My wife and I, fairly experienced independent travelers in our 50's, are thinking of a trip to either Cornwall or to the Hebrides Islands in mid-September. Would appreciate opinions on either destination. Particularly, would appreciate any good information on logistics problems getting to the Hebrides. Our fly-in destination would be Manchester; our currently vague plan is to then rent a car and drive north west.

I not trying to get smart with you, but you say you are going North West out of Manchester. Cornwall is South West. We would be glad to share with you about Cornwall, but double check where you think you are wanting to go.

Poor wording on my part. Fly into Manchester & NW for the Hebrides (don't think that spelling is right, but no convenient dictionary). Fly into London & SW for Cornwall. Going to do one or the other -- not both on the same trip. My bigger worry is logistics for getting to the islands.

Hi! <BR> <BR>I can probably help a bit about the Hebrides (correct spelling confirmed) there are two ranges of islands- the Inner Hebrides and (unsurprisingly) the Outer Hebrides. Both are wonderful- possibly slightly more wonderful in late spring than early autumn, But still pretty good. <BR> <BR>To find the easiest way to get about between islands try www.calmac.co.uk. caledonian Macbrayne is the main ferry operator and they do a range osf schemes to encourage you to spend as much of your life on the ferries as you like. I suggest you also have a look at the following web sites- www.hebrides.com and www.scotland-info.co.uk. Both will give you a better insight into what the various islands have to offer and the possible travel links. Logistics are not a problem, so long as you are sensible. <BR> <BR>Example- last May, I drove to Tarbert, Argyllshire late on Friday night; caught the early ferry to Islay, stayed till Wednesday and caught the Wednesday ferry to Colonsay (having had a day on Jura in between), then caught the Friday night ferry to Oban on the mainland, just in time to catch the last boat to Mull; Then caught the Sunday lunchtime boat to Lochaline from Fishnish and drove home to Aberdeen in time for tea. It was great! <BR> <BR>Those incidentally are all Inner Isles. <BR> <BR>Feel free to come back for more info.

We have traveled to both Western Scotland and to Cornwall and loved each. But if I had to pick one to see for the first time I would have to go with Western Scotland and the Hebrides.

Sheila -- Thanks for the good information and helpful web sites. Our trip is firming up; we will fly into Manchester on August 27 and depart from there on September 10. So our basic destination is the Hebrides, but we may try to add a bit of northern Wales into this trip. We've been in the UK before (drove from London to Aberdeen a few years ago) and have relatively little interest in large cities; however, my wife does liked to shop; and we both like to visit into the local culture, activities, and customs. At this time of year, are we likely to need firm over-night reservations; or can we fairly safely make them as we go? Would be glad to hear any and all recommendations.

If I were doing it I would not book accommodation; I've mentioned the "book a bed ahead" scheme before, where the tourist board book for you in the mrning where you are going to stay that night. If you are at all nervous you might want to use that. But yuo are at the end of the season so, provided you avoid Edinburgh- tail end of the Festival- you should be fine for places to stay. <BR> <BR>I think I'm inclined to suggest that you use Oban as a mid way base. If you get it right with the days you can do Mull, Iona, and maybe Colonsay as part of the Inner Isles or alternatively Coll and Tiree; then take a swing up to the Uists and come back through Skye. <BR> <BR>If that appeals I'll check specific days with you and see what can be done. Let me know

OK. Here is a route which depends on 3 things <BR>1. You don't go to Wales <BR>2. Your flight gets in not later and early mid/afternoon on the 27th; and <BR>3. You don't mind getting up in the morning to catch the early boats. <BR>If these are not valid assumptions tell me where they fail and I will adjust. <BR> <BR>Sunday 27th- Sunday 10th <BR> <BR>Sunday 27th Drive to Tarbet and stay the night <BR> <BR>Monday 28th 7.15am ferry to Islay, where you stay till...(you can manage a couple of hours on Jura- there's a little ferry which runs all day across the Sound of Islay) <BR> <BR>Wednesday 30th 10.15 ferry to Colonsay, where you stay till......(you can manage a couple of hours on Oransay, which is separated from the main island by a tidal Strand) <BR> <BR>Friday 1st 8.30pm ferry to Oban- gets in at 11.30pm <BR> <BR>Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd mess about on the mainland (or you could do a day trip to Mull/Iona) or you could take a tourist boat past Mull, and Staffa to Iona) <BR> <BR>Monday 4th 2.50pm boat to Lochboisdale, South Uist. gets in at 9.30pm <BR> <BR>Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th see the Uists and Benbecula <BR> <BR>Thursday 7th Either catch the early ferry from Otternish to Leverburgh on Harris (or you could catch the boat at 4.35pm the night before) or catch the 7.30am boat from Lochmaddy to Uig on Skye (I would do the latter. If you do the former I think you can't manage Skye which I think you should try for. We could ditch something earlier to fit in both; but I wouldn't) <BR> <BR>Friday 8th- Skye <BR> <BR>Saturday 9th drive south to catch Sunday flight <BR> <BR> <BR>What do you think?

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time in the Hebrides and it sounds as if you've got some super advice from people who know it well. I just didn't want you to go without hearing a vote for Cornwall. We just love it there and have been many times in the last 25 years. (In fact I am going there this May with my mom - her first visit). And mid-Sept. is a lovely time, summer is pretty crowded. There are great National Trust properties like Lanhydrock, St. Michael's Mount, Cotehele, the Old Post Office in Tintagel and Castle Drogo (which I think is legally in west Devon). The area around St. Mawes, St. Just in Roseland is precious, the culture of St. Ives (Barbara Hepworth museum and arm of the Tate), the wild coastal areas, Looe Pool (an inland lake) nr. Porthleven, Minack Open Air Theatre, the wonderful fishing villages of the Lizard Peninsula, the desolation of Bodmin Moor, church at St. Neot - obviously I could go on and on, just didn't want you to think there was no one out there rooting for Cornwall.

Sheila -- Many thanks for your advice; hopefully I can impose a bit more. Looking at the maps, but with no specific knowledge of the roads, I am thinking of the following: Arrive Manchester about 9 AM. Get car and drive north for 3-4 hours. Next day go to Inverness area for 2 nights. Drive to Ullapool and ferry to Lewis. Spend the next 4-6 days on Lewis, Harris, possibly the Uists, and definitely Skye. Then, spend the rest of our time (5-6 days) working our way back to Manchester. We should be able to see at least Mull of the Inner H. and have time available for other points (possibly even a little stop for shopping in Glasgow). Does this seem fairly workable. Any recommendations for the first night's stay on this iteniary? <BR>Mavis -- I am very glad to hear the vote for Cornwall; but I think Scotland has won for this trip. There will be other trips, and Cornwall is still very high on our list of potential destinations.

<BR>OK so I was a bit ambitious; and maybe a bit focussed on the original wording- sorry about that. How about the following? <BR> <BR>1. 27th-There are good roads out of Manchester north but 3-4 hours will get you to about Glasgow. How about heading north as far as Dunkeld on the A9. Pretty town.. has a ruined cathedral, a square of artisan’s houses, nice shopping and a good range of places to sleep and eat. It’s also in the middle of quite a few places to visit within 30 minutes drive, if you want to do something later in the day. <BR> <BR>2. 28th-Next day head on up to Inverness. You can visit en route Pitlochry, Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl, House of Bruar, Dalwhinnie, Ruthven Barracks, Loch Insch, Aviemore. I’m not a fan of Inverness as such. Round about there are lots of nice places to stay. <BR> <BR>3. 29th-You could then usefully spend a day in the Black Isle and/or on Loch Ness <BR> <BR>4. 30th/31st -Head over to Ullapool- about an hour and a half’s drive. Catch the ferry to Stornoway. My only reservation is the amount of time you want to spend on Lewis/Harris. I would probably spend the rest of the day you arrive and then one more. And I would stay on Harris. But these are my prejudices. You should form your own, of course J. The ferries are at 9.30am and 7.15pm. <BR> <BR>5. 1st/2nd-Then take the Otternish ferry to the Uists. and spend the next 2 days there. The ferries are at 8.30am, 12.05pm, 2.05pm and 6.05pm. <BR> <BR>6. 3rd/ 5th - Catch the ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig on Skye. Sailings on Sundays are at 11.50am and 4.10pm. You could catch the 4.10pm on Saturday instead. <BR> <BR>7. 6th leave Skye by the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig ( ferries all day). Then drive round Ardnamurchan to Corran ferry and cross Loch Linnhe. Stay near Oban that night. <BR> <BR>8. 7th Take a trip to Mull/ Iona. Ferries all day. Stay near Oban that night too. <BR> <BR>9. 8th/10th wander back to Manchester. You could manage a day on Islay as well if you wanted. I suspect you might find it too much. <BR> <BR>How does that sound? <BR> <BR> <BR>

Many thanks, Sheila, for the information. I will sign off of this thread for a while and do book-reading research. But, I'll certainly read any further posts to it.

Bravo, Sheila! You eximplify Fodors at its best!

You are too kind!