Driving Tour of Scotland/England
Oct 27th, 2003, 09:42 AM
#21
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Nothing wrong with the change to Glasgow arrival. There's a world of difference between Cameron House and places like the Monachyle Mhor. Upscale and expensive, yes; but surely not romantic. Too big, anonymous and impersonal. Still, whatever floats your boat.
Persoanlly I think that to take a day trip from Loch Lomond to Skye is not a sensible use of your time; and there relly isn't anywhere nice to stay in Kyle. The best on offer is the Kyle of Lochalsh Hotel, which is certainly not in the same league as any of the other places we've all mentioned.
The Balmoral and the Cally are like Cameron House. Not my idea of romantic.
Kyle to St Andrews is about 5- 6 hours driving.
Oct 28th, 2003, 10:49 AM
#22
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Sheila, what would you suggest for that day rather than staying in Kyle? Stay on Skye? Move further toward central Scotland? Keep in mind that part of that day from Loch Lomond to Skye would include the drive around Skye.
Oct 28th, 2003, 02:23 PM
#23
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It's not somewhere I've been but if the Ardanaseig doesn't appeal, have a look at the Isle of Erskay hotel. It gets a great name.
I just think you're trying to go too far, I think. But you must, judge for yourself.
Have you looked at a map? I'm not meaning to sound patronising, but is there anything on the map that looks "GREAT" to you?
I just think you're trying to go too far, I think. But you must, judge for yourself.
Have you looked at a map? I'm not meaning to sound patronising, but is there anything on the map that looks "GREAT" to you?
Nov 6th, 2003, 08:48 AM
#25
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Now I'm thinking that perhaps we should NOT stop at Loch Lomond for our first night as it's so close to Glasgow (our arrival airport). We won't arrive until 5:40pm. By the time we get the car and leave I thought that we shouldn't plan to drive too far. However with the longer days in late May, maybe we could go a little farther north, like the Airds in Port Appin? The next day we had planned to drive from Loch Lomond to the Skye/Kyle area. Sheila has said she thinks that's not a good use of time. So now if we started that day in Port Appin rather than Loch Lomond, we'd have less ground to cover. Port Appin up to Skye, have a look around, and over to Loch Ness and the Iverness area? That would also cut down on the next days driving to the St. Andrews area. Also, my friend from Scotland had suggested the Russacks hotel, not Rufflets, although Rufflets looks nicer on the website. Then a morning drive from St. Andrews area the next day, drop the car at EDI and taxi or shuttle into Edinburgh for a day of touring and overnight at either the Balmoral or Scotsman hotels (our actual anniversary night). We've also decided to take the train from Waverly to London on June 3 rather than fly back down. Is first class worth the money? How does this all look? Please, suggestions for accomodations near Iverness if this looks better.
Nov 6th, 2003, 01:01 PM
#26
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If you get in at 5.40pm, by the time you get your bags and the car, it'll be pretty close to 7pm. It's an hour (less if you know what you're doing) to Loch Lomond and between 2 and 3? to Port Appin. Did you pick the Aird's over the Pierhouse?
The Russack's marine is a nice hotel but different to the Rufflets. The Rufflets is a small country house hotel 1/2 a mile outside the town, and the Russacks is a big old townhouse affiar right on the main road in. It has great views over the Old Course and the west Sands. It's more upmarket than the Rufflets.
Is first class worth the money?
Yes.
Inverness is a very boring place to stay. But have alook at Culloden House Hotel if you're determined
The Russack's marine is a nice hotel but different to the Rufflets. The Rufflets is a small country house hotel 1/2 a mile outside the town, and the Russacks is a big old townhouse affiar right on the main road in. It has great views over the Old Course and the west Sands. It's more upmarket than the Rufflets.
Is first class worth the money?
Yes.
Inverness is a very boring place to stay. But have alook at Culloden House Hotel if you're determined
Nov 6th, 2003, 01:54 PM
#27
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Haven't picked anything yet. Still trying to come up with the best itinerary first. With regard to Inverness, doesn't have to be IN Inverness, just in that neck of the woods. Anything nice in that part of the country? The thinking is that rather than overnight on Skye or in the Kyle area, to drive on toward Inverness and that would be that many fewer miles to travel to St. Andrews the next day.
Nov 7th, 2003, 07:52 AM
#29
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I blew the arrival time in Glasgow. We leave LGW at 250pm and arrive GLA 420pm. What do you think the travel time to the Port Appin area would be at that time of day, assuming about an hour to get our car (we're not checking luggage), we'd leave GLA at about 5 or 515pm. Two hours would be ok, three might be pushing it after the transatlantic flight and the LGW-GLA flight. Thoughts? Also, back to 20th Anniversary night in Edinburgh. I think I've narrowed the hotel choices to either the Balmoral or the Scotsman. I like the Scotsman because it seems like it's close to Waverly for our train the morning of June 3. Also still deciding on REALLY SPECIAL place in Edinburgh for Anniversary dinner on June 2.
Nov 7th, 2003, 10:44 AM
#30
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It just about exactly 100 miles- (right out of the airport, over the Erskine Bridge, Balloch, Arrochar, Inverary, Dalmally, Oban, Port Appin.)
They are not quick miles. between 2 1/4 and 2 /12 hours?
The Balmoral, when it was the North British, was the railway hote. You could, in my youth, get a lift from the platform to your bedroom(I'm not sure if you still can; whan I was at university and student groups were playing the fringe, and dossing in church halls, the deal was to take the NB lift to the upper floors and have a bath without being caught). So you couldn't get closer. They are at either side of the North Bridge. Distance isn't the issue.
The Balmoral is probably the best hotel in Scotland. Whilst the Scotsman is very nice, it's really no contest.
The "best" food in the city can be got at Martin Wishart's at Leith, Rogue in Morrison Street or the Atrium, off Lothian Road.
They are not quick miles. between 2 1/4 and 2 /12 hours?
The Balmoral, when it was the North British, was the railway hote. You could, in my youth, get a lift from the platform to your bedroom(I'm not sure if you still can; whan I was at university and student groups were playing the fringe, and dossing in church halls, the deal was to take the NB lift to the upper floors and have a bath without being caught). So you couldn't get closer. They are at either side of the North Bridge. Distance isn't the issue.
The Balmoral is probably the best hotel in Scotland. Whilst the Scotsman is very nice, it's really no contest.
The "best" food in the city can be got at Martin Wishart's at Leith, Rogue in Morrison Street or the Atrium, off Lothian Road.
Nov 8th, 2003, 06:28 PM
#34
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One of our favorite, romantic, quiet inns is Glen Morriston Arms. It is not the fanciest or elegant, but is always very enjoyable. It is located near the south end of Loch Ness. The restaurant has been very good. The website is: ://www.lochness-glenmoriston.co.uk.
I haven't stayed in Loch Awe but driven past it many times and it is beautiful.
I haven't stayed in Loch Awe but driven past it many times and it is beautiful.
Nov 10th, 2003, 03:23 PM
#35
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Sheila: I've seen you post positive messages about the Caledonian in Edinburgh. Does that rate close to the Balmoral? Are they in the same vicinity? I could possibly use HHonors points for that one.
