2 days to get from the Isle of Skye to Glasgow
 

Trying to plan the last section of our trip to Scotland. After a few days on Skye, we'll have 2 days to drive to Glasgow. Mostly interested in scenery, scenic castle ruins, and good seafood.

Would appreciate ideas on the best route to take, suggestions for a good place to stay for 1 night, and any good restaurants.

We'll be driving to Skye from Nairn, and using the bridge, so I assume it would be suggested to take the ferry to leave Skye.

BTW, there seems to be a choice of routes from Inverness to Skye. Any suggestion as to which would be better, scenery-wise, northern or southern?

~Liz

We did just that a couple of years ago. We drove along the north side of Loch Ness westwards, and that gives the opportunity to do a stop at Urquhart Castle ruins on the way.

BTW we weren't too keen on Nairn, it seemed to have seen better days. The general area was nice, though, and then Skye was lovely.

Thanks!

We aren't really looking to do much in Nairn, it's just a convenient spot to base for some of the things we're planning.

That was our idea too. You may or may not be interested in the trip report I did:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-june-2009.cfm

Topping for thoughts on my main question...

We did the ferry from Skye and drove to Glasgow in 2 days. And it was a nice trip. Lots to see on the Road to/from the Isles: the beaches at Morar and Arisaig, Harry Potter's train. We stopped at Glenfinnan, a very scenic spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed to launch his rebellion; there's a small museum.

Moving on, we paused at Fort William briefly for lunch; it has a mildly interesting pedestrian shopping street. Next was Glencoe, where we made only a brief visit to the museum. You might want more time, say to do a hike.

We overnighted at a B&B in Crianlarich, where we met 2 couples hiking/walking the West Highland Way. The next day we drove along Loch Lomond and stopped at the pretty little town of Luss. The bluebells were blooming on the hills behind the town. It was a Sunday, the local ladies were having a bake sale, and we pieced together a lunch there. (The ladies were very interested to meet us.) But, lacking a bake sale, there's a restaurant or 2 also.

In the afternoon we cut over to Helensburgh to visit Hill House, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and now a museum. (Arts and Crafts architecture is a particular interest of mine.) Then to Glasgow.

Later when we got home, the British Open was on TV, being played at Luss. We hadn't even noticed a course.

If the golf was at Luss it will have been the Scottish Open which has been played several years at Loch Lomond(a really lovely course) The Open isn't played there....

Thanks, Mimar!

That helps me figure out what we have time for.

~Liz

Well having take the ferry to Mallaig (sp?) then the scenic railway via Fort William to Glasgow I know that that route is really pretty - do not miss seeing the desolate Rannoch Moors (sp?) en route - few roads go thru it but there are some vehicular access points - a barren wild huge moor that you've heard about but rarely ever see. I would recommend Fort William, on the sea, as a convenient stopover watering hole but after having done it not long ago and being severely criticized by FodorGarchs for so doing scratch that - unless you want oodles of cozy B&Bs lining its access roads, a variety of eateries and shops in the Scottish Highlands biggest city, etc.

Rannoch Moor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rannoch Moor (Scottish Gaelic: Mòinteach Raineach/Raithneach)is a large expanse of around 50 square miles (130 km²) of boggy moorland to the west of Loch ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rannoch_Moor


Rannoch Moor travel guide - Wikitravel
Open source travel guide to Rannoch Moor, featuring up-to-date information on attractions, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, travel tips and more.
wikitravel.org/en/Rannoch_Moo

PQ: There are no roads into Rannoch Moor from the west (where they will be) so they can't traverse it. And if you are suggesting they take the train -- they can't since they will have a car. No place to drop it in either Skye or Mallaig . . .

But then again - I'm one of your 'FodorGarchs'

elberko: Mimar has given you excellent info. If you are all interested in Charles Rennie Mackintosh (or just architecture in general) a side trip over to Hill House would be highly recommended.

janis dear where do I recommend taking the train - I never suggested it here - are you on some kind of paint - I have trouble enough putting words in my own mouth let along having you do it for me!

To clarify, I said >>And <I><U>if</i></U> you are suggesting they take the train . . .<<

I only added that bit about the train because - since there are no roads into the Moor from the west - the only other option is a train.

I like Mirmar's suggestion of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. I believe it's the A861(?) and I suggest you continue to the Corran Ferry across Loch Linnhe avoiding Fort William. You could overnight at Ballachulish or somewhere along the Glen Coe route. Or after the ferry, head south toward Oban,catching the A85 toward Loch Awe. There are some nice B&B's on Loch Awe or you could even go a bit further to Inveraray on Loch Fyne, which is on the A819. From there you can still drive along Loch Lomond, stop at Luss with a side trip to Helensburgh.

I'm not a big fan of Crianlarich, thus my suggestion for a Loch Awe/Inveraray or Ballachulish/ Glen Coe overnight.

do not miss seeing the desolate Rannoch Moors (sp?) en route - few roads go thru it but there are some vehicular access points>

janis dear please read what I actually post before making your pithy comments - I never said there were any roads going into the Moor from the west but here is what I did post - saying there are some vehicular access roads into the Moor - like to a parking lot at one train station my train stopped at. Look at an Ordnance Survey map and you will see some access roads into the Moor - or Ms Expert on everything am I wrong about that too?

"<i>like to a parking lot at one train station my train stopped at.</i>"

That parking area is at Rannoch Station on the Moor w/ access <u>only</u> from the east side via the B846. One cannot get there from the west side where the OP is traveling.

Trust me on this . . .

elberko: historytraveler's suggestion of the Corran Ferry is a good one. No real reason to fo to/through Ft William.

Seafood!

JanisJ gave me this one but I haven't had chance yet.

A little off route but looks spectacular!

http://www.eeusk.com/

<That parking area is at Rannoch Station on the Moor w/ access only from the east side via the B846. One cannot get there from the west side where the OP is traveling>

Janis for the last time I hope read what I posted - I NEVER said you could access the moors from the west side - that is some invention of yours that I said that - I only said there are access roads that would get you into the moors, since you cannot drive thru them I believe from any side. I did not say or even know what side that station access road was from.

It perplexes me why you make these pithy remarks and attribute to me things I did not say.

I was only trying to give good IMO advice to the OP's question and then only to be met with such surly haughty remarks by you - I do not know what I ever did or said to you to deserve your constant belittling from thread to thread and even on many occasions you accusing me of outright plagiarism - I am a retired former professional travel writer who made a living writing and researching articles on nearly every significant place in the UK from a tourists standpoint -and the charge of plagiarism yes does grate on me, especially from such a source!

Please correct if I misspeak but do not put words in my mouth and then correct me!

Not that janisj needs a defense on her comments regarding this post, but she was early on aware that the OP was traveling along the west side of Scotland from Skye to Glasgow. She is correct in saying that the only road into Rannoch Moor (at Rannoch Station) is the B 846 which is on the east side and too far for the OP to consider as an option.

There are a few tracks going into Rannoch Moor. One is off the A82 into Black Corries Lodge and, I believe, there is one off the A86 to Fersit. There are probably several others, but they are track roads more inclined toward the hiker than a tourist in a car. Not at all sure what it'd be like to travel one when it was especially wet. Bog, you know.

I believe janisj was only trying to point out that the road to Rannoch Station was not logistically a reasonable option for the OP.

Now if one travels the A82 you'll have Rannoch Moor on the west side for a bit, but it's not the same as traveling through the Moor which is best done by walking or by train.

To the Op ( if still around ;)) Rannoch Moor is a special place in Scotland. It doesn't really fit your itinerary this time but save it for your next trip.:)

Thanks all...still here...

"Thanks all...still here"

Which is mildly surprising.

Used to be like this all the time round, it has calmed down a bit since the "this comment has been removed by the editor" stunner.

Shame really, introducing that was like going shooting for pheasants without a double barrel or a Springer. ie took all the fun out of an evening.

historytraveler - this is what the OP said:

Trying to plan the last section of our trip to Scotland. After a few days on Skye, we'll have 2 days to drive to Glasgow. Mostly interested in scenery, scenic castle ruins, and good seafood.

Would appreciate ideas on the best route to take, suggestions for a good place to stay for 1 night, and any good restaurants.

We'll be driving to Skye from Nairn, and using the bridge, so I assume it would be suggested to take the ferry to leave Skye

historytraveler - by ferry from Skye I assumed it was meant the one to Mallaig - right? And from there he/she asks for a good route - and I gave her/him one - so the route via Ft William and the Moor is not only it seems the most direct route but one that is really scenic - and the Moors, from my Ordnance Survey map does not seem to be a major detour - a minor detour to see IMO one of Britain's most unique and fantastic sites. So I think my assumption was valid, from what I read in the OP. Perhaps there was another thread, as often the case, where the OP gave more specific into but if from Mallaig to Glasgow via Ft William, tourist base for the nearby West Highlands, and the Rannoch Moor is still IMO a good suggestion.

Not that janisj needs a defense on her comments regarding this post, but she was early on aware that the OP was traveling along the west side of Scotland from Skye to Glasgow.>

pardon me historytraveler - how was janis early on aware of this - nothing in this post tells me that - and what is meant by the west side of Scotland - is OP not talking about ferry to Mallaig - if so going down the west side I think would be going via Ft William and close by there - in 2 days it can easily be done. I am confused by your post - can you explain what I missed?

thanks

"<i>pardon me historytraveler - how was janis early on aware of this - </i>"

By reading the OP . . .

elberko: Sorry for the detour on your thread. Besides Ee.Usk that Humpty mentions, there is also Loch Fyne Oysters at the top of Loch Fyne between Inveraray and Tarbet.

http://www.lochfyne.com/

"pardon me historytraveler - how was janis early on aware of this - "

By reading the OP . . .>

like me and what I wrote fits perfectly with what the OP said - it is historytraveler, not janis, that is reading something else into OP's statement - thus my suggested routing fits exactly in with what the OP says - that historytraveler says janis was early on aware of this" was simply a misreading by historytraveler.

PalenQ,

I will respond just this once:

I have neither the time nor the inclination to engage in a verbal and argumentative debate with another Fodorite regarding my posts. It is IMO akin to whipping a dead horse. An effort in futility.

I have been contributing to this forum for some time now. I've come to respect several Fodorites whose knowledge and advice are seldom indisputable. I strive to do likewise. I make every possible effort to be correct in the information I post and reasonable in offering opinions. If I'm ever unsure about my facts, I always double check. I am not infalliable, but I always try to provide accurate and informed comments.

historytraveler - I also have been on this forum for several years and have never had a reason to quarrel with you or your advice. In this case I read the OP and gave what I still believe is good advice on a possible route from seemingly the Mallaig ferry terminal to Glasgow -and I said nothing about exact access points to the moor - janis put those words in my mouth for me and you naturally repeated it without reading also what I wrote - I can understand that mistake as I do the same a lot without reading everything above. I have no argument with you. As for janis and her motives...

Pal

We had a vote, Bobthenavigator won.

He's the best poster.

There's simply no point scrapping with Janisj over second place.

humpty - touche!

The vote was to point out who was the "ultimate Fodorite", not the °best poster". Having bobthenavigator as the winner wouldn't make sense otherwise (although I could have just as easily voted for janisj).

If janis ain't the MVPoster on Fodors I don't know who is. She is the British expert IMO by far - even more than Brits themselves - this may seem oxymoronic but locals IMO are often naive to what a foreign tourist is looking for - janis is the Fodor British expert and MVP hands down IMO.