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Love Scotland and want to share your stories – why not have a look at all the recent discussions and make a contribution or start a new discussion? Visiting Scotland and looking for some advice – why not ask a question or start a discussion or simply explore all the great content?
Join the conversation today and share your #scotspirit.
Best Of
Re: What to pack for Scotland in December?
The weather in Scotland in Winter can change every day, some days are very wet, where as others are very cold and frosty. I would recommend good footwear, like walking shoes or boots that keep you warm and dry and have a good grip.
A warm coat/jacket also helps with maybe a hat, gloves and scarf.
A warm coat/jacket also helps with maybe a hat, gloves and scarf.
Re: Hiking Loch Ness
Hi @Annef799 ,
In addition to the previous post a new trail has been created that will allow you to walk around the Loch - it's called the Loch Ness 360 and it's a great option if you want a multi day trip around the Loch.
It's all on good quality trails with the most significant ascent being between Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit and then between Drumnadrochit and Inverness. The elevation profiles are at the bottom of the page here: https://lochness-360.com/
It's not a big mountain area around Loch Ness although the geology does mean that it's steep sided so the paths near the loch do tend to be up and away from it. Your high points are hills like Meall Fuar-mhonaidh but these can be easily avoided if you don't fancy tackling higher ground. If you're basing yourself out of Inverness every day then you might want to consider a variety of day trips.
It's impossible to walk around the loch in a day (unless you run it!) so a variety of different trips might work. Options could include:
A day climbing Meall Fuar-mhonaidh at Drumnadrochit. You'll get great views down the loch from there - it's a boggy walk though, so take good boots.
Explore the South Side Loch Ness - Dores and the Falls of Foyers are a good way to spend the day.
Fort Augustus could be an easy day checking out the lock gates on the Caledonian Canal and mooching around the shops.
Another day in Drumnadrochit - Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, there are boat trips on to the Loch from there and there's a few walks you can do that give great views of the loch - suggestions in my own signature 🙂.
Of course Urquhart Castle is always worth a visit too. There's a variety of boat trips on the loch, including speedboats if you fancy a little more excitement!
Hope that helps!
It's all on good quality trails with the most significant ascent being between Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit and then between Drumnadrochit and Inverness. The elevation profiles are at the bottom of the page here: https://lochness-360.com/
It's not a big mountain area around Loch Ness although the geology does mean that it's steep sided so the paths near the loch do tend to be up and away from it. Your high points are hills like Meall Fuar-mhonaidh but these can be easily avoided if you don't fancy tackling higher ground. If you're basing yourself out of Inverness every day then you might want to consider a variety of day trips.
It's impossible to walk around the loch in a day (unless you run it!) so a variety of different trips might work. Options could include:
A day climbing Meall Fuar-mhonaidh at Drumnadrochit. You'll get great views down the loch from there - it's a boggy walk though, so take good boots.
Explore the South Side Loch Ness - Dores and the Falls of Foyers are a good way to spend the day.
Fort Augustus could be an easy day checking out the lock gates on the Caledonian Canal and mooching around the shops.
Another day in Drumnadrochit - Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, there are boat trips on to the Loch from there and there's a few walks you can do that give great views of the loch - suggestions in my own signature 🙂.
Of course Urquhart Castle is always worth a visit too. There's a variety of boat trips on the loch, including speedboats if you fancy a little more excitement!
Hope that helps!
Re: Finding a particular house in Dunoon
@hanicholson Here's a listing with address for Drumkeen as per the internet. Confirmed that it is a semi-detached as well so I believe the house on the right is the one you're seeking: https://espc.com/property/drumkeen-25-argyll-road-dunoon-pa23-8el/35589646
Horizons
1
Re: Planning a trip of 8 days into Scotland and wanted to know if what we've planned is realistic or not
Hi @JoanM,
First of all let me say Wow!, somebody likes their castles.
The trip is certainly do-able but that is a lot of driving.
When are you planning to make this trip? This year?
Is there any chance of extending your holiday to Scotland to possibly 14 nights?
You have missed out several excellent castles like Glamis Castle, Blair Castle, Scone Palace & Doune to name just a few. These are excellent to visit and everyone totally different to the next.
If you are planning on making this trip in 2019 then you are probably too late to book accommodation on Skye or Glen Coe! For accommodation on Skye it is recommended that you book as early as possible. Many people book, 8 months to a year, in advance.
Make sure that you book your accommodation in advance and DO NOT try to be spontaneous! You may not find any available accommodation.
Hope that helps a little.
fishypro
fishypro
5
Re: B&B needed in November
Hi @pdm Just for further information the town of Pitlochry is a lovely place to base yourself for walking and there is also the Enchanted Forest event on until the 3rd November. Check out Walkhighlands website for details of all the walks in Scotland.
fishypro
1
Re: B&B needed in November
Hi @pdm , Perthshire is a great choice of destination for you first trip to Scotland, especially at that time of year.
While a few b&bs might take a break in the winter months there should still be plenty to chose from and you will find a great selection here: Perthshire B&Bs.
Perth itself or one of the smaller towns such as Crieff, Dunkeld, Blairgowrie or Pitlochry would make a great base. Each of these towns has a great paths network which you can find details of here.
For an even greater selection and some more challenging walks have a look at the following website https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/perthshire/
Hope this helps.
While a few b&bs might take a break in the winter months there should still be plenty to chose from and you will find a great selection here: Perthshire B&Bs.
Perth itself or one of the smaller towns such as Crieff, Dunkeld, Blairgowrie or Pitlochry would make a great base. Each of these towns has a great paths network which you can find details of here.
For an even greater selection and some more challenging walks have a look at the following website https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/perthshire/
Hope this helps.
Re: Sunday Openings in Durness.
@SeaShells most places nowadays open on a Sunday and it's very much become the norm (unless you're over on Lewis and Harris) although you may find they have slightly reduced opening hours. Places like Cocoa Mountain and Mathers General Store are open on Sunday. In terms of tourist attractions, the beach never closes 
and I think the Smoo Cave tours operate 7 days a week.
and I think the Smoo Cave tours operate 7 days a week. Re: B&B needed in November
Hi @pdm, that's a fairly big question. Did you have a specific area in mind so we can narrow it down for you? There's plenty to choose from in places like Fort William, Aviemore, Ballachulish or down towards Pitlochry and Perthshire.
Re: Bike hire in Durness
Hi @SeaShells There is a bike hire place called "The Hub". I do not know the opening times but here is the address:
A838, Durness, Lairg IV27 4PS
Hope that helps!
fishypro
5
Re: Celiac Disease
Hi @Marnie51
If you're coming next month then you really, really should book before you arrive. It tends to get booked up really quickly nowadays and I think you'd struggle to find anywhere if you didn't book in advance. Airbnb may still have some vacancies on the day, it's not a risk I would take though.
Mull is easy enough from Oban, the ferry from the town takes you to Craignure on Mull. It's easier if you have your own transport to get around the island but I think public transport is ok. Skye is nearly a three hour drive from Oban so you'd be in for a long day whichever way you do it.
If you're coming up past Drumnadrochit on your way to Inverness then Cafe82 has a fantastic choice of gluten free food.
If you're coming next month then you really, really should book before you arrive. It tends to get booked up really quickly nowadays and I think you'd struggle to find anywhere if you didn't book in advance. Airbnb may still have some vacancies on the day, it's not a risk I would take though.
Mull is easy enough from Oban, the ferry from the town takes you to Craignure on Mull. It's easier if you have your own transport to get around the island but I think public transport is ok. Skye is nearly a three hour drive from Oban so you'd be in for a long day whichever way you do it.
If you're coming up past Drumnadrochit on your way to Inverness then Cafe82 has a fantastic choice of gluten free food.