Scotland -- I've tried and I can't figure it out!
 

Okay, I'm posting a new thread for a fresh start. Thanks to all who have already helped. (I have decided against Invernness and Lock Ness on your advice. And, decided to rent a car)

I just don't know why I can plan other trips (Costa Rica, India etc.) and can't get a handle on Scotland. Does anyone else have that problem?

Here's the deal. We fly into Edinburgh on a Saturday morning and leave the following Sunday afternoon. I am thinking of checking out of our Edinburgh hotel (the Sheraton)either Wednesday or Thursday.

I know what I would like to see in Edinburgh and know there is enough to stay there our entire trip. But, I would like to get a feel of different parts of the country.

Here'a the problem -- everything sounds so wonderful!! I would love to see St. Andrews and Loch Lomond, Oban, the Borders -- but I am leaning towards going to Skye ( I think). Is that too much to consider for a mere two or three nights?

Please someone just tell me what you would do! I feel "fuzzy" about this trip and I leave in three weeks!!!

Skye is too much for a two night trip.

Does that help?

I really don't think Skye is too far for a two-night visit. Obviously more time in the Highlands and Islands would be preferable, but you can only do what you can, and while the drive from Edinburgh to Skye is not a short one, it's not a killer, especially by N. American standards. You'll need to understand that part of the experience will be in seeing landscapes through the car windows, but that's not a terrible thing.

IIRC you're going in early September, so there will still be decent daylight in the north, and if you leave Edin. midweek and return on the weekend, but before Sunday evening, you ought to be okay in terms of traffic.

Not knowing your or your husband's schedules in detail, I'd only mention that St Andrews and the Fife coastal villages are generally doable as day trips from Edinburgh. The same goes for some of the East Lothian coastal villages, or Falkirk/Culross (interesting places themselves) or other destinations in the central belt.

<s>Falkirk.</s> Falk<b>land.</b> Doh.

I wrote this on another thread this morning:-&quot;There is a triangle which &quot;you folks&quot; do. Edinburgh, Inverness, Skye and home. It's OK. I guess I've got to the point where I think it's pretty hackneyed, but the fact is you do it for a reason. Skye is popular, IMO, not just for the slightly cheesey Charlie connection, but for the spectacular scenery, expecially the mountains. So; do that. And finish off in Glasgow. Spend the evening in the Scotia Bar or the Clutha Vaults, and enjoy yourself.&quot;

You can certainly go to Skye for 3 days. 2, you could do it, but would you want to?

You have the time - but I might suggest less time in Edinburgh to make it easier/more enjoyable.

To Preface: I LOVE (<b>adore</b>) Edinburgh.

But it is a compact city and you can see most of the major sites in 2 or 3 days - and that is w/o dashing about. So if you leave Edinburgh on Tuesday early a.m., you will have plenty of time to see Glencoe, lots of lochs, and Skye, and even more Tues to Sat.

Then starting Sat afternoon, wend your way back towards EDI to fly out Sunday a.m.

Janisj--I would love to leave earlier. But, my husband has a conference so we have to stay until Wednesday morning at least.

Sheila -- I had read that post of yours and lost some enthusiasm for the Inveness/Culloden/Skye triangle. So I decided to break out of that American mold and only do Skye:) But, I don't know if it is worth the hike.

Ackislander -- do you think three nights makes it worth it?
Gardyloo -- I was thinking of doing St. Andrews and Stirling Castle as a day trip. Or, on the drive up.

I was very interested in seeing Rosslyn chapel too. And of course, towns like Culkirk sound gorgeous.

I just can't decide!! I want to experience Scotland's mystical, dramatic scenic beauty (assorted kinds)and see castles that are decorated and those that are just dramatic ruins. I'd love to see abbeys and distillery's and I'm worried that I won't get another chance.

So many places so little time.

A couple of more thinks-- Sheila are you suggesting spending the night before we leave in Glasgow or just eating there and heading back?

.

I see there the play the Three Sisters is being performed as part of the festival. Are there ever last minute seats available?

I might well stay overnight in Glasgow were it me. It's not that tough a drive back to the airport. Have a look at the Central Highlands- north Perthshire- for a more accessible option for your country trip.

There are still tickets for each of the Three Sisters performances available and you can buy online

Here goes (finally) with a tentative itinerary --
(given an initial nod by the wonderful Janis -- but any other suggestions would be appreciated)

Day 1-4 Edinburgh (including one day trip to Rosslyn and another to St. Andrews)
Day 5 -- Go to airport to rent car and head to Stirling Palace -- tour palace have lunch head towards Oban (possibly stop en route) - Overnight in Oban area.
(Any suggestions for clean places with private baths, beautiful views and decent food? I actually have no accomodations for the last three nights booked)
Day 6 -- head towards Kyle to take Bridge to Skye. Perhaps a stop in Plockton. Stay in Skye go to distillery. Take a boat ride (any suggestions for one with good wildlife spotting possibilities?)
Day 7-- Skye-- see Cullins, walk or perhaps take a horseback ride -- Relax
Day 8 -- Depart from Skye and see Eileen Donan -- Come back through Glencoe and Trossachs (beautiful drive?)

Overnight Edinburgh or Falkirk or Culross or Du??

Day 9 -- Take flight at 1:45 from Edinburgh back home.

I would love any and all suggestions, especially regarding accomodations and good things to see en route.

ttt

Okay -- I think we'll stay at the Du Na Mara in Oban on our way up to Skye. They only have a twin with a limited view available. But, it seems like a lovely place. Plus, it should be no more than 2 1/2 hours from Skye.

Any thoughts/opinions?

Scotland is beautiful, much more so than Ireland. The lowlands are lovely to drive through with every turn bringing a different landscape and each market town something to explore. The highlands are fascinating, wooded to the south, they gradually open up and become almost bare moonscapes as you move more northward. The craigs have waterfalls tumbling down them and you well might see a stag at the top - we did. Just keep in mind that to cover as much as you have mentioned might take more time than you have alotted. Driving in the highlands takes more time than you think. The roads narrow and turn and getting from one point to another is much slower than on an American highway.

I loved Skye as it almost is like a miniature of Scotland. Try to find somewhere old to stay and you will feel the romance of the country. Whatever you do will be wonderful, relax and have a lovely time.

Thanks. I am having lots of trouble finding accomodatios with availabilty.

Du Na Mara was booked by the time they got my email asking how to give them my credit card info.

I hope I don't have to change my itinerary based on lack of availabilty of accomodations.

There are tons of places offering accommodation in Oban. Lots have views. You should be able to find something. I am in Scotland now, so don't know if I can access my past travel info, but I will try to check for the name of the hotel that we stayed. I am not sure they have parking, however, and having a view is nice. There are places with parking on the esplanade, but not all have it.

Misha: Instead of contacting lots of different places on spec -- here is the website for the Oban Tourist Information Office. http://www.scottish-towns.co.uk/argy.../t-office.html

You can e-mail or phone the TIO and they will know who has rooms available and who doesn't - and can even make the booking for you.

Thanks Noe if you find that it would be great!

Janis I'll do that. I did do something like that through undiscovered Scotland I think and no one got back to me.
Let's see.

Undiscovered Scotland is a website that has evolved over the last 7 or 8 years from one woman's labor of love into a major resource about Scotland - but it is not a booking agency or anything like that. It is sort of a clearing house of info.

The Oban TIO on the other hand, is the actual brick and mortar office in Oban where you would go to look for accomodations and other info.

Different animals altogether . . . . .

misha, I was going to suggest the tourist information center, so I'm glad that janisj had the contact info.

We stayed at the Palace, and had a beautiful view over the harbor. Rooms in Oban aren't inexpensive, though.

Thanks Janis and Noe -- I'll look into both those things. One question though -- do you think it is overly ambitious to hope to make it to Oban on the same day that I leave Edinburgh, go to Stirling, and drive around Lock Lommond etc?

I know many people, including Overlook farm, have mentioned that drive times are not neccassarily what they seem to be and I hate to be rushed.