Hi there,
My husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland in the month of June. As we will be traveling with our baby daughter, we're hoping to find an area to base ourselves for the month (or split our time between two home bases; a couple of weeks in each place). We will be renting a car from Glasgow and returning to Glasgow at the end of the month. We would like to see the Highlands (possibly the Isle of Skye) and castles. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!
You could have one base in/near Stirling, allowing easy access on day trips to both Glasgow & Edinburgh as well as the southern areas of the highlands. You could also make a day trip to St. Andrews if you got an early start.
For your second base with Isle of Skye access, Dornie is on the mainland about 10 min from Kyle of Lochalsh bridge. I can recommend the Dornie Hotel as family friendly, affordable lodging and good food. From Dornie you can not only take day trips around Isle of Skye but also other places in the highlands such as Fort William, Glencoe, Loch Ness / Urquhart Castle.
Thank you! Is there an area you would suggest for us to visit several castles?
Check "Visit Scotland" and "Historic Scotland" online sites for info on Castles and money saving admission passes. While the "Highlands" has mystic, it is only a portion of Scotland. Most of the medieval castles are south of Edinburgh and Glasgow. If you study Mary Queen of Scots you will find most of the Palaces. The Border Abbeys are spectacular. If you do go to Skye book well in advance as it has become very popular because of it's spooky landscape. In any case Scotland will be wonderful in June but be prepared for "weather".
On the Isle of Skye there's Dunvegan Castle (still inhabited by the family -- and with lovely gardens as well as fascinating indoor self-guided tour), and in Dornie there's Eilen Donan Castle (rebuilt in early 20th century from a ruin). Along the northern shore of Loch Ness is Urquhart Castle, which has free walking tours and many interesting interpretive signs.
Stirling has its own castle, of course. Not far from Stirling is Scone Palace in Perth. Also within day trip distance from Stirling are Blair Castle and Glamis Castle.
Thank you all for your responses!
