Talk to me about nice parts of Scotland

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

I've only been "over the border" once - skiing at Cairngorm.

We're looking to go somewhere for a week long family summer holiday. I'd like somewhere rural and have this image of a cottage in the middle of nowhere with loads of wildlife near by. Ideally somewhere we can walk and bike straight from the cottage.

But at the same time I'd like somewhere within a short drive of some sort of wet weather activities. I have a 7yo but not talking soft play areas. More castles/museum/petting farm typle places.

Any ideas of an area that would be good to visit.
TIA.

Take your pick. Scotland is full of places like that. One thing though - the summer is midgey time.

all of scotland is like that.
i was going to suggest the cairngorms, but you have already been there, but you coulc d go there again, stay somewhere diffenret, and do different things.
we are going back to kingusssie this year, having been there two years ago. wonderful wonderful place

Are the midges more on one side than the other?

Message withdrawn

I don't know. They are very bad on places like Skye. Some people aren't bothered by them though. Or not too much. I only visit Scotland spring, autumn or winter.

Would Sept be midge free?

ayrshire was the only place they really bothered me

I think midges are more prevalent in the west coast, damper over there, coastal places, esp in the east are drier and possibly, slightly colder.

I am not sure where you should stay, sorry.

The area around Gairloch is fab. Dh and I had our best holiday ever there (before kids).

how far would you be willing to drive, will you be driving up?

Mull is fantastic and there is a childrens farm, two castles and loads of other stuff. If it's your first visit though try Perthshire - very family friendly and absolutely tons to do.

This makes me want to book my autumn break right now.

or here

great minds Northern, I like Perthshire and Perth is good if you want to pootle round a few shops, has a good swimming pool, fab Polish cafe, that serves lovely food.

THe thing about Perthshire is you've got the amazing scenary and wildlife but you've also got absolutely tons of places to eat, attractions to visit, Perth etc so that whatever the weather you will find stuff to do and have a great time. I've holidayed there as a child and an adult and I would recommend it in a second

Inverness is a good base.

It's worth thinking about distance. You tend to have to slow down when you hit Scotland so going to the Highlands say is quite a drive.

We went to Fort William last year (from London) and it was a bit too much.

I don't know where you are starting from.

Agree Kingussie is great - I used to live there and loved it. If you went a bit further north towards Carrbridge then you'd be closer to Inverness in case of wet weather. But then at Kingussie you have the folk museum (admittedly mostly outside), and there's the wildlife park at Kincraig.

I think as others have said, almost anywhere would fit the bill really. It's hard to pick somewhere in particular, but please do come up to the Highlands - the best part of Scotland by a long shot (not that I'm biased in the least). We've had fantastic holidays in the Cairngorms, on Skye, at Lochcarron, Glen Orchy and up on the far north coast of Sutherland.

Midgies are worse on the west coast IME. By September you should be OK - my mum always said May and September are the best months to visit Scotland.

From the Midlands - when we went to Avimore we went for the weekend. It was quite a drive up on Friday after work, got there about 2:00am I think!

Perthshire sounds nice.

But I should add that the Loch Tay area (is that Perthshire?) is lovely. As is Loch Rannoch. Anywhere north of Perth in fact.

we always do th drive to the highlands over two days. staying around carlisle in either a b&b, or if lucky enough, a cheap travelodge. makes the journey much much more interesting.
for example, last year, on a mumsnetters recomendation, we went to a fabulous park near mancheter for picnic lunch
and a differente year, a lovely mnetter suggest picnic lunch in moffat. station park, just off the a7fM. lovely.
plan it with local mumsnetters help. they will guide you to the righ tplaces

Ahhhh it all sounds nice.

It is all nice. It's a glorious place.

My parents were always driving up to Perthshire from the midlands. We used to leave at 5.30-6am and get up there for just after lunchtime.