and pray for good weather
There have been a few "visiting London" threads on here which living and working in London I have contributed to.
Its now the time of you bonnie gents up there to give some advice down south.
Me, my wife and our (will be) 1 year old want to do some holidays in the UK. Scotland is top of the list but we are very flexible.
We are looking at going in June for a week or two. I have free Diesel so will be driving.
We love to walk and be outdoors. I have been to Edinbough before and want to go again. I would like to go and see the west, Isle of skye looks like it
should be in New Zealand and so would like to go and see the rugged coast. We want to stay in a really picturesque log cabin at some point. We have
been watching George Clarke's Amazing Places so anything like that would be great.
Any advice or ideas?
We get a cottage once a year right up north by the coast, Scotland is an amazing place and I'd recommend the usual tourist places like Loch Ness,
Edinburgh etc.
I would highly recommend a distillery tour as you get to drink far more monies worth of whisky than the tour costs.
Skye is a beautiful island and one of my favourites is Islay.
A drive through the highlands deer spotting is also great fun and usually amazing driving roads. We like to stop and watch the fly fishermen catch a
salmon or hire a little row boat for the day and catch trout in a loch. A spinner rig is about £15
West coast is stunning, roads are amazing. Isle of Skye, Applecross, Kyle of Lochalsh, Oban etc etc Used to do it all the time on my bike.
Also stopped in a log cabin years ago at the bottom of Loch Lomond (Balloch) which was nice and a shortish train journey into Glasgow.
If your doing the west side, Glasgow is full of culture and on a par with Edinburgh. Next jump up if your doing Oban etc is Crinan. Pretty little
harbour. Views across to Jura. Its all pretty good up there.
I stayed at a B&B owned by an ex Navy diver, place was full of stuff off the seabed, the Crinan Hotel is right on the waters edge, serving good
food.
http://www.crinanhotel.com/photo_gallery.php
the most important thing is to get out of the car,.... get out of the car and walk,. walk up the hills,. walk away from the roads go and see the
views,...
and pray for good weather
Another vote for Islay, we're off back in a few weeks. Leave the family at home, get some mates in, and do a few distillery tour. Happy days!
Properly remote and well worth a visit for a meal or even a stop over - http://www.applecross.uk.com/inn/
Glass bottomed boats around Skye are great too.
I found Edinburgh to be far too touristy - not at all interesting. Previous experience was that Glasgow is far more interesting.
Agree with the west coast - but be prepared for rain!
The rain will be warm in June. Beware the midges.
quote:
Originally posted by dave
The rain will be warm in June. Beware the midges.
I do work around Loch Lomond and the Gareloch have done the drive to the Kyle of Lochalsh and would definitely recommend the west coast drive to Fort William, the drive through the mountains is stunning however found Fort William disappointing
quote:
Originally posted by dave
The rain will be warm in June. Beware the midges.
Have you concidered a few days in sw Scotland on the way up?
Some beautiful countryside there .
quote:
Originally posted by keith777
Have you concidered a few days in sw Scotland on the way up?
Some beautiful countryside there .
Staying on the west coast of Scotland I should be able to give pretty good suggestions, but at the moment my head is fried and I'm far too tired, will add a better response in the morning. What I will add is go to Islay for a distillery tour, plenty to choose from and drive there via the rest n be thankful!
I though the Falkirk Wheel was worth the visit.
My Scottish mates swear by Avon Skin so Soft (read the
description in the link) as an insect repellent.
HTH
Neil
Having Driven it many times I would support starting Around Stirling Castle area, Head up through Dukes pass then make your way up over a day or two
up the west coast to Applecross (Pass of the Cattle, Uk's best Alpine style road)
There is a Westfield gathering in Applecross over the weekend of 20 -22nd June which is always good for a hangover.
Little video from SKCC
[Edited on 18/1/14 by hkp57]
quote:
Originally posted by hkp57
Having Driven it many times I would support starting Around Stirling Castle area, Head up through Dukes pass then make your way up over a day or two up the west coast to Applecross (Pass of the Cattle, Uk's best Alpine style road)
There is a Westfield gathering in Applecross over the weekend of 20 -22nd June which is always good for a hangover.
Little video from SKCC
[Edited on 18/1/14 by hkp57]
We drove up to the West Coast last year. We went to Skye initially then went to Applecross then went to Glenfinnen Hotel.
Just my opinion but for me Skye was amazing. I'd go back in a tick although next time I want to go to the Outer Hebrides. But of the three parts
to our trip Skye was the best.
I'd agree with Applecross sitting outside the pub with a pint looking over at Skye at midnight and its still quite light is amazing.
Cheers,
Bob
Mountain biking...?
http://www.ridefortwilliam.co.uk/
Thanks for all of the replies.
Its nice to know that the west is the place to go. We are restricted by the time of year that we are going as its when the child minder is on holiday
so we are taking that time to go away.
Please remember that we have a 1 year old. My wife and I would love to get drunk in a distilleray for a day but unfortunatly them days have gone!
Same for long hikes and mountain biking, both we would love to do but just cant.
Keep the advice and comments coming, mozzies and Edinburgh Vs Glasgow is interesting. My perception of Glasgow is probably boardering raciest! I have
the perception that Edinburgh is clean, historic and worth visiting and Glasgow is where Super T and Buckfast is guzzeled!
No offence meant, Ill visit Glasgow and form a new opinion!
Don't go north of the border... There be beasties! 
Your view on glasgow is interesting, but in some parts you're correct. But the same could be said for the rougher parts of Edinburgh and in fact
any uk city.
Visit first, opinions second.
We stayed in a cabin on Loch Tay in July 2013, fantastic place views walks.
morenish mews link
Really reasonable prices too.
Went on a highland safari in Pitlochry which we really enjoyed, plus the distillery tours.
Loch Tummel and Queens view is a must.
The Royal Marine Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge is set in some stunning scenery, needs to be a clear day. Also the viewpoint at top of Loch Shiel over looking the Glenfinnan Monument and down the loch is stunning, if you time it right you will also see a Steam Train going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct from the same viewpoint (harry potter). If you get the weather right its the most amazing scenery. Also driving through Glen Coe on A82 is a must.
There are some nice spots in the borders but you could end up trying to do too much, here is a route that has some of the best roads (not all though,
it just flowed)
This could be trimmed back to suit your needs, like amything south of Stirling or Perth can be done on the motorways.
To speed up your return from the Highlands stick to the A9 from Inverness.
Maps Here
[Edited on 18/1/14 by hkp57]
[Edited on 18/1/14 by hkp57]
quote:
Originally posted by bi22le
Keep the advice and comments coming, mozzies and Edinburgh Vs Glasgow is interesting. My perception of Glasgow is probably boardering raciest! I have the perception that Edinburgh is clean, historic and worth visiting and Glasgow is where Super T and Buckfast is guzzeled!
No offence meant, Ill visit Glasgow and form a new opinion!
Nowt wrong with leith.
taking the coast road round north Berwick is amazing. Id recomend pease bay , thoroughly enjoyed our stay last year. Then go directly to st kilda,
just to say id been .......
Glasgow probably has the most things to see and do of any of the towns or cities in Scotland and is nowhere nere as rough as alot of people imagine
providing you don't go anywhere dodgy. If you do decide to visit though, remember the Common wealth games are on this year and going during them
would be like visiting Rome at easter I imagine (Last time I was in Glasgow George Square was fenced off as part of the one year count down). If you
have the time you get a lovely view from the top of the Necropolis.
On your way up be sure to stop at Gretna green.
Gretna is another touristy place - but none the worse for all that! Worth a visit just to say you've been there.
My brother lives near Nairn (just east of Inverness) which is another area worth visiting (a vote for east Scotland!). Scenic, especially the Black
Isle, with Cromarty at the end. The highlands are quite close too.
[Edited on 18/1/14 by David Jenkins]
+1 for skin so soft as midge repellent Falkirk wheel applecross ,Skye,
Re Glenfinnan and mcAlpines concrete curved viaduct we stayed in a beautiful cottage at Glenfinnan many years ago when the children were small, at
Loch lomond there is a fantastic house on east side called Ptarmagin Lodge which sleeps about 16 people so would bé a good place to meet up with
family for a special occasion- huge garden sweeps down to loch, dogs n bonfires welcome!
Have done log cabins but they tend to bé very variable- favourite place which would bé great for your whole family is the Hilton hotel at Dunkeld- at
first sight not the no 1 destination for a 1 year old but it is a huge country lodge river rushing past a huge arboretum of massive trees and more
importantly a swimming pool round the back! Lots of tea shops in the village pretty cheap if you book way ahead.
Anyway enjoy your trip!
Atb
Mike
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
I don't want to push Glasgow too much as, after all, it's just a big commercial city. It's just not as grotty as many people think! The major downside is that you'll probably want a phrase book or a translator.
+1 on the midges comments - they can ruin an outdoor holiday. IIRC they favour one coast rather than the other... do some research if you're a walker/cycler/camper.
The only downside I found with West Scotland was in Fort William - I've been there a few times, and it's pee'd down with rain every visit! Other visitors from this forum have said that this is a common experience... shame, as it's a nice-enough little town.
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
The only downside I found with West Scotland was in Fort William - I've been there a few times, and it's pee'd down with rain every visit! Other visitors from this forum have said that this is a common experience... shame, as it's a nice-enough little town.
I think it's just Fort William - 5 miles out of town it would always stop raining!
quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
Nowt wrong with leith.
which bit ? ) 
+1 for Dunkeld
If you go there have a walk along the river to the hermitage / salmon leap
When i was young we use to camp just out side Dunkeld at a water mill
Jacko