Recommendations for low key, scenic, but not too terribly remote place for a long stay in Scotland

Will you have a car to roll in to town? Or are you looking for a base to use public transportation?

We're going to be in Scotland for a month so I was hoping to only rent a car for a portion of that. So, I guess the short answer is I would prefer not to rent a car if that is a reasonable thing.

Fort William is your place. Beneath the highest peaks in Scotland (and the UK), near water, rail lines - including the renowned train that goes over the Glenfinnian Viaduct, side trips to Glencoe (hiking!) or even islands if you wanted. Not too small, but definitely not too big.

I am not one to sit around for long, but I was quite content with a glass of wine looking out the window at the harbour from our suite at the Greystones in Oban. Page through the photo gallery to see—-

https://www.greystonesoban.com/gallery

Maybe you could find a cottage nearby with that view. Oban is a friendly and attractive town, with a train station, and ferries to the nearby islands of Mull, Kerrara, and one other whose name escapes me. We spent an enjoyable day exploring Kerrara on foot—-the only way, unless you bring a bicycle over on the little passenger ferry. The only vehicles on the island belong to the few farmers who live there.

Fort William looks very promising! I was thinking the west coast looks like a good area to hang out.

Linlithgow is a small town that has Queen Mary of Scots relic Castle. It seemed a pleasant place and is located by close train ride to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Falkirk. We stayed in Edinburgh ourselves near Greyfriars and the University, an area with a few small hotels with parking. We walked to downtown. Hotels seem modestly priced in Edinburgh. We enjoyed staying in Inveraray at a Farmhouse B & B. We ate a Family Style Pub with a view of the Loch. That is where the Campbell Clan Castle is and open to view. This is area to start a tour of the Highlands. I hesitate to make specific recommendations because of Covid. Look at www.visitscotland.org for some great visuals and ideas.

When you said that you didn't want to rent a car that pointed me to some thing based along the highland line. Dunkeld/Birnam came to mind because it is on the main train line and you can get up to Inverness, visit Perth or Scone or back down to Edinburgh. The town is small but has some good restaurants. You can go out for lovely walks.

If you change you mind and decide to have a car, you might still stay in Perthshire, but try the other side of the A9 and go to the Aberfeldy area. You would find wonderful views of Loch Tay and Ben Lawers. You can drive up Glen Lyon or over the mountain to Loch Rannoch. With the car you can hop over to the Dunkeld/Birnam walks or do the Birks of Aberfeldy.

Back on the train line you could look to see if you can find something in the Pitlochry area. It's a big bigger than Dunkeld and has the Festival Theatre which you would probably enjoy. There are two distilleries and some lovely walks.

Back in the car, but in a different direction, you might check out the Trossachs. I had been to Scotland several times before I found them--not far enough north for me. But then I realized that they are lovely. Driving west out the Glen from Rob Roy's grave I found Monachyle Mhor. It was a beautiful glen and if I ever find my true love we are going there for a long stay. Even if we can no longer hike the trails. We'll just sit and watch the loch and the dogs.

Seriously, though there are so many places that you could stay. If it were me, I would plan on having a car. It's not that things are far, far away, but if you want to go see things at all you may be challenged. You could of course, hire a driver.

Pam

Much of Scotland would fit your requirements. Having a car for longer would be a benefit. The more sheep you see nearby, the greater the need for a car.

You are heading there during Scottish school holidays, so places will be busier and more expensive (English schools start 2-3 weeks later).

Fort William is a functional, not a pretty town, but is surrounded by fantastic scenery. Oban would only be my choice if I wanted to spend time on the islands.

Nairn is close to some major sights such as Clava Cairns, Culloden and the stunning Cairngorms.

Stirling has good rail connections, plenty of walking and running options and a castle and other historical buildings for interest.

Some of the border towns such as Kelso, Jedburgh and Hawick would also allow you to explore Northumberland (my favourite English county) with castles aplenty, Hadrian’s Wall and Holy Island.

I'd head for one of the islands - Mull, Lewis and Harris or even Shetland!

Excellent suggestions everyone. Thank you!

Don't forget Orkney.

I forgot to say it’s whisky, not scotch when in Scotland.

Well, this takes time -- about 4 1/2 hours by train from Glasgow --- but it fits what you want to do perfectly:

The Glenfinnan House Hotel at Glenfinnan.

(I have written a post about it before, but let me see if I can describe it well without rewriting everything. Well heck let me try to find the link.)

Hold on.. . .

Edit to add: here is my trip report from my last trip there (I was literally starting to make plans this morning on the metro for my next trip there) - you can skip ahead to "Day 4 / Tuesday" for the Glenfinnan days to see what all there is so wonderful.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/10-nights-in-scotland-mostly-solo-glasgow-and-glenfinnan-with-a-brief-foray-to-edinburgh

Hi -

You might consider ‘Scotland in miniature’, the island of Arran. Reached by ferry from Ardrossan there are rail links from Glasgow which is relatively nearby, and the ‘capital’ Brodick, where the ferry runs from should fit your needs. There is a bus service on the island which needs careful planning, but should get you most places and there are taxis if the buses don’t fit - the island is around sixty miles in circumference so nowhere is far from anywhere else. Castle and gardens at Brodick, mountains (Goat Fell etc., behind the town) Buddhist monastery on Holy Island….

Ian

Fort William ticks all your boxes...... except for 'scenic' and 'quaint'. The location is very scenic, but the town itself.....not so much. However, you might be able to find a nice holiday house to rent within walking distance of the town, and possibility overlooking the water or mountains, without also overlooking the sprawl of the town itself. The town has some tourist facilities, as it's the starting point for hiking in the Nevis range of mountains. But it is also very much a working town and a hub for those living and working in the surrounding area.

How about Pitlochry? Or as others have said maybe fly up to Orkney and stay on the outskirts of Kirkwall. Or you could be really adventurous and take the boat out to Barra (or fly there from Glasgow and take the only scheduled flight in the world that lands on a tidal beach) and stay in Castlebay. Certainly quaint and scenic and with lots of sheep.

Best wishes
Jacqui (Skyegirl)