Ronnie

Hello,<BR><BR>I will be visiting Scotland in early October and I am going to spend about a week over there. I am trying to collect some of the spots for each of the places I am going to visit that I shouldn't miss, it will be great if you could share your thoughts with me.<BR><BR>I will be visiting the following places, in the order of my itineraries,<BR><BR>1. Edinburgh<BR>2. Inverness<BR>3. Kyle of Lochalsh<BR>4. Skye<BR>5. Mallaig<BR>6. Oban<BR>7. Glasgow<BR><BR>The information I need most is the places I can visit in location 2-6 as mentioned above. Basically, I am totally new to Scotland so any scenery will surely be interesting to me!<BR><BR>Also, should I check out Fort William as well? Since I believe I will get to Glasgow by train from it. <BR><BR>Many thanks for all your kindness.<BR><BR>Ronnie

Steve

Inverness - just a city at the end of a lake with an interesting history. Not much there. A little to far out of the way to go just to say you've been there.<BR><BR>Kyle of Lochalsh - very small, entry way to Skye which is spectacular. Try to catch an early morning ferry so that you can make a complete circuit of the island.<BR><BR>Mallaig - Missed that.<BR><BR>Oban - Somewhat picturesque, big bay with a distant island. <BR><BR>Ft. William - nothing special. Lots of tour guides call it a great jumping off point. Perhaps. It's near some pretty scenery. The road between Ft William and Oban has some "ooh, ahh" scenery, for example there's a castle on an island worth 5 or 6 photos.<BR><BR>Glasgow - dull, grey, and grimey . . . which isn't to say there's nothing there. I just didn't find it.<BR><BR>Look for info on Aberfeldy, Killin, Kenmore, Pitlochry, Callander . . .<BR><BR>Have fun.<BR>Steve

Sheila

It's a while since you were here, Steve?. They built a bridge, you know?<BR><BR>Ronnie<BR><BR>I have your email and will write back. To what extent are these overnights cast in stone?

zoya

We enjoyed Oban even in rainy day. There was information in our B&B about day and ½ day tours to Mull and few other islands that sounded incredible, unfortunately we didn’t have time for the tours, probably next time. <BR>If you like seafood try Ee-usk – The Fish Caf&eacute;, the best seafood I ever had, t: 01631 565666. <BR>

Steve

Yep . . . haven't been to Skye in a very long time. It was all single lane road. Has it changed much?<BR><BR>Saw the rest of the itenerary late spring 2001.

xxx

You absolutley must stop at the pay toilets near the Kyle of Lochalsh. It is really worth the price of admission. The funniest, cleanest and best toilets in Scotland. And the guy who runs it is a comedian. I will say no more and let the rest be a big surprise. Take your camera or video!

Susanna

If you haven't left yet...Do go to G;asgow, underwent cultural rennaissance last decade and many arts and attractions for young people and older. Also, the architecture and design of Charles Rennie MacIntosh: Read the guidebooks: Willow Tea Rooms, HillHouse (Helensburg), The Schoolof Art. Essentially he can be credited with setting in motion the Arts and Crafts movements in the UK, Europe, USA.

frank

Kyle of Lochalsh - very nice scenery, not much else.Pubs are no good.Best place to stay in that area is Plockton (not sure how near the trainline that is, can't be far), or go over the bridge & stay in Skye (eg bus to Kylakin,Portree or Broadford) then leave by ferry to Mallaig.Skye is bigger than you think.<BR><BR>Mallaig - a wee gem.Small fishing village.Good beaches of white sand down the coast a little at Arisaig.(quiet place on trainline)<BR><BR>Oban - beautiful port, fishing/ferries/tourism, boat trips,scenery.Very scenic train ride to Glasgow.<BR><BR>Fort William - a place to change trains for somewhere better(Arisaig?).Or go to the museum & see Bonnie Prince Charlies trousers.<BR><BR>Glasgow - biggest city, attractive builings in centre, tourists also like kelvingrove/west end, get a guidebook.<BR>Many counting houses now converted to bars/restaurants, eg check out the Corinthian in Ingram street, best trad bar in centre is the Scotia in Stockwell street, museum of modern art(Queen St) in centre is free & a hoot.

ronnie

Sorry for not replying to my own thread since I was left to UK and has just came back for a day or two..<BR><BR>I have given up most of the places in highland except Oban, since I only have 2 days to spend in highland, have stayed way too long in Edinburgh .. =)<BR><BR>Sheila, thanks for your email, the information is very useful!<BR><BR>I have to agree with all of you that Oban is lovely! It is one of the place I like most in my trip and what a co-incidience Zoya, I have spent a night in the cafe you mentioned, they aare really serving good food! And I have located a fish and chip restaurant in Oban that got rave review from Rick Stein and I do agree with him that their f&c is good.<BR><BR>I have a good time in Glasgow, too, since my girlfriend is a big fans of Mr. Macintosh and basically, our stay in Glasgow is simply a journey to explore what Macintosh has done -- Willow Tea Room, Glasgow School of Art, etc etc..<BR><BR>Too bad I don't have sufficient time, or else I surely will visit Kyle of Localsh and Isle of Skye. Luckily, I have the chance to visit Isle of Mull and have visited the Tosory Castle, the forest walk is a leisure.<BR><BR>ronnie

bjork

Definitely check out Arisaig, near Mallaig while you're there ... there's a gorgeous, grey stone hotel in that area where my friend and I had afternoon tea and relaxed by a fireplace. Heaven. (Incidentally, that area is where all of the beach scenes for "Local Hero" were filmed")<BR><BR>And if you're in Skye, take a drive out to Uig, at the remote end of the area. Really gorgeous ... then again, everything in Skye is breathlessly beautiful.