A_Guy_80

Hi,

It’s me again. Just as a quick context to this post. We are a couple in early 30s going to Scotland in mid September and will be spending a few days in Glencoe and Skye region. The itinerary below is for the Skye leg of my trip where we plan to spend 3 days.

Day 1:

Take Road of Isles to Mallaig, we plan to start at about 9am from Fort William (or slightly earlier if we shift base to Glencoe) with a brief 20-30 min stop at Glenfinnan for photos and then probably another 30-40 min stop at Sands of Morar. Unless the old single track road from Arisaig-Mallaig is really old and tricky we would prefer to drive on that to take the coastal scenery.

We target to arrive in Mallaig latest by 11:30 am (doable?) to hop on to 12:15PM ferry from Mallaig to Armadale (check-in for cars 30 mins before) and have a quick lunch there. The ferry reaches Armadale at 12:45pm.

From Armadale we plan to drive through to Elgol. I would have loved to be in Elgol in time for 3hr Loch Coruisk cruise of Bella Jane (2 PM) or Misty Isle (2:15PM) but I checked on AA site that its about 70min drive and by the time we disembark and drive down I am not sure if we will be able to make it to Elgol before 2 or 2:15 pm.

If we miss those 3hr trips then the alternative is a 3:30pm 1.5hr cruise by Bella Jane though from what I have read it doesn’t seem to go ashore and we will miss the chance to see the Loch Coruisk There is a Misty Isle trip at 5:30 which spend some time ashore but given sunset is around 7:30pm I don’t fancy driving in dark on unknown roads. (Any suggestions?)

Anyways after the boat trip , we will drive don to Portree and check-in in our accommodation.

Day 2:

This is a day marked for drive and walk tour of Totternish peninsula. Plan to drive anti-clock wise from Portree and stop for short walks at Storr, Kilt Rock, Staffin coral beaches, Quairaing and Fairy Glen. Wanted to go to the northernmost point of the peninsula however from what I read at skyewalk.co.uk it seems to be a tough walk and since we are not experienced walkers so may have to give that a miss (or is there an alternative route ?)

I reckon this would take the whole day though I could be wrong. If you think I have missed something or I can add / delete something from this day, please let me know. As for short walks at Storr. Quairaing etc. I plan to do a shorter circuit of an hour or so only and not the full 3-5 hours walks as of now. Am I trading quality for quantity?

Day 3

This day is meant to cover Dunvegan and centrl & NW Skye regions.

This morning we will like to start with a drive down to Glen brittle and do Coire na Creiche and the Fairy Pools Circuit walk first (may be do a shorter walk covering the fairy pools only if possible), will then drive up to Ullinish and do the short walk to Oronsay Island. Next, I have penciled in a drive north and walk to coral beaches near Claigan but we may skip this if we are tired or first two walks ended up being longer than expected.

We plan to end the day by driving north-west and walking upto Neist Point and watch the sunset before heading back to Portree. I am not sure but fear I have packed atleast one walk too many in this day but will appreciate getting experts’ opinion on that.

On Day 4, we start early and drive down to Inverness Airport to catch our flight to London. Have posted my itinerary for this day under the topic “Glen Affric: Best Short Walk”

So what do you think of my itinerary. Am I missing something ? And given the time we have would you consider us swapping one of the regions/activities for something else to get best out of the day.

Looking forward to your responses. Thanks.

hopingtotravel

I'm topping this for you to see the responses you get.

Had so wanted to go to Skye next month, but until DH retires the ferry schedules, time length of trip, etc, were just too much for me to work out. I couldn't get our whole trip under 21 days!

sheila

Sorry not to have contributed to your other thread. I did skim it this morning (Is it just me or is Fodors becoming so full it's impossible to keep up).

>"Road to the Isles"<

Your timescale is doable

Book the ferry

It's an hour from Ardvasar to Elgol. If the ferry is on time, and barring bad weather, they usually are, you should be off the boat by 1pm. So, if you don't stop, you can make it. Bearing in mind I know the road and have done it before, I would do it. You need to make the decision yourself.

Sunset in mid September will be well after 9pm

http://uk.weather.com/climate/sunRis...-Skye-UKXX1271

The walk to Rubha Hunish will take 3-5 hours and is a slightly harder walk where the paths may be indistinct, with basic navigation skills required. Again, you decide. Lots of lovely easier walks if you prefer

I think you're kind of getting everything. The weather could be fantastic or foul. Be prepared for either

A_Guy_80

Thanks hopingtotravel for topping up the post.
Thanks Shiela for your detailed response.

Could I ask your opinion on Loch Coruisk boat trip. Is it a not-to-be missed must do in Skye ? If so then i may consider rearranging my itinerary slightly so as to be absolutely sure that I don't miss it. If not then I think a 1.5 hr boat trip may be dime as well.

I have planned my current itinerary around 3 things, a say for each i.e. Loch Coruisk cruise with time on shore, totternish peninsula drive and walks and neist point and surroundings. Is this a proper basis for my itinerary or are there other must-see that I should focus on ?

mr_go

sheila: <i>The weather could be fantastic or foul. Be prepared for either</i>

An excellent general rule of thumb for traveling in Scotland. Bears repeating.

Mimar

That last point is why I wouldn't engrave my itinerary in stone. Keep it loose so you can take advantage of the sunshine when(if) it comes.

janisj

You could possibly make all your 'wish list' but it is REALLY hard to stick to detailed, time-sensitive schedules. So much can affect your drive times, ferry sailings, length of stops, morning getaway time, everything.

hopingtotravel

Enjoy your trip, and please post a report for those of us still hopefully planning!

historytraveler

Flexibility is key. I usually have alternative options depending on weather, timing and other variables.

A_Guy_80

Thanks all.

On the weather front, what is there to do in Skye if weather is really foul. Any attractions or activities that you can recommend?

Any suggestions on whether silver sands of Morar could be missed, in that case I will try and detach my Skye program from ferry schedules etc. and cover part of Road of Isles from Fort William / Glencoe itself before heading to Skye through Skye bridge.

mbgg

Te Fairy Pools is an excellent walk and fairly easy. You can also do the Talisker Bay walk on the same day (very easy).

zippo

To grade your walks try http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/
If visibility is poor try a glass-bottomed boat tour.
The Flodigarry Hotel (N. of Staffin) used to do a good lunch. (been a while..)

sheila

I don't think we can really tell you what the "must sees or dos" are.

I've done the Loch Coruisk trip, and I though it was ... OK. I loved the scenery. But it really doesn't matter where you go on Skye you will have that advantage.

For me,1 1/2 hours is enough.

If it's wet there are 4 things I'd do

1. Dunvegan

2.Talisker

3.Cafe Arriba

4. Talisker in front of a pub fire- preferably the Eilean Iarmain.

http://www.skye.co.uk/top-tips.php?id=9

historytraveler

For a rainy day, (or any day) I'd recommend a visit to the Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir and the Museum of the Isles at the Clan Donald Vistor Centre at Armadale Castle. Note that they are located at opposite ends of the island, so it's not really feasible to try and do both in one day.

I consider a rainy day on Skye one in which there's a real downpour. On Skye you really shouldn't postpone your outdoor activities because it's a bit wet.

janisj

"<i>On Skye you really shouldn't postpone your outdoor activities because it's a bit wet.</i>"

Because there is a very good chance it will be wet. Or not. I visited Skye 3 times before I had even one clear day - but that trip it was three days of absolutely glorious/clear conditions.

They don't call it the 'Misty Isle' for nothing . . .

Royal

We spent 4 days on Skye last July and stayed at a lovely B&B in the Glendale valley called Carter's Rest. We did many walks in the area and one of the highlights was the walk to the lighthouse at Neist Point. The views are spectacular.

Also the drive to Claigan has outstanding views.

Hopefully you can work both of these into your timetable.

Have a great trip.

A_Guy_80

Thanks mbgg for ressuring words on fairy pools walk
Thanks zippo, Shiela and historytraveler on wet weathe tips. Guess I will have to work on my plan B.
Janisj am hoping I get lucky earlier than you..it's a long flight from Singapore..can;t afford to wait for the 3rd visit for good weather but i know i can just hope.
Thanks Royal for ur input. Reassuring to know that Neist Point is worth the time and effort. I had a walk near Claigan in my itinerary but guess it's too packed right now.

Am now trying to flesh out the Trossachs, Glencoe and Fort William leg of my trip and once i get a fair idea of that will get reworking on various legs of my trip. Thanks again all of you for your valuable advice.

historytraveler

Just a couple of thoughts in regard to your plans. The pub/bistro at the Flodigarry Hotel is good, and it's a beautiful spot but then Skye seems is packed with beautiful spots.

If you're wanting lunch or a quick snack at Mallaig try the Tea Garden & Restaurant at Sheena's Backpackers Lodge. It's on Station Road between the rail station and the ferry terminal.

Neist Point and its lighthouse is stunning and an easy walk IMO. There are several lighthouses on Skye that have spectacular settings.

A_Guy_80

Thanks again historytraveler for heads up on eating joints, that is still a part of the journey that i need to spend time on, will keep these recommendations in mind.

And really excited about Skye.....just hoping for perfect weather when we are in UK