Overwhelmed - Help with Scotland
Apr 20th, 2010, 08:01 AM
#42
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That was the viamichelin time. Me, I'd take 50 minutes to Perth, 2 hours from Perth to Inverness, and about 2 1/2 Inverness to Scrabster; so about 5 1/2 hours Inverness to Scrabster (That's without looking at a web site- just doing it from experience.
Apr 20th, 2010, 12:37 PM
#43
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Oh no oh no oh no oh no - getting more and more overwhelmed (smile).
You’ve all convinced me that driving isn’t such a great idea with the time limitations we have. What if we go with the original idea of flying from Edinburgh to Orkney on 7/19, flying out of Orkney on the 23rd? Now, the question becomes, should we fly to Edinburgh and follow Sheila’s original route, or fly to Inverness (a la Janis) and rent a car there (to be returned in Edinburgh at the end of the trip). If we go to Inverness, would we have time to spend a few days on Skye, or is this too much to fit into the rest of the itinerary. Should we ignore Skye, or does it offer something that we wouldn’t find in the rest Sheila’s itinerary? Opinions?
How do I handle the 23rd to the 30th to fit in Islay, Colonsay, Coll & Tiree, et al? Oh, the agony of cutting things out.
You’ve all convinced me that driving isn’t such a great idea with the time limitations we have. What if we go with the original idea of flying from Edinburgh to Orkney on 7/19, flying out of Orkney on the 23rd? Now, the question becomes, should we fly to Edinburgh and follow Sheila’s original route, or fly to Inverness (a la Janis) and rent a car there (to be returned in Edinburgh at the end of the trip). If we go to Inverness, would we have time to spend a few days on Skye, or is this too much to fit into the rest of the itinerary. Should we ignore Skye, or does it offer something that we wouldn’t find in the rest Sheila’s itinerary? Opinions?
How do I handle the 23rd to the 30th to fit in Islay, Colonsay, Coll & Tiree, et al? Oh, the agony of cutting things out.
Apr 21st, 2010, 08:40 AM
#44
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July 17
Arrive in Edinburgh at 10:00AM
July 18
Edinburgh
July 19 to Orkney. Flight is at 2pm. You get in at 3.15pm.
July 20
Orkney
July 21
Orkney
July 22
Orkney
July 23
Flying back to Edinburgh, you COULD leave at 7.40 and be in Edinburgh at 9 am. Hire a car there and you could be in Kennacraig for the boat to Islay by 1.30pm. In fact the boat goes at 1pm but you would have to be there by 12.30pm to catch it and you simply couldn't do that, but you could have a very leisurely drive over and catch the 6pm boat. Finish up your time as previously described.
The alternative would be:-
July 18
Edinburgh
July 19 to Orkney. Train to Inverness. There's a train at 9.30am. You get in at 1.30pm. You need to be on the 4.45pm ferry from Scrabster; or you could get the little ferry from Gill's Bay at 6.30pm.
On the 22nd, catch the 8.45am ferry back to Scrabster. It's a 5 1/2 hour drive to Portree, so a longish day but not impossible. Nice country to drive through too.
On the 25th, leave Skye by the ferry to Mallaig, and drive down through Moidart to Lochaline where you would get the little ferry to Fishnish on Mull. Stay on Mull until the 28th when you leave on any of the ferries which arrive in Oban before 2.50pm. Get the Port Askaig Ferry from Oban to Islay.
On the 30th, get the 1pm ferry to Kennacraig and meander down to Edinburgh
July 31
Leave for a 9:30 AM flight.
You don't get Coll & Tiree, and you have less time on Islay, but you can't have everything. If you wanted to do it in reverse, we would get the sameish result but with the amount of time on each island a bittie different.
Arrive in Edinburgh at 10:00AM
July 18
Edinburgh
July 19 to Orkney. Flight is at 2pm. You get in at 3.15pm.
July 20
Orkney
July 21
Orkney
July 22
Orkney
July 23
Flying back to Edinburgh, you COULD leave at 7.40 and be in Edinburgh at 9 am. Hire a car there and you could be in Kennacraig for the boat to Islay by 1.30pm. In fact the boat goes at 1pm but you would have to be there by 12.30pm to catch it and you simply couldn't do that, but you could have a very leisurely drive over and catch the 6pm boat. Finish up your time as previously described.
The alternative would be:-
July 18
Edinburgh
July 19 to Orkney. Train to Inverness. There's a train at 9.30am. You get in at 1.30pm. You need to be on the 4.45pm ferry from Scrabster; or you could get the little ferry from Gill's Bay at 6.30pm.
On the 22nd, catch the 8.45am ferry back to Scrabster. It's a 5 1/2 hour drive to Portree, so a longish day but not impossible. Nice country to drive through too.
On the 25th, leave Skye by the ferry to Mallaig, and drive down through Moidart to Lochaline where you would get the little ferry to Fishnish on Mull. Stay on Mull until the 28th when you leave on any of the ferries which arrive in Oban before 2.50pm. Get the Port Askaig Ferry from Oban to Islay.
On the 30th, get the 1pm ferry to Kennacraig and meander down to Edinburgh
July 31
Leave for a 9:30 AM flight.
You don't get Coll & Tiree, and you have less time on Islay, but you can't have everything. If you wanted to do it in reverse, we would get the sameish result but with the amount of time on each island a bittie different.
Apr 29th, 2010, 12:08 PM
#46
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On the 25th, leave Skye by the ferry to Mallaig, and drive down through Moidart to Lochaline where you would get the little ferry to Fishnish on Mull. Stay on Mull until the 28th when you leave on any of the ferries which arrive in Oban before 2.50pm.
Suggest you cut a night on Mull and spend a night in Glasgow, since it's on route and although one night is not enough time for such a vibrant and interesting city, at least you'll have some experience of it.
Suggest you cut a night on Mull and spend a night in Glasgow, since it's on route and although one night is not enough time for such a vibrant and interesting city, at least you'll have some experience of it.
Apr 29th, 2010, 04:43 PM
#47
Glasgow is on route? Certainly not between Skye/Mull/Oban/Islay.
Or do you mean between Kennacraig and Edinburgh? You are surely a valiant advocate for Glasgow - and it IS a great place to visit. But it simply doesn't fit into every itinerary. I'd personally want 3 nights on Mull and 2 nights on Islay over a rushed night in Glasgow.
Or do you mean between Kennacraig and Edinburgh? You are surely a valiant advocate for Glasgow - and it IS a great place to visit. But it simply doesn't fit into every itinerary. I'd personally want 3 nights on Mull and 2 nights on Islay over a rushed night in Glasgow.
May 2nd, 2010, 05:05 PM
#48
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I think we're going to go with Sheila's alternative route. Have a question about Inverness to Scrabster: if we rent a car in Inverness, about how long would it take to drive to Scrabster? just concerned about getting the ferry on time. is the A-9 the route to take? (Google Maps says about 2:30 hours.) Would th A-9 or the A-836 be the more scenic drive?
Thanks so much - Leanne
Thanks so much - Leanne
May 2nd, 2010, 06:49 PM
#49
Unless things have changed in the last three years and there have been massive construction projects (I doubt it), nearly all of the A836 is single track.
Traveling I'ness to Scrabster via Tongue on the A836 will take close to 5 hours.
Traveling I'ness to Scrabster via Tongue on the A836 will take close to 5 hours.
May 2nd, 2010, 11:49 PM
#50
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Just over 2 1/2 hours straight shot up the A9- and most of that route is pretty special without the need for side trips. You could add a bittie by turning at Helmsdale onto the A897, and finishing on the A836- it would take, maybe 40 minutes longer- but, frankly, you'd miss some super scenery on the coast if you did that.
May 3rd, 2010, 04:01 AM
#51
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Leanne - thought I'd send you this:
http://www.isleofberneray.com/
http://www.isleofberneray.com/
May 3rd, 2010, 08:05 AM
#53
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I read in Leannes first question : our main interests are nature, wildlife, history and archeology, the sea, farm country. Love food. Any kind of food.
Given this, we are considering the Hebrides and the Orkneys and Shetland islands
Given this, we are considering the Hebrides and the Orkneys and Shetland islands
May 3rd, 2010, 11:55 AM
#55
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You have received lots of good ideas to work with.
I've read and reread your post and don't quite get that being your FIRST trip to beautiful Scotland why you aren't spending your vacation seeing the beautiful country of Scotland,,,,,,without the Islands.
I'm not saying that is the way to do it,,,,but we've been to Scotland 9 times and have never been to the Islands. There is so much to be seen on the land,,....villages, gorgeous countryside, cities, wildlife, seaside towns on both coasts, castles, hills,green fields, .........perhaps a 2 day trip to Isle of Mull/Iona from Oban etc.
Yes, we too enjoy the car and driving at our own pace and following the map....stopping in towns, walking the streets a little,,,,,back in the car to experience lakes, countryside etc.
Just throwing out an idea,,,,for your FIRST trip. I just hate to see you fly right up to the islands and miss the whole mainland of Scotland.
But you will have a great trip,,,,no matter WHAT you decide to do, and you have some good ideas for itineries.
I've read and reread your post and don't quite get that being your FIRST trip to beautiful Scotland why you aren't spending your vacation seeing the beautiful country of Scotland,,,,,,without the Islands.
I'm not saying that is the way to do it,,,,but we've been to Scotland 9 times and have never been to the Islands. There is so much to be seen on the land,,....villages, gorgeous countryside, cities, wildlife, seaside towns on both coasts, castles, hills,green fields, .........perhaps a 2 day trip to Isle of Mull/Iona from Oban etc.
Yes, we too enjoy the car and driving at our own pace and following the map....stopping in towns, walking the streets a little,,,,,back in the car to experience lakes, countryside etc.
Just throwing out an idea,,,,for your FIRST trip. I just hate to see you fly right up to the islands and miss the whole mainland of Scotland.
But you will have a great trip,,,,no matter WHAT you decide to do, and you have some good ideas for itineries.
May 4th, 2010, 05:51 AM
#57
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You are all so wonderful! (Tod - thanks for the information on Berneray.)
I have to say that Mari gave me pause. We really did have to make some very hard decisions. I'm sure we couldn't have gone wrong with the mainland - but given my husband's love affair with the sea and our other interests, we decided to do it this way. You're right, Mari - there's just so much to see - in Scotland, in the world, in my backyard.
(Sheila - thanks for the encouragement re the islands - came just at the right time.)
Leanne
I have to say that Mari gave me pause. We really did have to make some very hard decisions. I'm sure we couldn't have gone wrong with the mainland - but given my husband's love affair with the sea and our other interests, we decided to do it this way. You're right, Mari - there's just so much to see - in Scotland, in the world, in my backyard.
(Sheila - thanks for the encouragement re the islands - came just at the right time.)
Leanne
May 10th, 2010, 02:25 PM
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Hello, Sheila -
I hate to bother you with this, but I'm wondering if I'm reading the ferry schedule incorrectly. Above, you recommended: "July 19 to Orkney. Train to Inverness. There's a train at 9.30am. You get in at 1.30pm. You need to be on the 4.45pm ferry from Scrabster; or you could get the little ferry from Gill's Bay at 6.30pm.
On the 22nd, catch the 8.45am ferry back to Scrabster. It's a 5 1/2 hour drive to Portree, so a longish day but not impossible. Nice country to drive through too."
However, as I went to make my reservations, I found a different time schedule: I could leave Scrabster at 1:15PM or 7:00PM and leave Stromness at 6:30AM or 11:00AM? Could I be misreading the schedule. If not, it looks like it may throw the itinerary off.
Any suggestions? Would leaving from Gill's Bay be significantly longer (we will be driving to Evie on Mainland). Are there any further ferries that we would need to take from St. Margaret's Hope to Mainland? Would rather not get to our accommodations in the dark - especially as first time drivers in Britain.
Thanks so much for your help - or anyone else who might chime in.
Leanne
I hate to bother you with this, but I'm wondering if I'm reading the ferry schedule incorrectly. Above, you recommended: "July 19 to Orkney. Train to Inverness. There's a train at 9.30am. You get in at 1.30pm. You need to be on the 4.45pm ferry from Scrabster; or you could get the little ferry from Gill's Bay at 6.30pm.
On the 22nd, catch the 8.45am ferry back to Scrabster. It's a 5 1/2 hour drive to Portree, so a longish day but not impossible. Nice country to drive through too."
However, as I went to make my reservations, I found a different time schedule: I could leave Scrabster at 1:15PM or 7:00PM and leave Stromness at 6:30AM or 11:00AM? Could I be misreading the schedule. If not, it looks like it may throw the itinerary off.
Any suggestions? Would leaving from Gill's Bay be significantly longer (we will be driving to Evie on Mainland). Are there any further ferries that we would need to take from St. Margaret's Hope to Mainland? Would rather not get to our accommodations in the dark - especially as first time drivers in Britain.
Thanks so much for your help - or anyone else who might chime in.
Leanne
May 11th, 2010, 03:04 AM
#59
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Sorry, my brain fart. On 19th July, which is a Monday, there is a ferry from Scrabster at 1.15pm and another at 7pm. You clearly can't get the one at 1.15pm and you wouldn't want to hang about for hours in Scrabster waiting for the next boat. There are boats at 4.30 and 7.30, you could be on from Gill's Bay.
It'll take about an hour to drive from St Margaret's Hope to Evie and half and hour from Stromness. There are only causeways en route, no ferries. It'll be light till midnight.
On the way back on the 22nd, your times are right too (I've clearly reversed my Stomnesses and my Scrabsters). There's a boat out of Gill's Bay at 8am. if 6.30am is too scary.
It'll take about an hour to drive from St Margaret's Hope to Evie and half and hour from Stromness. There are only causeways en route, no ferries. It'll be light till midnight.
On the way back on the 22nd, your times are right too (I've clearly reversed my Stomnesses and my Scrabsters). There's a boat out of Gill's Bay at 8am. if 6.30am is too scary.
