NW Scotland
Jan 19th, 2008 | 12:10 PM
#2
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,049
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No, You shouldn't need to make advance bookings as long as you avoid the two bank holiday weekends. But parts of NW Scotland are very remote/rural w/ few towns so you <i>might</i> want to book a day or so ahead from Tourist Information Centers along your route.
There are lots of B&Bs/hotels/guest houses, but there are also vast areas w/ almost no development.
On Skye - I'd pull into the TIC in Broadford just after arriving on the Isle and have them call around for you.
There are lots of B&Bs/hotels/guest houses, but there are also vast areas w/ almost no development.
On Skye - I'd pull into the TIC in Broadford just after arriving on the Isle and have them call around for you.
Jan 19th, 2008 | 12:24 PM
#3
Joined: May 2006
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To get the accommodation of your choice it is better to book ahead. The NW especially Portree and Sligachan on Skye are very popular with visitors and good accommodation is usually booked up well in advance. If you are willing to accept that all you need is a bed before moving on, then you can just drop in almost anywhere as I am sure that you will also find a good choice of B & B accommodation which is not linked to Visit Scotland.
Jan 19th, 2008 | 04:25 PM
#5
Joined: Oct 2005
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I'd agree w/ meks - if you were traveling mid-July/August, or at Hogmanay, or during school hols.
You should book places during the first week in May (Bank Holiday/School break). But after about May 5 most places will be nearly empty until the Bank Holiday at the end of the month.
So it mainly depends on what you mean by "early May" . . . .
Before we can give useful recommendations, we need too know your budget.
You should book places during the first week in May (Bank Holiday/School break). But after about May 5 most places will be nearly empty until the Bank Holiday at the end of the month.
So it mainly depends on what you mean by "early May" . . . .
Before we can give useful recommendations, we need too know your budget.
Jan 20th, 2008 | 01:59 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
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You really don't need to book- even over the holiday weekends- unless there's somewhere special that you want to stay.
Can you give us an idea of the sort of place you like and I'll see if I can come up with somewhere to recommend
Can you give us an idea of the sort of place you like and I'll see if I can come up with somewhere to recommend
Jan 20th, 2008 | 02:38 AM
#7
Joined: May 2006
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As Sheila has mentioned it depends on your likings and preferences.
In Portree I like the Urquhart Caledonian www.urquhartcaledonianhotel.co.uk it is not great looking as it is located on the upper floors of a building in the centre of Portree but offers good accommodation and service at a reasonable price with a good choice for breakfast.
If you wish a more rural place to stay, then to the north at Loch Greshornish on the road to Dunvegan the Lodge at Edinbane is good. www.the-lodge-at-edinbane.co.uk
To the south just outside Broadford at Upper Breakish there is the Tir Alainn www.visitskye.com and near that there is the Maltby B & B. www.isleofskye.net/maltby These are small B&Bs who give a good service at a very reasonable price.
If I was going to Skye at anytime, I would book these ahead of arrival, just to get the area / place I want but there are numerous others places to stay and in May you should not have too much of a problem getting accommodation.
In Portree I like the Urquhart Caledonian www.urquhartcaledonianhotel.co.uk it is not great looking as it is located on the upper floors of a building in the centre of Portree but offers good accommodation and service at a reasonable price with a good choice for breakfast.
If you wish a more rural place to stay, then to the north at Loch Greshornish on the road to Dunvegan the Lodge at Edinbane is good. www.the-lodge-at-edinbane.co.uk
To the south just outside Broadford at Upper Breakish there is the Tir Alainn www.visitskye.com and near that there is the Maltby B & B. www.isleofskye.net/maltby These are small B&Bs who give a good service at a very reasonable price.
If I was going to Skye at anytime, I would book these ahead of arrival, just to get the area / place I want but there are numerous others places to stay and in May you should not have too much of a problem getting accommodation.
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Jan 20th, 2008 | 03:37 AM
#8
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 978
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We stayed here, close to Portree. www.viewfieldhouse.com/
We can only recommend it. We had a most wonderful stay here.
We can only recommend it. We had a most wonderful stay here.
Jan 20th, 2008 | 11:42 AM
#10
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,049
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W/ that good a budget - you won't have any problems at all. In that part of Scotland, B&Bs will mostly be closer to £50 - £60 than to £100 (talking double) And there many for even less.
Other than Skye, what part(s) of NW Scotland are you talking about?
On Skye you will have just TONS of choices. Just to give you a few examples, this one would run £55-£65 in May. http://www.blabheinn.co.uk/
This one - £60 www.isleofskye.net/loch-aluinn/
and this one £50 www.scalpayview.com/index.htm
Other than Skye, what part(s) of NW Scotland are you talking about?
On Skye you will have just TONS of choices. Just to give you a few examples, this one would run £55-£65 in May. http://www.blabheinn.co.uk/
This one - £60 www.isleofskye.net/loch-aluinn/
and this one £50 www.scalpayview.com/index.htm
Jan 23rd, 2008 | 09:05 AM
#12
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
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I can add my recommendation to Tir Alainn in Broadford - affordable, gorgeous views, great service, and friendly host, attractive, clean rooms. The only downside is location - it takes a while to get to the north end of Skye from there.
Jan 27th, 2008 | 11:12 AM
#14
Joined: Oct 2005
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Eilean Iarmain is wonderful - but it will most definitely be over your budget.
In May, their standard rooms (which are very nice) run £140/$280 B&B, and £180/$360 DB&B. The better rooms are a bit more.
But if you can manage the splurge - it IS very nice.
In May, their standard rooms (which are very nice) run £140/$280 B&B, and £180/$360 DB&B. The better rooms are a bit more.
But if you can manage the splurge - it IS very nice.
Jan 27th, 2008 | 11:52 AM
#15
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 23,439
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We had problems with B&Bs in June. While early reservations might not be necessary, it helps to go through the tourist agency to rent ahead of time. I discuss our problem in my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35058184
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35058184
Jan 29th, 2008 | 07:27 AM
#18
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,049
Likes: 50
sheila: You are right - I was figuring double occupancy. But reading the OP again it looks like he is traveling solo. If so, Eilean Iarmain would definitely fits in that budget.
rmcbrier: If you are traveling alone, nice B&Bs will be in the £30-£50 range - and £50 will be pretty upscale. Eilean Iarmain would be higher but still w/i your target budget and is VERY nice.
rmcbrier: If you are traveling alone, nice B&Bs will be in the £30-£50 range - and £50 will be pretty upscale. Eilean Iarmain would be higher but still w/i your target budget and is VERY nice.
