Scottish holiday suggestions?

daveyjp

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81980605#Comment_81980605

That was our plan last year, but relying on the Sleeper is always a risk. After the trip to London we arrived at Euston and waited in the lounge. The sleeper train arrived and ten minutes before boarding the service was cancelled due to damage near Penrith in the Lake District which wouldn't be fixed in time for us to pass through.

The offer was to sleep on the train, go nowhere and then catch the first service to Edinburgh from Kings Cross next morning. We sacked it as all our plans were based on an early arrival into Fort William. Thankfully we had time to get to Kings Cross for the last train home.

beanielou

North Berwick. Stay at The Marine. NB is amazing. Near Edinburgh.

oldernonethewiser

Midges can be annoying so having something like Smidge spray might be useful.

As August is definitely peak season the sooner you can decide on where to go the better as places will get booked up.

Anywhere near Edinburgh in August will be expensive owing to the various events during that month.

Are they driving to Scotland from somewhere or planning on hiring a car when they arrive?

If they decide on the Pitlochry area, one of my favourite parts of the world, then Fonab Castle hotel could be the expensive option. For a stunning location on the banks of the Tay then Dunkeld House Hotel.

twopenny

I'd suggest for the short time Oban, via loch Lomond, a beautiful national park with boat trips around the islands on the loch. Wonderful scenery. Or they could do walks around it..

From there they can get a foot ferry to a couple of near uninhabited Islands for walking, boat trips to other inhabited islands that are lovely, also trips to see Fingles Cave and wildlife. They can explore the coast with their car or take day coach trips. It's a real area that has so much,

Obviously they'd need to book accommodation now.

vacheron

My parents have a static caravan in the Scottish borders so, living in the north east, we are up there a lot.

Where they go really depends what kind of scenery they like and what they like to do?

I would focus on a certain areas based on their preferences rather than trying to do a whistle stop tour of the whole of Scotland or you will be driving a LOT, and the driver will probably be too fatigued when they arrive to fully enjoy anything or spend any decent time relaxing or getting the feel for a place.

When we head further north into Scotland we make a specific "driving route" and book hotels away from the big cities which are cheaper, but don't underestimate the time needed and think you can fit in 3 stops in a day with driving in between, or you'll just end up rushing from place to place.

As above the west, including Glencoe, Fort William etc. can be midge hell in the late summer.

My wife took the Caledonian sleeper to Fort William last year when she walked the West Highland Way, and really enjoyed it (the walk and the train).

One thing I can say though is that of all the places in Scotland I have visited, the place I was least impressed with was Skye. Massively overhyped, OBSCENELY overpriced accommodation, and I really nothing special about the landscape / geology that you can't see on the adjacent mainland. I really have no idea what the obsession with everyone visiting it is? 🤨

oldernonethewiser

Skye does get over promoted and over visited. Even though I have family there (no overpriced lodging for me😉) I prefer the Torridon area of the mainland.

daveyjp

The Skye bridge has so much to answer for. First time I went to Dunvegan coral beach we needed a map, some detailed instructions from a friend who had been before and a good pair of boots.

Last time I visited it needed a multistorey car park!

oldernonethewiser

Given the state of the Mallaig - Armadale ferry currently just as well there is a bridge.

Nebulous2

Braemar would be a possibility for a few days. Some suitably expensive hotels available, though whether it would make you feel cossetted or over charged depends on your attitude to life. Convenient for Balmoral, trip to Pitlochry, walk the Lairig Ghru etc.

It could be weather dependent, not so good if it is wet and miserable, though that is less likely in the East than the West.

You've said August, but not when. I'd agree with others that the last week or so in August after the schools go back would be preferable.

lascem

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81982398#Comment_81982398

+1 for Royal Deeside. My in-laws lived in Banchory and we always enjoyed our summer holidays in the area. Some nice towns along the river Dee - Aboyne, Ballater, Braemar. Scenery not as dramatic as the west but there are stunning landscapes at Glenmuick and around Cairn o' Mount.

Aberdeen has a very underrated beach where you can go dolphin-spotting and the coastline along the road to Stonehaven is very picturesque. Plenty of castles to explore - Dunnottar, Crathes - and distilleries if that's their thing.

The area is not too touristy and yes, the weather is supposedly better (apparently why Vic & Bert built Balmoral in the east and not the west!). Hotel choice may be a bit limited in the towns, but should be options around Aberdeen.