Routescape

Very nice room (we had a studio suite). Separate sleeping and sitting areas which suited us perfectly. Comfortable bed. Nice modern upscale atmosphere.

Our nicest room and stay of the entire trip. Luxurious and historic hotel We stayed in the Gordon Russell suite and it was amazing. Would definitely stay here again if in the area.

We were very disappointed in our room (Henrietta Jr Suite). The sitting area for the room was a tiny area between the bed and bathroom and was not a comfortable area to sit down nor relax. The floor was slanted and there was a step off between the bedroom and sitting area we frequently would trip over. Also, the bed was not a king size as requested. Certainly not a suite room in the traditional sense one could relax in for a few hours after a day touring. I had the feeling they had better rooms but we didn’t inquire further as we were only there for 2 nights and they appeared to be full.

Fantastic place to stay. Nice roomy apartments, very comfortable. Great location just a 2 minute walk from St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Thames. Short walks with quick access to Blackfriars and St. Paul’s underground entries. Excellent and very responsive staff. Would definitely stay here again.

We did the London Waterbus tour. Boat was covered with windows and the visibility of sights along the canal was very limited. I understand on a rainy day this type of boat might be preferable but frankly we couldn’t really see much of what was talked about on our ride.

Simply amazing. Personalized touring with exclusive access and insights. Our guide Sue Sturges was phenomenal. Would love to do more if these in the future if the opportunity presents itself.

We only had a one-night stay at the Rocpool Reserve. The room was very attractive and unique in that the bathroom was downstairs from the bedroom. The bathroom was the most spacious I've ever encountered! Going downstairs when nature calls in the middle of the night might not be to everyone's liking. Other rooms may not have this same configuration. It was in a convenient location for us to explore Inverness on the afternoon of our arrival. Breakfast in the morning was excellent.

Forss House is tucked away in the woods off the main highway. The main house has 4 or 5 rooms and there are also cottages, popular with the fishing crowd. Our room in the main house was spacious and comfortable. For dining, there is a dining room and a conservatory (a glassed-in porch) which was especially nice for breakfast. We had dinner at the hotel that was orchestrated very well. We began in the Bar where we were served Champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Then went into the dining room for dinner. The food was exceptional. We wandered the grounds and enjoyed the waterfall and the meandering river. The gardens around the house are lovely.

Perfectly nice hotel. Room was on the small side. Lobby and public areas make it clear that this area is ideal for fishing.

Our room was absolutely gorgeous. It felt more like a suite with a small hallway leading off the bedroom to the spacious bathroom that had both a shower and free-standing bathtub. The food is amazing. We had 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts there. Dinner is a series of small courses which can be paired with wines for each course. Unique to this hotel is that breakfast is fixed and presented as small courses much like as the dinner. but with breakfast type food/dishes. No wine at breakfast!

Broad Bay House is located 15 minutes north of Stornoway and was built to be a Bed and Breakfast rather than converting a private home to such. On our first night's stay we enjoyed a sharing platter of seafood for dinner. It was ample, attractively presented, and very good. On specific nights they serve a plated dinner but our stay didn't coincide with this option,

We had a very brief stay from early evening to early morning as we were transitioning from our stay on Harris and Lewis to heading towards the Applecross penninsula.

This was quite exceptional between the stately, elegant stone building, the carriage houses, and the property with walking trails.

As we only had one night's stay, it's a bit harder to rate this hotel in its entirety. We didn't take advantage of the spa. We had dinner in the more casual restaurant, the Deck. We did wander around the island and enjoyed the views and encounters with both farm and wildlife. Our room was a bit on the small side and quite a climb to via a steep stairway.

Our room was okay and the bathroom quite small. It took a very long time for the shower to get hot water. PIllows were not very "fluffy" but we had been spoiled by previous hotels on this trip. By the same token, the more simple accommodation was just fine and seemed completely suited to the locale and flavor of Port Charlotte in a good way.

With only a stay of about 17 hours, it is difficult to give much detail. Nevertheless, the interior had recently been updated and highlighted the interests, hobbies, and personalities of members of the Colcuhoun family who have been in the luss area for centuries.

We had good weather although the wind was blowing furiously. We were past the seabird nesting time but saw a number of seabirds flying about. It's worth the walk to see the stacks.

Single track roads galore. Two great stops: Strathnaber Museum (the story of the clearances told well) and Smoo Cave (wild to see a river disappear into a cave).

Ullapool is a nice town that occasionally gets cruise ships so the shopping along the waterfront is geared to tourism. The shops are more reasonable and of strictly local fare than some cruise ports we've experienced. From Ullapool we visited the Corrieshalloch Gorge and Nature Reserve which is a must see.

Took a look. Pretty but did not blow our socks off (even the though the wind was blowing hard enough to do so).

The Summer Isles Boat Trip had to be canceled due to rough winds and water, but we were able to go on the Whale and Dolphin cruise later in the afternoon in a high-speed RIB boat. No whales spotted but playful dolphins kept us entertained. We also saw Common Seals resting on the rocks.

This was exceptional. Our guide took us on a wonderful hike on the Shieldaig Penninsula. We learned a lot and we quite on the same page in terms of interests and what mattered most to us.

We were picked up at our B&B at 10 am and proceeded to the very northern tip of the island to see the lighthouse and the dramatic cliffs in strong winds. From there we made a brief stop at the Port of Ness, formerly a herring fishing port. Next we visited a small, but mighty museum, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis that highlights the local history. A small cafe provided a delicious lunch. Moving down the west coast, we visited the Clach An Truishal Standing Stone, The Shieling Barvas and Brue, Whalebone Arch, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a Harris Tweed factory, and Dun Carloway Broch.

Day 2 with our driver, Donald, we toured around the coast of Harris. Because it is so mountainous, there isn't the same level of historic sights as on Lewis. The one historical site is St. Clement's Church with 15th century carvings and graves within. The west coast of Harris offered beautiful beaches.

This was well worth a visit. We were fortunate to get good weather (meaning only a little rain). I highly recommend this reserve. As we are birdwatchers, we did have some nice birding along the Fern Walk. Combined with the path to the suspension bridge across the gorge, it makes for a long enough walk to work of that morning porridge with cream and honey.

Even though I'm not much of a whisky drinker, this tour was very well done. Very cleverly, they provide everyone (except the designated driver) a lanyard that supports a whisky tasking glass. As the tour progressed we sampled whiskies along the way.

A very nice hotel in a good location for walking to central Inverness. Our room was exotic in that the bathroom, which was large and well-equipped, was down a winding staircase from the bedroom.

One of those classic old manor houses. Our room was spacious and had a very comfortable sofa on which I could sit and relax. It's an odd omission, but there was no desk chair in the room, so my laptop computer really was a laptop computer. The staff was superb, the dinner excellent.

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Scourie House because the people were so nice. It's not fancy - a well maintained older hotel that was probably built as an inn. Our room wasn't that big, so suitcase space was at a premium. But what the room may have lacked in upscale fashion, the staff made up in friendliness. And the food in the restaurant was very good.

At every level, the Dipping Lugger is amazing. They think of everything. The room was gorgeous, the bed super-comfortable. The food was spectacular! There are only 3 rooms, but this is luxury writ large and in a comfortable, not ostentatious way. The only quirk is that they pick your meals - dinner is a fixed 7 course meal (and what a meal it is!) (the bread I will NEVER forget) and breakfast is chosen for you. It's all more than good, but maybe not what you would have picked. Just an idiosyncrasy, not a problem.

The Broad Bay House is a purpose-built small inn near Stornoway. Super clean and well equipped. Tom, the owner, has thought of everything any traveler could need. He has loads of material about Lewis and Harris, and has prepared a guide book that reflected his deep knowledge of the area. Breakfasts were excellent, esp. the porridge. And we had the seafood passed-plate meal for dinner one night. The location is right on the beach, and it's worth going for a walk past the sheep.

Grand in every regard. "Regal" might also fit. As characterful as the 1890s style would suggest, while still having every modern convenience. Those towels - so soft, so absorbent - and that shower. Ahhh, satisfaction. Both restaurants are excellent (Bo and Muc is more casual, 1889 a multi-course extravagance). Breakfasts are, as you would expect, very good, although our omelets were a bit under-done. We went hiking with the Torridon Outdoor Experience, and it was an excellent walk near the hotel. We also hiked the hotel grounds, which are extensive and very pretty.

This is an elegant old manor house on a private island. The house is charming, although our room was up several flights of stairs. The room itself was well equipped and comfortable. The grounds are gorgeous and worth more than the afternoon's walk that we took. The Terrace Restaurant was quite good. Not formal and all small plates (not tapas, just small plates).

We were in a smallish upstairs room with a fairly small double bed. There is a severe deficiency of electrical outlets for the modern traveler. We unplugged the hotels lamps and coffee pot so that we'd be able to charge phones and the like. The staff were very nice and helpful, opening for breakfast early so that we could sprint to the ferry in Port Askaig in a timely manner. The restaurant is good and locally popular. The bar, on the other hand, is a whisky lover's dream. Also popular, for good reason.

Lots of atmosphere and a great location adjacent to Luss and short walk to the Loch. Our room was up several flights of stairs, but the bellman was very helpful in carrying our suitcases up. A smallish room and smallish bed. The shower was powerful (loved that) and sprayed widely into the bathroom (which I didn't like). Lots of plugs, unlike some older hotels. The restaurant was good, and the bar was fine. You order in the restaurant and carry your whiskey to the library where there are chairs.

We were at the Marmelade Hotel so briefly that I hate to say anything negative. The room was very comfortable and well equipped, and we fell asleep almost the moment we hit it. Breakfast was fine.

We had rough seas, so the boat trip was a blend between visiting the Summer Isles and doing dolphin and seal watching. There was a guide, but she didn't speak very often, and English wasn't the boat driver's primary language.

We had a great walking tour of the Shieldaig Peninsula. The guide pointed out interesting natural features as we went. I would say his knowledge of plants was greater than birds, but he did well with both (in our couple, one of is more birder, the other more a plant person). The walk was sane topographically, and quite pretty.

Sadly we didn't go. It was raining and most of the interesting birds have flown the coop (well, the island). However, we used the day to see the spectacular Allt Chranaidh Waterfall and breathtaking B869 to Drumbeg and Lochinver. Breathtaking both in beauty and in the twisty-turny uphill-downhill single track road. That drive would get 5 stars, so our substitution was sound from my point of view.

By September, most of the interesting birds have wandered on. Better to spend time in John O'Groats and at Duncansby Head (spectacular!). I'll bet this is wonderful place to bird in Spring and earlier in the summer.

The highlights on this leg were Smoo Cave (a must) and the Strathnaver Museum in Bettyhill, also a must-see. The museum tells the story of the highland clearances in a very personalized way that provides real emotional impact. The drive from Thurso to Scourie is mostly single track roads, so be psychologically prepared. And know the rules of single tracking. Too many people don't understand it.

Our guide, Donald Matheson, was fantastic! He's a lifelong resident of Lewis, and he knew every nook and cranny, every bit of history. He was a wealth of fascinating information. This was a delightful day. We went to the north end of Lewis and worked our way back, stopping at museums, Ness Harbor, the Carloway Harris Tweed mill, black houses, and standing stones. We skipped Callanish because we had seen it the day before on our own. A completely memorable day. I highly recommend Donald as a guide.

Again, Donald Matheson was a great guide. We loved seeing Harris. Harris isn't about history the way Lewis is - it's scenery. And the scenery and beaches are beautiful. Donald was aware I'm a photographer, and he made sure to stop at appropriate places so I could take pictures. A very memorable day - one of the highlights of our trip.

it was hard to believe a canyon this deep is so close to Ullapool. We spent extra time here, birding and enjoying the scenery. We also had lunch at the visitor center cafe (shared outdoor picnic tables).

We walked through the Loch Gruinart trails a bit to quickly to find birds. Dougie knew the area well - he used to live there - and he had fascinating stories about the history. But he could have had more awareness of how birders like to walk through a preserve.

A great distillery tour! Understand that I almost never say that because all distillery tours have the same core content. You get the local nuance, but the stills, fermenters, washbacks, and the like, are pretty much the same. This tour had a great guide (Darren) who was funny and knowledgeable, and it included four serious samplings of Kilchoman whisky at key places on the tour. It made it much more fun!

Centrally located, nice room

Terrific room, quiet, on the water, nice food

Although it looks impressive when you first drive up it was very much just a hotel when you were at your room in the back building. Not sure worth the cost.

Loved it! Very quiet, centrally located, nice breakfast. We had a nice room for 3 that would have held 6.

Easy to pick up a bike but very poor quality. One of them broke about 6 km from town and we had to improvise. The island itself was beautiful but a little nerve wracking to ride on narrow roads with shuttle buses

I don’t drink whiskey, but it was still very interesting

Interesting experience. Wasn’t expecting to just sit on bleachers to watch the sheep dogs.

It was ok but not sure that I appreciated the Trinity College tour having just arrived and being jet lagged. The Book of Kells was interesting but very brief

Very interesting experience, learned a lot about the history of the Troubles

Lovely except for the fog

Dromoland Castle Hotel was one of the really nice hotels we stayed at. The service was excellent, the room was great, and overall it was a fantastic experience. It really stood out as a highlight among the accommodations on our trip.

Bushmills Inn was great. The hotel was very nice, the spaces were comfortable, and the service was really great. It suited what we needed perfectly and was a very pleasant place to stay.

Stauntons on the Green was really nice. The service was excellent, and the accommodations suited our needs well. Alex was very attentive to our requests, especially regarding the bed setup, which made our stay comfortable.

Lough Eske Castle Hotel was disappointing due to poor organization. Despite requests for a rollaway bed, it never arrived after multiple asks. Housekeeping was inconsistent, often not replacing towels or bringing the wrong number. The front desk was not very helpful or receptive to feedback, which made the experience frustrating.

Knockranny House Hotel and Spa felt a bit odd and creepy to us. The hotel had very wide hallways and was eerily quiet, which made it uncomfortable, especially for the kids. The food was not great, and the service was a bit off. It seemed like a nice enough place, but it just didn't feel welcoming or lively.

The Falconry at Dromoland Castle was hands down the best activity we did on the trip. It was a lot of fun and totally worth it. I’m really glad Alex recommended it because we wouldn’t have known about it otherwise. It was a unique and memorable experience for the whole family.

The Marble Arch Caves were awesome and really cool to explore. However, I would advise future visitors to be prepared for a lot of walking and about 150 steps to get off the tour. It might be a bit challenging for those not ready for that level of physical activity, so a heads-up would be helpful.

Carrick-a-Rede Bridge was a great experience and the next best thing after the falconry. I was initially nervous about the swaying bridge with the little one, but the kids loved it. It was a fun and exciting activity that added a lot to our trip.

Breathtaking estate with amazing charm and history

We were welcomed to our room with a bottle of wine. All the staff were incredibly welcoming and courteous.

Our stay at Gregan's was truly magical. The estate is absolutely stunning and we enjoyed walking the grounds and spending time enjoying the views. We especially loved bonding with some of the castle cats- Lady and Smudge- who are delightful. The hospitality we experienced was amazing - everyone we encountered made us feel very welcome. Everything we ate was delicious. Our stay at Gregan's was one of the best we have ever had and will hold a special place for us forever. We hope to visit again and cannot recommend enough to family and friends.

Charming and well located, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Wilder Townhouse.

Absolutely breathtaking views - the magic of the Cliffs is palpable

So much fun!! So much to explore and enjoy!Especially loved getting our picture printed on a pint

What an amazing experience! Incredible skill and talent

Danny was a wonderful guide- incredibly knowledgeable, warm and funny. This experience was a a top highlight of our trip for us and we cannot recommend Danny enough!

The castle is awe inspiring and the grounds and surrounding gardens are absolutely enchanting.

The park is beautiful and there is so much to explore! The bikes were comfortable and easy to ride. You are also given a bike lock which was super handy to venture further on foot. The map was very helpful.

Our experience at Caherconnell was a major highlight of our trip! The sheepdog demonstration was so fun and educational. The tour of of the ringfort was so cool! Our guide was super knowledgeable, funny and taught us so much history in a fun way.

Wilde Apartments in Edinburgh was one of my favourite stays of the entire trip. It’s a trendy, modern aparthotel just a block away from everything and right across from the castle, the location couldn’t be better. You’re steps from all the main sights, which made exploring so easy. The rooms are super modern and really well designed, with everything you need for a comfortable stay, coffee, toaster and kitchen basics that make it feel easy when you’re traveling. The buffet breakfast included was also really good, one of the best we had on the trip. It has that cool, simple, stylish feel to it without trying too hard. I would 100% stay there again.

We had a fantastic stay at The Marmalade Hotel. From the moment we arrived, everything felt thoughtfully designed and high quality, with stylish interiors, comfortable rooms and little touches that made it feel special rather than just a standard hotel. The breakfast was excellent and really set us up for the day, with the overall service was warm, helpful and welcoming throughout our stay. You can tell a lot of care has gone into the details here. The only thing to be aware of is the location is a bit of a walk uphill from the main town area, but honestly, it ends up being a good little workout and doesn’t take away from the experience at all.

Enjoyable stay at a Glasgow hotel. The location was convenient for getting around the city and the rooms were clean, comfortable and well looked after. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout our visit. Just a few blocks, we ended up catching the hop on hop off, which we had a lot of fun with. We also ate dinner and had breakfast at the hotel, and both were very, very classy, beautifully presented, great quality and really added to the overall experience.

We really enjoyed our stay at the Galmont Hotel & Spa especially using the pool, hot tub & sauna after a long day. The location was honestly perfect, we could walk everywhere we wanted in Galway, which made everything so easy and stress-free. It was about a 3–5 minute walk to Eyre Square and very close to buses. The hotel felt comfortable and welcoming right away. Our room was clean, quiet and a nice place to come back to after a busy day out. What really stood out for us was the food and how large the dining area and food area was. We had breakfast at the hotel and it was very classy without feeling stuffy, just really well done, beautifully presented and enjoyable.

A small, older boutique-style hotel that feels very classic and elegant, almost like the kind of place the Queen herself might stay. It has a lot of charm and character and overall gives a very classy impression. One thing to note is that it is a bit of a walk from the main downtown area where all the hustle and bustle is, so it’s slightly removed from the centre if that’s what you’re looking for. Unfortunately, our daughter’s room had a strong smoke smell when we arrived. We didn’t end up mentioning it at the time since we got in late and just settled in, but it did take away a bit from the experience. What really stood out, though, was the front desk lady, Maura. She was genuinely the sweetest, kindest person and went out of her way to be helpful, she really made a difference to our stay.

We absolutely loved our stay at The Davenport Hotel. From the moment we arrived, the staff at the front were amazing, welcoming, friendly, and genuinely made us feel taken care of. The dining area is huge and really impressive and everything felt well organized and relaxed. A lovely touch was the little snacks available, like gummy candies and chocolates, small details, but they made it feel extra welcoming. The location is also perfect, right in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Dublin. We were so close to everything, which made it really easy to explore the city on foot. Overall, this was one of our favourite hotels from the trip, comfortable, well located and full of thoughtful touches. We’d happily stay again.

Enjoyed the comfort of the hotel and central location where we Could walk into town. The breakfasts and drinks were amazing, the dinner was ok, not great. Perhaps it was what we ordered…. Nice bar and amazing drinks!

Monks Ballyvaughan was really nice, with a lovely staff and a great location. It made our stay in County Clare very pleasant.

The Group Food and Drink Tour of Edinburgh was good and certainly worthwhile. We enjoyed the experience, and it was a nice way to explore the culinary scene of the city.

The Royal Lochnagar Distillery tour was an enjoyable experience, even for someone who isn't a whiskey drinker. It was a well-organized tour and we appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the distillery.

The Real Mary Kings Close was interesting from a historical viewpoint, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. While visiting Edinburgh for the third time, I decided to try out more touristy activities, but this one felt a bit lackluster. I wouldn't recommend it to others and felt it could be skipped.