Your best Scotland experience?
Discussion
Hey Folks,
I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
we enjoyed a few nights at Fonab Castle nr Pitlochrie (https://www.fonabcastlehotel.com/), not cheap (or at least for our price bracket not cheap!) but very pleasant and quiet.
Most of the rest of the trip we were significantly below that level (although https://www.islesofglencoe.co.uk/ was also quite a pleasant place to stay)
Most of the rest of the trip we were significantly below that level (although https://www.islesofglencoe.co.uk/ was also quite a pleasant place to stay)
Another vote for Fonab, stayed there a few times and going back this summer. We did the visit the reindeer herd and visit highland coos trip, Mrs QD loved both (we now sponsor a herd of reindeer...).
Kitchin in Edinburgh was excellent as is his Scran & Scallie 'pub'. The Auld Hoose in Edinburgh for very good and ridiculous portion sized nachos.
Kitchin in Edinburgh was excellent as is his Scran & Scallie 'pub'. The Auld Hoose in Edinburgh for very good and ridiculous portion sized nachos.
The Jacobite steam train is well worth doing https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/steam-tra...
Stay at the Loch Melfort hotel for a night to see the best of Argyll (it's just south of Oban), then drive down to the ferry to Gigha at Tayinloan, dump the car at the ferry carpark and go over as passengers to stay in the Gigha hotel for the night (it's a small place, you don't need a car, ferry only takes 20 mins), but rather than eat at the hotel, book the Boathouse for dinner - absolutely sensational. You'll really be seeing Scotland
https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/2970/Gigha-Tayinl...
https://boathouseongigha.com/
Get all of that booked up now BTW. It is mobbed in Argyll these days. The Gigha ferry is very small and you might have to wait with a car, wheras if on foot you can just get on, hence my tip. We took the car when we went to Gigha last July, but only because we were staying a few nights and needed to get kids and paddleboards out to the wonderful beaches there. If just me and my wife, I'd potter about Gigha on foot and enjoy the booze ....
Don't bother going further down the Mull and Kintyre as Cambeltown doesn't have much to offer the tourist IMO - the road to Tayinloan for the Gigha ferry is the best bit of it all.
If you want to head further into Argyll, I'd recommend staying at Inver. Nigh-on Michelin class food, and cosy wee bothys to stay over at. Loch Fyne is one of the high-spots of Scotland. You can do Loch Melfort hotel, then down to Gigha, then back through Inver on your way back home - this is the part of Scotland I live in and IMO it's one of the best, and just on the edge of becoming more popular with the tourists, who thankfully mostly head further north!
https://inverrestaurant.co.uk/
Creggans Inn is also nice (we stayed there on part of our honeymoon), if you can't get into Inver
https://creggans-inn.co.uk/
Another alternative to that, but in the same area would be head to Kames and stay at the Kames hotel. Stunning location nestled in behind Bute and Arran, but again on the way back home from your loop north so easy to do - after all that, I'd get the ferry back from Dunoon to Gourock then up the M8 and home and avoid Loch Lomond completely, as the traffic is crap virtually all year now
https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/2970/Gigha-Tayinl...
https://boathouseongigha.com/
Get all of that booked up now BTW. It is mobbed in Argyll these days. The Gigha ferry is very small and you might have to wait with a car, wheras if on foot you can just get on, hence my tip. We took the car when we went to Gigha last July, but only because we were staying a few nights and needed to get kids and paddleboards out to the wonderful beaches there. If just me and my wife, I'd potter about Gigha on foot and enjoy the booze ....
Don't bother going further down the Mull and Kintyre as Cambeltown doesn't have much to offer the tourist IMO - the road to Tayinloan for the Gigha ferry is the best bit of it all.
If you want to head further into Argyll, I'd recommend staying at Inver. Nigh-on Michelin class food, and cosy wee bothys to stay over at. Loch Fyne is one of the high-spots of Scotland. You can do Loch Melfort hotel, then down to Gigha, then back through Inver on your way back home - this is the part of Scotland I live in and IMO it's one of the best, and just on the edge of becoming more popular with the tourists, who thankfully mostly head further north!
https://inverrestaurant.co.uk/
Creggans Inn is also nice (we stayed there on part of our honeymoon), if you can't get into Inver
https://creggans-inn.co.uk/
Another alternative to that, but in the same area would be head to Kames and stay at the Kames hotel. Stunning location nestled in behind Bute and Arran, but again on the way back home from your loop north so easy to do - after all that, I'd get the ferry back from Dunoon to Gourock then up the M8 and home and avoid Loch Lomond completely, as the traffic is crap virtually all year now
Edited by nebpor on Monday 14th March 17:42
jdwoodbury said:
Hey Folks,
I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
Watching red squirrels in the Cairngorms.I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
jdwoodbury said:
Hey Folks,
I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
I've nothing of any great value to add to this other than it sounds like you're going to have an amazing honeymoon as all of those places are simply stunning (excl Edinburgh but women seem to be drawn to the place for some reason, give me the rough and ready Glasgow any day) I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
Places to stay in Uig
The Ferry Inn excellent small place only 4 rooms , food also fabulous.
www.theferryinnskye.com
Also look at the Uig Hotel
www.uig-hotel-skye.com
Stuff to do - visit Isle of Skye brewing Co www.skyeale.com
You can also visit Fairy Glen or driver over the quirang to Staffn the road a views are stunning. If you like a west coast malt whisky ......Talisker Distillery at Carbost is a must.
The Ferry Inn excellent small place only 4 rooms , food also fabulous.
www.theferryinnskye.com
Also look at the Uig Hotel
www.uig-hotel-skye.com
Stuff to do - visit Isle of Skye brewing Co www.skyeale.com
You can also visit Fairy Glen or driver over the quirang to Staffn the road a views are stunning. If you like a west coast malt whisky ......Talisker Distillery at Carbost is a must.
A couple of enjoyable activies was visiting Eilean Donan castle on the way to Skye, and in Skye there are the "fairy pools" which is basically a fancy stream but nice stop off 
White beach at Morar is cool to see too.
You'll have a great time, just driving around is a great experience round those parts.
White beach at Morar is cool to see too.You'll have a great time, just driving around is a great experience round those parts.
jdwoodbury said:
Hey Folks,
I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
There's some interesting birds that can be seen at Cairngorm Mountain such as snow bunting and Ptarmigan (and as someone else mentioned red squirrels lower down).I am doing a 2 week road trip in July as part of my honeymoon. We have booked to travel from the Lake District and end up in the Yorkshire Dales, all the hotels are preliminary booked but looking for any recommendations for some special experiences along the way. That could be excursions to restaurants. Our itinerary is as follows:
- Ambleside
- Edinburgh
- Pitlochry
- Loch Ness
- Uig (Skye)
- Argll
- Yorkshire Dales
So far I have only booked an eBike trip in the Cairngorms, planning some walks but have nothing mapped out just yet. I know I would like to do some wildlife watching in Skye (puffin boat trip).
Near Pitlochry the Edradour distillery tour is good if that's your thing, lots of nice walks round there too. I'd also recommend the Moulin Hotel for food, haven't stayed there but sure it would be nice to stay at.
Pitlochry is a lovely place, and Fonab Castle is definitely honeymoon worthy.
A couple of other decent places we've stayed are:
East Haugh House - a cosy place with great breakfasts and decent evening meals just south of Pitlochry
https://www.craigmhorlodge.co.uk/ - a top class B&B with superb breakfast
In Edinburgh there's absolutely loads of stuff to do and plenty of places to eat -
As already mentioned, the Kitchin is consistently great.
Dusit for Thai food is excellent - honest and high quality if you want a break from fine dining
Other random stuff -
The Kinrara gin distillery shop just outside Inverness is worth a visit - I went with my wife and the lady who worked there almost forced her to try every single gin!! Their 'standard' gin is lovely.
The Oban distillery tour is good if you like whisky.
Loads of great country / hill walks just outside the towns
Some classic drives through Glencoe, Applecross peninsula. Anywhere around the west coast / Argyll is stunning.
Personally I love to pop into a deli (e.g. in Stockbridge, Edinburgh) and pick up some cheese / food, and drive up to a loch and sit for a few hours enjoying a picnic.
Is there anything you specifically like doing, like sports / boat trips / fine dining / whisky/gin drinking etc.?
A couple of other decent places we've stayed are:
East Haugh House - a cosy place with great breakfasts and decent evening meals just south of Pitlochry
https://www.craigmhorlodge.co.uk/ - a top class B&B with superb breakfast
In Edinburgh there's absolutely loads of stuff to do and plenty of places to eat -
As already mentioned, the Kitchin is consistently great.
Dusit for Thai food is excellent - honest and high quality if you want a break from fine dining
Other random stuff -
The Kinrara gin distillery shop just outside Inverness is worth a visit - I went with my wife and the lady who worked there almost forced her to try every single gin!! Their 'standard' gin is lovely.
The Oban distillery tour is good if you like whisky.
Loads of great country / hill walks just outside the towns
Some classic drives through Glencoe, Applecross peninsula. Anywhere around the west coast / Argyll is stunning.
Personally I love to pop into a deli (e.g. in Stockbridge, Edinburgh) and pick up some cheese / food, and drive up to a loch and sit for a few hours enjoying a picnic.
Is there anything you specifically like doing, like sports / boat trips / fine dining / whisky/gin drinking etc.?
r1ch said:
A couple of enjoyable activies was visiting Eilean Donan castle on the way to Skye, and in Skye there are the "fairy pools" which is basically a fancy stream but nice stop off White beach at Morar is cool to see too.
You'll have a great time, just driving around is a great experience round those parts.
We have booked a B&B that's a walk from the 'fairy pools' so we have that on our list White beach at Morar is cool to see too.You'll have a great time, just driving around is a great experience round those parts.
Ambleside, Rydal water and caves up Loughrigg if you want some height or if feeling fit Fairfield Horseshoe is a good hike, it is long. Old Stamp House is awesome, but may struggle to get a table. When heading North go over Kirkston pass to Ullswater, Aria Force is good to see when wet the day before, through Glenriding, a fabulous drive (My commute) first thing in the morning.
On top of what has been mentioned on Skye - Quirrang, Old Man of Storr, boat trip out of Portree see the Eagles, loads of seals, go further out might see whales, porpoises etc, sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse. The Cuillans for some full on mountain walking. I really enjoyed the walk to Coral beech, just bare in mind the road is heavily pot holed towards the end.
The fairy pools are ok, but really busy now they have opened a massive car park.
Just to mention it isn’t easy in season to get into restaurants.
If you need any help with either locations let me know, go up to Skye twice a year and live in the Lakes..
On top of what has been mentioned on Skye - Quirrang, Old Man of Storr, boat trip out of Portree see the Eagles, loads of seals, go further out might see whales, porpoises etc, sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse. The Cuillans for some full on mountain walking. I really enjoyed the walk to Coral beech, just bare in mind the road is heavily pot holed towards the end.
The fairy pools are ok, but really busy now they have opened a massive car park.
Just to mention it isn’t easy in season to get into restaurants.
If you need any help with either locations let me know, go up to Skye twice a year and live in the Lakes..
Edited by VTECMatt on Wednesday 16th March 23:22
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff