Dukey1

OK, so we are thoroughly HOOKED on all that scenery in "Monarch of the Glen" and are planning to spend a few days in the area next year (2016). We'll be at the Fringe THIS YEAR so cannot do that and that scenery, too, so planning already for probably July 2016.

The plan would be (most likely) flying into Edinburgh (from Italy) overnighting there and then with a rental car spend about three additional nights.

I have read the various older posts about the "Highlands" and am thinking for what time we will have we could base ourselves somewhere like Glencoe.

I doubt we would have time to do Skye or anyplace else that much further afield.

I appreciate any thoughts. The main focus would be to simply soak up as much scenery and overall "atmosphere" as possible and this would be an interlude between several days in Venice and an ending of several nights in London.

We could consider dropping the car in Inverness and flying south from there or returning the car to Edinburgh and taking the train from there.

Any thoughts or considerations, both pro and con, would be appreciated and thanks.

Dianedancer

We were in Glencoe when we were in Scotland a few years ago. All I remember is that it was quite beautiful. We drove from Glasgow.

bilboburgler

I think you should be able to do part of the Speyside whisky trail from there. If you do you may like this book to go with you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_Spirit

Gardyloo

Glencoe is fine for a base; you can take day trips out the "Road to the Isles" past Glenfinnan (very scenic) to Mallaig; or you can do a southern loop through Oban, maybe even to historic Kilmartin Glen.

By West Highland standards, Glencoe is quite popular, even crowded in the peak summer period, so book ahead.

If you flew into Glasgow instead of Edinburgh, you could add some time around Loch Lomond, or else travel north through Argyll - maybe Inveraray as an overnight - with no time penalty.

janisj

Glencoe would make a marvelous base -- you could see any of: Loch Linnhe, Loch Ness (if one <i>must</i, Rannoch Moor, Glenfinnan, Neptune's Staircase, a distillery or two, and LOTS more. A day trip to Skye wouldn't be difficult.

No cons that I can think of . . .

Dukey1

Thanks very much, everyone for taking the time to respond.

gailscout

A restaurant recommendation near Glencoe is Lochleven Seafood Cafe near Onich. They also have a market for fish. olive oil and Spanish ceramics. We went for lunch and enjoyed our turbot risotto while watching boaters on the lake.