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We are considering a week in Scotland last week of August and looking for advice or recommendations if anyone has any. Would just be the two of us and 1.5 year old. Mostly just looking for a relaxed break someplace pretty. A distillery nearby would be a bonus and maybe so easy but pretty walks?
It sounds like what you want is Aviemore/Inverness (north of)/Moray areas.
But august in Scotland is um... Busy. Be quick.
Promoting where we live, Annandale. Not sure you’ll find anywhere at this late notice, but theres a better chance here than up North. Annandale Distillery in Annan is excellent, the cafe is near perfect. Bladnoch is a hour and half away, Solway spirits in Annan for gin, and they also sell a nice blended malt, though not produced by them. Loads of walks within half an hour by car, Criffel (large hill on the Solway) is relatively easy (3-4 hour round trip) with a path to the top, along with great views on a fine day, shorter ones are plentiful. Some excellent empty beaches south of Dumfries too, well, actually, a lot all along the Solway coast. Hoddom Castle has some fine small walks (around 1 hour), Annandale Way can be picked up in many places by the loacl buses. Up at Moffat there’s lots of walks, especially around Grey Mares Tail if you like waterfalls. Ae and Mabie Forests have walking routes as well as MTB routes. Good cafe at Ae (closed on Monday), Hotel/cafe next door at Mabie. Loads of hill walks across toward Galloway, and some slightly harder hill walks - Merrick and others I cant remember now.
Sounds more relaxing than Les Gets!
Two here, the first is very rural, around 5 miles from Ae, the second at Moffat is in a great little town.
https://www.cottages.com/cottages/gin-case-uk34871?adult=2&child=1&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages®ionName=Dumfries®ionId=22389&start=23-08-2024&index=search&accommodationTypes=&features=&siteFeatures=&page=1&sort=recommended&newflex=true
Probably need to dial in this requirement a bit, you've described pretty much most of Scotland, what about proximity to cities, landmarks you want to visit and so on?
I'm not a native... but we've had a few hols staying in Grantown-on-Spey.
It's a trek to get that far North (from Derbyshire) but found it to be suitably quiet yet also had a few amenities (local sport centre named after local boy done good Craig McClean, co-op, etc. Some local woods for walk (we have a Labrador so that's compulsory) and the river Spey. Close enough to Aviemore (20-odd minutes by car) if you need the bright lights of the metropolis. Local show if you time it right and one or two highland games not too far away if that floats your sporran.
LOTS of distilleries in striking easy distance. And doesn't my bank account reflect that.
The local Travis Perkins was recently closed down. But I assume the need for ready access to 4x2 timber is limited on holiday.
Mull? Or Grantown area?
It doesn't look to be available the week you want (it is the week before though) but I've stayed here a couple of times and it's lovely. About a 20 minute drive to Glenmorangie, slightly further to Balblair and Dornoch.
I would think the chances of finding a small scottish cottage with a toddler are pretty slim. And i’m not even sure if its legal anymore.
They're demolishing that one in Glencoe
I’ve just looked at one of our local booking sites (island holiday cottages) and there’s quite a few showing availability for the end of August, here on Mull. There’s a distillery here in Tobermory and countless scenic walks.
That Salmon bothy looks amazing but I think is maybe a bit further north than ideal (driving up from the south coast!)
Scottish summary holidays finish the week before so you'll either have a good choice of pretty much anywhere or have to fight off the childless couples who are trying to get a cheaper break away.
I'm DnG but further west than Alanl
It's an interesting region. Some kid friendly stuff about too.
There's a few gin distillerys. I can recommend crafty as its almost my neighbour.
What happened to the rum distillery someone from here set up down D And G way?
Not typical scenic mountaineous Scotland but how about the East Neuk or NE Fife? Plenty to do round us, our village has a fantastic pub/restaurant, a few nice countryside walks from the door and plenty more within 15 mins drive. Kingsbarns, Eden Mill and Lindores Abbey distilleries all within 1/2 hour.
Comrie area is lovely.
To be honest Scotland is amazing. (ex southerner been here 9 years)
East coast also lovely but more beach and less riding / hills.
West Argyle has it's own charm but can be wet.
Scotroutes - is that you then?
Seen that rum at a couple of local markets, Dumfries Rail Stn and Kirkcudbirght IIRC.
Theres also Oro, near Dalton too, though I’m not sure they are still going.