Hoping a combination of the 'Scottish contingent' and other well-travelled members may have some good ideas...

I am in the throes of planning a trip to Scotland (dates flexible) but the tricky part is finding accommodation that is suitable…we have visiting to do (or receive) in Galashiels, Falkirk and Aberlour areas. The initial idea was to use three different hotels, one for each area, but finding reasonable ones (with off-street parking, accessibility, good food & rooms and general availability etc) is proving problematic.

The other option is to hire a single holiday let (or maybe a hotel) somewhere north of, or around Stirling; this would allow for reasonable travel for all….I can't bring myself to spend £300+ a night at Cromix, Dunblane Hydro et al. I should also say, B&Bs, holiday parks etc are not a preference of Mrs D. And neither is camping.

Any and all ideas, inspiration and suggestions will be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance. Kevin.

Last edited by Giantlandyman on 24th Jan 2016 6:28pm. Edited 1 time in total

Hire a top-end motorhome - the good ones are a long way off 'camping'

That is a good idea, thanks; my wife was only saying yesterday (for the umpteenth time) how much she would like a large motorhome.

Only, this my first FFRR and have only owned it for a month and not had the chance to do a decent trip in it yet.

Why not stay in Edinburgh as a base for Falkirk and Galashiels, plenty of decent hotels not at Hydro prices and you get to drive your car on the days you wish to go to Falkirk and Galashiels.
Then find another place to stay nearer to Abelour, Inverness isn't too far away.

This may be a solution to your problem http://www.vwcamperhirescotland.co.uk

@nicedayforit

I didn't put all the permutations that I have gone through but that was something I looked at. My friends and relatives advise me not to use the Edinburgh hotels because traffic is awful…the council rigorously 'encourage' driver's to use the outer car parks and tram system.

The other issue with Edinburgh, I am told, is parking; lots of residents parking and expensive short stay meters and there are many fewer spaces nowadays, apparently.

@BrianC

If only…think prop forward gone to seed

I don't know the quality of Hotels you want but you could try "The Braid Hills Hotel" just south of Morningside. Very nice area, I used to live nearby. No parking problems, good traffic free routes to south of Edinburgh for Galashiels and Edinburgh byepass for Falkirk.
I agree about the use of a car in central Edinburgh but there are good bus services from the Braid Hills Hotel direct to Princes Street if you wish, about 15minutes ride.

@nicedayforit

Good shout. That location would work okay and hotel has pretty good reviews. Cheers; it's on the short-list.

I'm a bit biased but Glasgow is actually a better centre for touring than Edinburgh. John
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I know Glasgow even less than I know Edinburgh but looking at the map, somewhere north or east of the city would be okay travelling wise for the places I need to go.

I confess that other than seeing what the route planner says about how long a trip between A&B will take, I have no idea what the roads/traffic is like.

Any suggestions for hotels/cottages welcomed.

Glasgow is probably more convenient for the central Scottish motorways (well they aren't really motorways but they're as close as we get). Coming north on the M6 onto the M74, Glasgow is much easier to get to. Edinburgh has the disadvantage of being over on the east of the country, so any trips to Stirling and surroundings would mean using the M9, or God forbid, the M8! Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
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@alanm_3

"so any trips to Stirling and surroundings would mean using the M9, or God forbid, the M8!"

Roadworks or just bad traffic wise?

I'm a plus on Edinburgh, but agree the parking is atrocious.

We used to live in morningside and now parking permits have been introduced we struggle to park in the area now, even though we have a permit (and the associated flat).

I have just downloaded the air bnb app, not rented anywhere yet but there are loads of places in Edinburgh to rent, at all prices. Might be worth a look. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
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The M8 is a bit like stirring cold treacle with a plastic spoon. Because Scotlands definition of a motorway is to have only 2 lanes and is quite hilly, so no-one and I mean no-one ever uses lane 1 in case they need to overtake the many HGVs that go between the 2 cities. Another problem is when 1 of said HGVs decides to go for an overtake, just as they hit an incline, which inevitably results in them sitting side by side for mile after mile, neither giving a flying about the miles of traffic behind them!

It's quite possibly THE most frustrating road I've had the misfortune to drive on, so I take the train instead! Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
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