Scotland in pictures – Summer holiday memories
There’s been so much going on recently with this and this, I almost forgot to post about our Summer holiday! We went back to our favourite Luxury Lodge near Loch Lomond for two weeks of glorious family time. Luckily the weather was kind as it rained at home for most of the time we were away!
With an Autumn break planned in sunny southern Spain with James Villas Holidays we wanted Scotland to be an ‘active’ holiday. We walked for miles in the most beautiful scenery, Little Man happily snuggled in the Ergo on Daddy’s back (I’ve written before about my love of baby carrying here.)
The littles were amazing; they settled into our home-from-home easily and slept through every night giving us the chance to chill out in the hot tub right next to our lodge. And breathing in lungfuls of fresh air certainly gave them both a hearty appetite – they tucked into fish and chips when we visited the Loch Fyne Restaurant and Oyster bar… where I also had my first oyster experience!
We loved visiting Stirling Castle last Summer so while we were at Loch Fyne we also visited nearby Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Campbell clan and the current Duke of Argyll. The grounds are open for you to explore and there’s a wealth of beautiful historical artefacts plus a great gift shop. I loved that there were photographs of the current family dotted around the stunning rooms.
This year we ventured away from Loch Lomond to explore some of the other lochs. At Loch Ard we hiked for 7 miles before having a picnic lunch – I’m so proud of Curly Girl for walking such a long way.
With so much walking we really got a chance to reconnect with each other as a family. Curly Girl loved hearing stories about the husband and I when we were children and it was so special watching him spending quality time with them both.
And perhaps that’s our Summer holiday in a nutshell – memory making and memory sharing in the most beautiful Scottish setting. Just perfect.
Linking up with…
Magical Moments over at The Olivers Madhouse
All About You at Mama and More
Share with me at Let’s Talk Mommy
Brilliant Blog Posts over at Honest Mum
Country Kids at the wonderful Coombe Mill
I absolutely LOVE Scotland for a scenic and active holiday, it’s one of our favourite places! Gorgeous photos. #countrykids
Isn’t it fantastic! We love it too. Thanks for your lovely comment about the photos – I’m loving my new camera!
It is my dream to visit Scotland one day. Your pictures are beautiful.
It really is a beautiful part of the country – thank you!
wow this looks like such a stunning place to visit! i love the look of that castle .. i am such a sucker for a castle! 😉
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments (sorry im late getting round)
Me too! They’re so romantic, aren’t they? We visited Stirling Castle last year and it was fab. I want to visit Edinburgh too, it’s been years since I went there. x
Gorgeous photos Michelle! I’ve never been to Scotland so you’ve given me a little taster of what to expect.
Thanks Aly! I highly recommend it, beautiful countryside, lovely lovely people. We’ve already been back two years in a row!
What stunning view! I love this place. I wish we can also visit this place and have as much fun as you guys =) #countrykids
Thanks Merlinda, the views are certainly breathtaking – I don’t think the photos really do them justice!
What that’s some walking you did. bet you felt great for it! What a beautiful place to visit. I really want to go someday as I have only been to Edinburgh and was so sick I didn’t leave the hotel for the three days we were there and came home. I really was upset I missed it. Scotland is notorious for beautiful sceneries! Love the photos. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
We did feel great and I can’t wait to go back again – still so many areas we haven’t visited yet. I LOVE Edinburgh, it was just out of our reach this time, but hopefully next time! x
What a stunning area to visit, it reminds me of cornwall even though it is the other end of the country, I think it is the lush green and hills that do it. sounds like a perfect family retreat and I love the look of the castles there. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona, it was a perfect holiday full of fun and healthy walking. I’d like to visit more castles there next time we go – there’s something so romantic about them!
That looks so beautiful, I love that part of Scotland, perfect for a holiday with lots of walking
Gorgeous photos, makes me a little homesick! Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday, and that lodge looks fab x #CountryKids
You’re so right, it’s a fab place for a family holiday. The lodge is amazing – like home from home, only better! 😉
Your pictures are beautiful. I so want to visit Scotland, maybe some day. Looks like a great family vacation.
Thank you so much Keitha! It is a beautiful part of the country and we’ll definitely be going back again.
We love Scotland but it’s a long way to drive so only visit every 3 years or so. Your photos make me want to visit again soon – looks like you had a fantastic holiday.
You’re right Christine – it’s an awfully long way! We break up the journey with a couple of stops at our fav motorway services, one of which has an awesome farm shop 😉 Thanks for visiting!
Thanks Christine! You’re right it is a LONG way. It takes us a whole day, leaving super early in the morning, but it’s so worth it 😉
That looks so beautiful! I used to live in Scotland when I was little. I think I would appreciate it more now. The lodge looks fab x #ShareWithMe
Oh wow did you? What a beautiful place to grow up. Perhaps you should revisit? The lodge was amazing 😉
Stunning pictures and sounds like you had an amazing time x
Thanks Susan, we certainly did! x
Wow did you? The water was FREEZING so you wouldn’t catch me doing that, as much as I love a dip in the water 😉 Thanks for visiting! *waves*
Oh how lovely! The scenery looks stunning, as does the lodge! I love the idea of all the walking and family time. I love Scotland!
It was a magical break – and even though there was a little complaining from the eldest when we said we were doing on yet ANOTHER walk, she enjoyed it once we got going! x
My little one loves Scotland, though we’ve only ever explored Edinburgh and Stirling. We’ll have to come back with walking boots next time!
Such beautiful photos. The scenery looks stunning and it’s great to spend so much time outdoors and being active. Popping over from Share With Me.
I really love active holidays – particularly the effect they have on the little people in terms of sleeping and eating! Thanks for visiting x
Wow those pictures are stunning! Makes me want to visit Scotland and get back to nature. That cabin looks so beautiful, what a perfect setting for a family break.
Heledd
http://www.runninginlavender.com
#AllAboutYou
Hi Heledd, it really was a lovely family break and the cabin is brilliant – our second year staying there! The hot tub is a real bonus 😉
Looks like you had a fabulous holiday. Scotland is gorgeous! Lovely pictures too! X ps I hope you had a great summer in general.
Thanks lovely, it was a splendid break and just breathtaking scenery x
Looks like such a stunning holiday, reminds me of the luxe lodges in Ravenscar in Yorkshire! Adore Scotland and it’s been far too long since we’ve visited! So amazing how far you all walked too, bet you returned feeling amazing! Gorgeous post x
Thanks Vicki it really was lovely. Active holidays are my favourite – don’t get me wrong I like lying on the beach as much as the next mummy – but nothing beats that glow from being outside all day and then sinking into a sofa full of pillows with a nice glass of wine in the evening! x