Scotland - Need help in planning a two week itinerary
Dec 28th, 2009, 06:34 PM
#1
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Scotland - Need help in planning a two week itinerary
My wife & I am planning a two week trip to Scotland for May 2010. We want to spend a good deal of the time in the Highlands and don't want to have to drive too long (maximum 3 hours) between overnight destinations. We are keen on history, walking & nature.
Our initial thoughts are as follows:
Glasgow 2 nights,
Dunoon or Inveraray 1 night,
Glencoe area 1 night,
Isle of Skye 3 nights, (is this too long?)
Ullapool 1 night,
Dornoch or Inverness 2 nights,
Pitlochry 2 nights,
St Andrews 2 nights
For accommodation, we would use good quality B+B's & would also like to sample some nights in country house hotels.
I am open to any comments (critical or otherwise) & would welcome any suggestions.
Thanks.
Our initial thoughts are as follows:
Glasgow 2 nights,
Dunoon or Inveraray 1 night,
Glencoe area 1 night,
Isle of Skye 3 nights, (is this too long?)
Ullapool 1 night,
Dornoch or Inverness 2 nights,
Pitlochry 2 nights,
St Andrews 2 nights
For accommodation, we would use good quality B+B's & would also like to sample some nights in country house hotels.
I am open to any comments (critical or otherwise) & would welcome any suggestions.
Thanks.
Dec 28th, 2009, 11:02 PM
#2
Your plan looks quite good. My only concern would be Pitlochry. There are nicer places in the same general area. Dunkeld, Aberfeldy, Kenmore would each be better IMO than Pitlochry. Dunkeld would be lovely. Also - Inverness is a good base for touring that part of the country -- but I personally would not stay IN Inverness. Anywhere in the countryside w/i about 10 or 15 miles in any direction would be better than in central Inverness.
3 nights is great for Skye
Do you already have some accommodations in mind or are you looking for suggestions? What is your budget?
3 nights is great for Skye
Do you already have some accommodations in mind or are you looking for suggestions? What is your budget?
Dec 29th, 2009, 04:34 AM
#3
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Macnivision you may or may not find something of interest in my UK trip report which included parts of Scotland - all with photos. We did make use of a small motorhome but that wouldn't make too much difference as you also want to drive.
The time of the year travelled was May 2008 - hopefully you will also have the glorious weather we enjoyed!
http://tinyurl.com/cwarzw
The time of the year travelled was May 2008 - hopefully you will also have the glorious weather we enjoyed!
http://tinyurl.com/cwarzw
Dec 29th, 2009, 04:42 AM
#4
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Am I missing something? No Edinburgh?
3 nights is what we did for Skye, I thought it was good. 2 nights in Pitlochry sounds like a lot. We did one night there, and I actually did like it there despite what everyone on here says.
I found Dunkeld to be too small for me (we had lunch there), whereas Pitlochry had a lot of restaurants within walking distance of our Inn, a piping band in the street, lots of shops where I could buy gifts for home etc. It wasn't too crowded for us either, since we got there around dinner time and everyone was at the theater, and we left at about noon the next day.
I loved St. Andrews, but I also loved Perth too and I wished we had stayed in Perth. Maybe a night in Pitlochry and a night in Perth? OR, cut Pitlochry down to 1 night and give Glencoe two nights. Glencoe was amazing, and I wished we had had longer there. I would highly recommend the Nevis Mtn. Range gondola ride.
Oh, and also if you are in the Pitlochry area, make sure you go to the Drummond Castle Gardens. They were magnificant! My pics are here if you are interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...7621786086269/
3 nights is what we did for Skye, I thought it was good. 2 nights in Pitlochry sounds like a lot. We did one night there, and I actually did like it there despite what everyone on here says.
I found Dunkeld to be too small for me (we had lunch there), whereas Pitlochry had a lot of restaurants within walking distance of our Inn, a piping band in the street, lots of shops where I could buy gifts for home etc. It wasn't too crowded for us either, since we got there around dinner time and everyone was at the theater, and we left at about noon the next day. I loved St. Andrews, but I also loved Perth too and I wished we had stayed in Perth. Maybe a night in Pitlochry and a night in Perth? OR, cut Pitlochry down to 1 night and give Glencoe two nights. Glencoe was amazing, and I wished we had had longer there. I would highly recommend the Nevis Mtn. Range gondola ride.
Oh, and also if you are in the Pitlochry area, make sure you go to the Drummond Castle Gardens. They were magnificant! My pics are here if you are interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...7621786086269/
Dec 29th, 2009, 04:44 AM
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Also, the Craigatin House in Pitlochry was fabulous. They've won Best in Europe (I think for TripAdvisor) for Guest House (I think that is the category).
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Scotland.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Scotland.html
Dec 29th, 2009, 04:45 AM
#6
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And we stayed at the Pineapple House B&B (don't let the name fool you, it was really nice) for exploring glencoe, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Scotland.html.
Dec 29th, 2009, 02:13 PM
#7
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Thanks for the prompt replies.
JANISJ - We are looking for suggestions on accommodation. We would like to stay in very good B+Bs or country house hotels. We do not like accommodation to be too pretentious but at same time enjoy good style & pleasant surroundings. We are prepared to pay up to to US$250 a night if necessary but if we can find something appropriate for less, that would be better.
Have you suggestions on where to stay 10 to 15 miles from Inverness?
AMELIE - No Edinburgh this trip because we had five days there few years ago. We do enjoy visiting gardens so we will add Drummond Castle to our list.
We might give Dunoon or Inveraray a miss & drive straight to the Glencoe area for two nights.
Pineapple House looks good. Where did you stay in St Andrews?
Regards,
JANISJ - We are looking for suggestions on accommodation. We would like to stay in very good B+Bs or country house hotels. We do not like accommodation to be too pretentious but at same time enjoy good style & pleasant surroundings. We are prepared to pay up to to US$250 a night if necessary but if we can find something appropriate for less, that would be better.
Have you suggestions on where to stay 10 to 15 miles from Inverness?
AMELIE - No Edinburgh this trip because we had five days there few years ago. We do enjoy visiting gardens so we will add Drummond Castle to our list.
We might give Dunoon or Inveraray a miss & drive straight to the Glencoe area for two nights.
Pineapple House looks good. Where did you stay in St Andrews?
Regards,
Dec 29th, 2009, 02:21 PM
#8
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Inverewe Gardens are lovely...
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/36/
and this is a good place to stay...
http://www.cnoc-na-faire.co.uk/
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/36/
and this is a good place to stay...
http://www.cnoc-na-faire.co.uk/
Dec 29th, 2009, 02:52 PM
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Another choice for Ullapool area: http://www.braemoresquare.com/index.htm
We were underwhelmed by the Ferry Boat Inn's restaurant / pub in Ullapool, if you're looking for places to eat.
We were underwhelmed by the Ferry Boat Inn's restaurant / pub in Ullapool, if you're looking for places to eat.
Dec 29th, 2009, 02:55 PM
#10
That is a very generous budget. There will be loads of nice places well below that $250 - £150/£160-ish.
I have several files on upscale places on the NW coast, around Inverness, and in central Scotland near Drummond Castle Garden (and absolute must IMO).
Getting ready for a dinner party so it will probably be late tonight or tomorrow morning before I can get back to this. But others will also have good ideas . . . .
I have several files on upscale places on the NW coast, around Inverness, and in central Scotland near Drummond Castle Garden (and absolute must IMO).
Getting ready for a dinner party so it will probably be late tonight or tomorrow morning before I can get back to this. But others will also have good ideas . . . .
Dec 29th, 2009, 03:38 PM
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For a place near Inverness, try Culloden House Hotel www.cullodenhouse.co.uk
I've never stayed there but have always wanted to. It does get great reviews.
I've never stayed there but have always wanted to. It does get great reviews.
Dec 29th, 2009, 03:50 PM
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Posted too soon. If looking for similar accommodations on Skye try Toravaig House Hotel www.skyehotel.co.uk or Duisdale House run by the same people. www.duisdale.com
Also on Skye the Eilean Iarmin www.eileaniarmain.co.uk
All of the above are excellent places to stay IMO. I haven't stayed there, but The House Over-By The Three Chimneys has a couple of rooms that looks interesting, and I do know that their restaurant is good. www.threechimneys.co.uk
Also on Skye the Eilean Iarmin www.eileaniarmain.co.uk
All of the above are excellent places to stay IMO. I haven't stayed there, but The House Over-By The Three Chimneys has a couple of rooms that looks interesting, and I do know that their restaurant is good. www.threechimneys.co.uk
Dec 29th, 2009, 05:47 PM
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The three suggestions for Skye accommodation by 'historytraveler' all look wonderful. But I am wondering if I would not be better off staying in a more central part of the Isle to make it easier for sightseeing as we will only be there for three nights?
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Jan 13th, 2010, 03:37 PM
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http://www.peinmorehouse.co.uk/
Great B&B just outside of Portree. We stayed 3 nights last year and would certainly stay again.
Great B&B just outside of Portree. We stayed 3 nights last year and would certainly stay again.
Jan 18th, 2010, 01:22 PM
#16
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Thanks for all the help.
Is the far north worth visiting? We are now thinking we may go right up to Wick or Thurso, then back down along the west coast to Ullapool & then on to Skye.
Janisj - you said earlier in this thread "I have several files on upscale places on the NW coast, around Inverness, and in central Scotland near Drummond Castle Garden (and absolute must IMO)."
Could you elaborate please?
Cheers, Mac
Is the far north worth visiting? We are now thinking we may go right up to Wick or Thurso, then back down along the west coast to Ullapool & then on to Skye.
Janisj - you said earlier in this thread "I have several files on upscale places on the NW coast, around Inverness, and in central Scotland near Drummond Castle Garden (and absolute must IMO)."
Could you elaborate please?
Cheers, Mac
Jan 18th, 2010, 02:43 PM
#17
Sorry - I completely forgot . . .
these are all 4 star or above B&Bs (and a couple of hotels) all around the NW from Inverness to the Gairloch, and Loch Tay/Earn. Some are expensive/posh and some are downright cheap - but all are nice.
http://www.thesheilingullapool.co.uk/
http://www.braemoresquare.com/
http://www.castlecottagebandb.co.uk/index.html
http://www.theoldmillhighlandlodge.co.uk/
http://www.theclachan.co.uk/
http://www.auldpostoffice.com/#0
http://www.veyatie-scotland.co.uk/
http://www.cullodenhouse.co.uk/
http://www.ard-na-coille.co.uk/
http://www.evergreenlochness.co.uk/index.php
http://www.ghillieslodge.com/index.html
http://www.tighnabruach.com/
http://www.dunfallandy.co.uk/
http://home.btconnect.com/letterfarm/index.htm
these are all 4 star or above B&Bs (and a couple of hotels) all around the NW from Inverness to the Gairloch, and Loch Tay/Earn. Some are expensive/posh and some are downright cheap - but all are nice.
http://www.thesheilingullapool.co.uk/
http://www.braemoresquare.com/
http://www.castlecottagebandb.co.uk/index.html
http://www.theoldmillhighlandlodge.co.uk/
http://www.theclachan.co.uk/
http://www.auldpostoffice.com/#0
http://www.veyatie-scotland.co.uk/
http://www.cullodenhouse.co.uk/
http://www.ard-na-coille.co.uk/
http://www.evergreenlochness.co.uk/index.php
http://www.ghillieslodge.com/index.html
http://www.tighnabruach.com/
http://www.dunfallandy.co.uk/
http://home.btconnect.com/letterfarm/index.htm
Jan 19th, 2010, 12:36 PM
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I went to Scotland and spent 3 weeks around the country. If you check out my trip report, you will get info on the places I stayed (I highly recommend the place in Skye we stayed, Lodges at Edinbane!), and all the other little bits and bobs that might help. Good luck!
And yes, 3 nights for Skye is fine
And yes, 3 nights for Skye is fine
