Scotland - where to stay?

savingsp

Hope someone can help. I would like to visit Scotland next year but never been so would like some advice on wheres nice to stay. There will be me and my other half andour two kids who will be 8 and 9. Any suggestions on places to stay/see/do would be most appreciated.
Thanks

Nile

savingsp wrote: »

Hope someone can help. I would like to visit Scotland next year but never been so would like some advice on wheres nice to stay. There will be me and my other half andour two kids who will be 8 and 9. Any suggestions on places to stay/see/do would be most appreciated.
Thanks

Hello savingsp

Just about anywhere is nice in Scotland, I love it there.;) If you like watching wildlife, here is a thread with some tips:

Planning a hol in Scotland and like wildlife?

Have you looked on the 'Scotland' board yet? That's the place for all things Scottish.:D

Enjoy your visit to Scotland.

Regards

Nile

daveyjp

There's a similar thread if you do a search, but for a first time visit I'd base myself centrally - Aberfledy, Pitlochry are both small towns with access easy access to lots of Scotland as they are central.

I gave this advice to a colleague and she came back last week. She stayed in Aberfeldy and over a week went to - Loch Ness, Aviemore, Loch Tay, Glen Lyon, Oban, Glencoe, Stirling and St Andrews. North, South, East and West in a week!

pinkteapot

One thing to appreciate is that Scotland is a BIG country. We went in June and had a couple of nights on the Isle of Skye and then five nights in Fort Augustus (southern tip of Loch Ness). If you look at a map, Skye to Fort Augustus is about a 90 minute drive and Fort Augustus to Inverness is around 45 minutes. We did a LOT of driving while up there and didn't even touch the northern most part of the highlands. With kids that's probably not what you want, so look for an area with lots close by. The roads up there are very good but not always fast roads so check using AA route planner or similar how long it takes to drive between places before deciding to go for visits from wherever you stay.

I LOVED Skye and want to go back (torn because I also want to go to the Orkneys and have never been). It really is a getaway - you wouldn't believe somewhere that felt so remote existed in the UK. It might not be a good place for kids if they want to visit attractions etc as it's very quiet. If you want a quiet getaway with lots of outdoor to explore, a week self-catering on Skye would be fab.

June was my first trip to Scotland (apart from an Edinburgh city break) and I want to go back next year, as I said above, possibly to the Orkney Islands.

One thing we really noticed as we live in the south of England is how long the days are up there in the height of summer. We were there on the solstice and while up there it didn't get dark till near midnight and was light again by about 3am. My body clock was thoroughly confused. While on a cruise on Loch Ness, the guide said that we were as far north as Alaska! Which would explain it - must be gloomy in winter though!

Miss_J

I just came back from Scotland last week after spending 6 days there with my hubby and 2 kids aged 6 & 8. We had a brilliant time, so much more than our usual med holidays that I think next year we might consider it our main holiday.

We booked a log cabin for 4 nights through Hoseasons, costing £216 and we were based in rural perthshire. It has been the cheapest holiday we've had in a long time. We made full use of our National Trust membership and visited many places for free, taking a picnic each day. In fact the only activity we paid for was when we visited the Falkirk wheel.

We spent the next 2 nights in Greenock making use of the Holiday Inn 2for1 deal and spent £50 for 2 nights bed and breakfast for the 4 of us.

We covered many miles, 1200 to be precise and the kids weren't bored in the slightest, they absolutely loved the place. Ahhhh, wish I was back there.

darkblue_2

It really does depend on what you want to say. As a Scot who has travelled Scotland - tell me what you would like to see and I may be able to point you in the right direction.

From wildlife and hillwalking in the North to the UK's second biggest shopping location in Glasgow - we have a lot to offer the tourist. Engineering masterpieces like the Falkirk wheel and history like the Edinburgh castle. We also have art in abundance.

savingsp

Still searching - would like somewhere that has things to do for the family, also shopping is a must. We always go to the beach on holiday so something different would be nice. Thanks for all your suggestions so far i keep looking but get easily confused.

_stevie

why not base yourself in dundee,its on the east coast but very central, ie: 50 mins to edinburgh, 60 mins to glasgow, 50 mins to aberdeen, it has 3 big shopping malls plus all the other shops on the high street,it has a zoo,it has discovery point also the dca, the observatory , theres sensation ,the ice rink , swimming, its got 2 big multiplex cinemas, lots of places to eat out, lots to do and see its has big parks, places like st andrews and carnoustie are 15 mins away, you can be in rural perthshire in 30 mins, you can drive up the old volcano that dundee is built around for some great views, heres a good pic of dundee at night, if you have any questions about dundee or need any info just let me know, ah its not letting me post links, if you google the places i said you will have a better idea,if you google " things to do in dundee " it will show you a lot of things and let you read what others have said about it, hope this helps you a little,

gordikin

I think Perth is a bit nicer than Dundee and is fairly central.

mrsdarbs

we are going here in November for a long weekend:

http://www.self-catering-scotland.com/whistlefield/

It's costing us £115 for 3 nights/4 days. It's right next to Lock Eck and we (my husband, myself and our 2.5yr old son) are planning on doing nothing but walking/cycling etc. I am told it's approximately 2 hours from Glasgow. Not sure about the shopping aspect though as the nearest place is Dunoon and I don't think that is what you have in mind - just depends on how important that factor is?!

parahandy

_stevie wrote: »

50 mins to edinburgh, 60 mins to glasgow, 50 mins to aberdeen,

60 mins to Glasgow from Dundee??? What - you got a rocket up yir butt?