janisj

"Thanks all. There don’t seem to be rooms at the inn for May/June"

Per websites or have you contacted any personally by e-mail/phone? Because a lot of places don't set their rates for the year until Dec or Jan and just show 'no availability' until the new rates are up.

GinnyJo

Good luck with your planning, gruezi. I am following along to see what you decide. I really had thought we'd be going to Scotland in 2018, but I now have limited time off from work and other places are calling more loudly.

gruezi

I can’t believe it - I FINALLY I just booked this itinerary for the last week of May into the first week of June:

Near Oban (2 nights)
https://www.airds-hotel.com

Mull (3 nights)
http://www.westernisleshotel.com

Iona (4 nights)
http://www.ardoranhouse.co.uk

Glasgow (1 night)
not sure where I’m staying...


I wasn’t able to stay at any of my first choices but I decided to just go and bring my own clean pillowcase and cleansing wipes if needed... And hopefully I can forage food as I’ve heard that it’s hard on Iona to get dinner if you aren’t in one of the Inns.

I’m not renting a car. So hopefully will figure out all the possibilities for transportation. I’ve done this in countries where English is not spoken so I feel okay winging it a tad.

My goal is solitude, time in nature, looking at water, walking, reflection.

Mr. Gruezi is acting a teeny disappointed but he really is glad he’s not on this trip - way too boring for him, LOL. I think if all goes well I’ll take him back next year for the golf and whiskey tour on Islay. He is determined however to eat dinner at Three Chimney’s on Skye and I would not be sad to go to Skye either. It looks so beautiful but I think really requires a car. I’m not afraid of driving on the other side but hate the hassle of car rental and return and don’t like to drive after a sleepless night off the flight.


Thanks again to all of you for all the great and repeated advice and encouragement!!

janisj

"I’ve heard that it’s hard on Iona to get dinner if you aren’t in one of the Inns."

There are several places to eat for sure and the hotels would pretty much all serve anyone, not just their guests - but maybe have your main meal in the afternoon just in case. And of course you can always take the foot ferry across to Fionnphort and eat at the (really good) pub a short walk up from the jetty.

( . . . the golf and <strike>whiskey<strike> whisky tour on Islay) 'E' Whisky is blasphemy on Islay

janisj

OOPS -- screwed that up BIG time

Should look more like this:

( . . . the golf and <strike>whiskey</strike> whisky tour on Islay. 'E' Whisky is blasphemy on Islay )

Fra_Diavolo

Sounds like a grand trip!

xcountry

“My goal is solitude, time in nature, looking at water, walking, reflection.”

Sure it is Gruezi, but if things change you might as well be prepared:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4909322.stm

sugarmaple

I can vouch for The Three Chimneys on Skye. I had a terrific birthday lunch there.

Also, the Keel Row on Fionnphort. They have a paddle system before it opens at six, so if going there, get there early, grab a paddle and a drink in the pub. Otherwise, the wait will be long.

The Ninth Wave in Fionnphort rivalled The Three Chimneys, if you can sync it with the ferry times. It was so cool to have the fisherman who caught our blue lobster in the morning, don a kilt in the evening to serve it to us!

gruezi

Sorry Janis! I don’t want to be blasphemous before I’ve even arrived

Thanks coldie. I’ll practice my open-ended questions just in case...

Thanks for the dining advicE everyone. Good idea about heading across as needed.

gruezi

Btw, xcounty, I did look into that little cruise boat. Sadly it’s fully booked for the whole season. Another year I suppose...

janisj

The Keel Row is the pub I was talking about - great food and easy from Iona. But you'd need to do lunch because the last ferry across leaves for Iona @ 6:15.

historytraveler

There should be little problem in dining on Iona. I would recommend the St. Columba Hotel. It's restaurant is very good.

janisj

Ditto the St Columba

Also - plan on at least one lunch at the Iona Heritage centre

sugarmaple

6:15 ferry will let out The Ninth Wave. They only do dinner.

gruezi

Thanks for the info on St Columba, Keel Row and the Cultural Center.

When traveling solo I tend to eat my main meal midday and more snacking or bar food for dinner. So, I think I’ll be fine.

There were some poor reviews in various sites re: service for dinner when not staying at hotels but I usually am treated quite well wherever I go so I took those with a grain of salt.

historytraveler

There is a small museum on the life of St. Columba in Fionnphort that I have tried to visit on several occasions, but it has always been closed. Still, you may get lucky, if interested.

deladeb

We enjoyed our one day on Orkney and seeing Skara Brae. I too came home with a Sheila Fleet pendant. I did not notice the chairs unfortunately.