Scotland - Itinerary advice needed
Feb 23rd, 2014, 07:20 AM
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Scotland - Itinerary advice needed
Will be traveling to Scotland this June. Whisky and wildlife (nature) is my husbands focus and photography (scenic landscapes and quaint villages) is my focus. We are pretty active, love to hike and emurse into the culture. Right now we have planned the following...
Day 1-2 arrive in Glasgow and drive up to somewhere close to the Whisky trail. Stay 2 nights in that region.
Day 3-4 drive to Skye. Stay in Portree and explore Skye. Three Chimmeny's is a given (we are big foodies).
Day 5 - yet to be determined.
Day 6-8 Islay - Glenegedale House booked. distillery tours booked. Hubby's favorite distilleries are here.
Day 9-11 Edinburgh/Glasgow
Day 12 fly out of Glasgow
Now the questions...
1) is this itinerary to much?
2) recommended base town and accommodations near the Whisky trial area (Speyside). Is Aviemore to far away to use as a base? (There's a hilton there and we could save some money using our points).
3) day 5 recommendations? Mull, Oban, Glencoe?
4) should we try to do Edinburgh or just stay in Glasgow for our last few days?
I have been reading many posts to get to this point and am very appreciative of any suggestions. Thank you in advance!
Day 1-2 arrive in Glasgow and drive up to somewhere close to the Whisky trail. Stay 2 nights in that region.
Day 3-4 drive to Skye. Stay in Portree and explore Skye. Three Chimmeny's is a given (we are big foodies).
Day 5 - yet to be determined.
Day 6-8 Islay - Glenegedale House booked. distillery tours booked. Hubby's favorite distilleries are here.
Day 9-11 Edinburgh/Glasgow
Day 12 fly out of Glasgow
Now the questions...
1) is this itinerary to much?
2) recommended base town and accommodations near the Whisky trial area (Speyside). Is Aviemore to far away to use as a base? (There's a hilton there and we could save some money using our points).
3) day 5 recommendations? Mull, Oban, Glencoe?
4) should we try to do Edinburgh or just stay in Glasgow for our last few days?
I have been reading many posts to get to this point and am very appreciative of any suggestions. Thank you in advance!
Feb 23rd, 2014, 08:32 AM
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Why not stay at the Three Chimneys instead of Portree? Or in Dunvegan at the Dunvegan Hotel. Ask for a sea view room. You will get a different feel for Skye than if you stay in Portree.
Staying at the Dunvegan Hotel (before the Chimneys existed and the House Over By was opened) is where I first experienced the real 'gloaming'. The time between sunset and sunrise and yet there is still light in the sky. June is of course the best time to experience that.
http://scotlandinthegloaming.blogspo...oint-skye.html
A photographer's dream.
Skye also has plenty of great hiking. The Storr and Old Man of Storr is a favourite.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=old+m...w=1280&bih=687
The Black Hills (Cuillins) are also great.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/cuillin.shtml
There is no shortage of nature there to see and enjoy.
The Talisker distillery is of course on Skye and worth a visit for the Whisky lover.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=old+m...w=1280&bih=687
Coincidently, Carbost where the distillery is located, is a great place to stay when hiking in the Cuillins.
http://www.theoldinnskye.co.uk/index.php?id=1
Great oysters from the local oyster farm by the way.
I would really cut down your plan somehow. Skye and Islay only perhaps. Forget trying to cram in time in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Your plan is too much for my liking. Too much moving around, too little time IN places seeing/doing things.
For example, I could easily spend the entire time you have available on Skye alone. The links above should give you some idea of how easily you could spend more time there.
Staying at the Dunvegan Hotel (before the Chimneys existed and the House Over By was opened) is where I first experienced the real 'gloaming'. The time between sunset and sunrise and yet there is still light in the sky. June is of course the best time to experience that.
http://scotlandinthegloaming.blogspo...oint-skye.html
A photographer's dream.
Skye also has plenty of great hiking. The Storr and Old Man of Storr is a favourite.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=old+m...w=1280&bih=687
The Black Hills (Cuillins) are also great.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/cuillin.shtml
There is no shortage of nature there to see and enjoy.
The Talisker distillery is of course on Skye and worth a visit for the Whisky lover.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=old+m...w=1280&bih=687
Coincidently, Carbost where the distillery is located, is a great place to stay when hiking in the Cuillins.
http://www.theoldinnskye.co.uk/index.php?id=1
Great oysters from the local oyster farm by the way.
I would really cut down your plan somehow. Skye and Islay only perhaps. Forget trying to cram in time in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Your plan is too much for my liking. Too much moving around, too little time IN places seeing/doing things.
For example, I could easily spend the entire time you have available on Skye alone. The links above should give you some idea of how easily you could spend more time there.
Mar 1st, 2014, 08:35 PM
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if choosing between glasgow and edinburgh, i would stay in edinburgh. glasgow is a great day visit (loved the art school) but i found so much more charm in edinburgh. easy to get around the city, too... and great bus service if you want a quick trip down to the firth for a walk along the water.
trains from edinburgh to glasgow are frequent... or you could stay your last night in glasgow before your flight.
trains from edinburgh to glasgow are frequent... or you could stay your last night in glasgow before your flight.
Mar 2nd, 2014, 02:59 AM
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I think possibly the reason you've not had many comments is because it's a fairly doable itinery, you've not got a long list of impossible places to cram into each day and people don't have anything to chastise you for 
In addition to the places you've cited, I loved the Applecross area on the mainland across from Skye - superb driving and views and various decent eateries.
Linking my TR and some pics for you:-
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-july-2012.cfm
https://www.flickr.com/photos/494523...7630856507486/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/494523...7630896949388/
PS A bit jel of your Three Chimmneys visit.
In addition to the places you've cited, I loved the Applecross area on the mainland across from Skye - superb driving and views and various decent eateries.
Linking my TR and some pics for you:-
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-july-2012.cfm
https://www.flickr.com/photos/494523...7630856507486/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/494523...7630896949388/
PS A bit jel of your Three Chimmneys visit.
Mar 2nd, 2014, 05:08 AM
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I'm afraid that It's right that some of us are a bit wary of commenting on Scotland because of a certain poster. He was actually responsible for getting a Scottish thread closed.
Have you booked your accommodation on Skye on a specific day? If not, you could first go to Glenelg and take the little Kylerhea ferry to Skye. If you are interested in ancient buildings, Glenelg has some quite well preserved brochs They are towers and are supposed to be about 2000 years old.
If you have read "Ring of bright water" or any other books by Gavin Maxwell Sandaig is quite near Glenelg.. He called it Camusfearna in his books.
If you eat at the Three Chimneys, a few yards up the road is Skye Silver. I like their designs and they are not terribly expensive
Have you booked your accommodation on Skye on a specific day? If not, you could first go to Glenelg and take the little Kylerhea ferry to Skye. If you are interested in ancient buildings, Glenelg has some quite well preserved brochs They are towers and are supposed to be about 2000 years old.
If you have read "Ring of bright water" or any other books by Gavin Maxwell Sandaig is quite near Glenelg.. He called it Camusfearna in his books.
If you eat at the Three Chimneys, a few yards up the road is Skye Silver. I like their designs and they are not terribly expensive
Mar 2nd, 2014, 05:30 AM
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If your husband is interested in wildlife, the Glenelg ferry and slipway are good places to see sea eagles and otters
If you have never seen a sea eagle, they are just breathtaking. They have a 7 foot wingspan. There are also golden eagles in the area
If you have never seen a sea eagle, they are just breathtaking. They have a 7 foot wingspan. There are also golden eagles in the area
Mar 2nd, 2014, 07:20 AM
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Thank you, thank you, thank you all for responding! I knew something was a rye because the Fodorites have always been so helpful.
Kawh, thanks for the Edinburgh/Glasgow advice. Just booked the hotel in Edinburgh.
RM67, thanks for the comments on my itinerary. It's because of all of the great advice on this forum that I have set it up this way. And special thanks for the links to your TR. It was fantastic! Loved reading it and all of your pictures!!! After reading your report (and seeing)the pictures we are definitively doing Applecross. I was sold when I saw your pics, my husband was sold when I told him the Top Gear reference. He likes to think he is Richard Hammond, ;-) (or the Stig). Also definitatly adding several of your resturants to our list, especially the Kishorn Seafood house.
Missprism, thank you as well for the advice on Gleneig. We are already booked our accommodations on Skye (portree) however, could we do Gleneig as we were leaving Skye on our way south?
Janisj, I have read through so many of your responses over the past few weeks. You give Very helpful advice to us who need it. That and I am envious of all of your travels.
Again, thank you all for your responses for and for all of your advice! I truly truly appreciative it! I am so excited for my trip now!!!!
Kawh, thanks for the Edinburgh/Glasgow advice. Just booked the hotel in Edinburgh
. RM67, thanks for the comments on my itinerary. It's because of all of the great advice on this forum that I have set it up this way. And special thanks for the links to your TR. It was fantastic! Loved reading it and all of your pictures!!! After reading your report (and seeing)the pictures we are definitively doing Applecross. I was sold when I saw your pics, my husband was sold when I told him the Top Gear reference. He likes to think he is Richard Hammond, ;-) (or the Stig). Also definitatly adding several of your resturants to our list, especially the Kishorn Seafood house.
Missprism, thank you as well for the advice on Gleneig. We are already booked our accommodations on Skye (portree) however, could we do Gleneig as we were leaving Skye on our way south?
Janisj, I have read through so many of your responses over the past few weeks. You give Very helpful advice to us who need it. That and I am envious of all of your travels
.Again, thank you all for your responses for and for all of your advice! I truly truly appreciative it! I am so excited for my trip now!!!!
Mar 2nd, 2014, 07:44 AM
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The RAC http://www.rac.co.uk/route-planner/
seem to think that the journey from Glenelg to Edinburgh takes between 4 and 41/2 hours. They suggest two routes. Have a look. The longer route may well be more picturesque.
We were sitting having a drink outside a small hotel in Glenelg when the owner's two little dogs shot under a bench. "Ah, they've heard the old eagle passing over"
seem to think that the journey from Glenelg to Edinburgh takes between 4 and 41/2 hours. They suggest two routes. Have a look. The longer route may well be more picturesque.
We were sitting having a drink outside a small hotel in Glenelg when the owner's two little dogs shot under a bench. "Ah, they've heard the old eagle passing over"
Mar 2nd, 2014, 07:56 AM
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MissPrism,
Thanks for the suggestions I will check them out now. And btw...I just read your comment about the eagle to my husband. His eyes lit up and he said "Yes!!" Thanks for passing that along.
Thanks for the suggestions I will check them out now. And btw...I just read your comment about the eagle to my husband. His eyes lit up and he said "Yes!!" Thanks for passing that along.
Mar 2nd, 2014, 08:15 AM
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You're welcome basch0902. At the Kishorn seafood bar, either go for the full seafood platter, or if less hungry, the scallops and squat lobster tails are great for a smaller plate. Hope you have a fab time - looking forward to pics and TR
Mar 3rd, 2014, 12:08 PM
#17
I was removed too 
But you got the idea
Hopefully i can now post w/o being attacked. my main concer is at the very beginning of your plan. Are you flying in long haul? If so I would not advise driving the first day because of the jet lag/acclimating.
I consider this instead: upon landing at GLA , fly to Islay and do it first. The only problem then is where to,get your rental car when back on the mainland. I'm guessing Oban might be the best place.
Another option (options really) is to take the train from Oban to Inverness (if you do Islay first) - or - take the train from Glasgow up to Inverness the first day an relax over night before collecting a car.
But you got the idea
Hopefully i can now post w/o being attacked. my main concer is at the very beginning of your plan. Are you flying in long haul? If so I would not advise driving the first day because of the jet lag/acclimating.
I consider this instead: upon landing at GLA , fly to Islay and do it first. The only problem then is where to,get your rental car when back on the mainland. I'm guessing Oban might be the best place.
Another option (options really) is to take the train from Oban to Inverness (if you do Islay first) - or - take the train from Glasgow up to Inverness the first day an relax over night before collecting a car.
Mar 3rd, 2014, 04:56 PM
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Janisj, I did some looking around and I saw exactly what the issue was. ;-). SO glad your back.
Yes, we have a long haul (over the pond). Fortunately we will be able to sleep on the way over(business class) and we have done this type of route flying/sleeping overnight before multiple times. We get in at 8:30 am.
That said, I did base my plan on research that said the drive from Glasgow to Dufftown was about 3 1/2 hours. Is that correct?
I must admit i do like the idea of taking the train to Inverness and then get a car.
Yes, we have a long haul (over the pond). Fortunately we will be able to sleep on the way over(business class) and we have done this type of route flying/sleeping overnight before multiple times. We get in at 8:30 am.
That said, I did base my plan on research that said the drive from Glasgow to Dufftown was about 3 1/2 hours. Is that correct?
I must admit i do like the idea of taking the train to Inverness and then get a car.
Mar 3rd, 2014, 05:25 PM
#19
Even dickieG couldn't do it in 3.5 hours. - well he probably could at 11pm.
Count on at least 4 hours if you hit no traffic at all. I'd plan on 4.5 to 5 hours to duff town. That is 'car time' w/o any stops.
Count on at least 4 hours if you hit no traffic at all. I'd plan on 4.5 to 5 hours to duff town. That is 'car time' w/o any stops.
