Scottish Highlands and Islands itinerary advice please!
 

I would be most grateful for any advice.
We are a couple travelling from Glasgow and returning to Glasgow.
We will not have a car and have studied the timetables for trains, buses and ferries.
We like to walk but not hike per se, and appreciate scenery, good food and cultural sites.

We are not sure if the tight bus/ferry times (local buses) are set in stone or whether some flexibility is involved. If the bus is 10 minutes late does the ferry wait? If the ferry is late does the bus wait?

Monday
8:21am train from Glasgow to Oban arriving at 11:27am
Ferry from Oban to Craignure departing at 11:45am and arriving at 12:41pm
Bus from Craignure to Fionnphort leaving at 12:49pm and arriving at 2:00pm.
2:00pm Boat trip to Staffa, returning at 4:30pm..
Stay in Fionnphort

Tuesday
8:45am or 9:55am ferry to Iona.
3:25pm bus from Fionnphort to Craignure arriving at 4:35pm and leaving at 4:56pm to Tobermory arriving at 5:45pm.
Stay in Tobermory.

Wednesday
Mull..working on itinerary

Thursday
Mull..working on itinerary

Friday
9:40am bus to Criagnure arriving at 10:28am
10:55am ferry to Oban arriving at 11:41am
12:40pm West Coast Motors bus to Fort William arriving at 14:09pm
4:19pm train from Fort William to Mallaig arriving at 5:44pm

Saturday
9:30am or 10:55am ferry from Mallaig to Armadale arriving at 11:00am or 11:25am
Half day tour of the south of Skye and on to guest house

Sunday
Full day tour of the north of the island

Monday
9:40am ferry from Uig to Lochmaddy arriving at 11:25am
Visit Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre and the Sculpture Trail
Stay at ?

Tuesday
10:00am bus from Lochmaddy to Berneray (Sound of Harris ferry) arriving at 10:20am
10:25am ferry to Leverburgh arriving at 11:25am
11:35pm W10 bus from Leverburgh to Tarbert
1:35pm bus from Tarbert to Stornoway arriving 2:35pm.
Stay at ?

Wednesday
Callanish Stones, Black Houses and Norse Mill
Stay at ?

Thursday
1:40pm ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool arriving at 4:35pm
4:40pm bus to Inverness arriving at 6pm
Stay at ?

OR (extra help please!!!)
Stay on Stornoway an extra day and take the 7am ferry on Friday arriving Glasgow at 4:14pm with a break in Ulverness of 1 hour 40 minutes.

Friday
12:53pm train Inverness to Glasgow arriving at 4:14pm (if we stay over in Inverness for Thursday night).

Thanks so much!!

Philbill
PS We have some accommodation reserved but not at the "Stay at?" places!!

I don't have time to check the whole plan just now . . . But just a couple of quick comments:

* Places like the ferry dock on Mull - if the bus didn't wait for the ferry - there wouldn't be any bus passengers :)

* And absolutely no reason to 'schedule' the Iona ferry. It is basically a commuter route that pops back and forth all day long. It is a very short journey.

Thanks. For some reason that ferry schedule has an 8:45am and 9:55am ferry. However, between noon and four it does state 'and frequently until...'. I was just reminding myself of that although it I suppose it does seem like I am a little overly nitpicky!!!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and hope to hear more!

In Oban, the ferry terminal is practically next door to the train station. N o worries there. Will have to take more time to look over rest of your itinerary, but Janisj may get back to you before I do.

It will be difficult to navigate around Lewis without your own transportation. The places you mention have bus service but it is pretty spotty. You may consider renting a car for this part of your journey, it will save you time and frustration. Plus, you will be able to access several other standing stone and broch sites on your way from one place to another.

Another suggestion is hiring the local archaeologist to give you a guided tour of the sites of archaeological interest. I hear she is quite reasonable and she and her husband have studied the Callanish site for several decades. She lives just outside of Callanish village and I believe she provides transportation when you hire her. Wouldn't you believe it, I forgot her name? Margaret something.

Thanks..let me try a google search for her!!!

Another suggestion for a day guide for the outer Hebrides is Chris at Out and About tours ( http://tourguide-hebrides.co.uk/ ). We used him for a full day in 2009 for Lewis, and he was fantastic.