Gardyloo

Sounds pretty terrific, but a couple of comments... (all personal views of course.)

Do you have family on the Black Isle or some compelling reason to visit it? Just my view, but while it's pleasant enough, I certainly wouldn't make a point of spending a lot of time there, particularly if it meant less time in the northwest Highlands. Even if you don't want to go north/west before Tain, IMO the same hours spent on the Sutherland side of the Dornoch Firth - Dornoch, Brora etc. - would be more rewarding. You might also enjoy stopping at the Falls of Shin (at Invershin east of Bonar) where, who knows, there might be salmon doing salmon things in September.

Likewise Invergarry. Note I'm not especially in love with the Great Glen. If you're going from Gairloch or Applecross to Mull (I'd make Applecross situational - great weather, go, not so great, maybe skip) then I'd do the Skye "shortcut" - over the bridge at Kyle, down to Armadale, back to Mallaig - instead of the long drive. From Mallaig you could go via Glenfinnan to Fort William then south to Oban, or else go south from Lochailort through Morar and the Ardnamurchan peninsula to the Tobermory ferry. Less developed and another ferry to pay for, but maybe of interest.

Glad to see Burns country included; it's too often overlooked in tours of the Scottish countryside.

sugarmaple

Fingers ahead of brain, meant Dornoch, not Dunkeld.

I do not have family on Black Isle, i just read Cromarty is nice, but going north along the coast to maybe the castle and the Falls of Shim has lots of appeal too.

The Applecross route is certainly situational! The weather is one variable, and the driver and I are not good at steep inclines and declines. We YouTubed the road, and it seems doable, except the pass itself looks scary to both of us. If we get up in the morning and the weathers good and we feel good, then we'll go for it, it really looks spectacular.

But I really like the idea of skipping across Skye and Ardnamurchan to Tobermory. Last year we did the Callander to Mallaig route, as well as Skye to Nairn via Loch Ness, so it's appealing to try something new.

If we did that, where would you suggest overnighting? Could we get to Mallaig, we'll be those slow drivers over the pass...or further on? The last ferry leaves Armadale at 7:00 pm. As I can get motion sickness, my preference is later in the day.

One night in Ayr it is.

(I'm a Burns, so can't miss Burns country, although we're from East Neuk area)

Thanks friends.

janisj

If you do decide to cross southern Skye and take the ferry to Mallaig -- I'd just plan on taking the last ferry of the day and stay in Mallaig that night and get an early start the next morning. I'd personally take the Lochaline to Fishnish ferry to Mull but the Kilchoan > Tobermory ferry would be good as well.

You can buy a package ferry ticket from CalMac Skye/Mainland, Mainland/Mull and Mull/Oban that will save you ££ The Hopscotch #6 or #7 would work.

The Black Isle is mainly farmland and waterfront -- the big draw is the Dolphins.

Gardyloo

<i>If we did that, where would you suggest overnighting? Could we get to Mallaig, we'll be those slow drivers over the pass...or further on?</i>

Oh heavens yes. Mallaig would be okay, and while I don't have any personal experience with overnighting between Mallaig and Tobermory, I'd probably look at Arisaig or Lochailort; there aren't many places on the Ardnamuchan peninsula.

sugarmaple

After my last post I had another look st the map and saw that there was a ferry to Lochaline to Fishnish, and the road looks to be a bit better. From the cal mac website either crossing is show up with no booking, so that's a decision we can make on the fly.

Ok, so no Black Isle, up the coast/inland it is

janisj

To clarify, I'd stay a night in mallaig and drive to Mull the next day without another night en route.

Either in Mallaig or one of the few rural b&b's nearby

sugarmaple

That's the plan, janisj. Mallaig and then on to Mull. I just booked the Seaview. It so happened that we got the only three nights available in the entire month. The gods are with us

janisj

Congratulations! You will LOVE Seaview! Fabulous location and wonderful breakfasts.

It is usually full up so you are lucky.

Sit on the small beach out in front and watch the sunsets over Iona - just wonderful.

I have one photo I took from there that I've sold about 20+ times. Sounds odd but one of the best pictures I've ever taken - A ewe and her tiny twin lambs laying on the beach w/ a glorious orange and pink sunset w/ Iona Abbey in the background.

sugarmaple

That picture sounds beautiful! Mull sounds like a special place.

I could NOT believe my luck, it's the one spot I really wanted to stay, and it just fit in perfectly.

Now a question about Glasgow. We drop the car at 1:00 at the airport, so I expect we'll be in town 2:00-2:30, giving us enough time to see some of the city.

We have an average interest in museums and zero interest in clothes shopping, is there enough to do for two full days? I've been reading really mixed opinions.

We had three full days in Edinburgh, and that included lunch on Britannia and a hike up Arthur's Seat, as well as the castle, Royal Mile, Grassmark. So I'm wondering if 2.5 days might be too much.

Instead, we could add a night to inveraray and drive the Mull of Kintyre.

Ever heard of Adelaides on Bath St? I had it bookmarked, but I can't remember where from!

janisj

>>is there enough to do for two full days?<<

Absolutely! Willow Tea Room, the Lighthouse (not a 'lighthouse'), the Kelvingrove Gallery and park, the Riverside Museum, the Mackintosh House at the Hunterian, Glasgow City Chambers, the Cathedral -- and much more.

janisj

>>Ever heard of Adelaides on Bath St? <<

Heard of it but never stayed there

sugarmaple

Great, thanks, won't change that then.

Gardyloo

<i>Willow Tea Room, the Lighthouse (not a 'lighthouse'), the Kelvingrove Gallery and park, the Riverside Museum, the Mackintosh House at the Hunterian, Glasgow City Chambers, the Cathedral -- and much more.</i>

Plus the Glasgow School of Art (tours; no interior access while they rebuild after a disastrous fire but still great), the People's Palace in Glasgow Green (lifestyle history) and the University grounds near Kelvingrove Park... (have a meal at the Sish Mahal, my vote for best Indian food in Scotland) and one or three pints at Sloans or the Horseshoe Bar...

Gardyloo

&#@! no editing. <i>Shish</i> Mahal.

sugarmaple

Thanks for all the ideas for Glasgow. Willow Tea Room and Shish Mahal for sure!