AllenofSV: You have a couple of options. Either take the train from Stirling or Dunblane to Edinburgh -- OR -- drive as far as Edinburgh airport and take the shuttle bus to the center of the city. Taking the train would probably cost about the same as parking all day at the airport. Driving to the airport is very easy and does not get you into central city traffic.

As for where - your choices are MANY. Drymen has some nice B&Bs, Aberfoyle has several, and Callander has many more. You could easily find a place after you are in Scotland - the Tourist Information Center in Callander can find you a place anywhere in the area. Or you can go to the local TIC in Ballater or in Broadford on Skye and have them get you a place for your last two nights.

So, maybe we should drive from Oban (coming from Mull) to Stirling and stay in Stirling - because we want to tour the area anyways, AND it's on the train route to Edinburgh?? What do you think of that?

I would skip St. Andrews and Glasgow. Now my husband wouldn't agree with the St. Andrews, but I didn;t see anything there that I would recommend. Glasgow no....Edinburgh ..for sure to see.

Thanks pcheesy. That's what we plan on doing. The only reason we have to be in Glasgow is to fly in/out.

AllenofSV

You will find that none of the Scottish Golf Clubs are very expensive by US standards. However, you may have to be one notch up to get clubs hired. Torphins is a lovely wee course, but I don't think they'll have clubs. My recommendation would be Aboyne, which is a splendid course and DOES hire clubs. You need to check there isn't a medal on, and assume it will be hoching because of the gathering, so book your round in advance.

I disagree with Janis about the Glasgow choice. It's an easy option in a vibrant city, just voted in the Observer Travel awards as the best city break in Britain

TUCKH:

When you write "crossing Loch Linnhe at Inchree," do you mean that in order to get to Lochaline, that we will have to cross a loch? If so, we will have a car with us - do we have to reserve space on that ferry? If so, what ferry is it and how do we do that? I'm wondering if you just meant that as a scenic route and that we can stay on roads the whole time from Skye Bridge to Lochaline. Thanks for your help!!

Allen: Yes, it's the same body of water as the one at Oban, 30 or so miles to the north of Oban. Loch Linnhe has narrowed considerably at that point. Look for it on your map. (If time permits, you can take a run up the scenic Glen Coe valley and back - it's nearby.)You then cross sparsely settled Morvern to reach Lochaline.

Unlike Oban, you needn't reserve because the crossing is so short and they go back and forth frequently.

But to clarify: I was taking you from south to north i.e. Mull first then (backtracking a bit over Morvern) up to Mailaig via Strontian and Salen, so to ferry to Skye. Here you should call ahead and reserve, it's a popular crossing, try to miss the weekend. You'd return to the mainland via the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. Four ferries, Inchree, Lochaline twice and Mailaig.

You could do it in reverse of course.

TuckH and Shelia:

Okay - I think I understand. I'm thinking about an island hopscotch deal. Check out this link and tell me if this is the route I want, considering I'll be going Skye to Mull to Oban. Thanks so much!

http://www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch_route22

I have taken that Island Hopscotch 3 times - either #7 or #22 would work for you.

Just depends on if you want to go from Portree or Fishnish. The cost is slightly less on #22.

I fail to understand why you are seeking a 'deal' with the ferry company. Or why you're targeting Oban and the expensive passage from Mull.

For that matter, why Oban??? It's NOT pretty there! I admit there's a small amount of re-tracing in my scheme, but it's beautiful there, why not?

Do you have a good Michelin map?

Since you're going the reverse of my original suggestion, please return to Glascow/Stirling from Inchree thru Glen Coe. Avoid the Oban area entirely.

You know what? I realize now (looking at that website) that Caladonian has no schedule for the Inchree crossing, thus you're unable to find it. Is this the case? Get a good map.

I've completely lost the plot- not least on the back of TuckH's last post?

That is the island Hopscotch that you want to do what you're planning.

The ferry TuckH is talking about is known as the Corran Ferry and is run by Argyll and Bute Council so you calmac ticket won't help you.

In the context it's a red herring (I think)

Could you put down what you think you're doing from start to finish again - so I don't have to pick the bones out of what everyone's suggested and no doubt screw up in the process. Definitely do a "deal" with Calmac. It's far better than paying full price.

Thanks Sheila. Since you have your email address listed, I'm going to send my itinerary directly to you.