uscgrad03

I will be in Scotland for 3 days after visiting London at the end of August. This will be my first time to the country and I am at a loss for where to really begin.

After looking at multiple website, I think I have it narrowed to Glasgow and the western coast. I think the Highlands area is beautiful but wonder if I have enough time to really make it worth going that far north. (We would travel from London on Monday morning and have to be back in London no later than Thursday morning for a flight back to the US.)

I would appreciate ANY suggestions on places to visit on the west coast, accommodations, train tips, etc. I would enjoy seeing the countryside, coastlines, castles, etc. Not so much a fan of museums. Good places to eat would be appreciative as well. Don't mind walking/hiking adventures.

Thanks! (BTW, younger couple traveling with no children, no set plans on hiring a car)

Rastaguytoday

You might check out Rabbies.

http://www.rabbies.com/

Someone on this forum had mentioned them, and I have them bookmarked.

They have 1 day tours to north of Glasgow and Edinburgh (a must see city in my book).

uscgrad03

Thanks Rasta! Some great options!

sheila

Just saw this. Fly to Inverness. Hire a car (or take the bus) to Gairloch and use it as a base. Take Autan. There are fabulous beaches, stunning mountains, nice pubs, good restaurants, Inverewe Gardens- bit sparse on castles.

Easyjet do Luton to Inverness.

If you definitely want Glasgow, I suggest Arran, I think

MissPrism

I'd echo Sheila's suggestion of Arran. It is justly called Scotland in miniature. It has mountains (not as big as some but still spectacular), castles, a brewery and a distillery. You might even spot a golden eagle. They nest on a mountain side just behind the distillery.

MissPrism

If you are young and fit, you could forget about hiring a car.
Take the train to Ardrossan and then take the ferry to Brodick. When you are there, hire a couple of bikes.
Canon Chasuble's family used to do that when he was a child.