burnma01

I currently live in NYC and am looking to go to Scotland next year over Labor Day weekend. I found a great hotel in Loch Lomand that is part of our time-share program. We would be going for 5 nights total. The downside is that I would have to stay at the same hotel all week. I am a little worried I will not get to see the best parts of Scotland. Is it worth staying in Loch Lomand for 5 nights or should I wait to take the trip when I can drive around all week/stay in different areas.

Would the experience still be worth it? I just want to make sure I have the ability to take in all the scenery Scotland has to offer and wasn't sure if I can get this if I stay in one place. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! We would be staying at the Cameron House Resort.

Ackislander

Have you got the postcode or the name of the nearest town?

It matters which end of the Loch you are at.

janisj

First of all - it is Loch Lom<B>o</B>nd.

Second --Cameron House is one of the nicest places you could possibly stay. I've stayed there twice and love it. Not to worry --you couldn't take in ALL the scenery of Scotland in a year let alone a week.

W/i reasonable day trips of Cameron House you could see Glasgow, all of the Trossachs, Oban and the west coast, Stirling, bits of the Highlands, the Ayrshire coast, Hill House, . . and an all day train trip through Rannoch Moor and on to Mallaig and back. If your timing is right you could take that train ride on the Jacobite (the steam train from the Harry Potter films)

You can't see all of Scotland in a week -- so don't try. But you can see a LOT of great scenery w/ the bonus of staying at Cameron House. (on one of my visits a few years ago I bumped - almost literally - into Sean Connery Not guaranteeing a sighting tho' )

burnma01

Ackislander - The town is Dunbartonshire.

Janisj - We would be traveling with another couple. Glad to hear the Cameron House is really nice. I assume the resort is out in the country with a bunch of outdoor activities at our disposal?

janisj

No -- the town is not Dunbartonshire. That is the whole county. And Cameron House is not in Dunbarton - the town

"<i> I assume the resort is out in the country with a bunch of outdoor activities at our disposal?</i>"

Just about all of Scotland is 'in the country' (w/ the exception of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and a few other towns/cities).

You must have a car if you stay at Cameron House, but is not nearly as far out in the 'boonies' as most other places I've stayed. And w/ a car you you can get just about anywhere.

here is the website. http://www.devere-hotels.co.uk/hotel...ron-house.html

There is a hotel, leisure club, restaurant and the lodges that are the timeshare accommodations. Are you in RCI? There are a couple of other really top quality resorts you might want to check.

http://www.kilconquharcastle.co.uk/ in Fife

and http://www.hilton.co.uk/craigendarroch up on the Dee

There are many other good timeshares in Scotland but these 3 are probably the very nicest.

burnma01

thanks so much! we are part of interval international. we would be staying in one of the lodges. do you know if those are the same quality as the hotel itself?

janisj

AFAIK all the timeshare/self catering accommodations are in the lodges - not in the hotel/restaurant building. The Hotels is very traditional. The lodges are much more modern but super nice. Roomy, EXTREMELY well fitted out (down to decanters/crystal highball glasses). They aren't 5+ star/over the top type places. But absolutely everything you could want. 2.5 baths

Here are photos of the lodges/interiors as well as other parts of the resort http://tinyurl.com/6sgtg72

burnma01

thanks so much. looks awesome. i assume if you stay in a timeshare lodge you would still have access to the hotel amentities? I think you talked us into going here!

janisj

You'll love it there. Yes -- you have access to the entire property. Though there are fees for spa services etc.

di2315

I would also thoroughly recommend Cameron House; we stayed there a few years ago, and it was easily the plushest Time Share property we have been to. As janisj says, crystal wine glasses etc - all the trimmings you could want.

Our lodge was split over 3 levels, so that may be a problem if you need to avoid stairs.
The grounds are lovely to walk through, although the midges at dusk meant no conversation while walking (unless you wanted a mouth full of the little critters!)
We met the doorman at the lodge who gave us a guided inspection of the property - hadn't packed swimwear, otherwise the pool would have been a great option for unwinding a the end of the day.

Glasgow is a lovely city; don't miss the Charles Rennie Mackintosh buildings and art deco furniture display there and in the house at Helensburg.

We took the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh one day, and drove north to Stirling for another day trip. Di

janisj

don't worry too much about the midges. You are going a little ate in the season for them. They are a possibility for sure, but you may see nary a one of the little buggers . . .

janisj

oops-- >>a little <B><u>L</u></B>ate in the season . . .

CaptainChas

One of the best ways to enjoy the scenery, if you're reasonably fit, is to walk up one of the many hills in the area. Conic Hill (350 metres) sits behind Balmaha on the east side of the loch, only 15-20 minutes drive from Cameron House. Part of the walking route follows the West Highland Way and has a good path. It's a straightforward climb and you'll see people of all ages doing it.
If you're into geology then the added interest is that the hill sits directly over the Highland fault line - looking back over the loch you see three islands in almost perfect alignment, and these also form part of the fault.

<No -- the town is not Dunbartonshire. That is the whole county. And Cameron House is not in Dunbarton - the town>

To clarify the town is actually spelled 'Dumbarton' (not worth visiting) and is in the county of West Dunbartonshire.

Morgana

I've eaten at the Boat House restaurant at Cameron House, and thought the whole place was wonderful. After our meal we walked in the grounds and sat on a bench overlooking the lake - it's in a stunning setting. No Sean Connery though - that really would have been the icing on the cake.
In Glasgow I would strongly recommend the excellent
Kelvingrove Museum and the Burrell Collection.
http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museum...ages/home.aspx
http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museum...ages/home.aspx

huddoshols

This area is quite familiar to me, as we have very good friends in Gartocharn. We visit most years. An absolutely stunning area. Some days you can just sit and watch the ever changing scenery roll by. The colours are magnificent. We walk and walk when we go. Always do Conic Hill, as Captain Chas suggested. Last year hiked Ben Lomond ,of course the summit was covered in mist! You will love it, just don't worry about rushing to try to see it all. Go back again!

sheila

But cha have to love janis's Freudian slip!

janisj

was appropriate - wasn't it