BobH60

Good Afternoon,

My wife and I are planning a vacation to go to Scotland and we will primarily be spending it hiking.

We want to stay at just one location and we are thinking either Fort William or Isle of Skye.

Can anyone offer a recommendation or a different suggestion?

Thank you,
Bob

janisj

You don't say <i>when</i> this trip is . . . But in general both locations are central to just TONS of major and minor hikes. How experienced are you -- conditions can change on a dime.

Ben Nevis and Glencoe among others are near Ft William (You couldn't pay me to stay IN Ft William BTW -- I'd stay in Ballachulish or Glencoe or somewhere else)

Skye is world famous for its hiking -- the various Cullins, Glen Brittle etc. I'd stay at Sligachan.

If you have more than a week I'd try to do both . . .

BobH60

Good Evening JanisJ,

What time of year would you suggest as best for hiking?

We are both experienced hikers.

Also, we will not have a car and will be using public transportation. How is the public transportation in Skye?

Thank you,
Bob

janisj

The public transport is not great in either place -- but TONS of hikers/backpackers do manage w/o cars.

You can take the train to Ft William and/or train and ferry to Skye.

There are local buses on Skye that are relatively useful -- and if you are doing long distance hikes -- then you'd really mostly doing the buses one way.

One reason Sligachan would be so good as a base is that is has a hotel but also a camp ground that is sort of 'hikers central' on Skye so it would be easy to get rides places around the island -- and hook up w/ other hikers.

I'd only plan that sort of trip between early/mid May and early September. The biggest problem in mid to late summer is the midges.

janisj

That should say >>and/or train plus ferry or bus to Skye<<