Mclaurin

Hello,

I have enjoyed this site, so interesting and helpful.

Would appreciate any comments on a general plan for August, for my husband, 14 year old daughter and myself in Scotland as a first trip.

Flying in after 1 week in London. Plan to spend 7 days and 6 nights, return to London for flight home. Will arrive before noon first day and return early evening last. Plan to arrive to and depart Scotland in different locations. Have not booked Scotland flight yet. Will use a rental car when we arrive.

My daughter sooo wants to see Loch Ness. Must go to Killin - ancestor reasons. We would love to spend time along the coast, either or both east or west.

Have roughed this plan out,

Arrive Inverness. Visit Culloden, Loch Ness. Drive Eilean Donan Castle, and on to Skye, Take ferry to Mallaig drive over 8A30 past Fort William down past Rannoch Moor ( and over to Killin. Over to the east for historical sightseeing and hopefully some time in a charming village on the coast. Return London from Edinburgh an early evening flight.

Since we are not as firm on which coast, should we just drive east and rule out west as beautiful but too ambitious? Any ideas on a charming coastal village on the east. Are there locations that may be too crowded? (I ask because we have been warned St. Andrews might be?) Any comments or suggestions would be so appreciated. Thanks, Mclaurin

Stellarossa

St Andrews in August will be crowded but I wouldn't let that put you off. I visit NYC a lot and it's always crowded but that doesn't spoil it for me. Plenty of charm for you in the East Neuk of Fife (Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans etc)

I like your idea of flying into Inverness. Inverness/ Loch Ness/ Culloden all near each other so no great driving distances there.

The west Coast is beautiful however there are no main driving routes that way. It will take a few days for you to drive along the west but if you have 7 days in Scotland you could conceivably do both coasts and leave from Edinburgh. Remember, though, it's festival time in Edinburgh so if you want to spend your last night there, book ahead!!!

Tony

Mclaurin

Thank you so much for your reply. I will check those villages. Mclaurin

janis

Whole different suggestion -- fly into Glasgow and out of Edinburgh. Arrive Glasgow in a.m., drive up A82 along Loch Lomond up to Crianlarich, jog over to Killen/Falls of Dochart, back to the A82 skirting Rannoch Moor, through Glencoe, Ft William, to Mallaig, Skye.

This entire route is a decent day's drive -- but since you have 6+ days I'd break it in either Killen (if you want to do some ancestor hunting, fishing or river/lochside walks), or near Glencoe.

So 1 night enroute (Killen?),
2 nights on Skye,
1 night a bit east of Inverness (see Loch Ness/Nessie enroute, and Culloden),
1 night along the Dee or in Stonehaven, (south of Aberdeen on the coast, visit Dunnottar Castle)
1 night in a Fife fishing village (Crail or Anstruther maybe)

Fly out of Edinburgh.

You don't mention anything about visiting Edinburgh so I left out going into the city. In August it is very difficult to find rooms in Edinburgh for less than 3 nights so it wouldn't be easy to stay in or near the city anyway.

If you do want to see Edinburgh, drop a night somewhere else and add it to Fife - from there you can do a day trip into Edinburgh.

One bit of info - try REALLY hard to make it so your days on the A82 (Loch Lomond/Ft William/Loch Ness) don't fall on a weekend. This is a really good road - but on summer weekends it can get really, really congested w/ tour buses and caravans.

janis

Meant to add - you could also do the route in reverse (Edinburgh > Glasgow) if the timing works out better

Stellarossa

Personally I'd give Glasgow a big body swerve. Just not a city I could ever like.

janis

Just to clarify - I didn't mean to visit Glasgow on this itinerary. Simply to use its airport for this loop around the country . . . . . .

(Glasgow airport is very close to Loch Lomond and the A82 heading north)

Mclaurin

Thank you so much!!! "My husband just said that is so great that we can post and you all are willing to help us!" We so appreciate your suggestions. Will check all of this. Thanks again. Mclaurin

ekim

I am sure that your vacation will be a great time, as Scotland is a wonderful destination. Outside of some key museums in Edinburgh and the Burrell in Glasgow, you will find that the country lacks notable attractions other than castles and monuments. The attractiveness of Scotland lies in its people and its landscapes.

You mentioned visiting Killin for ancestors reasons but not whether you need to visit relatives there. If so, you may find yourself spending several days with wonderful folks. All over Scotland you will find your host to be very friendly and great company.

To be honest, the best adventures in Scotland are the sights you will see while traveling country roads and single track lanes.

We list several attractions that you may want to visit at this link http://www.thereareplaces.com/Guidebook/pdest/gbpts.htm to get you started but recommend you buy a quality guidebook to sort through the destinations that would be best for you.

If you are interested, a travel agent should be able to put you in contact with a "Scot", a travel arranger who has studied Scotland and is certified by the Scottish Travel Board as an expert in the country. Their fee is quite reasonable and it has been our experience that "Scots" suggest wonderful itineraries and know the best bed and breakfasts (you wont find many full fledged hotels once you get into the countryside).

If you pick the right B & B, you may find them asking if you would like your oatmeal topped off with a little Scotch Whiskey. My traveling companion claims it is one of the best breakfast cereals she ever had!

The East Coast of Scotland has more cities and attractions but the West Coast (and Skye) will, I think, capture your imagination and create travel memories that will last a lifetime.

Finally, since you will be doing a lot of driving, buy a quality, up-to-date map of Scotland or road atlas of the UK.

Have fun!

Mclaurin

Thank you for your response. Scenery and people are really the best in my opinion. I do enjoy the history sites as well. Your link was helpful, some useful concise info. I have been reading a stack of the guidebooks, but it is quite helpful too, hearing from those with experience. The wonderful dilema is choosing where to go in Scotland. An agent for help with b and bs is a good suggestion, thanks again! Mclaurin

ms_go

We did an eight-day driving loop from Edinburgh last summer, and we were traveling with our 11-year-old daughter. We were really pushing it, but we were able to see parts of the Northeast, Skye, the Western coast, and the Trossachs.

We have a lengthy trip report on this site (link below) in case it provides any ideas. FWIW, our daughter particularly enjoyed hiking on Skye (Old Man of Storr), Kilmartin Glen, and the many ruined castles that we visited along the way.

Happy planning!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...0&tid=34511776

Mclaurin

Thanks ms_go. Loved reading your travel notes, very helpful for us. Your photographs are exceptional, you have quite an eye! Thanks again, Mclaurin