Scotland Itinerary - please help with the "final" pass.
 

Hello everyone. I’m putting the finishing touches on my itinerary for a vacation in Scotland. My sister and I will be traveling the last two weeks in September. Here is what I have so far…

Day 1 (Sat). Arrive Edinburgh late afternoon. Check-in at B&B in New Town, take a city bus tour for orientation of city.

Day 2 & 3 (Sun, Mon). Tour Edinburgh.

Day 4 (Tue). Train to Linlithgow, visit Palace. Any suggestions for the remainder of this day?

Day 5 (Wed). Open

Day 6 (Thu). Train/ferry to Isle of Mull.
Day 7 & 8 (Fri, Sat). Rent car, tour Mull & Iona.

Day 9 (Sun). Train/ferry to Isle of Skye.
Day 10 & 11 (Mon, Tue). Two day guided tour of Skye.

Day 12 (Wed). Train from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness. Visit Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle. Overnight at Castle Stuart.

Day 13 & 14 (Thu, Fri). Open.

Day 15 (Sat). Edinburgh - early 6:00 flight home.

I’ve already booked accommodation for 5 nights in Edinburgh, 3 nights Mull, 3 nights Skye, 1 night Inverness and 2 days car rental on Mull and 2 days for a guide on Skye. We have to be back in Edinburgh Friday evening because we have an early flight home on Sat. I’m wondering what to do with Day 5, 13 & 14. I had originally thought about taking a train from Edinburgh to Stonehaven to see Dunnottar Castle but that would mean 4 hrs on a train and I’m not sure that is a good use of our time. Any suggestions for Day 5? Then there is Day 13 & 14. Should we take a train from Inverness to Aberdeen, overnight in Aberdeen and stop at Stonehaven on our way back to Edinburgh on Friday? Or would it be better to take the train from Inverness to Edinburgh with stops at Perth / Blair Atholl / Culross? I also want to spend time in Sterling which could be done on Day 5. We are somewhat limited because we won’t be driving except for the two days on Mull. So whatever we do will have to fit in with train/bus schedules. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

On Day 5, you could take the train to Stirling and see Stirling Castle and the Wallace Memorial.

It may be possible to do this on Day 4 after Linlithgow, but I don't know about the train schedules. Someone else may be able to help with that.

After your visit to Linlithgow Palace, you could walk round the loch; it will only take less than an hour. If you're restricted to train travel (ie you don't want to hire a car or take expensive taxi excursions) why not then take the train to Falkirk? It's not as picturesque as Linlithgow but a visit to Callendar House (take a taxi from Falkirk High Station) is well worthwhile and the grounds of Callendar Park are lovely.

Why isn't Glasgow on your itinerary? If you haven't been, it's not to be missed!

I would add Stirling and combine that with your day to Linlithgow.

Day 5 could be as suggested a trip to Glasgow as there are a number of places to visit there, alternatively a day out to St Andrews. It is a nice place to visit as it can be seen at a more leisurely pace, more especially if you have an interest in golf.

If you go to Falkirk, you should see the Falkirk Wheel.

On your free day, given your preference for train/bus travel, I'd suggest Glasgow and the hop on hop off bus

How are you getting by train/ferry from Oban to Skye?

For the two days free in between Inverness and Skye, I suggest you base yourself in Perth and make day trips north from there; or in Aberdeen and make day trips west from there- castles are us!

Okay we will consider Glasgow on Day 5. Is there time for Sterling after Linlithgow on Day 4? I've been to St. Andrews on my last visit in 2002 so don't care to return there this time. I had thought about returning to the Borders area though but felt it probably isn't doable without a car unless we hire a guide.

If you had to pick a spot on Day 13 & 14 would you choose Aberdeen as a base and the nearby sights or Perth? Keeping in mind no car.

We will be driving while on Mull, or I should say my sister will be driving, and maybe she will feel brave enough to continue. I'm not brave enough.

From Oban we will take the train to Ft.William, then Mallaig and then the ferry to Armadale.

We are still in London but spent five days earlier this week in Scotland. We really enjoyed our day in St. Andrews and East Neuk but I can understand that you'd prefer not to repeat. Could you find a tour (there seemed to be quite a few small busses) that would take you out to Callendar and the Trossachs for the day? The scenery is lovely and Callendar is a nice little tourist town.

Lucky you!!

I am sure you checked it out, but Scottish Citylink has a good coach service between Oban and Ft. William taking about 1 1/2 hours.