Remote scottish cottages

[ganesh]

Anyone know of any good web-sites to find a remote country cottage to rent in Scotland for my family and dog in the summer.

[nickmo]

Try:
http://www.scottish-holiday-cottages.co.uk

http://www.lochalsh.com/mhproperty/cottlist.ht ml

http://www.mackays-self-catering.co.uk

http://www.visitscotland.com and click on self-catering then location.

Be aware that the further into the summer you go and the further west and north, the midges will have a holiday on you as well, so take advice about the pest when inquring. Most highland regions seem empty of people in the njce evenings for very good reason, in case you haven't experienced the midge before...

[ganesh]

I've been to Scotland before but only in May and have never had a problem,but next year it'll have to be July because of kids hols. Are the midges really bad up the west side of Scotland which is my favourite area and are they worse near lochs or coast or mountains or just everywhere?
Thanks for the web-sites .

[nickmo]

hi ganesh - midges like still air, dull light, forestry, water and dark clothing.

They are more active in the early morning and the early evening, don't bother you indoors and are put off by a good repellent like DEET or Shoo (easily avilable when you get to the destination) - and also Nivea for some reason......and tend to go away once you start walking, but stop for 1 second and they will be on you.

Basic advice is cover up, use repellent on face and hands and as another tip, make sure the pooch has a good flea and tick repellent on before getting outdoors, otherwise there will be a lot of other little visitors bothering everyone for a long time after the holiday.........

http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/home/forecast.a sp has an online guide as to expected problems and tons of info here: http://www.albawest.com/midges.html if you're bored.

I'd suggest the best break you could have if you can only go in July is go high, rather than coast, hope for cool weather with a breeze and make sure you are near lots of pubs......The midge can be a real pest, but don't let the potential put you off. You may well find there isn't a big problem in the location you decide on, but at least you can be aware of the possibility.

Hope you have a pure dead brilliant time!!

[ganesh]

Thanks- I'll wear red and avoid the trees.lol.

[ganesh]

Those web-sites have put me off going, I wonder if the Oban area is too bad, it's west but not too far north?Maybe we'll do the Lakes instead and save Scotland until May sometime.

[nickmo]

hi ganesh

Oban itself is generally free of the little blighters, and lots to do in the area - Sealife Centre at Connel Bridge is nice and there's a ton of other stuff to do like fishing, diving etc. Oban is also the hub for the Calmac ferries round the Islands and you could think of that as an optional add on... See CalMac site at: http://www.calmac.co.uk for ideas.

If you can get a trip earlier in the year it may be a bit less stressful and should be midge free.

For a few ideas for holiday aqccommodation, have a look at the info at http://www.farmstayuk.co.uk and look for the area you want. Loads of really nice farms off the beaten tracks to choose from, and many ok with pets too, which can sometimes be a bit of a problem.

Hopefully be some other comments from others with some suggestions, but do make the trip to the West - scenery, food, people, - all brill. If you can it, make for the far north west and go to Sandwood Bay, 6 miles short of Cape Wrath - now owned by John Muir Trust and utterly beautiful, or out to the Ardnamurchan peninsular for another stunning place.