Need help with a section of our Scotland itinerary
 

After 2 nights in Edinburgh, we will rent a car, and drive to the Pitlochry area, where we will stay another 2 nights. The next section is the part I haven't quite figured out. We have 2 nights available before we drive to Skye.

My husband has requested 3 distillery tours, 2 near Dufftown, and the Dalmore distillery near Alness. I would also like to see the Clava Cairns. He has made it clear he does NOT want anything to do with loch Ness...

I think I'm having trouble arranging a schedule to accommodate some drinking, and some need to cover some territory, but perhaps I'm just over-thinking this! Basically I would love to stay in one place for 2 nights, but 2 different places if that works better.

Any thoughts?

~Liz

My only comment concerns Loch Ness. I too was against the visit to Loch Ness, however the drive to and from Loch Ness, and Loch Ness itself, is well worth the visit.

I totally agree with concher

There are lots of places you can stay. Anywhere on the Black Isle, or somewhere between Inverness and Nairn. These areas would be convenient or w/i a reasonable drive of Dufftown, Alness, and Clava Cairns, Culloden, Fort George, Cawdor Castle, Brodie Castle a boat ride to see the Dolphins on the Moray Firth. And not a Loch Ness sighting in the bunch.

(Your husband has a better idea than some others ;) )

Hi janisj,

I googled Black Isle, but still not sure what/where this actually is.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, looks like it'll be fine...

~Liz

The Black Isle is across the Kessock Bridge from Inverness, between the Morsy Firth and Cromarty Firth. The A9 travels across it.

What historytraveler says. The Black Isle is the sort of peninsula across from Inverness. It isn't really an "Isle" but is almost surrounded by water -- the Beauly/Moray/Cromarty firths.

Towns and villages would include Beauly (not technically on the Black Isle but close enough), Fortrose, Cromarty, Muir of Ord.

You could stay anywhere between Beauly/Black Isle and Nairn and be w/ easy commutes of the places you want to see. Beauly would be good, or just east of Inverness -- or anywhere in that general area.

(and get a better map that actually shows the Black Isle :) )

3 distillery tours is at least one too many. And Dalmore?!?

If, however, he is determined, I suggest you try to book Balvenie. You don't get in at Balvenie if you just turn up. It's owned by the Glenfiddich people, but is their premium brand, and they have a floor malting, which is about the only one left in mainland Scotland.

My second Speyide would be Macallan- but I'd be tempted to suggest you go to the cooperage at Aberlour instead.

You know taht Pitlochry has a very nice visitor centre at Edradour distillery?

So, for your two days, I would probably do Speside en route to Nairn, from whence you could do Clava Cairns and Cawdor Castle; stay there and head up to Alness the next day. It's an easy run down to Skye from a Nairn base.

Thanks Sheila,

Your plan sounds good. The Edradour tour is on our list already, and I've suggested that we don't need to go to EVERY distillery! We'll see how it goes...

janisj, I did find the Black Isle on my map once I knew what I was looking for!

~Liz