Hello Fodorits,

I am planning my first solo trip to another country and I set my eyes on Scotland but need help with finalizing the itinerary. I plan to travel in the second half of May next year (2019).

I will have 10 full days and a must on this trip for me is to spend some time in Edinburgh and do a 4-day long-distance solo hike along the West Highland Way (see details below). I am thinking of squeezing in Glasgow in between Edinburgh and the hike because it's on the way and also doing some sea kayaking or boat trips from Oban after the hike. I'd like someone's opinion on whether I should omit Glasgow, spend a little bit more time in Edinburgh at the start of my trip and take the train straight to the village from which the hike starts (Crianlarich). I also wonder if I should scratch Oban after the hike all together and return to Edinburgh by stopping in Glasgow for a more comprehensive experience.

About me: I am married and my husband has been planning all our family trips for many years. This trip is a personal challenge and the adventure I'd like to take and plan all by myself. I am in my mid forties and in good physical shape. Thank you!!

Preliminary Scotland itinerary: Day 1: am arrival in Edinburgh (1/2 day in the city) Day 2: Edinburgh (1/2 day in the city), late afternoon train to Glasgow Day 3: Glasgow (1/2 day), afternoon train to Crianlarich
Day 4: HIKE Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy
Day 5: HIKE Bridge of Orchy to King's House
Day 6: HIKE King's House to Knlochleven
Day 7: HIKE Kinlochleven to Fort William
Day 8: Oban (sea kayaking) Day 9: Oban (island boating)
Day 10: morning train to Edinburgh (a little bit more sightseeing in the afternoon)
Day 11: Fly to JFK (New YOrk)

Just one quick comment - I am literally dashing out the door so no time for more right now. But IMO/IME you have planned far too little time in Edinburgh. Your first day will likely be less than 1/2 a day and you will be jet lagged. So you are basically allowing only half a day for Edinburgh. If I had the flexibility I would plan on flying in to EDI at least a day or two earlier and spend. At least 2.5 days (3 nights - 4 would be even better) in the city before heading to Crianlarich.

More later -- but how were you planning on getting from Ft William to Oban?

Hi Janisj,

Your quick comments were really good reality checks I see that I am not leaving enough time for Edinburgh, so I'll skip Glasgow and go to Crianlarich to start my e hike after spending 3 nights in Edinburgh -- this gives me 2.7 days in the city. I also checked train schedule from Ford William to Oban and ouch, it's almost 4 hours. I certainly did not account for that transition in my itinerary to make time in Oban viable. After Oban I still need to return to Edinburgh to fly back home. So, I am thinking of skipping Oban and returning to Edinburgh the next day after the hike is done from Fort William and having another day in Ediburgh to see something else or take a day tour. The adjusted itinerary looks like this -- I know I'll see and do less but better. What do you think? 5/17: Friday evening flight to Scotland5/18 (Sat, Day 1) am arrival in Edinburgh (1/2 day) 5/19 (Sun, Day 2) Edinburgh (full day) 5/20 (Mon, Day 3) Edinburgh (full day)5/21 (Tue, Day 4) Edinburgh (morning), early afternoon train to Crianlarich 5/22 (Wed, Day 5) Hike - Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy

5/23 (Thur, Day 6) Hike - Bridge of Orchy to King’s House
5/24 (Fri, Day 7) Hike - King’s House to Kinlochleven
5/25 (Sat, Day 8) Hike - Kinlochleven to Fort William
5/26 (Sun, Day 9) Fort William – train to Edinburgh (7:45 – 12:40, 5 hour train ride) - evening in Edinburgh
5/27 (Mon, Day 10) Edinburgh (full day)
5/28 (Tue, Day 11) Flight to NYC

My goal is not to see all the great places in Scotland. My goal is to have a great and thorough solo experience and do few things well. Thank you again!

I am following along with interest as a friend and I are planning on the WHW for May 2020.

Did you see that you can take a bus from Fort William to Oban in 1.5 hours? This is according to a search on RometoRio.

Also, do you know where you are staying in Kingshouse? If you want to stay at the hotel there, be sure to try for a reservation as soon as it opens. February 2019 is when it reopens after being closed for a while. Also worth making reserations asap for the other places you want to stay on the trail as May is a very popular month for hiker.

Also, any chance you can fly into or out of Glasgow? That might make it easier to fit in the Oban days. I fly from Seattle & from here it's just as easy to fly into Glasgow as into Edinburgh. Worth checking if that is an option from where you fly.

Jennifer,

Excellent tips and points, thank you! I checked Virgin Atlantic and the direct multi-city flight NYC-Edinburgh, Glasgow-NYC is the same price as the round trip! I am thinking of skipping Oban because I am afraid it will make things pretty difficult logistically toward the end of my trip and after a long hike, but the multi-city flight allows me to go to Glasgow after Fort William, spend some time there and fly from there. Thank you for the idea!

Also appreciate the tips on booking. Took a note. Happy Scotland planning!

A heads up just to help you suss things out -- there are only two buses a day from Ft William to Oban. One gets in around 1PM and the other after 7PM. Oban isn't really great shakes tho (just IME) It is a good base for visiting Mull or Kilmartin (neither of which would you have time for) -- but by itself isn't really worth a great detour . . .

I think the multi-city in to EDI and home from GLA would be a great option.

Glad my info was helpful! Please post again after you've made your arrangements. I'd love to see how your plans go - it will help with my future planning.