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Holidays - UK based

shabbagaz said:
Having somewhere as a base is what I'm aiming for - has always worked very well for me.


Having seen some of the hotel prices, I'm really annoyed at myself for not sorting something out months ago as I said to myself I would book early!
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Stirling University does holiday accommodation over the summer - a long time since I worked there, but they were always cheap and the campus is beautiful.

Apartments, Rooms & Chalets :: Stirling Venues

From great value rooms and apartments to dog-friendly chalets, we have accommodation to suit all budgets and all sizes of families and groups.
www.stirlingvenues.com www.stirlingvenues.com

I lived in Alexander Court and the flats were nice - and I worked at John Forty's, which was the same. Andrew Stewart, Muirhead, and Fraser House are halls of residence. They are old, so I have no idea what state they are in now, but they were always cheap!
 
anubis said:
Day after drove to Applecross via the Bealach Na Ba pass, which was shrouded in fog & at the top quite scary. The weather was turning grim despite it being July. Found a campsite that rented out these wooden huts for up to 4 folk so saved us getting the tent out in the torrential rain.
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Over the "Pass of the Cattle". That brings back a memory or two - it was the first solo holiday I'd been on, and luckily for me that road , with its many hairpins on a v.steep incline, was in fine fettle and in a dry condition. Still a bit 'exciting' for most drivers! The scenery from the flattish top took in many views of the mainland and the Isle of Skye.
I must have struck it lucky with the weather - I went in June, so the Midges hadn't really 'got going' yet & there was usually an on-shore breeze to keep them away too. I found a campsite ( maybe the campsite ) - and situated about 2 minutes walk from the Inn - very handy! This campsite also (then, maybe still do) did amazing (not that I'm a connoisseur) pizzas & I lived off these for the next 3 days, whilst in my tent. There was a 'mobile homes' area & another smallish adjacent field area next to that, with a reasonable & warm(ish) shower block/toilets.
During one of the two nights however - I think ( & hope! ) it was a fox sniffing & scratching around the tent. I shouted and growled to scare it away, but after a minute or so it came back again. I shined the torch. Nothing. Then the 'whatever' came back. Scratching again. This went on for 3 or 4 times & so I plucked-up courage & put my jeans & trainers on & unzipped the tent. Not.a.bloody.sign of anything. I stayed awake for what seemed like ages & then it was dawn. It's scary when you don't actually know just what the fek it was. Whatever it was, it was a cocky bastard !
 
noelpne said:
Over the "Pass of the Cattle". That brings back a memory or two - it was the first solo holiday I'd been on, and luckily for me that road , with its many hairpins on a v.steep incline, was in fine fettle and in a dry condition. Still a bit 'exciting' for most drivers! The scenery from the flattish top took in many views of the mainland and the Isle of Skye.
I must have struck it lucky with the weather - I went in June, so the Midges hadn't really 'got going' yet & there was usually an on-shore breeze to keep them away too. I found a campsite ( maybe the campsite ) - and situated about 2 minutes walk from the Inn - very handy! This campsite also (then, maybe still do) did amazing (not that I'm a connoisseur) pizzas & I lived off these for the next 3 days, whilst in my tent. There was a 'mobile homes' area & another smallish adjacent field area next to that, with a reasonable & warm(ish) shower block/toilets.
During one of the two nights however - I think ( & hope! ) it was a fox sniffing & scratching around the tent. I shouted and growled to scare it away, but after a minute or so it came back again. I shined the torch. Nothing. Then the 'whatever' came back. Scratching again. This went on for 3 or 4 times & so I plucked-up courage & put my jeans & trainers on & unzipped the tent. Not.a.bloody.sign of anything. I stayed awake for what seemed like ages & then it was dawn. It's scary when you don't actually know just what the fek it was. Whatever it was, it was a cocky bastard !
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Haha brilliant !
Definitely the same site as I remember it being close to the Inn & we also indulged in the pizza.
After reading your comic horror story I’m very pleased that it was pissing down and us mard arses plumped for the wooden hut. The beasties up there can be awfully foreboding.( and that’s just the human variety ) 😏
 
Went over the road to Applecross in the 90's when we were staying at Plockton. Only using an old AA map and had no idea what we were doing and just went for a drive.
Never sworn so much when driving since. It's beautiful but wouldn't recommend.
 
Soapy said:
Went over the road to Applecross in the 90's when we were staying at Plockton. Only using an old AA map and had no idea what we were doing and just went for a drive.
Never sworn so much when driving since. It's beautiful but wouldn't recommend.
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Went there in summer 87 Soapy, think the pub at Applecross was called The Sun Inn, stunning drive up there in our Mini, those passing points tested us though on the way up!
Plockton was idyllic also, no draught beer at one pub, just bottled !
Maybe available now I expect.
Never been back since!
 
JOE TOTALE said:
Went there in summer 87 Soapy, think the pub at Applecross was called The Sun Inn, stunning drive up there in our Mini, those passing points tested us though on the way up!
Plockton was idyllic also, no draught beer at one pub, just bottled !
Maybe available now I expect.
Never been back since!
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Just had a rummage and found a pic from 2003 and our room window, when we were in Plockton. Amazing place., weĺl it was back then.
Screenshot_20250112_000839_Amazon Photos.jpg
 
Right, thought Inverness was out of the question but found a great guesthouse that was well within my budget so booked for 4 nights in July. Was also going to book Stirling for the previous three nights but going to hold fire for the moment whilst I do some more research, plus there's my car service to pay for this week (turning into an expensive month!) plus other plans I'd like to make.

Cheers for all the suggestions - it's given me some great ideas for future trips.
 
Just back from a 3 night stay in Belfast , absolutely loved it .

Great for a night out, real buzz about the place .

Hired a car and had a full day driving up the coast with various stops from Carrickfergus , through Whitehead, Larne, Cushendall , Ballycastle, Giants Causeway and Portrush .

We were lucky with the weather , it’s a beautiful drive .
 
Pennyhome said:
Just back from a 3 night stay in Belfast , absolutely loved it .

Great for a night out, real buzz about the place .

Hired a car and had a full day driving up the coast with various stops from Carrickfergus , through Whitehead, Larne, Cushendall , Ballycastle, Giants Causeway and Portrush .

We were lucky with the weather , it’s a beautiful drive .
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A lot nearer than the Great Ocean Road too.

Could have stopped at mine - we were in Budapest!
 
Isle of Lewis and Harris or stay up on the North West coast up by Ullapool and north (Lochinver/Kinlochbervie and surrounding areas) or go the complete other way and head over to the Isle of Scilly and island hop, very lovely in the summer time especially.
 
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