Scottish Highlands
Jun 2nd, 2002 | 09:33 PM
#1
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Scottish Highlands
I am looking for tips for a 3-day driving tour of the Scottish Highlands. We would like to do a driving tour loop starting and ending in Edinburgh and have basically three days and three nights to be on the road and see the scenery. We'd like to either stay in one place for two nights and another place for one night or just stay in one place for three nights and make day trips from there each of the days.<BR><BR>What towns or hotels/inns/B&Bs do people recommend? We would prefer lodge or resort-like accomodations with amenities, roaring fire to watch the weather, beautiful views, etc. An atmospheric castle lodging sounds great too.<BR><BR>Lots of the books talk of Inverness, Glen Coe, etc. <BR><BR>We like beautiful scenery, history, castles, and want to have a relaxing time rather than a rush-to-see-everything time.<BR><BR>Any and all suggestions appreciated!<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>
Jun 3rd, 2002 | 06:43 AM
#3
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With three days, I would drive up through Glen Coe and find a base between Oban and Fort William on Loch Linnhe or nearby. There are some very nice country inns near Ballachulish--one called Ardno House I know of by reputation, but have not stayed there. Then I would drive out on the Road to the Isles (through Fort William; eat dinner at the Crannog at the pier in Fort William, wonderful fish) one day and down to Oban and take the ferry out to Mull, and maybe go out to Iona on the little passenger ferry. (No visit to the Highlands is complete without a trip on Cal-Mac.) There is a website with a clickable map that has Ardno House on it: http://www.aboutscotland.com/glencoe/ardno.html. There are a number of pricey places in the area (with golf courses, etc.) that you can find with a Web search on Ballachulish. The Ballachulish Hotel is an example of these--I've only eaten in the restaurant, but it was very nice and location is great. It's on the Web. http://www.freedomglen.co.uk/. I do think I remember a fireplace. Ok, I checked their site and they give excellent advice on places to go and things to do from the at base at the Ballachulish. If I didn't have to much to do in the office right now, I'd be on the next plane. Enjoy!<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
Jun 3rd, 2002 | 07:47 AM
#4
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Barbara's Suggestions are great. Do not stay IN Fort William - just basically a tourist stop off on the way to other places.<BR><BR>Ballacullish is a lovely area and convenient for Glen Coe (a "MUST") Glenfinnan, the area around Oban, even a day trip out to Skye. Near Ft William check out Neptune's staircase where there are eight locks connecting the River Lochy to Loch Linnhe. It is very interesting watching several boats navigating through the Locks all at different levels.<BR><BR>You couldn't go wrong with that suggestion - but another to consider is to Stay on the Dee - maybe around Ballater. Royal Deeside is also beautiful and you could visit Braemar Castle, Balmoral, Dufftown for the Glenfiddich Distillery, Huntly (a magnificent castle ruin). <BR><BR>Either base would be good - and for either I would stay the entire time in one location. There is so much to see nearby that you don't need to pack up and move one each night.<BR><BR>If I had to choose one it would be hard but the Ballaculish/Oban/Ft William area is really gorgeous.
Jun 3rd, 2002 | 08:01 AM
#5
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Polly<BR><BR>If you want to email me I've put stuff into documents I could send you.<BR><BR>Barabar's option is a good one. You might like to look at the Pierhouse at Port Appin or the Ardeonaig Hotel on loch Awe as alternatives.<BR><BR>A further choice might be somewhere like Kenmore on Loch Tay, or Dunkeld slightly further east for your one day stop. Kenmore Hotel is nice. You could do eatern Highlands from there. <BR><BR>Then go and stay on Skye- Hotel Eilean Iarmain would be a good choice and from there have a good look at Skye and the area on the mainland round Plockton and Lochcarron; then home again.<BR><BR>If you'd like some flesh on the bones of these let me know.
