PatrickLondon

There is an increasing consciousness about identifying nut-content on menus, even if it's often not much more than a CYA statement about not being able to guarantee that something hasn't been in contact with nuts. But cashews and pistachios aren't that common; I suppose you might need to double-check in Indian or Chinese restaurants whether they're hidden ingredients in something. And cakes, of course, of which there can be a lot in Scotland!

I think this is aimed at people needing regular rather than emergency treatment, but it might be of some use:
https://www.allergyuk.org/getting-he...lergy-services

To find local health services in Scotland:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/

Francewithfive

We visited Scotland with our three kids (ages 6,11,13) last summer. I have a few family friendly ideas for you:

Edinburgh:
We stayed in this fabulous flat RIGHT BESIDE the castle. Would stay again in a heartbeat. So convenient and really comfortable.
https://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/re...905167?m=24699

Our top things to do:

Castle/Camera Obscura - Spend a morning at the castle. Be sure to see the crown jewels. We tagged along on one of the guided tours and it was really good. We had tea in the tea shop there to get out of the rain. Kids loved their first real afternoon tea with scones and tea sandwiches. In the afternoon we spent a really fun couple of hours at Camera Obscura. It really was amazing for all of us and a nice change of pace from the castle. Don't miss the actual camera obscura on the roof.

Arthur's Seat - we did this hike/walk. Fabulous views. Afterward we explored the grounds of Holyrood Palace and then wandered back home along the Royal Mile.

Ghost Bus Tour - we did this one evening and it was silly fun! Not overly scary but also not for kids who might scare easily. We took our 6 year old if that helps at all!

We really liked Whiski for some Scotch tasting and dinner. Bought some great Scotch glasses as a souvenir that we use all the time. http://www.whiskibar.co.uk

Mum's was great for a casual meal of Scottish comfort food. Just a short walk from the Castle. Casual and it felt really local. Call ahead for a reservation. http://www.monstermashcafe.co.uk

Candy - My kids love to explore candy shops wherever we go and they absolutely LOVED this one. It's called Lickety Splits and its just off the Royal Mile. The owner had LOTS AND LOTS of Harry Potter stories to tell them. The shelves are lined with jars of Scottish candy. My teenage son found the sourest of all sours there! DEFINITELY worth a stop.
http://www.licketysplitsgallery.co.uk

Bus - book a double decker bus tour for the day you arrive. It's a great way to see the city. Edinburgh is small so it doesn't take long to get your bearings.

Skye:
We rented this beutiful converted mill in Portree. It was gorgeous and had a view of the bay. The wood stove was cozy on a cool afternoon too. One of our fave places we have ever stayed. We loved being able to walk into town. Portree has lots of great little places to eat and browse. I would try to stay a few nights.
https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-re...m_medium=email

Hikes: we are big hikers as well and did the Fairy Pools and Storr. We are somewhat limited with a six year old but did pretty well! There are lots of great hiking books you can buy in Portree - our rental place had a library of them. We also walked out to the lighthouse at Neist Point in a Scottish monsoon!!! All were gorgeous but you have to be prepared for all weather conditions. We were there in July and it was soaking wet most of the time with a bit of sun. You will need lots of layers and waterproof hiking shoes. Skye is one of the most breathtaking places I have been but if you aren't prepared for the weather, you will all be really unhappy.

Skye Weavers - we visited this workshop where we learned how the weaving is done on a loom powered by a bicycle. Super friendly and the kids got to jump on the bike. We bought a beautiful blanket too. We got a map with local galleries and spent an afternoon driving from one to the next. Our kids really liked this too - especially after a wet morning hiking.

Dunvegan Castle - great for a quick visit. The guides were really friendly and told our kids lots of great stories in each room of the castle. There was also a little treasure hunt to keep my little one entertained.

Coral Beach - We walked out to the Coral Beach after the castle. It is so stunning. Don't miss it! A white coral beach in Scotland! We all loved wandering, collecting shells, and walking through fields of cows! A great spot to take some family photos too. We were there for a couple of hours. https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guid...ks/coral-beach

Enjoy - Scotland is AMAZING ith kids.

alwaysafrica

Wow Francewithfive, that is a lot of valuable information about what to do with kids! Can I just ask, are your kids boys, girls...? Thanks so much for taking the time to write all of those details for us. I'm going to look into them all as time allows!

Q as I'm continuing the planning: any opinions as to whether we need one or two nights in the Trossachs? I've been reading that the Trossachs are like "the Highlands in miniature", but given that we're going to be spending a heck of a lot of time in the highlands, maybe we don't need two nights there? I need to decide asap of course, because the timing of the rest of the trip depends on it!

I'm finding lodging exceedingly hard to find actually... almost everything is booked! But I'm still working away... I'm determined : )

Jenn

janisj

>>Trossachs are like "the Highlands in miniature",<<

That is just wrong -- the Trossachs are their own scenic region (and the oldest national park in Scotland)

It entirely depends on what you want to see and do. There are so many sites/sights in the Trossachs and nearby that you could stay a week and not see it all (over the years I've spent probably a total of 2 months in the area and haven't seen it <i>all</i

Sites in and near the Trossachs include Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, Inchmahome, Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine, Loch Earn, Loch Tay, many other lochs and waterfalls, Balquhiddar, Killin, Castle Campbell, Gleneagles, Fortingall etc etc.

One night will give you about 3/4 of one day so maybe able to visit two of the above . . .

alwaysafrica

Okay good - 2 nights it is : )

Francewithfive

my kids are: boy 13, girl 11, girl 6

PalenQ

I would not cut any of the other destinations to ride the cars in the Whisky Centre . .>

Well I was not suggesting that at all- just throwing out options for folks to decide on their own and with kids the Whiskey Barrel Tour may be fun -as could the Camera Obscura - neither of which you ever even mention.

And adults can learn the basics of Scotch Whiskey in a experience that on Trip Advisor gets rather good reviews:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti..._Scotland.html

Another family friendly experience is the Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh's port - at Leith:

http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

janisj

>> basics of Scotch Whiskey<<

There ain't no such thing.

tom_mn

Just to mention that with children basing yourself in a flat or cottage for several days and taking drives 1-2 hours from there may work better than skipping around to new digs every couple days.

Your children are pretty young but 4 is going to limit choices (and may be pricy if you get pushed to 2 rooms) if you just look at inns and hotels. There are many vrbo.com type accommodations you might want to consider but there are usually minimum stay requirements.

A couple properties over from the Clachaig are 3 cottages called Glencoe cottages that worked out for us.

I think the Parliament in Edinburgh is a must see and it's free.

If you are flying Icelandair you might want to consider returning from Aberdeen instead of Glasgow.

paulg

Bookmarking for Francewithfive's Edinburgh kids suggestions. Thanks!

bilboburgler

To be fair

"Whiski" and
"Whiskey"

are both products made outside UK, though I note that Taiwan is trying to claim to make a "Whisky".

PalenQ

>> basics of Scotch Whiskey<<

There ain't no such thing.>

um Scotch Whisky!

alwaysafrica

Ah yes, the age-old bickering about whisky vs whiskey : )

Thanks all for your continued responses!

We're going to start booking accommodations soon -- since things are selling out so darn fast!

For our time in Glencoe, we're thinking of staying in Onich - what do people think of that location (given that the Clachaig is full and lots of places are unavailable - including Glencoe cottages). We're looking at a chalet at Inchree in Onich. Is that a convenient location for the area? Any opinions about the lodging?

janisj

I don't know the accommodations (have stopped at the pub) but Onich is perfectly fine --

alwaysafrica

I think the accommodations seem super-basic, but adequate and the views look beautiful. We may just go for it! We could book a nice cottage (we've found a couple) but they are way farther away from the area, so I think location is likely most important...

alwaysafrica

Our budget for Edinburgh is under/around 150 GBP per night if possible. And we think we'd like to stay somewhere on the Royal Mile. Any suggestions? We've got 2 nights (so we won't meet the min stay for a lot of self-catering apartments).

We've decided that on our way north to Durness, we might stay one night at the Gairloch Highland Lodge. Seems like a good place to stay with great views... (and as we say, man, lodging is booked!). history traveller, if you read this, I'd love if you could pass along that hotel rec for Ullapool?

Thanks!
Jenn

janisj

Not on the Royal Mile but very close to Waverly Station, the tram and Princes Street this Travelodge is VERY convenient.

With advance purchase it will most like be well under your budget (but rates are very date specific)

https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/...s-Street-hotel

historytraveler

For Ullapool I love The Arch Inn. I stayed there a couple of years ago ( 2015) while on a Rabbies tour. They had booked the hotel for me as they do all the bookings for their clients according to one's budget. It was my favorite place I stayed during by two plus weeks in the U.K. I usually stay at The Rubens at the Palace during the London portion of my trip and for several years now, I book the Balmoral when in Edinburgh. Now both the Rubens and the Balmoral are very nice so comparing them to The Arch Inn is a bit like comparing apples and oranges.


My room at The Arch Inn was a nice size, very well- appointed with comfortable furnishings. I had a wonderful sea view. In fact, it seemed I could almost jump from my window into the water. Almost. The hotel has a nice bar and, probably, the best restaurant in Ullapool. Family friendly and casual. I know they have family rooms but don't know if those have a sea view. They offer an excellent breakfast with choices from a menu.

I'm doing another Rabbies tour that will spend one night in Ullapool ( a different tour from the previous one ) and have taken the liberty to book The Arch Inn to make sure I get to stay there. I think it's a great choice and loved it. Their website is www.thearchinn.co.uk

alwaysafrica

Thanks for responding historytraveler! Sounds lovely and I will look into it!

mku4440

alwaysafrica, this is flat we rented on street off Royal Mile. Location was perfect for walking town. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1194366


And I asked my boys what they liked most about Edinburgh...they liked the street performers and they wanted me to tell you THIS was their favorite meal, LOL. http://www.oinkhogroast.co.uk/ (and by the way the CHEAPEST of the trip, about 24 pounds for 4 ppl). The whole pig is in a trough at the store window...head and all, and they pull the pork meat off for your sandwich. They loved that.