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Where
to Stay in Scotland
When visiting a new place, it is often
difficult to know where to stay.
One of the best services on offer to resolve this issue is Visit Scotland. Visit Scotland is the official site of
Scotland’s National Tourist Board.
But more importantly than that, it works. We have used this service for several years, and when we have
given them our parameters, they have responded within a short period of
time with hotels or B&B’s that have met our requirements. In addition, while we frequently make the
reservations six months or more in advance, there is never a problem with
the reservations when we arrive at the various locations.
Having said that, we highly recommend
that you use Visit Scotland when planning your trip to Scotland. But we wanted to tell you a little about
some of the places that we have stayed using this National Tourist Board
Service.
Several years ago, we stayed at the Argyll Hotel 973
Sauchiehall Street. Friends also
stayed there prior to our arrival.
We all agreed it was a great hotel, inexpensively priced, and
ideally located in the west end, convenient to the Hop On Hop Off Bus
route. The restaurant at the
Argyll, Sutherlands, was one of the nicest restaurants in which we have
eaten. And of course, if you are
into pub grub, Snaffle Bit, a great local pub, is right next door at 979
Sauchiehall Street. For good
accommodations, be sure to try the Argyll.
And they have an elevator! ****
This past year we stayed at
the Heritage
Hotel 4 Alfred Terrace, also in the west end. The Heritage is located very near to Glasgow University, and
there are many restaurants in the area.
This hotel is inexpensive, provides a full Scottish breakfast with
the price of the room. The rooms
are well appointed and quiet. No
elevator but that is only a miner inconvenience. Again, the Heritage Hotel is highly recommended for your stay
in Glasgow (it is also near the Hop On Hop Off Bus route.)****
From Glasgow we move on to Oban. In Oban we stayed at the Kings Knoll on Dunollie
Road. This picturesque hotel run by
Archie and Margaret MacDonald has a lovely overlook of the City and the
water. The entire staff was
charming, efficient, and friendly.
The food in the restaurant was exceptional (can I please have your
recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding!).
The atmosphere was warm and homey.
The rooms were bright and comfortable. Of course, it helped that
Archie was a Celtic supporter! Not
only do we recommend Kings Knoll, we will return there every time we are in
Oban. ****
Fort William was next on our circuit. Visit Scotland
made our reservations for the
Moorings. The accommodations
were very nice. The restaurant was
probably one of the nicest ever for evening dining. The breakfasts were excellent, and the
bar was great as well. The staff
couldn’t have been nicer, but we must give special mention to the Duty
Manager, Colin Fairbairn (it’s an Armstrong thing). Our stay at the Moorings was most
enjoyable. *****
Last but certainly not least, we
arrive at Edinburgh. Now Edinburgh
and Glasgow are regular stops on our annual pilgrimage to Scotland. Over time we have  stayed
at many different hotels and B&B’s.
However, several years ago, with the assistance of Visit Scotland we discovered MW Townhouse
11 Spence Street, Edinburgh. May
and James Woods are the very best innkeepers. Located right off the Dalkeith Road MW Townhouse
is very convenient to bus lines.
The rooms are bright and airy.
Breakfast is included with the room, and they are excellent. Once we found the MW Townhouse, we don’t
have to make any decision about where to stay in Edinburgh. We will
continue to return year after year.*****
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