Hello! My father and I are planning an itinerary for 7 people. We were going to spend one day in Edinburgh and go straight up to Skye and to Raasey Island (where our ancestors are from). I'm trying to convince him that a stop at Loch Ness for one night would be on the way to Skye.

Am I wrong? It seems to be North of Edinburgh and Skye is North and West of Loch Ness on the map I'm looking at.

Also, what did you think of Loch Ness?

Thanks!

Michelle

Hi Violet. You'll find Raasay easier to find (at least on the Internet)if you spell it properly. I saw from one of your other posts that your family has changed its name a bit, but the island hasn't.

Loch Ness is nice but there's lots of other nicer and prettier places and better located for your trip to Skye.

BTW, you should read Johnston and Boswell's diaries of their trip to the Hebrides- or at least the Raasay bits.

Can you tell me about the places you think might be better?

We have kids with us and Loch Ness will be of interest to them. I know the hype is probably better than reality but I think we'll still all enjoy it.

Even if we just stop for an hour or two on our way to one of the locations you think might be a better waystation on our way to Skye and Raasay.

Thanks

Michelle

If your kids hearts are set on seeing Loch Ness - and Urquhart castle alone is worth the trip - you can certainly do it w/o staying there.

if it were me, I would drive from edinburgh up to Loch Ness, stop at Urquhart, and then drive on to Skye. Stay that night on Skye and then take the ferry the next day over to Raasay.

Edinburgh to Skye is easily driven in one day even with a stop or two along the way.

Meant to add - if you leave Edinburgh early in the morning you could be to Glen Coe long before lunch. Stop at the visitors center and then have a bite to eat in Glen Coe village. Then drive up to Loch Ness - you can be on Skye before dinner time.

I, on the other hand, wouldn't bother with Loch Ness; its principle value is as a tourist trap. Go up to Crianlarich and on to Dalmally; then down Loch Awe to Inverary, then go up to Oban through Kilmartin Glen, and spend the night at Port Appin- where you stay depends on budget. No issue- stay at the Port Appin Hotel. reasonably well off, try the Pierhouse. On a budget, stay in B&Bs and eat at the Pierhouse