Scotland Holiday Ideas

Conanius · 26 Dec 2013 at 20:45

We're considering our holiday options for next year, and Scotland is somewhere I've always fancied exploring. I think its absolutely incredible to look at, and I'm actually a bit gutted I've waited all this time to go.

I think we'd like to do some of the obvious stuff - Loch Ness, A ride on the Jacobite (Hogwarts Express), etc - because I think it is nice to get those sorts of things in there, however I'm interested to see what other places people recommend also visiting.

I like the idea of going to see the countries natural beauty - Things like the Steall Waterfall look amazing, as does the shores of Loch an Eilein, and the white sand and crystal water beach coves around the coast - but I know Scotland has other things to offer.

It would be myself, my wife and our newborn going,He'll be about 7 months then, and I think the best option would be to have 2, ideally no more than 3 places that we would stay as a base and then do things in that immediate area. Holiday length probably 7-10 days. I appreciate that means it would be a whistle stop tour, and lots of things would be missed, but I'm sure we will visit again.

'Clever' planning like having a base near to Fort William to do the Jacobite, and then on the way to a base in the Cairngorns go via Loch Ness for lunch with a view would be how I'd hope to take in more sights.

Keen to hear places that we absolutely must go and see

[TW]Fox · 26 Dec 2013 at 20:50

I did a little trip last year - overnight stay outside Glasgow, then a day up the A82 via Glen Coe, Fort William and Loch Ness to Inverness, also taking in Ben Nevis. Overnight in Inverness, next day down the A9 to Aviemore and up Cairn Gorm, Highland Wildlife park, down to Edinburgh for 2 nights and then on from there.

Stunning scenery, and really enjoyable.

Considering it again next year.

rodenal · 26 Dec 2013 at 20:51

I take it you're not interested in Glasgow/ Edinburgh or any other bigger towns/ cities ( excluding Inverness)? If so I reckon you're thinking along the right lines.

What you might want to do is stop somewhere on the east coast too and work your way down spend some time in st Andrews etc but it really depends what you want to see.

On the west coast you'll catch Loch Lomond, Oban, fort William etc easily. Then a scenic drive north and back down your chosen coast could fill your 7 days no problem.

When are you thinking of going? Proper waterproofs are essential of you want to happily explore. You might get lucky like this summer when its been great but it pretty much buckets down most of every year, getting worse the further north you go.

Raumarik · 26 Dec 2013 at 21:02

Stirling Castle, vastly better than Edinburgh in my opinion

with Fox especially regarding Glen Coe, that's a nice drive!

airwave99 · 26 Dec 2013 at 21:11

Were it not for the 7 month old, I'd recommend climbing a munro or two, some of those mountain tops have the best views in Scotland. There is always the Funicular Railway up Carin Gorm, with a visitor centre and restaurant near the top.

phonemonkey · 26 Dec 2013 at 21:13

I love Skye and the Torridons for something a bit different but that's perhaps a bit far for you?

What kind of exploring do you want to do? Are we talking hill walking in the middle of nowhere with no one around you and wee one wrapped up on your back, or are we talking road trip, stop and look at the view and have some lunch kind of thing?

Also if you're doing a castle I back the belief that Stirling is better than Edinburgh.

Windle · 26 Dec 2013 at 21:26

Fort William is a bit of a hole of a town really, it's there to cater for the Aaonach Mor tourist trade primarily!

Aviemore and surrounding area is nice, lots to do. Can go sled dogging, visit the only wild reindeers in the UK and head up Cairngorm on the funicular. Hilton at Coylumbridge is very family friendly.

Oban is nice and worth a visit, I'd also highly recommend a trip to the islands. Islay is fantastic, particularly if you like Whisky! But Isle of Coll, Tiree etc all really nice.

As an outside punt, the Isle of Arran is frequently referred to as Scotland in miniature. It has it all, the Munros, the glens, the whisky, the tourist attractions. It's small that you can get around everything in a few days and the Auchrannie resort has everything you need accommodation wise.

touch · 26 Dec 2013 at 21:32

You need to go for a trip up either Cairngorm or Aonach Mor, or both.
Aonach Mor is the mountain which the 'Nevis Range' ski area is on, there is a gondola to take you up.
Cairngorm, near Aviemore, has a funicular railway to take you up.
Remember to look up the hill before you go up! If it's cloudy, the top stations of both Nevis Range and Cairngorm will generally be above the cloud and you wont see anything.

As you say, Loch an Eilein is nice. If you're fit you could walk up to Loch Eanaich from there also. It's about 14-15 miles round trip though, so would probably be a whole day.

Eilean Donan Castle is nice, but probably quite a bit out of your way.
Urquhart castle, at Drumnadrochit, on the shore of loch ness is worth a stop on your way past as well.

BigglesPiP · 26 Dec 2013 at 22:53

I've been to the west coast so many times, usually near Oban and The Sound of Jura. But this is because I go sailing and that area has fun tides to play with, also a rather large whirlpool.

One other thing I like about Scotland is that if you see a sign for a castle, you can just stop and explore it, they aren't commercialised like English castles, also there are a lot more of them.

rmuir · 26 Dec 2013 at 23:19

http://www.cruinn-cottages.co.uk

We stayed there a few years back. Beautiful scenery and proper isolation. Oban is within reach too.

Lartyconshayo · 27 Dec 2013 at 00:30

The West Highland Way is a nice scenic walk. Takes about 6 days.

Freedom · 27 Dec 2013 at 01:37

BigglesPiP said:
I've been to the west coast so many times, usually near Oban and The Sound of Jura. But this is because I go sailing and that area has fun tides to play with, also a rather large whirlpool.

One other thing I like about Scotland is that if you see a sign for a castle, you can just stop and explore it, they aren't commercialised like English castles, also there are a lot more of them.

My Club's Dived that Whirlpool, Not as strong under the surface

areksnumbr1sxylady · 27 Dec 2013 at 03:11

Just go to hull.

-Ad- · 27 Dec 2013 at 03:14

Hit the West coast, it really is something worth seeing.

Skye is sensational and I really need to go back
There are many great routes to drive.
Head up over the mountain pass to Applecross and then follow the coast hugging road for even more amazing scenery.

big_white_dog84 · 27 Dec 2013 at 08:07

The beach at St Cyrus south of Aberdeen / north of Dundee is out of this world if you end up over in that direction. Also, another vote for Stirling Castle here, plus a stop off at Luss on Loch Lomond, where I got married. If the weather is just right and it's not packed with Americans it can be really nice for a half hour leg stretch. A bit expensive, but while there you could grab lunch / dinner at the Lodge on Loch Lomond, and ask for the outside seats overlooking the loch.

Conanius · 28 Dec 2013 at 10:28

Thanks for the replies all.

We were considering going in mid/late June, would high teens be the probable temperature ?

jimmy321 · 28 Dec 2013 at 10:54

Conanius said:
We were considering going in mid/late June, would high teens be the probable temperature ?

Expect it to be between 10°C - 30°C and calm with wind rain and sunshine with perhaps some hailstones and thunder, in Scotland it's common to get all seasons in one day.

Conanius · 28 Dec 2013 at 12:37

Haha brilliant

phonemonkey · 28 Dec 2013 at 13:02

I'd say you want some wet weather kit, and some warm weather stuff! Plenty of sunscreen and warm jumpers etc!

The weather in Scotland can be a bit unpredictable and even though it's sunny when you set out, there's no guarantee it'll stay sunny for more than a few a seconds!

Enjoy though. Personally I think Scotland is at it's best when it looks stormy and wild

RoboCod · 28 Dec 2013 at 13:08

I would recommend bothy hopping around the Cairngorms. It's a brilliant experience.