Pistachiomonster]

UK break next week not too far from the coast. We were thinking of going to Wales or Scotland next week but with all these wild fires thinking whether or not it will be worth it? Please can anyone living in these areas provide honest advice or can people think of else for a holiday as couple.

There's one wildfire in Scotland, I wouldn't see this as an issue.
Weather is great here, plenty to do. Where are you thinking of going? Suggest Isle of Bute if going west, North Berwick or Anstruther if going East.

I'm in Scotland and when I read the thread title it was the prospect of miserable weather that was in my mind - not wildfires. Weather has been lovely this week, but I don't think it's to last much longer.

Pembrokeshire is beautiful, as is the Gower near Swansea. Both have lovely beaches.

Currently scorchio in Wales and predicted for the next 10 days (although getting cooler).

Wildfires were in North Wales.

If you want beaches Pembrokeshire would be amazing.

Unsure really just wherever we can get a nice hotel or airbnb that is available.

We were thinking about maybe north wales (Conwy) and if Scotland maybe somewhere near St Andrews/East Neuk.

Just came back from baking heat in England where I was told by a couple of Welsh guys that it was baking there too. Arrived home in scotland to find the same bloody baking heat so im moving to Iceland 🥵🥵🥵 🤣.

Loch lomond is beautiful and I second Anstruther if you must. 🥵🥵🥵.

Yup, im definitely one of those scottish people who greet when its cold and wet and greet when its overly hot! 🤭

Snap

🤣🤣🤣

Conwy is a lovely little town and there’s lots to do in that area apart from the coast so it’s not so weather dependent as some holiday destinations.

My family have holidayed on Gower for years.
PM me for accom options don't want to post publicaly.

There's a caravan park at Nairn which is along from St Andrews.

I wouldn't worry about fires in North Scotland, they are generally very localised and very few and far between!

We're just back from a week in Dornoch, which is about an hour north of Inverness. Was glorious!

St Andrews is a long way from "all these wildfires" the one, very worrying but localised wild fire in the Cairngorms.

Might be hard to find accommodation is a popular area at short notice. And weather is never reliable in Scotland. The second half of August is generally quieter when the Scottish schools have gone back.

Nairn is nowhere near St Andrews! 🤦‍♀️

Just along from Nairn?
Nairn is a good 3 hours from St Andrews….150 miles away. Used to drive that as a kid visiting family from St Andrews

st Andrews is no where near the fires and if you were to go to Nairn you would drive the a9 but I’ve not heard it’s been affected by fires yet. Our schools go back on 20th ish of Aug.

Oh heck, neither it is, what place am I thinking off, to the East of Nairn along the coast?

Got it - Lossiemouth - that's what i was thinking of 😆

Yes might be better when the schools have gone back but unfortunately my week off is next week.

Thanks all thats reassuring re: Scotland.

The Gower penninsula looks beautiful but too far a drive for us. We hoped to use Conwy as a base but DH has asthma so concerned about the smoke, air quality and disruption. Also he is a magnet for midges.

Try further along the coast from Conwy. Either Penmaenmawr or Bae Colwyn, or the Llyn peninsula e.g. Pwllheli.

I am in North Wales, yes there are wildfires around my area but at high ground and in localised areas. If you’re planning on sticking to the coast you’ll be fine. Also there are loads of places to go hiking that aren’t near any fires.
If you do come don’t plan any outdoor cooking and dispose of all your litter responsibly!

Thanks both Conwy is already a very long drive for us so don’t want to do the extra drive to Gower or Llyn. We wouldn’t be hiking more just pottering to some castles, coastal areas, possibly Port Meiron and a train ride.

how about Anglesey - if there are fires anywhere near (which seems unlikely) you’re likely to be able to find one coast or the other with wind from the sea

The east neuk is fabulous just now

If you're going to Portmeirion, you won't be far from Pwllheli (about 17 miles) or Criccieth (about 8 milesand it has a castle), so I wouldn't be dismissing Llŷn.

Ynys Môn is great for beautiful beaches and the A55 will get you most of the way. There's Beaumaris castle and Caernarfon isn't far.

If you don't mind going inland a bit, you could stay somewhere like Betws-y-Coed and do day trips to e.g. Beaumaris/Caernarfon, Conwy & Llandudno, Portmeirion, Eryri, Y Bala (big lake + train),...

Penrhyn Gwŷr is miles away.

If you want a coastal holiday a bit nearer than Scotland, how about Northumberland? Lovely and unspoilt, and castles.

Thanks will look at overall driving. We have done Northumberland and Yorkshire to death.

Cumbria, Merseyside (Southport, Formby), Lancashire or Lincolnshire?

With North Wales, it really depends on the roads. Anywhere not far from the A55 should be ok.
Ynys Môn is about 25 miles from Conwy and on a good road.
Portmeirion is over an hour's drive from Conwy.