To be honest, we hadn’t actually planned, let alone booked a summer holiday away before lockdown occurred, so didn’t have the disappointment of cancellations and refunds. As a child of the ’70s, in Scotland, I grew up with Easter and summer holidays, in Scotland. Not for us were the giddy heights of beach holidays in Majorca.
We did once attempt a family camping holiday in France, never to be repeated. I distinctly remember a lot of time spent in the car, being sick on the ferry, sagging tents and comedy French. Instead, we spend all our time on the west coast at Crinan.
Family Holiday
So this year we decided where better to heal our battered and bruised souls, but on the shores of the stunning Loch Craignish, at Ardfern in Craigdhu Farmhouse.
A top tip for any newcomers to Scotland – don’t let the weather forecast put you off, or you’d never venture out. That doesn’t mean I don’t avidly look at every weather app with doom and gloom. Into the car go the wellies and waterproofs, jeans and jumpers, and excessive amounts of midge spray. The one thing we tend to dither over is the suntan lotion – seems like tempting fate.
Scottish West Coast Loch
The sea on the west coast is distinctly warmer than the east thanks to the North Atlantic Drift. The children didn’t think anything of swimming, windsurfing and paddleboarding, without wetsuits, but that’s youth for you.
Just 20 miles south of Oban, the area is ideal for outdoor activities. Bike ride along the Crinan canal, past the lock gates and on to the Crinan Hotel. For a rather less sedate ride, head to the end of Craignish point where you get the most spectacular view through the Corryvreckan, the world’s 3rd largest whirlpool, and beyond.
Local Wildlife
If you’d rather see the local wildlife by sea, Craignish Cruises and Jenny Wren Boat Charter operate trips. You may spot golden eagles, sea eagles, Basking sharks, Minke whales, dolphins and porpoise, otters, and seal colonies. For those with principles about engines, Argyll Yacht Charters offer a wide range of cruising yachts, based at Ardfern Marina. Budding young sailors and kayakers can book lessons from both Ardfern, Craobh Marina over the hill, and Oban
.
Kids, boats and water – a week of happy days, fresh air, picnics, building dams and good nights sleep. We came home a week later ready to ditch our life in the city, and relocate over to the slower paced, beautiful west coast.
Visiting North East Scotland
Until, 3 weeks later, we headed 120 miles north of Edinburgh, to Kingussie. Our destination this time was the spectacular hunting lodge, Old Milton.
Situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, the lodge boasts its own 9-hole golf course, tennis court, lake and access to fishing on the Spey. The views were stunning, and the weather was GLORIOUS. Having pessimistically checked the forecast before leaving, expecting to be repacking the raft of warm “Scottish summer’ kit.
As if the facilities within the grounds weren’t enough, just on the doorstep of Old Milton is Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. Activities include paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, mountain biking and skiing. Day tickets allow you to spend hours by the water, on the water, trying all the equipment in the warmth of wetsuits. At £30 for a child and £40 for adults, you can more than get your money’s worth. The centre is happy to drop you with a canoe upriver at Kingussie and let you spend a glorious afternoon drifting down the Spey back to the loch.
Of course, you don’t have to pay for water activities. There are numerous rivers and pools to swim in – Feshiebridge being a well-known deep-water spot. We found another secluded waterfall and pool, a 20-minute walk through the most beautiful purple heather fell, and shoulder high bracken. However, we are under strict instructions not to divulge the location, lest it appears in one of those ‘best undiscovered wild swimming in Scotland’ books.
Our one attempt of climbing a Munro, was sadly cut short, 10 minutes from the top due to the thunderstorm that was sweeping across the country. In amongst the summit fever crazed adults, was a sensible 18-year-old who pointed out being on the top of a very tall mountain when lightning strikes is not the brightest of ideas.
So, seaside or mountains? What is fabulous about living here, is that both are on the doorstep. In 2-3 hours, you are in the quiet isolation of island beauty or mountain splendour. And if by luck, you end up with glorious sunshine, you wonder why anyone would want to be anywhere else.