Scotland trip at Xmas /New Year - driving around

[culpano]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping I could get a few tips about a trip I'm planning to Scotland over Xmas. We want to go up to as far North as Plockton / Oban / Ullapool and are concentrating on the West Coast. We want to spend a night in either Oban or Tobermory. Then a night in either Ullapool or Portree/Stornoway. In between we want to stay in Plockton. We were planning to drive up to Oban from Manchester early on Boxing Day and drive back on New Years eve which gives us 5 nights. However due to the distances and the number of places up there we would ideally like to stay somewhere New Years Eve and New Years Day so we then have a couple more days at the weekend to see more of Scotland. I also want to see some Wicker Man film locations ! My questions are :-

1. What are the places I've mentioned above like (especially at Xmas/NY) ?
2. Will the places be too quiet, too busy etc.
3. Where's best to stay New Years eve that is a compromise between being too quiet or can't get in anywhere. Is it best to stay in a smaller harbour village type place at New Years Eve or a big City like Glasgow ?

We like to drive around in the day and do walks etc and as long as the place we stay in at night has a few pubs, restaurants and is lively enough (coastal places better with harbour etc pref) that's all we need.

Any other places to recommend. We don't like one horse towns with one pub and shop etc.

ps How spooky is this. Just as I was typing the word "Plockton" a colleague at work said "Edward Woodward has died". I didn't know that til she told me. Plockton is the scene where he arrives at the harbour in his boat plane.

Spooky !

[st4]

1. Wet, cold and dark more than likely
2. a lot come to scotland for new year, wont be cheap getting hotels.
3. i'd favour a city for NY, street party but I am a young fella.

I'd do the trip in early summer or early autum when the schools are back, when the weather is better and the road conditions safer. its a wonderful part of the world, but there are better times to sample it

[Lugy]

1. What are the places I've mentioned above like (especially at Xmas/NY) ?

Form experience they're mostly free from tourists, there's still dafties like me out there though It's normally not too cold either. After new year is when it starts to get cold.

2. Will the places be too quiet, too busy etc.

Again, it's mostly locals you'll find.

3. Where's best to stay New Years eve that is a compromise between being too quiet or can't get in anywhere. Is it best to stay in a smaller harbour village type place at New Years Eve or a big City like Glasgow ?

Sometimes the best atmosphere can be found in smaller villages .

I'll be having a random drive at some point over that week, it's a bit of a tradition, last year was Edinburgh, Crieff, Pitlochry, Perth, Edinburgh, Inverness, John O'Groats, Tongue, Durness, Ullapool then back down to Inverness and home to Edinburgh. The year before was only up to Skye and Eileann Donan castle and the year before that was Mull.

It's a great time to visit the country IMO, just bring a warm jacket. It also seems that it's a bit milder before we head into Jan/Feb.

[davethemus]

there is a hilton at aviemore, and it's worth going to plockton if only to see the surreal site of palm trees in scotland
BBC - Weather Centre - Features - Understanding Weather - Scottish Weather (Part Two)

[w124nut]

I hill walk in the highlands (Torridon), most years during January/February time and I recommend that if you are doing any walks in the highlands during winter make sure that you have the correct type of clothing and boots. Also, inform a responsible person where you are going and have a map of the area in which you are walking. A lovely sunny day up there can turn into a pedestrian nightmare very quickly. Enjoy yourself, it's a wonderful part of the country.

[rf065]

Originally Posted by davethemus

there is a hilton at aviemore, and it's worth going to plockton if only to see the surreal site of palm trees in scotland
BBC - Weather Centre - Features - Understanding Weather - Scottish Weather (Part Two)

They have these trees all over Scotland, Largs has quite a few.
I saw them in a garden centre up north, can't remember the proper name for them, I recall they come from high up in the mountains of South America and the label claimed they can survive temperatures as low as minus 22 degrees.

As for the wicker man,
The Wicker Man - Scotland the Movie Location Guide

Russ

[culpano]

Originally Posted by rf065

As for the wicker man,
The Wicker Man - Scotland the Movie Location Guide

Russ

Oh yes I've seen this site. Thanks.

[scumbag]

this is where I will be in the 31st Dec 2009/1st Jan 2010.

Oban Hogmanay – Scotland's best new year celebrations

I need to say no more.



apart from the 1200mile round trip I am doing to get to it.

[culpano]

Originally Posted by scumbag

this is where I will be in the 31st Dec 2009/1st Jan 2010.

Oban Hogmanay – Scotland's best new year celebrations

I need to say no more.



apart from the 1200mile round trip I am doing to get to it.

Sounds good. I can't get any hotels there ! Having to try somewhere else. Thurso has a hotel for £60 on New Years Eve but its probably cos it's a dump ???

[scumbag]

Originally Posted by culpano

Sounds good. I can't get any hotels there ! Having to try somewhere else.

Annoying thing for me is I am staying in hotel 300yrds from a flat I own.

You may want to try further away from Oban itself, like Connel or Taynuilt. Would mean a taxi, or one driver amongst you, but you may find somewhere.

[crockers]

Just hope it's not snowing ...... keep to the west coast and it should be more rain than snow - go higher and inland and take some snow socks or chains just in case. Bear in mind it will be dark for a lot of the time too so this will add to the chill.

Personally - I love the area ..............in MAY / JUNE. and we go to Tongue and trip to the west coast every year. One of the most scenic parts of Europe and one of Scotland's hidden secrets. I was shocked when working in Stirling how many "locals" have never ventured north.........shame...

This year our plan is to go again to Orkneys but stay overnight there taking the car - and visit Maes Howe

Have a great trip.

[culpano]

Originally Posted by crockers

This year our plan is to go again to Orkneys but stay overnight there taking the car - and visit Maes Howe

Have a great trip.

Cheers. We are thinking of getting the ferry from the north coast to Stromness in the Orkneys and staying over one night.

[mattc]

Originally Posted by scumbag

this is where I will be in the 31st Dec 2009/1st Jan 2010.

Oban Hogmanay – Scotland's best new year celebrations

I need to say no more.



apart from the 1200mile round trip I am doing to get to it.

What possible (new) reason could you have to drive 1200 miles at that time of year with lots of fast, windy empty roads.

[w124nut]

Originally Posted by mattc

What possible (new) reason could you have to drive 1200 miles at that time of year with lots of fast, windy empty roads.

......... and a wee dram or two of the golden malt in your glass at the end of the day

[crockers]

Originally Posted by culpano

Cheers. We are thinking of getting the ferry from the north coast to Stromness in the Orkneys and staying over one night.

Just bear in mind the Pentland Firth can be one of the roughest sea areas - be prepared....