CATERING FOR THE MASSES

Your choice of holiday accommodation has to undergo a radical rethink once kids enter the equation. I realised that when I took the family (just the two children at that time) plus my mother-in-law to a B&B in Northern Ireland, which had happily taken my booking by phone, aware that kids were part of the package – only to find ourselves as welcome as hecklers at a Labour Party conference. The fellow who was on duty made it clear from the minute we stepped over the threshold that children were an annoyance at best, and our weekend was ruined by the constant sneers and scowls sent our way.
So that’s the cosy B&B out of the picture. Initmate hotels are a no-no. Anywhere with an upmarket restaurant is not going to go out of its way to encourage families.
So what are the options when the term ‘child-friendly’ conjures up images of screaming children running through hallways, terrible food and impatient staff?
Well, if you want freedom to come and go as you please, to cook whatever food you and the children want, and not have to worry about getting in anyone else’s way, self-catering is the best option. And if you are able to split the costs with friends over the course of a week or two, it can be a more affordable option too.
Scotland is spoilt for choice for self-catering accommodation, with options all over the country to suit every possible configuration of your holiday party.
For a comprehensive listing of possible accommodation, one of the best place to start your search is at the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, at www.assc.co.uk. Here, you can search different areas around the country and find out exactly what facilities each property offers.
You’ll find yourself planning to visit parts of the country you wouldn’t have otherwise considered because of lack of suitable or attractive accommodation.
When you are booking, however, be sure and check that the owners allow children – most places do, but there are exceptions. If you plan on taking your pet, you should also check that the owners don’t mind.
Among the most family-friendly places which we’ve come across is Barncrosh Farm, near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway.  
They have a great set-up for families, with 16 different self-catering units scattered round the farm which provide access to a bunch of both indoor and outdoor activities. There is an adventure playground, a pixie house for children, a football area, tennis court and trampolines, as well as fishing and gardens and woodland walks with wild deer roaming around. Dumfries and Galloway is a giant playground with something for every member of the family - forests and lochs to beautiful sandy beaches.  Enjoy walking and cycling, mountain biking, water sports and fishing, golf and heritage trails.  
The kids will be so exhausted after a day’s running around that you just might have a peaceful evening to yourselves. It’s available all year and prices run from just over £100 per week for a small cottage in winter to £1200 in summer for a house which sleeps 12 people. That’s not bad value when you consider you could split the expense between three families, and then save by doing your own cooking. Visit www.barncrosh.co.uk for more information. 

If the seaside is what you are after then, head to straight to Kippford on the Solway Firth.   Magnet Cottage is the ideal family home with fantastic views on to the Urr estuary.  The list of nearby activities is endless and you are only 80 steps from the local watering hole, The Anchor.    Visit www.magnetcottagekippford.co.uk
Heading to a self-catering cottage can also mean exposing the children – especially city kids – to a completely different environment and way of life. While some parents prefer to be close to the nearest soft play others want an open landscape where their children can run around without dodging traffic or hyperactive children on a jungle gym.
When we get the chance, we love to head up to the Isle of Skye to take the kids out of their suburban comfort zone and let them run wild in the unspoilt countryside. Our favourite place is called the Longhouse, a beautiful architect-designed but family-friendly home in a remote area near the coast on the south of the island. Here, the kids can get their wellies on, some good waterproofs, and just go out and explore the natural environment. Having a ruined castle nearby with a history of being home to a warrior princess is a bonus. Visit www.skyelonghouse.com for more information.

NEED TO KNOW

Don’t end up disappointed in your accommodation because you expected to find all the beds made up on your arrival, only to find bare mattresses. Don’t assume most places to be fully child-proofed if they accept children and don’t expect the local shops to have everything you need to take care of baby.

Before you go, you should know the answers to the following questions:

Are children welcome?
Is the house child-friendly?
If you’re taking a toddler, do you need to bring your own stair gate,  high-chair or travel cot with bedding?
Is all the bed linen included? What about towels?
When can we arrive on our first day, and what time do we need to leave on the last day?
Is there a phone in the house which we can use, and if so what is the number?
Where are the nearest shops, pubs or restaurants?
Are there baby sitting services or any other form of childcare or activities for children?
Can we bring any pets?
Is there a washing machine and powder?
Are utilities included in the rental price?
If the property has a fire, is there kindling, firewood and firelighters available?
How often will the accommodation be cleaned?
How are we expected to leave the house – spotless or just generally tidied up?


The Best of Both Worlds

If you want all the benefits of staying at a hotel, combined with the
freedom to do your own cooking in your own space, the Hilton hotel group has several options around Scotland.

At its Coylumbridge Resort in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, there are self-catering lodges available for up to six or eight people, giving guests access to all the hotel’s amenities, including its swimming pool, tennis, bars and restaurants,  Fun House and Outdoor Discovery park with dry ski slope  and climbing wall.  And you are surrounded by some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery.
There are similar lodges available at the Hilton’s hotels at
Craigendarroch on Royal Deeside and the at Dunkeld in Perthshire.
For more information, visit www.higvc.co.uk and click on Self Catering.