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Scotland highland/islands agenda-please help, last minute dream trip

Scotland highland/islands agenda-please help, last minute dream trip

Old Apr 26th, 2016, 08:01 AM
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Scotland highland/islands agenda-please help, last minute dream trip

Hello!
Last year, my 23 year old daughter and I fell in love with Scotland. We have not stopped talking about it since. The friendly people, jaw dropping scenery, kilts, bagpipes, history, and yes, even the food -it is all so fantastic. We toured Glasgow very briefly (International Pipes Championship was legendary), Edinburgh Fringe, Miitary Tattoo, 1 day St. Andrews /Fife(with Rabbies, FANTASTIC), 1 day Glencoe/Inverary/Loch Lomond (with Rabbies, FANTASTIC!).

And now, I am so thrilled that we are returning! This year, we were fortunate enough to be accepted last minute to the Isle of Skye half marathon on June 11 - a fantastic excuse to GO BACK! I recently lost my job, so visiting Scotland will cheer me up greatly, I know. I am so happy just anticipating this trip, all smiles.

This year, we plan to focus mostly on the country/islands. I have the first few days planned out, as we have the marathon and needed to get set. But after that, we don’t know how to best use the time and then land back in Glasgow for departure on Sunday morning.

Noting that we will be in Skye for several days at the beginning, what do you recommend for the next 6 days following?
Also, should I rent a car after leaving Skye? I am a fantastic driver in USA and can even drive a stick. Is is scary to drive in Scotland? I am totally open to some guided touring if I could figure out (they all seem to leave from Glasgow/Edinburgh).

Your assistance is greatly appreciated, folks!

Goals:
• Castles (Tour and maybe stay in one?)
• Whisky (Speyside touring?) and notably historic/fun PUBS
• Gorgeous, stunning scenery
• Quaint Inns
• Tobermorry!
• Incredible food including SEAFOOD (we are foodies)
• Fun
• Shopping
• Possibly: Fly/Ferry to Northern Ireland/Dublin?

Current uncompleted agenda:

Day 1 : Destination :Fort William
Arrival Edinburgh 7:10 AM from USA
Edinburgh to Fort William train, departure 10:48 AM, arrival 4:30 pm
Overnight Fort William, Buccleuch Guest House
Day 2: Destination: Isle of Skye
Depart Fort Wiliam on Jacobite Steam train to Mailleg, arrival 12:30 pm
Depart Mailleg to Armadale, Isle of Skye (TBD)
Armadale to Portree , Skye (Taxi?)
Overnight, Portree, Skye, Pink Guest House
Day 3 Destination: Skye
Isle of Skye Half Marathon! 10 am-2 pm (ish)
REST/Eat/Shop/?
Overnight, Portree, Skye
Day 4 Destination: Skye
Scheduled Tour , “SkyeBus” , Real Scottish Tours, 9 am – 7 pm
Overnight, Skye????

The rest…OPEN- Need advise from passionate travelers!
Day 5 Monday
Day 6 Tuesday
Day 7 Wednesday
Day 8 Thursday
Day 9 Friday
Day 10 Saturday
Day 11: Depart Glasgow 10:45 AM (Boo! We don't want to leave!)
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 09:41 AM
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From skye you can take a bus or drive over the bridge to Kyle of Lochlash and pick up a another awesomely scenic train to Inverness and Loch Ness - driving pretty much parallels the train line but if not wanting to drive the train is sweet and cheap.

From Inverness you should rent a car if not from Skye (check about returning to a place on the mainland however) to do what you indicate you want - trains can take you to cities but not most things on your wish list.

for lots on Scottish trains check www.scotrail.co.uk and www.seat61.com - for general info and itineraries check www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

If returning to Edinburgh at the end have you do the neat day trips from there to nearby Stirling and St Andrews - both easily done by train or bus.

Northern Ireland and Dublin are major detours if you have to return to Glasgow for your flight - Scotland has more than enough to keep you busy.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 09:45 AM
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Before anything else I think you need to reevaluate your car arrangements. You're not going to find it easy to rent a car on Skye and leave it someplace else, and frankly without a car your overall options are going to be unacceptably limited.

Here's what I'd consider instead of your Day 1/2 plans...

Get off the plane at EDI (I assume this is American's flight from JFK) and take a bus - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos...gh-airport-bus - to the train station at Inverkeithing, across the Firth of Forth in Fife. For two the bus will be around £12; a taxi will probably be ~£30.

From Inverkeithing take a train to Inverness. There are trains leaving every hour or so; some are through trains that don't require a train change, but most will require a brief train change en route - in Kircaldy, Perth, etc. http://www.scotrail.co.uk/

Spend the night in Inverness (you will be well and truly knackered by this point) and pick up a car the next morning for the drive out to Skye. Use a car company that will allow you to drop the car in Glasgow as you leave (most majors will do that.)

This way you can use the car on Skye as well as when you're done; take the ferry to Mallaig, then continue your tour as you wish.

If you want to visit Mull (Tobermory) then you could travel south through Morar and Ardnamurchan, down to the ferry to Tobermory. https://www.calmac.co.uk/tobermory-k...mmer-timetable

Here's a map showing the route that far - https://goo.gl/maps/xTMw46t5Jrt

I'd do some research on Mull, Islay, Iona etc. - as part of your route planning. You could achieve many of your aims in that part of the country, or, forgoing Mull, head north from Skye as well, into the wild and wonderful Northwest Highlands, an area rather off the beaten path.

In any event, leave the car at Glasgow airport, or, if you want to stay in the north, back in Inverness and then train or fly to Glasgow in time to leave.

As for driving in Scotland, no, it's easy, and driving on the other side of the road becomes second nature quickly.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 04:47 PM
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Thank you for the advice so far! I appreciate it and I think I have made great progress in my strategy - I am going for it with a car rental! Taking the rest of the information in, too.
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Old Apr 27th, 2016, 06:38 AM
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>>You're not going to find it easy to rent a car on Skye and leave it someplace else,
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Old Apr 27th, 2016, 07:05 AM
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I'm not entirely sure what the point is of getting a train or bus to Fort William or Inverness arriving late one afternoon or evening, only to pick up a car and move on again immediately the very next day, if you are not allocating time to explore those places in themselves.

So I'd spend the night in either Edinburgh or Glasgow instead - no onward travel at all on the day you arrive - then pick up a car the following day and head north west. The journey from either Glasgow or Edinburgh will be very scenic, you can stop en-route either in the Trossachs or Glencoe depending on your starting point and chosen route, heading for Kyle of Localsh, Portee, or Skye. Spend a few days exploring those places then head further north - Applecross, Torridon and Ullapool are all spectacular.

If you have a car the whole time you are free either to change your base every few days or pick one central point and do day trips out. As suggested above drop the car at the airport on your return (it can be your pick up point as well) and either fly straight home or have a couple of days in the city before you go.
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Old Apr 27th, 2016, 11:17 AM
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so that's for sure - cars rented on Skye cannot be returned on the mainland - i though someone posed here or on another thread that that would be possible or vice versa?
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Old Apr 28th, 2016, 12:56 PM
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Isle of Skye Half Marathon! 10 am-2 pm (ish)>

Are you running in the half-marathon or driving?
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Old Apr 28th, 2016, 01:50 PM
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>>Are you running in the half-marathon or driving?driving a marathon.
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Old Apr 28th, 2016, 01:55 PM
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Uh . . . just when was the last time you heard of someone driving a marathon.>

Rosie Ruiz (took the subway)!

It just seemed that they are not participating as that would be too short a time for all the pre- and post-run hoopla but why would anyone want to just watch the Skye Marathon if not in it or someone else?

Cheers, your Pal!

OP - does not hurt to top your thread from time to time and retrieve it out of Fodor's black hole.
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Old Apr 28th, 2016, 02:20 PM
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Such runs here often have beer at the finish - In Skye do they give out a wee bit of whisky to those who make the finish line?
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Old Apr 28th, 2016, 02:32 PM
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There's usually very little hoopla for a half marathon and one certainly doesn't need to participate. I've done both the Munich Marathon and Berlin Marsthon along with over a dozen half marathons ( years ago ) and never attended any events. The OP does state that they were " accepted last minute" that pretty much infers that they will be racing. A long way to go just to watch and it's usually impossible to drive a course since they're usually closed to vehicles.
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