Thanks to everyone on this board who posts great advice. It has helped so much in planning our upcoming April/May trip.<BR><BR>My sister and I have 5 days to explore Scotland after spending time in England, Ireland, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. We of course want to see as much as we can without just driving and driving. Especially interested in Oban, and western Highlands or Skye. What do you think is best way to do this?<BR>1)take a 5 day Rabbie's tour which stays 2 nights in Oban and 2 in Skye<BR>2)rent a car (we will be driving in Ireland)<BR>3)use the train and busses<BR><BR>What do you think? Any ideas on getting around are very appreciated. Thanks again.

If you want a break from the car, try these wonderful railways. Edinburgh or Glasgow to Inverness and from there to Kyle of Lochalsh. Back from Mallaig via Fort William and Rannoch Moor. You can link the two by getting a bus from Kyle to Broadford on Skye and one from there to Armadale where there is a ferry to Mallaig.<BR>If you e-mail me I will send you copies of some notes on Scotland with some useful URLs. [email protected]

I would vote for the car, especially on Skye, if you want to be able to explore. It's a much bigger place than you think- it can take 3 days just to see the &quot;major&quot; highlights! I guess it depends on your style, but some of the best restaurants and galleries we found driving along a loch, and where better to break for a snack than next to an old ruin of a castle! I also would recommend Oban, very nice spot to overnight, walk around, and we had a wonderful time watching the sunset from McCaig's folly.

Thanks to DavidX and Jonesie for your responses. Any more thoughts on this.

Take the Coach! It is cheaper, easy and you get to visit with folks along the way! We have visited with driver both on the Coach and then years later. We have enjoyed our visits with the Coach drivers at the time, or later! Take the Coach,it is well worth the time!