Alice9

Well after an initial posting, I've dutifully read LOTS of Fodorite's itineraries and trip reports, and looked at itineraries offered by various books and touring companies. So I think I know where we want to go, but I'm not sure we can do it at a pace we'll like in 2 weeks.

What I'm looking for is a list of places to stay, near our areas of interest. We do NOT like staying just a single night somewhere, takes too much time away from touring. For two weeks, I'm hoping to stay about 5 places, 6 if necessary (13 nights, so maybe 3 in 1 or 2 places, and then 2 in 3 or 4 places).

I know we want to start in Edinburgh. I'm thinking maybe 3 nights, particularly since the first day is an arrival day. I'm thinking we could end in Edinburgh or end in Glasgow.

We'd like to stay a few nights in the Loch Lomond/Callander/Stirling area.
We'd like a few nights in the Inverness/Loch Ness area.
Also a few nights in the Fort William/Ben Nevis/Glencoe area.
And we'd like to visit the Isle of Skye.
And end up in Glasgow or maybe back in Edinburgh.

I've seen Oban on a number of itineraries, not sure how that would work. I also don't see how we could see much of Southern Scotland - maybe that's another trip, combined with the Lake District in England.

We hoping to do some hiking (walking), see some castles, enjoy the scenery and small towns along the way. My husband is very comfortable driving on the 'other side', we had a lovely trip to Ireland a number of years ago, and have traveled in various parts of England.

So - can anyone help with what order I might do these things? Is there too much on my list? Am I missing something really important? Out of the box suggestions more than welcome (I've wondered, for instance, whether we really need to go to Glasgow).

Oh, and we're thinking of the latter half of June? Is that a good choice? I just wanted it to warm up a tinch but be before there are too many tourists around. Also, I haven't really looked at festivals/special events.

Thanks for all your help, I think this is the hardest part of the planning - once I have an itinerary down, I can look for airfare, and start looking for hotels/B&Bs.

Alice

janisj

By places to stay, are you asking for towns, or specific accommodations? If the latter, we need to know your budget.

As for Glasgow, there are great things about the city, but I personally don't think you have enough time to squeeze it in. Unless you are huge Charles Rennie Mackintosh fans, I'd give Glasgow a pass this time.

Oban is OK but unless you had time for a day or two on Mull and Kintyre peninsula - I wouldn't bother with Oban.

If you do return for a visit to the Borders, SW Scotland, Hadrian's. Wall and the Lakes . . . You could start in Glasgow that trip.

janisj

Oh - forgot re June. That is my VERY favorite time in Scotland. Extremely loooooooong daylight hours, the chance for warm-ish weather (or not ) , and before the crowds of mid July- August arrive.

Alice9

Thanks, janisj. I'm looking for towns, not specific lodgings. Just nice places to base ourselves from which we can do day trips. Also, we like places where we can walk to dinner.

Glad to hear that June is your favorite!

Alice

janisj

Callander is good for the Trossachs area to put you walking distance to meals/shops.

The only town of any consequence on Skye is Portree, so if you want amenities, that is your choice. But the most central place is Sligachan - making touri g the island much easier. The good thing is the hotel serves good food all day long. http://www.sligachan.co.uk/

For the glen Coe area -the only town is Ft William, but it is a pit . I'd stay right in Glencoe - here http://www.clachaig.com/

I personally wouldn't stay IN Inverness - it is the busy business/commercial centre of the highlands. I'd look in the area between say Nairn all the way to Beauly. anyplace through that swath will be a good base for the area w/o having to drive through central Inverness .

Alice9

Is all this doable in 2 weeks? (Particularly if I leave off Glasgow). What order would you arrange it?

I'd seen similar comments about Ft William, I'll check your link in Glencoe (and your one on Skye). I had also heard similar comments about Inverness.

janisj

Sure you can do it in 2 weeks. Three would be better (but heck, the months would be better yet ) In two weeks you won't be too rushed.

How are you arriving in Scotland - flying in long haul? If so, I'd start w/ three night in Edinburgh. You'd be car-less and be able to recover from the jet lag while touring the city. Then a minimum of 2 nights in the Trossachs/Callander are. Three nights if you want to do the Falkirk Wheel on the way, Stirling and Doune Castles, Inchmahome Priory (a definite must IMO), maybe Loch Lomond and/or Loch Katrine, any walks/hikes, etc.

Then you have a choice of heading up to Inverness or west towards Skye. I'd personally go west - stay 2 nights in Glencoe, three nights on Skye. Take the ferry TO Skye and the Bridge OFF the island. Two night near Inverness and the day heading back to EDI or GLA to fly out the next day.

Something like that works well and gives you a decent amount of time in each area.

If you want to add time around Inverness you could cut one night from Edinburgh -- but I personally wouldn't

Alice9

Yes, we're flying in from Washington DC, so definitely 3 nights in Edinburgh. This sounds very do-able, I'll check out the driving distances. (You can drive from Inverness to Edinburgh in a day?).

But I like the idea of leaving Glasgow and the south for another trip. It's always a mistake to try to do too much in one trip.

Thanks so much for your help! If anyone else has opinions to offer, please do.

Alice

historytraveler

When checking distances/ driving times, I like AARoadwatch www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp Although almost any of them are fine. Be sure and add at least another 30% to drive times to get a more realistic idea as to how long it'll actually take.

Janisj's suggestions are good as usual. Really have nothing to add at the moment. Will be happy to make suggestions for places to visit on Skye if you let us know your interests. For Skye there really are a number of great places to stay depending or where you'd rather be located, price range and preference as to hotel, B&B etc.

janisj

>>You can drive from Inverness to Edinburgh in a day?<<

easily. The straight drive w/o stops would be about 4 hours to EDI.

That would give you time to stop at either Blair Castle or Scone Palace and have a fairly leisurely drive. The A9 is about the only high-ish speed road in northern Scitland. Not fast but a good clear road.

Alice9

Thanks, historytraveler. I'm going to take all this good information and do a little work. I don't know where we want to be located yet, I'm very happy we have general areas and a rough itinerary worked out! But I'll definitely be back for recommendations when we know more. (Half the fun is planning the trip. My husband doesn't look at a thing until we're on the plane!).

janisj, you are a treasure.

Alice

janisj

Moi Thanks!

Re historytraveler's advice to add quite a bit to the on-line mileage calculators is spot on. Depending on where and traffic conditions, one usually needs to add 30% to nearly 100% to the drive times. My comment was specifically about the A9/M90 that goes from Inverness to EDI - that is one of the few roads that you usually only need to add a little to the calculations. A really good road.

CBelle

I did this route a few years ago with Canadian relatives and they loved it. We gave Loch Ness a miss though and just headed home to Glasgow from Skye via Loch Lomond. It was a long drive home and took all day but we made a few stops along the way.


Edinburgh – Stonehaven for Dunnottar Castle, via Falkland Palace and St Andrews Castle.

Stonehaven – Pitlochry for Eradour Distillary, Blair Atholl Castle, hill walking and beautiful loch side walks. I can recommend Farragon B&B, I stay there every October for Enchanted Forest.

Pitlochry – Callander for Trossachs National Park, via Aberfeldy and Crieff (Scenic Route)

Callander – Ballachulish/Glen Coe for stunning scenery, hiking and watersports.

Ballachulish – Mallaig for ferry to Skye (you could stop off on route at Aonach Mor and take the Gondola up the mountain or do this on your return journey). You will also pass Arisaig beach on route which on a clear day will give you views of the Islands.

Skye – Drumnadrochit via the bridge and not the ferry. (for Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness) To be honest this place is the worst kind of tourist trap and I normally would avoid, however tourists generally want to go there. Maybe in June it wont be so bad!

The amount of days in each place really depends on what activities you like to do.

Also, although it will add to your driving time try and use scenic routes where possible it will add to your experience. They are signposted on the brown tourist signs along the roads.

Whatever you decide I hope you have a great time in Scotland.

Alice9

CBelle, thanks so much, I'm just seeing this today (fairly brutal at work lately). This is very helpful. I agree about taking the scenic route where possible. And this itinerary is sounding very do-able.

Alice

willowjane

I am firming up my plans and I appreciate all the advice being given for Scotland!

Alice9

So now that I have plane tickets and a place to stay in Edinburgh, I'm back to this. What about
Edinburgh - 3 nights
Callander - 3 nights
Glencoe - 2 nights
Skye - 2 nights
Inverness - 2 nights
last night in Edinburgh

That's 13 nights. Is that divvied up okay? Should it be 3 in Skye and 2 in Callander?

Also, I probably won't stay IN Inverness but nearby - any suggestions?

Anyway, does this look like a good itinerary? I'm going to take a look at driving times now, but I don't think I'll find anything that will change this.

Thanks so much,
Alice

Gordon_R

<i>Also, I probably won't stay IN Inverness but nearby - any suggestions? </i>

We love Coul House Hotel at Contin, in the countryside not too far from Inverness and within easy day trip range of many interesting places (Black Isle, Culloden, Cawdor Castle, Fort George to name but a few).

http://www.coulhousehotel.com/

indy_dad

See if my trip reports are of help:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-with-kids.cfm

Alice9

Thanks Gordon and indy_dad - I'll check it out.

Alice

janisj

The only real change I'd make is 1 night in Glencoe and 3 on Skye. Unless you plan on some serious hiking/mountain trekking one night is perfect for Glencoe. Plus it isn't a very long drive from Callander