dwdvagamundo

My spouse and I are going to be in the Trossachs in the fall (God willing), and, although we'll try to make it to both, it looks like we'll have time to visit only one of the Crannog Centre on Loch Tay or the Atholl Country Life Museum in Blair Atholl.

We really like anything along the lines of history and anthropology, so both appeal to our interests.

Any reason to prefer one to the other?

janisj

totally 100% apples and oranges.

If you are near the Country Life Museum -- then you'd almost certainly also be visiting Blair Castle so that would indicate a certain time investment. It is relatively small but interesting. I personally wouldn't make a special trip there unless I did have time for the castle too.

The Crannog is fascinating and surrounded by amazing scenery but is quite remote - especially if coming from the west. So where you are staying would dictate how much time you'd need to visit.

dwdvagamundo

Janis--thanks. We're staying in Killin so it would be relatively easy to get there. But we only have one full day, on one of which we plan to go Kilmartin, and probably Inverary, and on the next day will drive to Mull via Glen Coe, so will look at Crannog if we have some time on our full day.

I was thinking of driving through Blair Atholl on our way to Deeside, but probably wouldn't stop at the castle. My wife really likes old-time daily life exhibits, like Beamish Museum, and it would give us a chance to see a little bit of what life on the crofts was like.

Thanks for the help.

janisj

If you are in Killin -- then the Crannog Centre hands down.

>>My wife really likes old-time daily life exhibits, like Beamish Museum,<< Compared to Beamish the Atholl museum is really teensy. Is IMO/IME it is more a diversion when visiting Blair Castle -- not a full on destination. But if you have a chance on your travel day then sure.

By ANY chance after Deeside are you headed south through Forfar/Glamis??? If so the Angus Folk Museum might be a better substitute for the Atholl

historytraveler

Coming in late but agree with janisj, once again. I think the Crannog Centre is the better site but admit I'm partial to crannogs.

dwdvagamundo

Thanks.

Janis, yes--we're heading for the "Kingdom of Fife" after Deeside. But according to the National Trust for Scotland website, Angus Folk Museum is currently closed.

historytraveler--thanks for the input.

janisj

Oh, that's too bad

Then maybe try to squeeze in Atholl, but don't miss the Crannog's

gailscout

Crannog's is great! Should take about 2 hours.

dwdvagamundo

Thanks Gail. I will try to do it the same day we go to Kilmartin.

janisj

>>I will try to do it the same day we go to Kilmartin.<<

Whoa -- that would be one tough combo. It takes a fair bit of time to explore even just a few sites in Kilmartin Glen and then you'd have a nearly 3 hour drive to the Crannog Centre.

Where are you staying the day you visit Kilmartin? - hopefully not Killin. And are you still visiting Mull?

dwdvagamundo

Janis--must have ESP. I anticipated your comments, and, looking at overall logistics for this portion of our trip (as well as availability of suitable lodging nearer to Kilmartin and Oban), yesterday changed our lodging from Killin to Inverary, and revised our itinerary.

New plan is:

Drive from Glasgow Airport to Crannog Centre, and then to Inverary.

Drive from Inverary to Glen Coe via Glen Etive

Drive to Kilmartin and thence to Oban for ferry to Mull.
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Then rather than visiting Stirling Castle on way from Glasgow, will visit it on day we leave Isle of Mull on way to Banchory. We saw Stirling on a Rabbies Tour last time in Scotland but my spouse would like to spend more time there, and I would like to look at the battlefield museum and the town a little bit.

Better?

janisj

>>Drive from Glasgow Airport to Crannog Centre, and then to Inverary.<<

Not a great plan. That would be over 4 hours, probably 4.5 hours, just driving (GLA to Inveraray is a mere 90 minutes so you are tacking on a 3 hour detour)

>>Drive from Glasgow Airport to Crannog Centre, and then to Inverary.

Drive from Inverary to Glen Coe via Glen Etive

Drive to Kilmartin and thence to Oban for ferry to Mull.<<

This whole bit has you to-ing and fro-ing north and south/east and west. Can't you rearrange things GLA > Inveraray/Kilmartin > Oban/Mull > Killin via Glencoe > Banchory.

dwdvagamundo

Janis--

I realize it goes all over but I like to drive, and I want lots of time for Kilmartin and Glencoe/Glen Etive.

I don't want to change reservations on Mull or in Banchory at this time, as lots of things are booked up, so I'm left with either not seeing the Crannog Centre, or doing it the day I pick up the car; just don't see being able to see it on the same day I leave Mull.

Do you agree that Oban to Banchory v Stirling works? Long drive, but with a break for Stirling.

And if I drop the Crannog Centre, what else would you suggest between Glasgow Airport and Inverary?

dwdvagamundo

PS--should add that I really don't like one-nite stands when travelling, so even if I have to drive a couple of hours extra, but don't have to check out and check in, the time comes out about the same.

janisj

>>And if I drop the Crannog Centre, what else would you suggest between Glasgow Airport and Inverary?<<

The Hill House!!!! in Helenburgh practically no detour at all and would save you more than 3 hours of drive time. An absolute masterpiece.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/s...-house-p255641

Then you could stop in Luss on Loch Lomond for a break/meal/Ice cream . . .

>>Do you agree that Oban to Banchory via Stirling works? Long drive, but with a break for Stirling.<<

Yes -- it is actually no longer than going via the Crannog centre. So on the day -- pick one. Either would take almost exactly the same driving time

janisj

This link may give you a better idea

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...use/index.html

dwdvagamundo

Thanks for the link, Janis. My spouse really likes touring old homes so that would work out well.

janisj

Charles Rennie Mackintosh would be contemporary to Frank Lloyd Wright in the States (born exactly one year apart)