Scotland trip

porterdubh

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Scotland trip

· Posted: 23.06.2015 · #1

Hello:

We're heading to Scotland in July. So looking forward to it. Planning a loop from Cairnryan --> Loch Lomond --> Loch Ness / Inverness --> Aberdeen --> Edinburgh --> Lake District --> back through Holyhead. I'd welcome any suggestions on what to do or see(or not do / not see). We've the campsites booked as we wanted this to be as stress free as possible. We've two kids - 12 & 11.

The plan is 2 nights in Balloch (Loch Lomond); 1 night Inverness; I night Aberdeen; 2 nights Edinburgh; 2 nights Windemere (Lake District). We like our bikes (bringing them with us), culture (music & drama), and anything that we can use to bribe/persuade the kids that there's fun around the next corner.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks ... Paddy

digger

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 24.06.2015 · #2

Bottom of Loch Ness is fort Augustus ... Amazing staircase of locks
Inverness ... Tour of Inverness Caledonian thistle FC if kids like football (free)
Not far to Cawdor castle ( Macbeth). Culloden battlefield visitor centre (NT) is really worth a visit
Moray firth is great for spotting Dolphins ... Several centres along coast.

t18con

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 24.06.2015 · #3

Quote by digger

I had been going to suggest the opposite set of locks at Fortwilliam, think it's called Neptune's staircase. and the swing bridge next door is worth a look.

unhappy camper

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 24.06.2015 · #4

While in fortwiliam try a trip on the jacobite steam train to malliag it goes over the viaduct used in the Harry potter film where the Ford Anglia flies underneath it it a good day out for all the family

Imscots

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 25.06.2015 · #5

Just a point, if you are going on the Jacobite train you must book before you go. You have a slight chance of getting tickets on the day but Risky.

I notice you have missed Glasgow off your list. Bad mistake. Anyway other thing you need to consider, and I did not last week when in Ireland. Our gas cylinders and Eire are not compatible.

Which Camp are you booked into in Loch Lomond?
Things to do no matter where you are, let me know or even PM me will try to give you some hints or tips and how far you want to travel from camp to see things.

Cheers.

Michael

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 28.06.2015 · #6

On your Aberdeen to Edinburgh leg nip into the Falkirk wheel for the kids, living engineering, you can even camp there if you want to but presume you will go to Edinburgh if already booked.

porterdubh

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 30.06.2015 · #7

Thanks Everybody for the advice.
We're getting a bit more excited as we're in the single digits for days now. Campervan got a thorough cleaning on Sunday. It's amazing where the bits of lego and sweets with bites taken out of them end up

Regards ... Paddy

Imscots

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 30.06.2015 · #8

Paddy where are you staying in Loch Lomond?

porterdubh

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 30.06.2015 · #9

We've booked Lomond Woods in Balloch. A friend of mine said that he stayed there couple of years back and was happy with it. It's a bit expensive but after coming off the ferry and driving for a couple of hours I'd rather pay a bit more and be comfortable with it.
It's also close to Dunbarton which has an indoor skate park which is a requisite on any of our holidays to keep a 12-year engaged

Imscots

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Re: Scotland trip

· Posted: 01.07.2015 · #10

ok Have stayed there a couple of times. You are right on the edge of the town of Balloch. Right outside the doors, you have a Mcdonalds, also a brand new Pub with pub grub, and a chinese restaurant which is also a carry out. My personal opinion is to give it a miss to the chinese that is as we had a grim meal in there in April.
You have a sea world about 400 yards away, which is about £9 a head to go into, I am not a fish fan so did it once a few years ago, and had a whale of a time (sorry bad joke). There is also a shopping mall there with 5 or 6 shops. and a play area for younger kids, and a small amusement park with about 3 kiddies rides in it which they make u pay for. Play park is free.
If you wish you can cruise the Loch the boatyard is about half a mile from the site.
If you are a golfer Loch Lomond course is 2 miles up the road. Memberships start I believe at £50,000.

You have obviously researched a bit around Dumbarton, there is a castle there and once held William Wallace before transport to London. Mary queen of Scots was taken from there to France by her mother.

If there is anything specific you need to know just ask me and will try and advise as best I can and give an honest opinion, as sadly a lot of things here are overpriced for very little.

You are going to pass through my City and not stop, in fact you will be within 100 yards of my door as you cross from the M77 to the M8.

Hope you enjoy Scotland as I did Ireland in the last 2 weeks.

Michael

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