What to do in Perthshire, Scotland

[partyweb]

Got a holiday home booked near Gleneagles this summer. Looking for some ideas for places to go with twin 4 year old boys.

One idea is to go to the island of Tobermory, home of Balamory. Is this worth the trip?

Are there any miniature railways near? Or working old fashioned steam railways?


All ideas Welcome.

[DJT75]

There's a lovely warm place just south of there, not too far, it's called England

[partyweb]

Originally Posted by DJT75

There's a lovely warm place just south of there, not too far, it's called England

Currently a bit too warm for my liking. Where's that rain they were promising, my grass is almost dead.

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by partyweb

Currently a bit too warm for my liking. Where's that rain they were promising, my grass is almost dead.

You have grass? My 12 month old returfed garden is a dust pit now

[partyweb]

Originally Posted by DJT75

You have grass? My 12 month old returfed garden is a dust pit now

Yes, I still have some around my sink drainpipe.

[Rian1988]

Originally Posted by partyweb

Got a holiday home booked near Gleneagles this summer. Looking for some ideas for places to go with twin 4 year old boys.

One idea is to go to the island of Tobermory, home of Balamory. Is this worth the trip?

Are there any miniature railways near? Or working old fashioned steam railways?


All ideas Welcome.

Hey there, I live in Perth there is actually lots to do, try visiting www.visitscotland.com, www.perthshire.co.uk, www.perthcity.co.uk.

I am sure there are old rail tours departing from Perth, visit www.firstgroup.com/scotrail

I have visited Tobermory before but it is not a day trip it will take the best part of the day to get up the west coast you will then need to catch >2 ferries, any questions feel free to ask!

[Keith Hurst]

Hi, take a wee drive south to Boness, near Falkirk and Grangemouth. They have a full up and running steam railway and also have the engines decked out as Thomas the Tank Engine on certain days.

You can find their link here...

http://www.srps.org.uk/railway/

If you're going to visit it and want a beer whilst your here give me a shout.

KH

[jimbobaggins]

Originally Posted by partyweb

Got a holiday home booked near Gleneagles this summer. Looking for some ideas for places to go with twin 4 year old boys.

One idea is to go to the island of Tobermory, home of Balamory. Is this worth the trip?

Are there any miniature railways near? Or working old fashioned steam railways?


All ideas Welcome.

We drove all the way to Tobermory for the kids a couple of years ago as a surprise, and they loved it, though back then there wasn't much Balamory stuff going on, though now I believe there is more for the kids to do.

It took a few hours to drive from Loch Lomond to Oban and the ferry was £55 with the car (which you need), so I would suggest staying over there for a day or two. Once you arrive on Mull, you have to drive right across the island on a single track road, but seeing as there are virtually no cars there, it is fine.

The houses are still painted up, but be prepared to explain why Archie's castle isn't there - apparently they superimpose it from somewhere else in Scotland. Oh yes and Edie McCredie garage is a chocolate shop now.

I'd recommend it if your kids are young enough and seeing their faces when you drive over the hill into the port is classic! "Does anyone know where we are yet?"...

[partyweb]

Originally Posted by jimbobaggins

We drove all the way to Tobermory for the kids a couple of years ago as a surprise, and they loved it...

Thanks for all the help so far. We're still planning on doing the visit as a day trip (we've only got a week in Scotland). Now as I understand it the easiest way to get there from Gleneagles is to go to Oban (2 hours, I guess?) Catch a 45 min ferry to Craignure (Mull) and then it's a 20 mile drive (15 mins?) to Tobermory.

I found these ferry times and prices which have SINGLE, SAVER SINGLE, and SAVER 5 DAY RETURN. Are we going to have to buy to car singles for a day trip or can we use any of the other options?

A second idea would be to leave our car in Oban an go as foot passengers as this would save us a lot of money. Now does anyone know if there is a good regular bus/coach service between Craignure and Tobermory? And if so how much, how frequent, and how long the journey?



Also any other suggestions for what to do while we're in Perthshire are more then welcome.

[partyweb]

Any more thoughts please.

[booyaka]

go to the salmon leap? see the fish jumping up the river to spawn??

interesting and really cool if you get to see the fish jumping up the river

http://www.perthshire.co.uk/index.asp?pg=362

[Rian1988]

Depending on when your going, this is always good and the kids will love it, http://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/

[Buzza]

If you have not already found it, see http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/conten...t/bus/?s=0&a=0
Service 495 for the Craignure - Tobermory bus service (by Bowmans Coaches (01680 812313).
I had to download from the link then open in Acrobat to read. Around 50mins. each way on the bus.

Great news for you (and all visitors to Scotland at this time) - "30% fewer midges" - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/4799243.stm

Enjoy your stay!

[partyweb]

Originally Posted by booyaka

go to the salmon leap? see the fish jumping up the river to spawn??...interesting and really cool if you get to see the fish jumping up the riverhttp://www.perthshire.co.uk/index.asp?pg=362

Thanks, did this last time, and unfortunately didn't see any salmon. Still, enjoyed the sight of the large dam. May be worth a try again.

Originally Posted by jstw

Depending on when your going, this is always good and the kids will love it, http://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/

That looks great but we're going sooner than October.

[partyweb]

Originally Posted by Buzza

Service 495 for the Craignure - Tobermory bus service (by Bowmans Coaches (01680 812313) Around 50mins. each way on the bus.

Top marks Buzza, that's what I was looking for.

Originally Posted by Buzza

Great news for you (and all visitors to Scotland at this time) - "30% fewer midges"...Enjoy your stay!

That is grrreat news!