UK trip
 

After spending 6 days in the UK, in July, we are going to attempt driving to cover more area. We will be renting out of Edinburgh and exploring the highlands. My question is: Where would be a good base for 3 nights to see as much as possible of the highland area? We would like to visit as far northwest as Isle of Skye, Culloden ( a must being a Diana Galbadon fan). We try to avoid larger cities, so skipping Glasgow. Reading other blogs Nairn,Glencoe, Oban are in my sights. This is our first trip over and I am not saving on money for comfort of a good nights rest and good location. We will probably drive the car a different direction back to Edinburgh so as not to retrace our steps. Then hitch a train to Wales for the remainder of our trip before leaving out of LHR. I know it's going to be fast and furious but we would like to see as much as possible. Any ideas would be much appreciated. I'm over the top with information. Thanks for any recommendations.

To see all of those things it would be hard to base yourself in one place for three nights as they are quite far apart.

Suggestion:

Head toward Nairn on Day 1 and visit Culloden on the way. also in the area are Cawdor Castle and Stuart Castle.

2 Travel along the northwest side of Loch Ness toward Skye. Stop for a visit at Eileen Donan Castle and continue on to Skye.

3 Leave Skye and travel toward Oban with a stop in glencoe.

Back to Edinburgh after your three nights.

There are several others who frequent this forum who are much more knowledgeable about Scotland than I so I hope they will chime in. their ideas will be much better, I am sure as my most recent visit to Scotland was four years ago.

To see all of those things it would be hard to base yourself in one place for three nights as they are quite far apart.

Suggestion:

Head toward Nairn on Day 1 and visit Culloden on the way. also in the area are Cawdor Castle and Stuart Castle.

2 Travel along the northwest side of Loch Ness toward Skye. Stop for a visit at Eileen Donan Castle and continue on to Skye.

3 Leave Skye and travel toward Oban with a stop in glencoe.

Back to Edinburgh after your three nights.

There are several others who frequent this forum who are much more knowledgeable about Scotland than I so I hope they will chime in. their ideas will be much better, I am sure as my most recent visit to Scotland was four years ago.

Irishface's suggestion (twice :) ) would get you to all those places. Unfortunatley that is ALL you'd do. Drive.

You really can't cover half of Scotland in 3 days. Point A to point B to point C -- sure. But time to get out and SEE anything - you need to cut back and slow down.

Edinburgh to Nairn to Culloden to Skye to Ft William to Callander to Edinburgh is almost 600 miles. And that is NOT including any side trips/visits off the direct routes. So plan on 700 miles

That is not a 3 day trip in the highlands. That is 6 days worth . . .

Scotland really doesn't lend itself to "fast and furious". :) It is your trip, but I would strongly urge you to narrow your itinerary. I certainly can't think of anyplace you could base yourself base from where you could visit Culloden, Nairn, Skye, Glencoe and Oban without complete and utter exhaustion from all the travel time.

A good website ( use their route planner) for travel times ( and, they tend to be a bit on the short side) is www.theaa.com.