Recommendations for Scotland please!

[Notalone]

We are off to Scotland in the summer and are looking for somewhere on the coast with beautiful countryside too. We went to Dumfries and Galloway last year and absolutely loved it but this year we have a friend who moved there so we are hoping to combine a visit to them with a stay somewhere else as well. I may be wrong but have thought the West Coast may have better weather but please feel free to correct me! We would be looking for a static caravan somewhere quiet - a very small site overlooking the sea would be perfect! I have found this site www.hoseasons.co.uk/Webpages/UKPark/ProductDetailPage.aspx?ISDLNK=1&SCODE=STCY&TIDPDUKPARK=parkInfo& ISPKMD=true&pid=123&${ja}=kw:St+Cyrus+caravan+park|cgn:St+Cyrus+ParkSTCY|cgid:1489421559|tsid:2000|c n:Parks+%26+Lodges+-+UK+Names_Scotland|cid:42628089|lid:10746466149|mt:Phrase|nw:search|crid:4600223 589|bku:1&gclid=CNSq9IuRg58CFaBb4wodsznuJg but can't find much about the surrounding area so any advice on this would be most welcome as well. Thanks!

PS - that link is so long. Sorry

Caolasnacon

my favourite place...

Oooh - that looks lovely Kbear, and really reasonable price wise too. What is the coastline like around there? And how about the weather generally?

It's my friend's place - I've been going there since I was 3 months old (and I'm nearly 42 so it must be good)! Peaceful is an understatement, the kids love the wildness of it, fishing, wandering along the shore, I like sitting watching the sky go by. Go in May for best weather IMO, and no midges!!

It is right on the loch. 12 miles from Fort William, 3 miles from Glencoe.

Don't expect club house, entertainment or satelite telly but I go there to escape it!!

West Coast is wetter, more midges, esp into August, especially on the Islands (though the islands are beautiful).

East coast more reliable weather wise (though not reliable ). Some really good bits in Fife (East Neuk) and also just North of Inverness (Black Isle).

I'd go West, just cos I love it (lived in the Outer Hebrides for 10 years) - somewhere North-ish - Ullapool, Lochcarron, somewhere round there. But take midge repellent and wellies!

How about mid June Kbear? I am a mature student at Uni and have to have 100% attendance. I have lectures and assignments galore in May. It looks beautiful and just the right size for 8 yr old DS to hopefully find some friends to play with and to be allowed some freedom. Is it near any good beaches? This one is definitely going on my shortlist!

We always went in June when we were kids. If you're in a caravan the midges are a bit more stoppable than when you're in a tent LOL but they're not as bad as in August.

It is a very rural place, no shop for example but there is a co-op in Kinlochleven and milk available from the farmhouse.

My ds is 8 and he loves the freedom... there's a little river running though the site down to the loch where the kids catch sticklebacks, and he rides his bike round and round all day!

Eeek - forgot about the midgies Weegiemum. They were bad enough in Galloway forest park last year in June! Am off to look at the East coast now too - I really am spoilt for choice. Scotland is simply gorgeous!

Cuil bay is our favourite beach nearby - about 20 minute drive - if you go I'll give you directions but it's on the Appin to Oban road if you look on a map. It's off the beaten track, bit of sand, bit of shingley stuff, we take a bbq and cook some sausages and sit in the sunshine!

Rural is better Kbear. I don't like the huge sites at all - expensive, crowded and they allow DS no freedom at all as they are just too big. We would probably do a big Tesco shop in a larger town on the way and then we can just sit back and relax!

aye is beautiful and it's surrounding areas. loch lomond is good but helensburgh the nearest seaside town is abit of a dump. there are beaches on the loch and they are nice. balloch castle is good for walking and an area for kids to run off steam. weather isn't the best in scotland whatever time of year you go so be prepared for all sorts. st. andrews is lovely on the east coast

Cuil bay looks stunning with all those mountains in the distance! And Camusdarach looks beautiful too. Are dogs allowed on these beaches? Am getting a bit excited now lol

That's what we do - stock up then sit and relaxxxxxxxxx

Am pining for the hills now! Hopefully we'll get up there this year - didn't go last year.

Cuil bay reminds me of the greek islands - weirdly - it's the hills in the distance I think. We are usually lucky with the weather when we go and have sat there putting sun block on the kids and worrying that it was too hot! The hills were hazy in the distance with the heat. I kid you not!

Thanks Ben5 - think we have rose tinted spectacles on when it comes to Scotland. Last year we had four days of brilliant hot sunshine while Yorkshire where we live had torrential rain and floods. I actually had some colour for the first time ever!

I hope we get lucky again Kbear - I am going to show DP later to see what he thinks but I reckon he would love it!

Notalone, I think the site you linked to is very close to the main road. St Cyrus has a beautiful beach but i think that particular site isn't that close to the beach. If it is the one i think it is, every time i drive past i think 'who in their right mind would want to stay there'! I could be wrong about it's location though!

If you want near this location, the one at Johnshaven looks nicer and has a lovely play park for the children.

HTH

Hey Earlyriser. Thanks for the info. I have tried to check its location on google maps but the post code shows an empty field on the satellite view. The map on its website shows it being near the sea and the photos show a seaview behind some of the caravans but it is unclear whether it is actually next to the sea or not. It does have good reviews but in your opinion does it look awful / run down?

I went here with DD and my Dad the year before last and it was lovely.
No clubhouses but a tiny little play area and a cabin with a pool table and DVDs to borrow. It was a lovely (though long if you're just nipping in) walk out of Plockton, or a 5-10 minute drive and plenty to do in the area.
We went over to Skye and had a nice day at Balmaha.
Lovely food and restaurants, beautiful setting. DD loved the seal boats both at Plockton and Kyle of Localsh, but yes, midgies an issue.

I live on the Clyde Coast anyway though so made no difference being there instead of home.

I'd thoroughly recommend it. We drove through Glenco too on the way up which was also stunning.

I finally understood why some people might holiday in Scotland (I hate living here!)

Hmm, and when I say Balmaha, I mean Balmacara!

We stayed here in my Uncle's chalet last year. It was very wet but had plenty to do. We bought a weeks pass for all the activities available and really made the most of it.

I agree with what has been said previously about the west and midges and of course it is well known for being wet .

Would 2nd earlyriser's recommendation of John-er. Not sure about the other one, cant picture it. You arent far from IMO the best beach in Scotland if you stay on the east coast - Lunan Bay - tis amazing!!!

There are some nice places to visit from there too - not too far from Aberdeen/Dundee if you want big city, also Boughty Ferry and Moniefieth are nice for a wee mooch about.

Notalone, It looks very well kept, quite pristine, but not a lot of greenery and i would suspect about half a mile from the sea (if it is the one on the road then it would be elevated from the beach by a fair bit). I'll have another look at the link, just in case we are talking about 2 totally different sites! I know there is another caravan site which IS a sea level but not sure it is the hoseasons one.

Can't get the link to work but is this the site?
www.iknow-scotland.co.uk/accommodation/27058-st_cyrus_holiday_park-montrose.htm

if it is then it is closer to the road than the beach.