I'm finally booked (almost) everyplace! Plus a question about dinner reservations...

Hi, Mardee,

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding accommodation along the Moray/Aberdeen/Kincardine coast, unless you're travelling in August, or during an international oil conference. I think that I mentioned the Newburgh Inn in a previous post. We haven't stayed there, but it looked quite nice when we stopped for lunch.

Our go-to lodging in the Aberdeen area has always been (at least for the past 21 years!) the Premier Inn North at Balmedie. It is in a really nice location, far enough from the city that you feel as though you're out in the country, but just off the main highway, and close to the north end of the Aberdeen bypass. We usually get a ground floor room in the new extension, closest to B&Q (Britain's answer to Home Depot). There is a M&S food shop within walking distance, and bunnies foraging outside the room window.

There are several Premier Inns in the Inverness area, if you're stopping there. We recently stayed in Premier Inn West, which is about 50 yards from the Caledonian Canal. It's not particularly attractive from the outside, but it's quite comfortable inside.

Another place I can highly recommend is the West End Guest House in Elgin. Great location, wonderful hosts, superb breakfast, and lots of space to park. Short walk in to town.

As far as booking ahead for dinner on the islands, your best bet would be the day before if you can, or the morning of if you can't. Mrs. A and I usually go for takeout or for sandwiches (ready made, or rolls, lunchmeat and cheese) from a supermarket. Even when we've eaten in a restaurant, we've never had to make a reservation in 26 holidays in Scotland. Having said that, it appears from previous posts here that advance reservations are pretty much required in outlying areas, especially at the more top end restaurants. Most towns of any size have at least one chippie, one Chinese, or one curry shop (or all three!), if your tastes, like ours, run toward the more plebian.

So glad that you are getting your plans finalized. Your itinerary looks amazing! You'll be seeing the best that Scotland has to offer.

Once again, best wishes!

Mike (Auchterless)

I only booked a few days ahead at the most.

In Tobermory, the only place I got a reservation for was Cafe Fish. I almost missed that one, so do it when you get there and have days to be flexible. Otherwise do it ahead. I got a late evening sitting on my last night and was lucky to get it. I had fish & chips one night and 2 other nights didn’t have a reservation.

I was only in Portree on a Sunday night and needed a reservation, but couldn’t be bothered (and not as many places were open). So I ate from the grocery store. Plus I had had a nice lunch (as soon as they opened on Sunday - it filled up pretty fast). Most of my nights were in Broadford. I had a reservation at The Old School for an early sitting and probably needed it (this was my only “reserve before you leave home”).

I reserved twice in Stornaway, but only after I got there. I also ate from the grocery store one night. And had a big late lunch from Crust one day.

So, the sum of my experience in July was: easier to get in as a solo diner (we are faster); make a reservation if you are sure you want a specific place; probably good enough after you get to town if you aren’t picky; plus I either ate on the early side or in off hours (depending on the day). Rest of the sum - food was good!

And I really DID need my printed ticket for Calmac!

Thanks so much, Mike and Gwynn! Very good to know! Mike, I especially appreciate the additional hotel ideas - I will keep these handy as I travel. And Gwynn, good to know about reservations and take-out. I tend to do take-out a lot since I don't stay up late and sometimes it's nice to sit in my lodging and plan the next day over dinner, but there are times when I want to eat out. I was worried I would have to make the dinner reservations weeks in advance so this is good news. And thanks for the info about the printed ticket! Very good info to have! I need to start making my list of things to bring NOW!

Mardee: we ate 3 out of our 4 nights on Arran at the Brodick Bar and Brasserie. Yes, it was that good. I know we didn't have reservations our first night but we may have made reservations on the other nights. If we did, we probably made them the night before or the day of. We ate in in the restaurant but you could also eat at the bar. I'm not sure if it has the same menu. They also have what appears to be everyone's dream experience in Ireland and Scotland: "trad music" nights by locals, not professionals. It was on a Tuesday in the bar. Have a great trip. I'm jealous.

I never make dinner reservations and haven’t had any issues, but I don’t travel in peak season.

Trotter, that sounds wonderful and I will definitely stop in for dinner! Thank you!

Jennifer, I remember the days when May was mid-season; not peak (at least in other areas of the world). This is my first trip to Scotland so I have no idea if that was the case here. 😊

ETA: Trotter, I was just checking out their website and unfortunately they are closed on Sundays and Mondays, my first 2 nights on Arran but I was able to book a table online for Tuesday evening. I know I'm a little early but I wanted to do it while I was thinking of it. What? Memory issues? At any rate, the menu looks incredible - I can't wait!

Regarding the HI Express at Glasgow airport. There are no signs to the hotel nor can you see it when you walk out of the terminal.

Here are directions...upon exiting the terminal, you will see the parking garage in front of you. There will be walkway to the left of the garage. It will be right in front of some airport offices.

Take that walkway to the next road. There will be a traffic light. The hotel will be across the street to your left. It's only a three minute walk.

The hotel has a limited dinner menu. There is an M & S Simply Food at one end of the terminal, the one closest to your hotel.

Thank you, Frank - that is very helpful! I'm adding all this information to my notes for the trip. I was actually thinking about having dinner at the other Holiday Inn, since someone here mentioned that it has good food (and sticky toffee pudding, which I love). :) I'm assuming it's within walking distance.

When you walk out of the terminal you'll see the other Holiday Inn on your right. It's about a three minute walk between hotels.