TerriG79

My husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland for May 2016. After much research--including reading TA forums--I've devised the following itinerary but am open to suggestions.

Please review and let me know if this is doable. We will be flying from Iowa (Midwest United States) to Edinburgh. Disclaimer: I have driven on the left and am comfortable doing so; my husband thinks he can handle it as well.

Sunday, May 8: Arrive Edinburgh

Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10: Spend in Edinburgh mostly walking and taking HOHO bus to see the sights (we are avid walkers)

Wednesday, May 11--Pick up rental car at Edinburgh airport and drive to Glen Coe, spend night n Glen Coe

Thursday, May 12--Drive to Island of Skye, stay overnight in Portree

Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14--Spend on Skye

Sunday, May 15--Drive back to Edinburgh airport, drop off car, stay overnight near airport OR fly to Dublin (depending on flights)

Monday, May 16--Fly to Dublin if we didn't the day before

I am wondering: would it shorter/faster to drop of the car in Glasgow and fly from Glasgow to Dublin? Would there by any benefit to dropping the car off in Glasgow vs Edinburgh?

Thanks for your input!

BigRuss

<<would it shorter/faster to drop of the car in Glasgow and fly from Glasgow to Dublin? Would there by any benefit to dropping the car off in Glasgow vs Edinburgh?>>

This is a question of your flight schedule, in all likelihood.

Glasgow probably has more flights.

If you're really avid walkers, you have no need for the HOHO bus. And Edinburgh traffic SUCKS. Hoofing it may be faster . . .

gailscout

I am glad you will be spending so much time on Skye - if you plan to drive from Ft William through Glenfinnan to the ferry @ Mallaig, stop to see the Viaduct and Memorial as the scenery is stunning. I also suggest making time to leave Skye and see the Eilean Donan Castle near Dornie, less than 30 minutes from Bradford on Skye. You can see the inside of the castle in an hour, but if you choose to only stop and take photos from the parking lot, you'll be rewarded with magnificent scenery.

Whatever flight works best for getting to Dublin is your choice - the EDI airport is easy to return a car, though I have not been to the Glasgow airport. We were just there in May and were greeted with sleet! Be forewarned.

PalenQ

Don't planes fly from Prestwick Airport anymore - that may be the easiest to drive to and closest from their route? don't know Prestwick used to be the airport for Scotland but now I never hear of it?

BritishCaicos

http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/

Yes they do.

janisj

Re EDI or GLA -- both are very (VERY) easy for rental returns.

But either will make for a long day.

Portree to GLA is about a 6 hour drive + stops.
EDI about the same.

PIK - maybe 30-45 minutes longer.

Whether you stay over at the airport mainly depends on your flight time. Unless it is ver early in the AM you could easily stay along Loch Lomond (for GLA) or any number of places for EDI (Callander about an hour, Stirling - about 45 mins, Linlithgow - 25 mins, etc)

sheila

I think that works really well. Have a ball

Gordon_R

>>Don't planes fly from Prestwick Airport anymore - that may be the easiest to drive to and closest from their route? <<

??? It's down in Ayrshire, nowhere near the planned route.

janisj

Of course it isn't -- but humour him

hopingtotravel

If you do fly out of Glasgow, but have to overnight first, I recommend the Holiday Inn Express. It's right across the street from most car rental returns.

If you are staying somewhere in Dublin, then plan to take off in a rental car, research that carefully, there are easier exits than leaving from the airport.

burta

Your itinerary sounds both doable and enjoyable. I personally enjoy the Hop on, Hop off tours, having taken them in both Edinburgh and Glascow. I suppose the day of the week may make a difference in traffic, but did not find the traffic unpleasant in either.

dotheboyshall

You might consider flying Inverness to Dublin