2nd go at Scotland Itinerary for Sept '08
 

Hello all,

I have spent time re-working my first Itinerary and would appreciate it if I could get some feedback on what I now have planned. Please feel free to point out anything that you feel needs work, or is inaccurate in your opinions.

I am wishing to have the type of holiday where I see a great deal of the Highlands without being too overly abitious with driving on my own. I enjoy driving, but I realise that it will be slow and taxing on some routes. I also know that I want to have time to get sidetracked where possible by something that interests me enroute, but still catch necessary ferry's.

I hope to be in places where I will easily have opportunities to meet locals and hopefully hear Scottish music.

I look forward to your comments, thanks again.

Faith

For September....
6 & 7 (Stay in Edinburgh)

8 & 9 (Stay in Callandar) Edinburgh to Stirling/Callandar 56 Miles 1.5 - 2 Hours

10 & 11 (Stay in Fionnphort, Mull) Callandar to Oban 71 Miles 1.5 - 2 Hours
Ferry Oban to Craignure 8 am, 10 am, 4 pm
Craignure to Fionnphort 35 Miles 1.5 - 2.5 Hours

(Stay in Fionnphort, Mull) Visit Staffa and Iona

12 th (Stay in Ballachulish) Fionnphort to Fishnish 41 Miles 1.5 -2 Hours
Ferry Fishnish to Lochaline 10:25, 10:40, 11:25, 13:10. 13:25
Drive Lochaline to Corran Ferry 31 Miles 1.25 - 2 Hours
Corran Ferry Ardgour to Nether Lochaber
Drive Nether Locahaber to Glen coe 8 Miles 30 Min - 1 Hour

13th (Stay in Portree, Skye) Drive Ballachulish to Ft Wm 16 Miles 30 Min - Hour
Ft Wm - Mallaig, Road to the Isles 43 Miles 1 Hour - 3 Hours with stops
Ferry Mallaig to Armadale, Skye Many choices
Drive Armadale to Portree 43 Miles 1.25 - 2 Hours
14th (Stay in Portree, Skye) Tour Skye

15th (Stay in Ullapool ~ OR ~ Nairn) Drive time Portree to Ullapool 120 Miles 3.5 - 4.5 Hours
Drive Portree to Nairn 130 Miles 3.5 -4.5 Hours

16th & 17th (Stay in Nairn) Drive time Ullapool To Nairn 71 Miles 2 Hours

18th (Fly to MAN ) INV airport to MAN 7:10 am Flybe #BE 201 Arrive MAN 8:30 am
18th - 21 Stay in Wakefield
22nd MAN-LHR-SFO arrive 1 PM

I won't get into the drive times (we've been there/done that w/ another poster :) )

But your itinerary looks just fine.

2 nights Edinburgh
2 nights Callander/the Trossachs
2 nights on Mull
1 nights at Ballachillish/Glencoe
2 nights Skye
1 night in the NW
2 nights Nairn or nearby

Broken down that way it looks very manageable.

Thanks much Janis...I must say I am very pleased to hear that you feel it is manageable! :)

I have to say, that it is a huge challenge to plan travel details given the many considerations for road and ferry travel. Plus I want to see all that I can :)

Hopefully, I have given myself plenty of breathing room for stopping to see things along the way and I won't have the feeling of needing to rush (and panic) too often. It is all about seeing the beauty of Scotland, its culture and its people. I know I will fall in love with it.

Thanks for suggesting the overnights on Skye and Mull and mentioning going by car. This will give me such freedom to do my exploring in more depth. Faith

Faith, have you got a notion of where to hear traditional music in Edinburgh? or Mull?- mind you, it really has to be Fionnphort; or Ullapool?

Your route is adventurous enough not to be repetitive I hope you have a lovely time

Hello Sheila,

I have not researched where I may be able to enjoy traditional Scottish music yet per se, mainly because I am scampering to re-book various B&B along my new itineray that has recently developed. I hope to find it in pubs at an evening meal and get information from inn keepers and word of mouth for the most part.

I have booked two nights in Finnphort at the Staffa House and one of the women there would be especially knowledgeable about music I think (based on what I read about her hobbies).

Ullapool is a possible nights stay, prior to my last two evenings in either Inverness or Nairn before I depart Scotland for England.

Thank you for your info and good wishes Sheila. :)