Kintyre, Arran, Skye or ??
May 13th, 2010, 07:13 AM
#1
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Kintyre, Arran, Skye or ??
Trying to pin down our plans for the Scotland portion of our trip. Tentatively we will spend two days in Edinburgh, then two days in St. Andrews. While we would like to go north to the Highlands, I think that will be better saved for another trip.
After St. Andrews, we were hoping to spend 2 days/nights in Scotland before heading to the Lake District. We were thinking Arran or Kintrye, but then I started reading about Skye. From my research on previous posts, Arran has gotten mixed reviews, Kintyre not a lot of reviews and Skye rave reviews.
We enjoy the outdoors, hiking, history ,ruins and possibly golf and a distellery or two. This trip is going to be a bit of a whirlwind, so I would like these two days to be quiet and laid back.
Any thoughts Scotland experts?
Thanks
After St. Andrews, we were hoping to spend 2 days/nights in Scotland before heading to the Lake District. We were thinking Arran or Kintrye, but then I started reading about Skye. From my research on previous posts, Arran has gotten mixed reviews, Kintyre not a lot of reviews and Skye rave reviews.
We enjoy the outdoors, hiking, history ,ruins and possibly golf and a distellery or two. This trip is going to be a bit of a whirlwind, so I would like these two days to be quiet and laid back.
Any thoughts Scotland experts?
Thanks
May 13th, 2010, 08:10 AM
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We have spent the last 10 years regretting not having made it to Skye on our trip to Scotland, so we hope to go back next year. If you like Talisker, they are on Skye.
It is true that there's not a lot of postings on this board compared to France.
It is true that there's not a lot of postings on this board compared to France.
May 13th, 2010, 10:11 AM
#3
All are wonderful -- but Skye is a looooong way from the Lake District.
Kintyre is closer but still a VERY long drive.
When one has the choice of 3 or 4 wonderful places to visit - I'd personally choose the one w/ the easiest logistics. For the Lake District, that would definitely be Arran.
The shortest route from Kintyre to the Lakes would have you taking a ferry to Arran anyway.
Kintyre is closer but still a VERY long drive.
When one has the choice of 3 or 4 wonderful places to visit - I'd personally choose the one w/ the easiest logistics. For the Lake District, that would definitely be Arran.
The shortest route from Kintyre to the Lakes would have you taking a ferry to Arran anyway.
May 13th, 2010, 11:48 AM
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Kintyre is very quiet as it is not on the normal tourist route round Scotland (Glasgow, Oban, Fort William, Skye, Loch Ness, Inverness, Perth, St Andrews and Edinburgh and home), it is a little quiet corner - a hidden gem. You could spend a couple of days in Kintyre, perhaps spend a day walking a section of the Kintyre Way and a day walking barefoot on Carradale Bay. There is a hotel in Carradale listed in the Good Hotel Guide. Kintyre is where the Scoti landed from Ireland and established Alba which grew into Scotland.
May 13th, 2010, 12:05 PM
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Thanks for all the replies. This is just the kind of information I was looking for.
Kintyre was my first choice, but if its going to be really far from the Lake District, then we will go with Arran. We were thinking of staying in Keswick [sp] in the North Lake District, so I'm not sure how far either is from that.
I'm off to check AAA for routes.
Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming!
Kintyre was my first choice, but if its going to be really far from the Lake District, then we will go with Arran. We were thinking of staying in Keswick [sp] in the North Lake District, so I'm not sure how far either is from that.
I'm off to check AAA for routes.
Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming!
May 13th, 2010, 12:14 PM
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Reilly, you didn't say how long in Lake District. In 1998 we stayed in Windermere, but went to Keswick. Be sure to see the stone circle there. Aside from being able to wander through it, unlike Stonehenge, there are incredible views. If one had binoculars, you could see hikers walking up surrounding mountains I'm sure.
Note, stones are smaller than Stonehenge (by a lot) but it still feels special.
We took a tiny (and I mean TINY) boat out on Lake Windermere. Sorry I missed the Beatrix Potter places, but maybe we'll make it back.
If Twa Dogs pub is still there---when we saw it, yes people brought their border collies in.
Note, stones are smaller than Stonehenge (by a lot) but it still feels special.
We took a tiny (and I mean TINY) boat out on Lake Windermere. Sorry I missed the Beatrix Potter places, but maybe we'll make it back.
If Twa Dogs pub is still there---when we saw it, yes people brought their border collies in.
May 13th, 2010, 04:08 PM
#7
To help you decide:
Campbeltown to Keswick via ferries to Arran and the mainland = about 225 miles and 8 hours (mostly ferry time)
Campbeltown to Keswick By land = about 275 miles and 6.5+ hours
Brodick to Keswick via ferry to the mainland = about 170 miles and 5.5 hours.
No matter which route you take, once you get on the mainland, from Ayr to Keswick is only about 130 miles/3.5 hours. So a big part of the travel time is ferry, not driving.
Campbeltown to Keswick via ferries to Arran and the mainland = about 225 miles and 8 hours (mostly ferry time)
Campbeltown to Keswick By land = about 275 miles and 6.5+ hours
Brodick to Keswick via ferry to the mainland = about 170 miles and 5.5 hours.
No matter which route you take, once you get on the mainland, from Ayr to Keswick is only about 130 miles/3.5 hours. So a big part of the travel time is ferry, not driving.
May 14th, 2010, 06:40 AM
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Thanks everyone.
Janisj - the timeframe was really helpful. It doesn't look like it would take that much time on the map.
Hopingtotravel - Two Dogs is on my list. That boat ride sounds lovely too.
I'm thinking it might be better to skip the isles this trip and head to Keswick straight away. That way we can relax and spend a little more time there.
I'm already planning the next trip to Scotland!
Janisj - the timeframe was really helpful. It doesn't look like it would take that much time on the map.
Hopingtotravel - Two Dogs is on my list. That boat ride sounds lovely too.
I'm thinking it might be better to skip the isles this trip and head to Keswick straight away. That way we can relax and spend a little more time there.
I'm already planning the next trip to Scotland!
May 17th, 2010, 06:51 AM
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Can I make an alternative suggestion, please? Go to Galloway. It's totally off the beaten track, has fabulous walking (albeit no big mountains, great beaches and wildlife, nice hotels and restaurants, good religious history, ruined Abbeys, and churches and castles, prehistoric stones, gold and (well it's in Wigtownshire, but what's a small distance between friends) a distillery.
AND... it's en route to the Lake District
AND... it's en route to the Lake District
May 17th, 2010, 07:15 AM
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Sheila,
I just did some online research about your suggestion of Galloway. It looks amazing! Just the kind of spot we like off the beaten tourist path. Thanks for the tip.
We are in the midst of taking a serious look at our travel plans and it looks like the idea of seeing Scotland, along with England and Wales, in three weeks time is just not feasible. Scotland deserves a few weeks on its own. I think we are just trying to do too much this time around.
My husband really wanted to see St. Andrews, but it seems that we would be spending too much time just to get him there, that we would miss all the sights of England along the way.We are still trying to figure out where in England we can see. We pretty much have Wales figured out.
With that being said, I have started a folder of Scotland sights for our eventual trip there. Galloway is definitely on the list.
Thanks again! I feel as if I have a friend in Scotland advising me.
I just did some online research about your suggestion of Galloway. It looks amazing! Just the kind of spot we like off the beaten tourist path. Thanks for the tip.
We are in the midst of taking a serious look at our travel plans and it looks like the idea of seeing Scotland, along with England and Wales, in three weeks time is just not feasible. Scotland deserves a few weeks on its own. I think we are just trying to do too much this time around.
My husband really wanted to see St. Andrews, but it seems that we would be spending too much time just to get him there, that we would miss all the sights of England along the way.We are still trying to figure out where in England we can see. We pretty much have Wales figured out.
With that being said, I have started a folder of Scotland sights for our eventual trip there. Galloway is definitely on the list.
Thanks again! I feel as if I have a friend in Scotland advising me.
May 17th, 2010, 11:52 AM
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Reillygee,
That's probably a good idea. In 1998 we had 17 days and zipped through Cornwall, the Cotswolds, Wye Valley, the Lake Country, plus 5 days in Scotland. That was before I had internet, and had read the UK was the size of Oregon (my home state). Boy was I in for a shock.
So in 2000 we went back and scratched the surface again in Cornwall.
Next year, we hope to make a much bigger dent in Scotland.
We laughingly discovered you could drive all day long in England and wind up about 30 miles over a hill from where you started.
That's probably a good idea. In 1998 we had 17 days and zipped through Cornwall, the Cotswolds, Wye Valley, the Lake Country, plus 5 days in Scotland. That was before I had internet, and had read the UK was the size of Oregon (my home state). Boy was I in for a shock.
So in 2000 we went back and scratched the surface again in Cornwall.
Next year, we hope to make a much bigger dent in Scotland.
We laughingly discovered you could drive all day long in England and wind up about 30 miles over a hill from where you started.
May 18th, 2010, 08:06 AM
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Hopingtotravel,
Your last comment made me laugh and I have to say, I have had similar experiences in Ireland. Our first trip there was what they call the 'green blur' tour. We took it slower on our second trip there.
I do remember one day we were in County Kilkenny, trying to find our way back to our B&B in Stonyford. I think we drove on the same road about 5 times. We kept seeing some ruins and after about the third time, we realized it was the same ruins over and over.
I envy you going to Scotland next year. We will have to wait a few years, I think.
Your last comment made me laugh and I have to say, I have had similar experiences in Ireland. Our first trip there was what they call the 'green blur' tour. We took it slower on our second trip there.
I do remember one day we were in County Kilkenny, trying to find our way back to our B&B in Stonyford. I think we drove on the same road about 5 times. We kept seeing some ruins and after about the third time, we realized it was the same ruins over and over.
I envy you going to Scotland next year. We will have to wait a few years, I think.
