Central Highlands and Islay visit
Mar 27th, 2018, 11:03 AM
#1
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Central Highlands and Islay visit
We are landing in Edinburgh from NYC on June 12 and leaving June 21. 9 days to travel. After 2 days in Edinburgh, we hope to spend a night or two on Islay as well as visit the Central Highlands. . Maybe Oban, Ft Williams - really not sure how far north we have time for. We would prefer not to drive (except perhaps on quiet Islay) if we can make train connections that get us near enough to nature and good B&B's and decent food. Any help appreciated. We are even thinking of flying from Glasgow to Islay because the train/bus from Glasgow to Kennacraig and the right ferry is a challenge. We fly into and out of Edinburgh. Many thanks in advance. K
Mar 27th, 2018, 12:06 PM
#2
You have 8 useable days -- plus half a likely jet lagged day on the 12th.
>>We would prefer not to drive (except perhaps on quiet Islay)<<
Sorry but that really doesn't make your itinerary at all easy. The only realistic way to get to Islay is to drive there. If you fly from GLA -- first you'd have to get from Edinburgh to GLA, which means a train to Glasgow and a bus to the airport.
However you travel to Islay, one night makes no sense because of the logistics to get there. So stay a minimum of 2 nights or forget it completely.
In mid June the driving won't be hard in the islands OR in the Highlands. BUT . . . with only 8 days and at least two in Edinburgh a day to get to Islay and two days on the island, and a day to get back to Edinburgh y - that eats up 6 full days of your 8.5. So you can't really do a whole lot of wandering -- especially if you want to use public transport.
There is nothing to Ft William.
With your limited time I'd consider 3 nights (12, 13, 14) in Edinburgh, pick up a car and drive to say Inveraray, stay the night (15) about a 2.5 hour drive through glorious scenery. Next day it is less than 50 miles to Kennacraig for the ferry. Two nights on Islay. (16, 17). The night of the 18th in the Kilmartin area. 19th and 20th in/near Callander for the Trossachs, Stirling, Doune, Inchmahome. Fly home on the 21st. This way you won't have any days with more than a 3 hour drive.
>>We would prefer not to drive (except perhaps on quiet Islay)<<
Sorry but that really doesn't make your itinerary at all easy. The only realistic way to get to Islay is to drive there. If you fly from GLA -- first you'd have to get from Edinburgh to GLA, which means a train to Glasgow and a bus to the airport.
However you travel to Islay, one night makes no sense because of the logistics to get there. So stay a minimum of 2 nights or forget it completely.
In mid June the driving won't be hard in the islands OR in the Highlands. BUT . . . with only 8 days and at least two in Edinburgh a day to get to Islay and two days on the island, and a day to get back to Edinburgh y - that eats up 6 full days of your 8.5. So you can't really do a whole lot of wandering -- especially if you want to use public transport.
There is nothing to Ft William.
With your limited time I'd consider 3 nights (12, 13, 14) in Edinburgh, pick up a car and drive to say Inveraray, stay the night (15) about a 2.5 hour drive through glorious scenery. Next day it is less than 50 miles to Kennacraig for the ferry. Two nights on Islay. (16, 17). The night of the 18th in the Kilmartin area. 19th and 20th in/near Callander for the Trossachs, Stirling, Doune, Inchmahome. Fly home on the 21st. This way you won't have any days with more than a 3 hour drive.
Mar 28th, 2018, 06:33 AM
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thank you, and now to lean on you once more, would you suggest leasing a car at edinburgh airport or in ediburgh and returning it there in time for our 11:30 AM flight? Is Oban worth a trip? We love to take moderate walks and find good restaurants. We would also like to stay 2 nights in one place if there are good short trips nearby. K
Mar 28th, 2018, 07:12 AM
#4
Definitely collect the rental car at the airport -- driving in central Edinburgh is pretty awful. It is easy to get out to EDI by airport bus, the Tram, or a taxi.
>>We would also like to stay 2 nights in one place if there are good short trips nearby.<<
What I laid out is 3 nights in Edinburgh, 2 nights on Islay and in Calander, and two 1 night stops - which is pretty good when you are trying to get all the way to Islay. There is enough to see in all those areas to fill several days each -- but you simply don't have the time.
From Callander it is is about a 1 hour drive to EDI so you'd want to get on the road by about 7:00 or 7:30AM for your 11:30 flight.
>>We would also like to stay 2 nights in one place if there are good short trips nearby.<<
What I laid out is 3 nights in Edinburgh, 2 nights on Islay and in Calander, and two 1 night stops - which is pretty good when you are trying to get all the way to Islay. There is enough to see in all those areas to fill several days each -- but you simply don't have the time.
From Callander it is is about a 1 hour drive to EDI so you'd want to get on the road by about 7:00 or 7:30AM for your 11:30 flight.
