Scotland

[Beetroot]

We are planning a week in Scotland at Whitsun

We want to go to Oban, take boat to Fingal Caves and to Puffin island.

Would like ideas on where to stay on the islands. Anywhere to do some climbing nearby

Any other places to visit.

Will have four adventurous and curious kids

[MaureenMLove]

If you are going to Oban, you could take the ferry over to Tobermory and visit Balamory.

[Beetroot]

My children (thank god) do not know Balamorey - we want adventure.

[MaureenMLove]

Oh OK! Are you staying in Oban? If so, its only about an hour from Fort William. There's plenty of picturesque walking and climbing there on the Nevis Range! Don't know much about the Islands tbh.

[Skribble]

If you are going to Oban Mull has plenty of places to stay, including the cave where I spent a week one year . Lots of areas for walking, hard to know what you mean by adventure.

[onlyWotz]

Ferry form Oban to Isle of Mull

There is wounderful beach to see, take car and explore Calgary Bay in Mull.

here

[MaureenMLove]

Try here

[Beetroot]

Thanks for those suggestions.

Kids woudd like to go on boats, see nature, climbing. or just play on a wonderful beach.

We will get boat form Oban as I think you can go to the caves an puffin island form there and then stay on an island or two.

[Beetroot]

anyone else?

[GreebosWhiskers]

Not the islands but you'd be able to get to Glencoe (my favourite place on earth) from Oban. There's a brilliant walk across Rannoch moor, a hike/scramble up to the hidden valley where the MacDonalds used to hide their rustled cattle (you'll wonder how they got them up there), a loch & the wonderful Clachaig Inn where you can sample some local ales with your dinner. It's a really easy walk from the inn to Signal Rock where a beacon was lit to signal the start of the massacre too - it's really eerie.

Wherever you go, have fun but if you do go to the hidden valley watch out for the fighter planes - we were on a ledge on the side of the mountain when 2 of the buggers zoomed past underneath us

[Aimsmum]

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[MrsMuddle]

Not sure when Whitsun is, but if it's not the middle of winter, how about a nature cruise from Mull. I think it lasts a day, and you can see eagles, dolphins and maybe even whales (or am I getting Mull and Alaska mixed up...?)

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[MellowMa]

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[dayofftomorrow]

If you are going to west coast of scotland remember those wee nasties the highland midge (might have been a bit cool for them this year) they are evil, go round in packs of millions and are hungry for blood.

Fantastic in may, june and july as it never seems to be dark

prefer east coast myself

[carries]

We where in Oban for a week at the beginning of July and had a brillant time despite the weather. We stayed at www.tralee.com/ . It has a fantastic beach right on site. There are a couple of touring van and camping sites next door to Tralee. It is in a place called Benderloch about 15 minutes outsiside of Oban. Things to do: Mull as mentioned, Rare Breeds animal farm which is good fun if your kids like animals (my oldest was terrified, but that means nothing{hmm} ), Nevis Range, Seafari trips from Isle of Seil over the Atlantic Bridge, heaps of ferry visits from Oban pier.

Have fun, even if the weather isn't great there is loads to do - rally karts, swimming, sealife centre, great leisure centre at Fort William. {smile}

[Sheherazadethegoat]

there is a lovely coastal walk on mull to see the fossilised tree - buy a walking guide and you will find it. lots of adventure courtesy of rusting ladders at one point, amazing rock formations and beautiful waterfalls.

[my2weegirls]

i'm jealous - there's loads to do, some of which have already been mentioned.

green welly stop on the way to oban - bit tacky but a must!

sealife centre at oban (if you've parked in a pay and display car park in oban then you get money off the entrance fee with the ticket).

if you like sea food then there's a wee hut near the ferry terminal which sells freshely caught seafood - they also have large crabs which you think are 'sleeping' but are actually alive! DP had the most amazing scallops from here (i can't eat seafood)

you can visit loads of the islands - some of them include kererra, lismore, mull (lots to do - castles/beaches/train/animal/sealife adventures/good food try the fish van at the pier in tobermory mmmmm), iona - can climb the hill for fantstic views, visit the abbey, the beaches are incredible - the bay at teh back of the ocean (nothing between you and america). isle of seil and easdale (good beer!) short 5 min ferry to the island - kids love it. and there's a good seafari from here. lots of places to stop and do stuff.

rare breeds (quite hilly) but if DCs like animals it's worth it.

glencoe - scenery/walks/waterfalls/clachaig inn - bits of harry potter was filmed near here (if DCs are interested in HP).

the power station inside the hill - cruachan (i think!)

so much more but DD2 is waking up - check out visitscotlands website as well...

oh and to stop the midges - get some avon skin so soft oil - original fragrance (i think woodland fresh?) - works a treat (hillwalkers/army etc all use it when on the west coast)

[MaureenMLove]

Oh Greebos! Glen Coe is my favourite place on earth too! We stay on the farm on the road between Glen Coe and Kinlochleven. It has to be one of the most breath taking places inthe world. We too have had the fighter planes flying beneath us, we were climbing up to the Black Dam from Kinloch. They fly so low.
Oh, just thought of somthing! The Ice Factor in Kinlochleven. Its the only indoor ice climbing placein the UK.

[nailpolish]

Beety you should go to Tighnabruaich
they have a sailing school, its extremely popular with sailing types
you can get there many ways, ferry, car, even steamboat! there are cabins to stay in, or hotels, nice places to eat, a pier, tons to do

dhs aunt lives there and we go every year (i find it dull but i can see the attraction if you are outdoorsy)

dd1 and dd2 LOVE IT

i know the secret places to go too, like ostel bay

[nailpolish]

if you scroll down to "bute on a still newyears morning" thats the scene from dhs aunts front window, its very beuatiful i hae tosay

[nailpolish]

sailing

[nailpolish]

mor einfo here

go on the "rest and be thankful" road its beautiful

[kamsmum]

"The Devil's Staircase" starts at Fort William. Would be worth a look....and Ben Nevis is right there. Climbing a bit of that might be an adventure.

[Beetroot]

wow we are going to be so busy.

ds1 sails!!

NOT CAMPING!

[nailpolish]

if ds1 sails he owuld like the tighnabruaich sailing school
they are so welcoming
and all the sailors go to the kames hotel for warm whiskys - theres always piles of wellies and sou'westers in the lobby