Scotland Itinerary - is this realistic?
Dec 20th, 2008, 08:42 AM
#21
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OK here is what I want to do. See the Scottish Highlands. We have previously been to Edinburgh but that is it. Any advice from the experts on what we can see in about 4 and a half days is appreciated. I would prefer to stay somewhere at least a couple of days and base out of there so we don't wear ourselves out. Thanks!
Dec 20th, 2008, 08:54 AM
#22
OK - you could go (quite literally) hundreds of different places and all would be great.
But the quick and dirty is w/ 4+ days just pick two spots and stay 2 nights in each. You can't see the whole country anyway so w/ 2+ days in 2 different areas you could see a little more of a few places.
I'd probably pick one 2-night base outside of Inverness. Any base w/i a 25 mile radius of there would give you access to TONS of scenery and things to do. Don't stay IN Inverness though
Then for the other 2-night stop - I stay somewhere maybe between Glencoe and Oban or farther east/inland like on Loch Tay or in Dunkeld.
These two bases, one in the north and one more central would let you cover a lot of ground w/o having to pack and move every day.
I'd skip Skye simply for the logistics - you only have 4+ days and then have to get way down south in England.
You can fly south from either I'ness or Glasgow so you can do your 2-night stops in either order.
But the quick and dirty is w/ 4+ days just pick two spots and stay 2 nights in each. You can't see the whole country anyway so w/ 2+ days in 2 different areas you could see a little more of a few places.
I'd probably pick one 2-night base outside of Inverness. Any base w/i a 25 mile radius of there would give you access to TONS of scenery and things to do. Don't stay IN Inverness though
Then for the other 2-night stop - I stay somewhere maybe between Glencoe and Oban or farther east/inland like on Loch Tay or in Dunkeld.
These two bases, one in the north and one more central would let you cover a lot of ground w/o having to pack and move every day.
I'd skip Skye simply for the logistics - you only have 4+ days and then have to get way down south in England.
You can fly south from either I'ness or Glasgow so you can do your 2-night stops in either order.
Dec 21st, 2008, 09:58 AM
#24
Not knowing your budget, here are few good ones to get you started:
http://www.lochearnhouse.co.uk/ is at the western end of Loch Earn so is in a convenient location to tour to Glencoe, the Trossachs, the Perthshire mountains/lochs, Killin, or as far as Oban.
This one is in Killin - http://www.breadalbanehouse.com/
And this one is a beautiful place just south of Ballacullish/Glencoe - http://www.ardnohouse.co.uk/
For up near Inverness:
This one is very close to Culloden and everything else in the area. They train border collies and you can watch them working sheep, and have Highland cattle. http://www.leanachfarm.co.uk/
This one is west of Inverness south of Beauly and convenient for the Black Isle, Glen Affric and most everything else around Inverness. http://www.farmstay-highlands.co.uk/cherrytrees.htm
http://www.lochearnhouse.co.uk/ is at the western end of Loch Earn so is in a convenient location to tour to Glencoe, the Trossachs, the Perthshire mountains/lochs, Killin, or as far as Oban.
This one is in Killin - http://www.breadalbanehouse.com/
And this one is a beautiful place just south of Ballacullish/Glencoe - http://www.ardnohouse.co.uk/
For up near Inverness:
This one is very close to Culloden and everything else in the area. They train border collies and you can watch them working sheep, and have Highland cattle. http://www.leanachfarm.co.uk/
This one is west of Inverness south of Beauly and convenient for the Black Isle, Glen Affric and most everything else around Inverness. http://www.farmstay-highlands.co.uk/cherrytrees.htm
Dec 21st, 2008, 02:40 PM
#27
yes - (both the steam and the regular train over the same route)
Now - you're adding things/places again
The train trip is wonderful - but it will take up a most of a whole day out to Mallaig and then back again to your starting point. Plus if you take the Steam train you miss the bits across Rannoch moor that are maybe even more amazing then the route from Ft William to Mallaig. Plus if you are ON the train, you can't SEE the train (well you can see a bit on the curves)
W/ such a short visit, I'd instead consider driving out the A830 to Glenfinnan and take photos of the train passing over the viaduct.
Now - you're adding things/places again
The train trip is wonderful - but it will take up a most of a whole day out to Mallaig and then back again to your starting point. Plus if you take the Steam train you miss the bits across Rannoch moor that are maybe even more amazing then the route from Ft William to Mallaig. Plus if you are ON the train, you can't SEE the train (well you can see a bit on the curves)
W/ such a short visit, I'd instead consider driving out the A830 to Glenfinnan and take photos of the train passing over the viaduct.
Dec 22nd, 2008, 07:15 AM
#29
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Wow janisj I really appreciate your input. I think I finally have the beginning of a workable plan here:
Mon: Edinburgh to Stirling. Tour Stirling Castle. Overnight Stirling
Tues: Drive to Ft William, Tour Glencoe
Wed: Drive Ft William to Glenfinnian or rail to Maillag
Thur: Drive to Inverness Area, Glen Affric, Loch Ness area
Fri: Inverness area
Sat: Inverness flight to Bristol. Advice about great sights in the Inverness area besides Glen Affric?
Mon: Edinburgh to Stirling. Tour Stirling Castle. Overnight Stirling
Tues: Drive to Ft William, Tour Glencoe
Wed: Drive Ft William to Glenfinnian or rail to Maillag
Thur: Drive to Inverness Area, Glen Affric, Loch Ness area
Fri: Inverness area
Sat: Inverness flight to Bristol. Advice about great sights in the Inverness area besides Glen Affric?
Dec 22nd, 2008, 07:32 AM
#30
I'd tweak a bit more really.
Stirling is a short drive from Edinburgh. No reason to stay there that night at all. There are other things to see in the area for sure, but if it is just Stirling Castle you want, you can do that in less than 1/2 a day. You could leave Edinburgh in the AM, tour Stirling Castle all morning, have lunch there and be on the road by 1 or 1:30 easy or definitely by 2 PM Then drive through the Trossachs and Glencoe and stay in Glencoe or near Ballacullish. Much nicer than staying in Stirling.
Then the next day you can coordinate your driving tour w/ the steam train's schedule so you can be out by Glenfinnan when it passes by.
You could easily drive up to Inverness that afternoon.
So it would look something like:
<b>Mon:</b> Edinburgh to Stirling. Tour Stirling Castle. Drive through the Trossachs to Glencoe. Stay in Glencoe or Ballacullish
<b>Tues:</b> Drive through Ft William to Glenfinnian. Explore the general area for several hours then drive up to Inverness in the late afternoon along Loch Ness. See Urquhart Castle enroute.
<b>Wed- Fri</b>: Inverness area -- Glen Affric, Black Isle, Fort George, Culloden, Clava Cairns, etc etc.
<b>Sat AM:</b> Your flight to Bristol.
Or - slowing down a bit at the beginning and speeding up a bit at the end:
Mon night could be spent in/near Callander so you could see Stirling, Doune and Inchmahome Priory. you'd have 1.5 days in the area then in the afternoon drive on to Glencoe.
Tues night in/near Ballacullish. Wed. Explore the general area/Glenfinnan/see the train then drive up to Inverness Wed afternoon.
Ending up w/ Thurs and Fri to explore the Inverness area.
It will be light quite late so you can see amazing scenery even after the "sites" have closed.
Stirling is a short drive from Edinburgh. No reason to stay there that night at all. There are other things to see in the area for sure, but if it is just Stirling Castle you want, you can do that in less than 1/2 a day. You could leave Edinburgh in the AM, tour Stirling Castle all morning, have lunch there and be on the road by 1 or 1:30 easy or definitely by 2 PM Then drive through the Trossachs and Glencoe and stay in Glencoe or near Ballacullish. Much nicer than staying in Stirling.
Then the next day you can coordinate your driving tour w/ the steam train's schedule so you can be out by Glenfinnan when it passes by.
You could easily drive up to Inverness that afternoon.
So it would look something like:
<b>Mon:</b> Edinburgh to Stirling. Tour Stirling Castle. Drive through the Trossachs to Glencoe. Stay in Glencoe or Ballacullish
<b>Tues:</b> Drive through Ft William to Glenfinnian. Explore the general area for several hours then drive up to Inverness in the late afternoon along Loch Ness. See Urquhart Castle enroute.
<b>Wed- Fri</b>: Inverness area -- Glen Affric, Black Isle, Fort George, Culloden, Clava Cairns, etc etc.
<b>Sat AM:</b> Your flight to Bristol.
Or - slowing down a bit at the beginning and speeding up a bit at the end:
Mon night could be spent in/near Callander so you could see Stirling, Doune and Inchmahome Priory. you'd have 1.5 days in the area then in the afternoon drive on to Glencoe.
Tues night in/near Ballacullish. Wed. Explore the general area/Glenfinnan/see the train then drive up to Inverness Wed afternoon.
Ending up w/ Thurs and Fri to explore the Inverness area.
It will be light quite late so you can see amazing scenery even after the "sites" have closed.
Dec 22nd, 2008, 01:45 PM
#31
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My comment about going direct to Stirling was based on the belief that the only reason you were going to Glasgow was to catch a flight.
Therefore if you took my advice and made the trip a linear one from Edinburgh to Inverness then flew from Inverness to Bristol you would have no need to go anywhere near Glasgow |& hence go direct to Stirling from Edinburgh
Therefore if you took my advice and made the trip a linear one from Edinburgh to Inverness then flew from Inverness to Bristol you would have no need to go anywhere near Glasgow |& hence go direct to Stirling from Edinburgh
Dec 24th, 2008, 05:59 AM
#32
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Janisj this is such great advice and the books I have been reading on this have made us decide we are going to be there Monday to Sunday. Is Inverness worth staying in for the last night?
Dec 24th, 2008, 07:56 AM
#33
Oh good, spending just a bit more time in the area will help a lot.
As for staying in Inverness the last night - mostly depends on what time your flight is. But actually one of the B&Bs I suggested (L eanach farm) is closer to Inverness airport. The airport is up near Ft George so staying IN the city itself is not a big advantage. Staying anywhere between Nairn/Culloden/Inverness will be close to the airport. It will partly depend on where you drop your car off. If at the airport, then no, I probably wouldn't stay IN the city.
If you are dropping the car off in Inverness the day before, then a last night in the city and a taxi to the airport is another option.
As for staying in Inverness the last night - mostly depends on what time your flight is. But actually one of the B&Bs I suggested (L eanach farm) is closer to Inverness airport. The airport is up near Ft George so staying IN the city itself is not a big advantage. Staying anywhere between Nairn/Culloden/Inverness will be close to the airport. It will partly depend on where you drop your car off. If at the airport, then no, I probably wouldn't stay IN the city.
If you are dropping the car off in Inverness the day before, then a last night in the city and a taxi to the airport is another option.
Dec 27th, 2008, 01:53 PM
#34
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I think I am finally getting there. One thing I forgot to tell you is I don't think we will be out of the Edinburgh airport with our car before noon. So here is what I have: Mon: Edinburgh to Stirling. Tour Stirling Castle, Overnight near Doune
Tue: Inchmahome Priory Drive to Trossachs Drive to Tour Glencoe, Stay in Ballacullish
Wed: Drive to Glenfinnian, see the train Drive to Inverness along Loch Ness Stay at Leanach Farm
Thu: See Urquhart Castle Glen Affric, Black Isle Stay at Leanach Farm
Fri: Inverness area, Fort George, Culloden, Clava Cairns Stay at Leanach Farm
Sat: Stay at Leanach Farm
Sun: Inverness flight to Bristol
Tue: Inchmahome Priory Drive to Trossachs Drive to Tour Glencoe, Stay in Ballacullish
Wed: Drive to Glenfinnian, see the train Drive to Inverness along Loch Ness Stay at Leanach Farm
Thu: See Urquhart Castle Glen Affric, Black Isle Stay at Leanach Farm
Fri: Inverness area, Fort George, Culloden, Clava Cairns Stay at Leanach Farm
Sat: Stay at Leanach Farm
Sun: Inverness flight to Bristol
Dec 27th, 2008, 02:43 PM
#35
That is a really nice plan.
Even w/ a noon-ish arrival at EDI you will be fine. You <i>might</i> even make it to Doune from Stirling in time to tour the castle. But Stirling does take a fair amount of time, so maybe not.
The rest of the itinerary really doesn't have any rush-rush days.
Even w/ a noon-ish arrival at EDI you will be fine. You <i>might</i> even make it to Doune from Stirling in time to tour the castle. But Stirling does take a fair amount of time, so maybe not.
The rest of the itinerary really doesn't have any rush-rush days.
Dec 28th, 2008, 02:04 PM
#37
not having stayed at either one (I normally stay a week at a time in the area in rental cottages) - but having seen Leanach in person and knowing exactly where Cherry Trees is --
• Cherry Trees is cheaper, and is in a beautiful rural area. It is well located for things to the west of Inverness/Loch Ness but also w/i reasonable drives to the east.
• Leanach is a bit more upscale (neither one is "posh"
has higher rates and is well located for easy access to main roads. Because of being so close to Culloden and having the working Border Collies - it is a very popular place and can book up early.
I think you would be happy either place - but it would mostly depend on which has availability for your dates. I <i>might</i> lean ever so slightly to Leanach simply because of the dogs. But Cherry Trees is also a working farm --
• Cherry Trees is cheaper, and is in a beautiful rural area. It is well located for things to the west of Inverness/Loch Ness but also w/i reasonable drives to the east.
• Leanach is a bit more upscale (neither one is "posh"
has higher rates and is well located for easy access to main roads. Because of being so close to Culloden and having the working Border Collies - it is a very popular place and can book up early. I think you would be happy either place - but it would mostly depend on which has availability for your dates. I <i>might</i> lean ever so slightly to Leanach simply because of the dogs. But Cherry Trees is also a working farm --
Dec 28th, 2008, 02:31 PM
#38
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You are an absolute font of knowledge! One other place I found in Nairn was this one: http://www.bracadalehouse.com/contactform.htm#. Know anything about it It looks very nice.
Dec 28th, 2008, 03:45 PM
#39
I don't know it - but it does look very nice. I do wish the website had more details.
I plugged the post code into mappy and it is on the west side of town near the Nairn Golf Club and close to the Firth. The few house pictures they do provide, it looks nice.
I plugged the post code into mappy and it is on the west side of town near the Nairn Golf Club and close to the Firth. The few house pictures they do provide, it looks nice.
Dec 28th, 2008, 05:31 PM
#40
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Don't know what your budget is, but we have booked the Invernairne in Nairn for our trip in April.
www.invernairne.com
It overlooks the Moray Firth and has a private path down to the beach.
www.invernairne.com
It overlooks the Moray Firth and has a private path down to the beach.
