Ideas for Scotland holiday please

I love Loch Lomond, especially Luss. It's quite touristy though and at this time of year lots of Americans and other nationalities.

The scenery is beautiful, lots of lovely walks and quaintness. Lodge on the Loch is lovely!

www.loch-lomond.net

Thanks I shal have a look at that

Somewhere near Stirling, Gateway to the Highlands, would get my vote. Stirling itself isn't the most picturesque place to stay but there are plenty of nice villages around it and, situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh, it's perfectly positioned to visit either for a day trip. You've got Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park close by. Stirling Castle is one of my very favourite castles to explore and the first sight of it and the Wallace Monument set against the hills as you drive up the A9 never fails to take my breath away.

The surrounding area is full of beautiful scenery and vistas. The view from Stronachlachar along the length of Loch Katrine is gorgeous, Luss is very charming (a bit touristy for me these days but then again, I don't like people ?), then there are the lovely Falls of Dochert, the Lake of Menteith (Scotland's only lake, a good Trivial Pursuit question), Doune Castle and lots, lots more. Perth isn't far away for visiting Scone Palace, nor is Pitlochry for the salmon ladder and lots of woollen mills (I always stock up on my winter woollies in Pitlochry and Callander).

I may be slightly biased. It's where my dad's family is from and I've spent many childhood holidays in the area.

Last year we hired a converted farmhouse in Dornoch for a week, and it was one of the best holidays we've ever had.

It was perfectly situated for the Highlands, Inverness, the Landmark Forest theme park and lots more, and the scenery is beyond sensational.

The Oban area is beautiful - you can do day trips over to Mull and there scenery is stunning around there.

We loved Loch Lomond too. Stayed at the De Vere and it was fab!

If your not 100% set on Scotland then I found a fab cottage in Devon the other day on the net - looks fab! We are staying there next Saturday www.millbrookscottages.co.uk The Secret Garden cottage looks pretty good!

The National trust for Scotland has a good holiday website....

https://www.nts.org.uk/holiday-accommodation

J

Oh thanks all. So many decisions

Oh if you are coming up in August then you're best to avoid Edinburgh for accomodation as the Festival is on. Best to get somewhere outside and come in by train to do the tourist bit.

J

Dornoch is lovely - we stayed near Tain a couple of years ago and visited Dornoch (this http://www.2quail.com/ is a lovely restaurant) - you can also take in the Falls of Shin and see the salmon leap, local potteries, Dunrobin Castle etc.

Last year we stayed near Oban and did Mull, seal spotting etc. Both stunning places to visit.

Oban is very, very lovely. H and I love it up there, loads to do and great seafood! Try the Seafood Temple, it's run by the same guy who has the little green seafood hut on the pier, you'll not find anything better. Straight off the boat, into the pan and into my mouth. Yum!

I'm a bit biased towards Loch Lomond, as I live very near! It's also extremely nice. If you can afford to splash out, go for Cameron House. It's just been completely renovated and it's looking brilliant. I got married there! You could also hire a lodge there if you'd prefer self catering. The whole National Park is good. A good base would be Aberfoyle, it's in the heart of the Trossachs and a great central location. I agree totally with avoiding Edinburgh, unless just hopping over on the train (every15 minutes from Glasgow Queen Street Station) - it's very busy and crowded. Hell on earth!

These are log cabins rather than a cottage, but they are wonderfully situated at the edge of the loch and are lovely!

Tummel Valley

They are close to the pretty town of Pitlochry and the stunning Queens View. It is perfectly placed to explore the area and when we stayed there we did various trips out to Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Edinburgh and every where in between really.

There is a small club house on the site which has a restaurant, which we never actually ate in as the lodges are so well equipped, but we did go up to the club house some evenings for a drink and it was great.