Scotland Itinerary Help Rail and/or Car
 

Hello fellow fodorites.
DH and I planning a Scottish trip in July 2025. We have both visited Glasgow and Edinburgh before and this time each have different wishlists..
He would like to do some scenic train trips and visit Inverness, I would love to include Mull and/or Skye. I think we have time for both (10 days give or take) but I am struggling to work out the best way to still have a car on the islands..
Very broad plan is to train from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to Inverness, then Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh - fit in Skye/Mull - then West Highland line back to Glasgow. (Could be done in reverse too I guess?)
Many posts I have read suggest that it is best to hire a car in the larger centres but that would mean no train.
I see that there is some car hire on Skye but understandably limited and would no doubt require very early booking? Is there somewhere else relatively convenient to pick and up and drop off without retracing our steps back to Glasgow perhaps.
Any thoughts on producing a win for both of us would be very welcome.
Thank you.

Any particular reason for Inverness? I wouldn’t call it a destination city in its own right IMO at least.

You really need a car on Skye or at the very least, be prepared to join an organised day tour operator on the island to see some of its best sights.You can potentially, from Portree, use a local bus that goes up the north end of the island, allowing you to visit the Old Man of Storr and/or the Quiraing but I don’t think it’s the most efficient use of your limited time there by far(two full days minimum to see the finest of the island’s sights if you have a car.)
You shouldn’t have any trouble arranging a car, picked up in Kyle of Lochalsh, this far out.
Getting to Mull - assuming you take the train from Mallaig to Fort William, you need to take the bus from FW to Oban then CalMac ferry across to Craignure.Again, you cannot explore the loveliest parts of Mull without a car.

You could settle (and it’s not second best as such, it’s a wonderful day trip) for the Mull, Iona and Staffa day trip , advertised widely in Oban where you get on the early morning ferry, a coach takes you through south Mull to Fionnphort(beautiful journey) , you go over to Iona for a few hours using the little ferry(10 min crossing) then a small boat takes you out (if you wish) to Staffa to see stunning Fingal’s Cave and potentially, the puffins.
It’s a hugely popular day trip from Oban.Long day and best of course, on a bright sunny day! Always a gamble when you only devote a short time frame to it.

Thank you Scotlandmac (Im loving your website btw ) - Inverness to visit Culloden and also because the train journey from there to Kyle of Lochalsh is scenic...
I'm pretty keen to have more than a day trip on Mull. Could I rent a car in Oban for Mull and then another in Kyle of Lochalsh for Skye perhaps? Or, if I rented from Kyle of Lochalsh location I'm guessing it wouldn't make sense to do a loop down to Mull so I could then return to KOL?

An hour ago I was in the middle of a fairly long reply when our power went out- and I lost my Wi-Fi connection. Just learned it wil be out at least 3 more hours:) instead of reinventing the wheel I’ll finish it up then. Watch this space ….

Thank you janisj!

phew Finally!!

OK -- lots to unpack here. My first question is why Inverness is on your husband's wish list?? That is a serious question BTW - not being snarky. Does he have some reason for visiting the city? or is it just someplace he's heard of?? There is quite a bit (a lot really) to see and do within day trips of Inverness - but it is not a 'destination'. It is a nice place to live but is mainly the commercial hub for northern Scotland -- so all the things you'd see in any other city -- big box stores, industry, supermarkets -- except for a nice river running through not much else worth spending your limited time. If you stick with Inverness - then definitely have a car and stay elsewhere in the region (Nairn, the Black Isle, Grantown-on-Spey, Culloden, etc.

Wanting to take trains is a lovely concept - but in practice it isn't that east to tours rural parts of Scotland by rail. There is extremely limited rental car options on Skye and none the I know of on Mull.

Ten days is not much time for northern Scotland, Skye, Mull and about 2 days eaten up with arrival and departure faff. IMO you need to decide between including the area around Inverness and Skye . . . or . . . Skye and Mull . . . or Mull and someplace else such as the Trossachs, or Kilmartin/Argyll . . . or something else entirely.

I personally would not take the train to either Kyle of Lochalsh or Mallaig -- driving covers the same scenic routes and you'd then have a car on Skye. You definitely could take the train up to Inverness, rent a car there (several chain rental agencies in the city) and then after a couple of days/3 nights exploring Culloden, Cawdor, Ft George, etc, drive to Skye over the bridge, stay 3 nights (4 if you ca swing it)

Then back towards where ever you are flying out of staying a night or two in the Trossachs which are an easy drive to either GLA or EDI

(my power JUST came on -- out almost nine hours! luckily my post was saved but I just had to copy/paste because the link had expired. )

Janisj, glad you are powered up! Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Inverness mainly for Culloden and because he has read that the train from there to Kyle of Lochalsh is one of the most scenic routes (he loves train travel.) I appreciate your thoughts about the car and that is my preference too (I drive) but I am trying to cater to his wishes too as we are following Scotland with Faroe islands, Iceland and Norway which are my choices LOL.
We have visited the Trossachs previously and done a reasonable anount of exploring from Glasgow as far north as Eilean Donan.

What do you think of my idea of renting in Kyle of Lochalsh for both Mull and Skye?
Thank you again.

Trossachs done previously ✔︎ That helps.

AFAIK there no rentals at Kyle however ther is a garage on Skye the rents cars and will deliver to Kyle. A bit of a logistics issue because you'd then have to return the car somewhere on Skye or back at Kyle of Lochalsh.

Now I never (ever) recommend doing the train out and back from Ft William but in your case it could definitely make sense - though I'd do it in reverse Mallaig > Ft William > Mallaig.. I could see something like this: Take the train to Inverness (or even fly up) rent a car there and explore the area for a couple of days. Then drive down to Kyle and on to Skye - stay a minimum of 3 nights on Skye exploring by car. Then ferry across and and park the car at Mallaig. Catch the train out to Ft William and then return a few hours later. Then drive back out the Road to the Isles- its essentially the same route as the train but you can stop for countless photo ops -- beaches, Glenfinnan, Neptune's Staircase. etc. This train + drive will eat up most of the day so then stay the night in Ballachulish or Gencoe. It will be a glorious train ride, and even better drive (because you can stop anywhere plus take photos of the train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct which you can't really do when you are ON the train)

Sounds a bit loopy https://www.fodors.com/community/ima...orted/wink.gif but with a train nut DH it could fill the bill . . .

. . . then from Glencoe/Ballachulish its an easy drive to a couple of different ferries to Mull -- you will want an absolute minimum two nights on Mull -- the driving is even slower than on Skye and that's saying something!

So if you can squeeze out a couple of extra days for the trip -- with 12 days I thinks its doable. 3 nights near Inverness, 3 or 4 on Skye, 1 at Glencoe or nearby, 3 on Mull, 1 near EDI or GLA before flying out.

OK, I bought a map, stuck on my pinboard and showed him the issue! Seems like we may be able to give up the train idea bless him.
So now the world (or Scotland) is my oyster.
I am also thinking of maybe moving our other trip forward by a couple of weeks so that we would be in Scotland for June instead of early July, seems like that might help with crowds (on Skye for example) a little? I have been a little shocked by island accommodation prices too so more research to be done for sure.
Of course I'm now tempted to visit more islands but will try and contain myself and will come back with some ideas for critique thank you.
I've self planned many itineraries but for some reason taking awhile to get my head around this area LOL

TBH - not much difference at all between mid/late June and early/mid July. Most UK schools don't break for summer until the third week of July. Yes -- Skye has become mightily expensive -- too popular for its own good . . .

For his train fix you have a couple of options without jumping through hoops. If you do the trip north to south you can take the train up to Inverness to start. There are major rental chaind in Inverness so you can do a one-way hire. Drop the car athe your departure airport. Or - you could do the trip south to north . . . Rent the car at Edinburgh or Glasgow and do the trip Mull > Skye > Inverness area, drop the car there and take the train back south.

On Mull -- this place is REALLY popular but if they have availability -- highly recommended. Great breakfasts, views across to the abbey on Iona, next door to the pub, short walk to restaurant, the foot ferry to Iona, and boats to Staffa.

https://iona-bed-breakfast-mull.com

Oh -- School breaks are different in Scotland than in other parts of the UK. In Scotland the summer break starts almost a month earlier than the rest of the country (next year June 26 in Scotland vs. July 23 elsewhere). But on Skye you really aren't competing with Scottish tourists . . . they mostly go to Spain and Croatia and Orlando ;)

Lovely to hear the website is of help!

You can also rent a car on Mull itself..there are a couple of operators.Or on Oban though you then incur the car ferry costs.But given you will be lugging suitcases etc that convenience might be worth it.It’s not prohibitively expensive, thr crossing.

After the train from Mallaig (you can ask to drop the hired car off there) to Fort William, you take the bus to Oban.

If you still have a hired car, after the train journey to Fort William and back to Mallaig, your quickest route to Mull(and it’s a beautiful drive BUT has a considerable amount of VERY winding, twisting single track road through Ardnamurchan) is to Acharacle then either the Kilchoan to Tobermory ferry or south to Salen and over the hill road to Lochaline and the little ferry to Fishnish.Neither ferry can be booked in advance, just turn up.

Depending on ferry and train times, most likely you will need an overnight - you could look at Arisaig or even this beautiful wee place in tiny Glenuig:

https://www.glenuig.com

I haven’t stayed but we’ve called in here a couple of times and sat outside on their terrace in the sunshine(much like in the photo) with tea and scones and mused about an overnight sometime.Gorgeous Loch nam Uamh is nearby.

An overnight allows you to explore , as janisj mentions and if if interest, some of the lovely sights on the Road to the Isles from Mallaig which isn’t possible on the train.

You could also push on and stay in Ardnamurchan itself of course.

Weather is impossible to predict of course but personally, I’d always veer towards June rather than July.There’s a standing joke in Scotland that the minute the school (Scottish) holidays start(end June/beg of July), the heavens open.July has a reputation for being a wet month.

Sadly, prices have soared throughout much of Scotland…on a recent trip up the NW Highlands and Orkney, the prices were eye watering.Places that used to be £100- £150 night are now £200 - £250 as standard. Eati;g out ain’t cheap either, though it never really was over here.

Mull is wonderful…you might already have seen my more detailed write up on enjoying the best of the island but here’s the link anyway if of help…

https://annestravelsandhikes.com/201...e-alternative/

Such helpful responses janisj and Scotlandmac, thank you!

I think the train is becoming a distant memory…. the fact that a one way hire car drop off is not mega expensive opens up more options than I thought.

I have moved our other trip back and now fly out of EDI for Faroe Islands on the afternoon of June 26, could probably do two weeks in Scotland prior to this.

I’m roughly thinking:

Day 0 Fly into either EDI or Glasgow from Australia so going nowhere that day.

Day 1 Pick up hire car and head straight for Mull

Day 2 Mull

Day 3 Mull

Day 4 Mull

Day 5 Head to Skye (through Ardnamurchan and Acharacle?)

Day 6 Skye

Day 7 Skye

Day 8 Skye

Day 9 Drive to Inverness area , exact location tbd (route?)

Day 10 Inverness area – do Culloden at least

Day 11 Inverness area

Day 12 TRAIN Inverness to Edinburgh (not the most scenic of the routes previously discussed but he will get A train trip in and will be relaxing for me as the sole driver of the rest of the trip)

Day 13 Edinburgh

Day 14 Fly out 3pm

That’s a bare bones suggestion, needs lots of fleshing out but do you think its reasonable? Willing to chop and change as needs but keen to get some accom locked in. Looked at the Glenuig suggestion and its fully booked, Seaview guesthouse in Fionnphort would be available on Days 1 and 2 if that works?

Thanks so much.

That is a reasonable plan. The only change I might consider is stop somewhere for one night between Edinburgh and Mull. Edinburgh > Fionnphort takes about 6 hours in transit plus any stops, to Tobermory maybe 30 minutes less. That is a lot on your first full day in country. Stopping for one night in Oban or maybe Inveraray would make the next day MUCH easier and you could take the first ferry to Mull that morning.

This would still give you a fair amount of time on Mull/Iona -- it will be daylight very VERY late so you can wander the Isle for hours. Sunset will be around 10:30 PM and it will be dusk even longer (I have photos of my Scottie and Airedale running on Singing Sands beach on Ardmurchan after 11PM)

Thanks janisj. I could possibly add another day (wink wink) as inbound flight not booked yet.....
I thought Inveraray sounded familiar and when I looked it up realised we stayed overnight there on another trip! We used to attend a conference that was held in Glasgow in October so on a few occasions we snuck in a three or four day jaunt from Glasgow pre meeting.
This is our first chance to get further away though.

Ok, I'm not letting the grass grow under my feet, I have booked Seaview (or requested) for 2 nights and secured another 2 nights near Tobermory.
Next mission is Skye... would welcome any suggestions about how/where to allocate my 4 nights on Skye please? I think once I have that organised I can take a breath as that will be the hardest spots done hopefully.

Looks good.It depends whether enjoying anywhere on the drive to Oban appeals enough to warrant an overnight.There’s certainly plenty to see!

Glasgow to Oban…on paper, 2 hrs 40 but I always give myself 3 hours(it takes less than that ) plus your time for checking in re the ferry(30 mins pre sailing.) It’s an extra 50mins or so from Edinburgh.

Book your preferred sailing as soon as that booking window becomes available - probably early January but keep checking.

The most direct route to Skye is via Ardnamurchan (on paper 2 hrs or so) so you won’t need an overnight unless you want to explore much more of the peninsula .You can still enjoy a lot en route as you make for the Mallaig that day.Castle Tioram just past Acharacle is worth a stroll.Lovely area.

Surprised relatively remote wee Glenuig Inn is booked …might just be that they haven’t posted their dates and prices for next summer.

Busier roads but easier driving but a much longer route if you return to Oban.You can also return to the mainland via Fishnish - Lochaline then the Corran ferry putting you just south of Fort William..Great scenery on those routes too.

I’m mentioning ‘easier’ driving because Ardnamurchan is the King of Single Track Roads with almost non existent sightlines at times or certainly very short ones and continually twisting and winding.Fairly quiet certainly.

Skye…Portree is good if you want restaurant choice on your doorstep and the buzz of a wee town in a picturesque location.
There’s lovely accommodation all over the island and even if you have to drive up and down some of the same roads to return to a single base, it’s hardly a hardship given the ever changing light across the moors, mountains and the sea.Our car could probably drive itself up and down Skye’s various roads (the main ones being quite fast too, not all roads are slow or single track by any means) but the landscape changes so much, every day, at all times of the day, it always looks spectacular.

For Skye, Portree will have the most 'services' -- cafes, restaurants, bank, shops, etc, --- while the Sligachan hotel (or a nearby B&B at Sconser) is the the absolute most central/convenient location on the island because it is sort of at a crossroads in the middle so easy to get to any part of the island. Another good thing about Sligachan is they serve food all day long for hotel guests.

I stayed here once in Sconser - but it was quite a few years ago so not making any comments re current quality. Does look like they've updated it quite a bit. https://www.holiday-accommodation-sc....uk/index.html

Other than Portree and Sligachan/Sconser -- there are nice places scattered all over the island, but do check out drive times to other scenic bits/sights.

Scotlandmac I've just been reading some of your blogs (and deciding I probably need two months in Scotland lol) and I think you've sold me on Torridon. Would it be reasonable to drive to Inverness this way from Skye (Day 9) or should I take a day off of Inverness for an overnight there?

Funnily enough,when I saw the time you have in Inverness, I’d almost posted about going there via Torridon and enjoying an overnight in or around that area!

Torridon is magnificent BUT, it’s not easy getting one night’s accommodation there.Assuming that 5 star The Torridon is a bit OTT re budget, then there are less expensive options mainly in Shieldaig…booking.com or Airbnb.Most accommodation in that general area is self- catering for at least three nights or more likely, one week.We visit at least once per year, one of my happy places.

The drive from Skye via the Bealach na Ba mountain pass, down to Applecross, round the coast to Shieldaig and Torridon is IMO possibly THE finest drive I’ve been on anywhere.Stunning.

Applecross is well worth a stop with a great buzzy atmosphere and good pub food served in the ever busy Applecross Inn; there’s also the very pretty Walled Garden, a lovely stroll away though I don’t think it’s new offering of Small Plates is terribly appealing.

If time allows, don’t miss the drive even part way along the road from Torridon village to Diabaig which gives outstanding views of Loch Torridon, surely our finest sea loch for scenery.The Torridon Stores and Cafe is a lovely wee stop for cake /a light lunch - best Carrot Cake I’ve ever tasted!

"The drive from Skye via the Bealach na Ba mountain pass, down to Applecross, round the coast to Shieldaig and Torridon is IMO possibly THE finest drive I’ve been on anywhere. Stunning."

Big (BIG) ditto to that ^^^. The drive from the Skye Bridge to Torridon around via the coast is just about 75 miles - 75 miles of the most glorious scenery. It is a sloooooow drive - just the drive without the thousand places you'll want to stop for photos, will take at least three full hours.

My ex and I and the two dogs drove it in a roadster (in the opposite direction) a few months before the bridge opened and there were a lot fewer visitors/less traffic in that part of the country. Leaving our B&B in Torridon after breakfast - we arrived in Dunvegan just before dinner - 125 miles took us nearly 8 hours.

ps: I wouldn't want to take that road in ugly weather . . .

Thanks! That’s a firm yes from both of you ;)
As you suspected though, accommodation an issue….closest I can get a single night is just out of Applecross? (That I’m willing to pay anyway) Would that be workable?

It would be workable though it’s more likely that you would then spend the next day as you head to Inverness, doing the drive around the coast to Torridon and through Glen Torridon to Inverness.Otherwise, a lot of backtracking albeit wildly scenic.

Applecross is a lovely wee place to be with some lovely easy walks and of course the drive itself up the Bealach before you reach Applecross, is a stunner.If you want any more detail on relatively easy walks, let me know.

in Applecross, we’ve stayed at this place for one night, very attractive indeed…

https://clachan-applecross.co.uk

Another poster mentioned the Loch Maree hotel which is not long reopened and beyond Torridon.Not stayed, great location albeit all on its own by the beautiful loch so check reviews.That would at least allow an explore of Torridon on that day’s drive from Skye.Plus a look at Loch Maree, often hailed as our loveliest fresh water loch.Not sure I totally agree with that but it’s certainly beautiful.

From Torridon you’re only 90 mins drive to Inverness, slightly less from Loch Maree hotel area.

Loch Maree reviews are a little off putting so I’ve booked the Applecross accom that I found, it has free cancellation so if something else pops up I can adjust.
DH not keen on long strenuous hikes but also doesn’t mind reading a book in the car to wait for me lol
Suggestions would be most welcome Scotlandmac if you have time 😊

If only they could get the Loch Maree hotel running properly:unsure:

Walks….from the top of the Bealach na Ba , at the viewpoint pull in, walk across the road and follow the big track up to the transmitter paraphernalia for wonderful views of the mountains for miles all around, which you don’t see from the Bealach itself.Takes about 25 mins to go up to the highest point.

Beyond the church at Applecross(seen across the bay as you arrive) there is a small car park and info board.Opposite that is a track which goes all the way to lovely Sand Beach.We usually just walk for a short way along it, halfway at most, then return.It climbs a bit then flattens out.Gorgeous views.You can of course also simply drive to Sand Beach, a few miles from the village and walk there.Beautiful spot with fab views to Skye.

You can walk from the Applecross Inn car park to the Walled Garden bistro via a good path.Takes about 15 mins.Various other little trails are signposted from the Walled Garden which even if you don’t eat there, is lovely to walk around.I walked it most recently on a sunny day with my wee grandson, all of us enjoying ice cream from the Inn ( they have an excellent takeaway van too) - a local chap there makes all their ice cream and it’s the Real McCoy! Nothing artificial in it, just great flavours.

There is also a short stroll from the campsite above the village which takes you to a restructured ancient round house with fine views over the sea.

A map of walks here:

https://applecross.org.uk/assets/Lea...and-trails.pdf

Also check Walkhighlands excellent website:

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torr...plecross.shtml

Thank you so much! Was watching a Ben Fogie episode on the Scottish Isles last night and he visited some stunning locations so I’ve got to get the books and maps out for specifics 😉

I watched that series with interest, given I love the islands (Outer and Inner Hebrides) - happy researching!

OK, inbound flights booked, we will come into Edinburgh, spend a full day to recover and then drive to Fionnphort over two days. I'm thinking of maybe staying in Killin overnight and traversing Glen Etive and Glencoe en route to Mull? Would that be reasonable or should I stop further along than Killin?

Killin works - and the Falls are AMAZING. Collecting the car out at EDI in the morning you could visit Stirling Castle, eat lunch there and be in Killin in the early to mid afternoon. You'd even have time to explore up Loch Tay/Fortingall. The drive EDI to Killin is about 2 hours give or take.

Then the next day Killin to Oban going up via Glencoe takes about 2.5 hours. With maybe aa couple of hours in Glencoe you could make a mid to late afternoon ferry and in to Fionnphort by dinner time. The problem is Glen Eitve -- the drive out and back will eat up a a lot of time not so gettin to Oban pretty late in the afternoon.

IF the Glen Etive drive is important to you (and it is marvelous) what I'd do instead is drive EDI > Stirling > short detour in to Killin and back out to the main road > Glencoe and stay the night there. Because daylight will last sooooooo long, you could easily do the Glen Etive drive that late afternoon/evening either before or after dinner.

That makes the next day easier -- to Oban in the morning and arriving in Fionnphort in time for lunch and fit in Iona that afternoon.

Thanks janisj, food for thought… I had included Glen Etive after seeing recommendations elsewhere but I guess the bottom line is ‘you can’t do everything!’ Having to book a ferry will mean we have to time keep pretty well and don’t want to be stressed so I’ll give it some more thought.

Oh -- I don't think you have to skip Glen Etive at all. Just keep Killin as a short stop. Even if you have a meal in the village and clamber out into the Falls - it still wouldn't take much more than an hour from the A85 in to Killin and back out to the A85. The Falls are less than 3 miles off the main road so under 6 miles round trip. If you don't have a meal in the village the whole excursion can be done in 30 to 40 minutes. Then on to Glencoe/Ballachulish. Sometime late in the afternoon or early evening do the drive down Glen Etive and back. Plan on 2 to 2.5 hours for the scenic drive out and back to allow for multiple photos stops.

Ok cool. OMG can't believe the rates for accommodation! Not helped by the strength of the GBP against the AUD, I know that is not Scotland's fault but it is eye watering in AUD 😒

yes -- rates for any sort of accommodations - not just in Scotland but all over the UK have skyrocketed. In Scotland it is partly a combination of greatly increased demand and a lot of small B&Bs and self catering accommodations leaving the industry due to new tax and licensing rules north of the border.

Ladies, I think I can manage an extra night. Should I stay in Applecross two nights and explore around past Torridon to Diabaig for example or should I use it somewhere else en route to Inverness?

If you overnight somewhere else, then for scenery that means going further north via Gairloch.It will boil down to whether you want to do that and the loop round to Gruinard Bay, Dundonnell and Braemore Junction/Ullapool.

It certainly works to have that extra night in Applecross as after your 1st overnight enjoying the area immediately around Applecross, next day you can explore Torridon initially going via the coastal route(one of the most outstandingly scenic drives there is- anywhere) then on the return, you can cut in via Shieldaig and travel across country and back over the Bealach road to Applecross.When leaving for Inverness, you can either return to Shieldaig that way for another dose of Torridon or make for Lochcarron and head that way for a different route.

An advantage of staying longer in the area is to up your chances of actually seeing it all in good weather!
A disadvantage is potentially traveling back and forward largely the same route - never a drawback to me as the scenery is outstanding plus the ever changing light and weather means it can all look very different in the afternoon compared to morning etc!

On my blog, you’ll have already seen the many and varied places you can visit and enjoy, short strolls too so I won’t repeat here.

Also, exactly what you do will be weather dependent but 2 nights allows that…eg if an absolute belter of a day as you travel from Skye then do your exploring that day(on the basis that things aren’t looking so great the 2nd day) …vice versa applies too of course.

That driving loop from Torridon(where we usually base) to Applecross via the Bealach then round the coast back to our cottage, has take us all day very often.Stopping to ooh and aah at the same points, strolling Sand Beach, lunch in the Inn…admiring the view from the top of the Bealach, maybe walking up to the Transmitter mast on a good track for even better views…I never tire of it.

I’ll add my tuppence worth into your journey to Mull query when I get a chance later.

‘ps: I wouldn't want to take that road in ugly weather . . .’

It’s fine though I admit I could probably drive it blindfold(well not quite!😀) It’s very well barriered. I’ve driven it in a minibus in snow and it was fine.It’s a main access route for residents and businesses to and from Applecross , is used a lot by commercial vehicles and so is kept well gritted and cleared in snow /ice.Not that those conditions are likely in mid summer! (Though we have had snow for one day in June , occasionally - never July , in my memory.)

Ok great. DH not over keen on single nighters so I think we will extend Applecross to two nights and good point re better weather options then too!
Cannot thank you ladies enough for your generosity in time and advice :)