Two weeks in Scotland
Nov 10th, 2013, 02:16 PM
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Two weeks in Scotland
Hi:
I have a tentative plan for our two weeks in Scotland and hope you all will share if I am missing a "must see". We are renting a car, so will have that flexibility.
Day 1, Arrive in Edinburgh airport, Drive to Perth. Visit Scone Palace and overnight Perth.
Day 2, From Perth to Aberlour through the Cairngorms. Distillary tour, overnight Aberlour.
Day 3, Explore Coastal area, Macduff, Portsoy, back to Elgin Cathedral. Overnight Elgin
Day 4, Inverness, Culloden Battlefield. Overnight Inverness
Day 5, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Overnight Inverness
Day 6, Eilean Donan Castle, on to Isle of Skye. Overnight Isle of Skye
Day 7, Explore Isle of Skye. Overnight Skye
Day 8, Explore Isle of Skye, Overnight Skye
Day 9, Ferry to Mallaig, on to Glencoe, Dunstaffnage Castle, to Oban, overnight Oban.
Day 10, Boat trip to Mull, Iona and Staffa, overnight Oban.
Day 11, Oban to drive thru Trossachs then on to Stirling Castle and overnight Edinburgh.
Days 12, 13 and 14 Edinburgh.
Day 15, leave Scotland
I know Glasgow is not on the list, but my husband's family is connected to the Isle of Skye, so he wanted to spend more time in the highlands and islands. But if the consensus is we MUST see Glasgow, could we do that as a day trip from Edinburgh? I have selected a few castles along the way, but will have to play those by ear. Husband can only see so many...
But if there is one (or two) must see's along this route, please share.
Thanks so much!!
I have a tentative plan for our two weeks in Scotland and hope you all will share if I am missing a "must see". We are renting a car, so will have that flexibility.
Day 1, Arrive in Edinburgh airport, Drive to Perth. Visit Scone Palace and overnight Perth.
Day 2, From Perth to Aberlour through the Cairngorms. Distillary tour, overnight Aberlour.
Day 3, Explore Coastal area, Macduff, Portsoy, back to Elgin Cathedral. Overnight Elgin
Day 4, Inverness, Culloden Battlefield. Overnight Inverness
Day 5, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Overnight Inverness
Day 6, Eilean Donan Castle, on to Isle of Skye. Overnight Isle of Skye
Day 7, Explore Isle of Skye. Overnight Skye
Day 8, Explore Isle of Skye, Overnight Skye
Day 9, Ferry to Mallaig, on to Glencoe, Dunstaffnage Castle, to Oban, overnight Oban.
Day 10, Boat trip to Mull, Iona and Staffa, overnight Oban.
Day 11, Oban to drive thru Trossachs then on to Stirling Castle and overnight Edinburgh.
Days 12, 13 and 14 Edinburgh.
Day 15, leave Scotland
I know Glasgow is not on the list, but my husband's family is connected to the Isle of Skye, so he wanted to spend more time in the highlands and islands. But if the consensus is we MUST see Glasgow, could we do that as a day trip from Edinburgh? I have selected a few castles along the way, but will have to play those by ear. Husband can only see so many...
But if there is one (or two) must see's along this route, please share.Thanks so much!!
Nov 10th, 2013, 03:50 PM
#2
>>will share if I am missing a "must see".<<
You only have two weeks so of course you are missing some 'must sees' But it looks pretty good in general.
A couple of suggestions. No need to keep packing and moving days 2-5. Pick one place to stay in/near Nairn/Elgin and us it as a base for Aberlour, Elgin, the north coast, Culloden and around the general Inverness area.
And nights 9-10 I personally would not stay in Oban but ON Mull. It is a lovely island w/ ;lots to see including Iona, Staffa, Calgary Bay etc and the driving is slow. Stay in Fionphort and see everything. This is a really terrific B&B http://www.seaview-mull.co.uk
You only have two weeks so of course you are missing some 'must sees'
But it looks pretty good in general.A couple of suggestions. No need to keep packing and moving days 2-5. Pick one place to stay in/near Nairn/Elgin and us it as a base for Aberlour, Elgin, the north coast, Culloden and around the general Inverness area.
And nights 9-10 I personally would not stay in Oban but ON Mull. It is a lovely island w/ ;lots to see including Iona, Staffa, Calgary Bay etc and the driving is slow. Stay in Fionphort and see everything. This is a really terrific B&B http://www.seaview-mull.co.uk
Nov 10th, 2013, 04:19 PM
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As I was reading this, I have to agree with Janis and stay on Mull overnight at Fionphort. As I recall the sailings to Staffa, which is gorgeous, leave from Fionphort fairly early in the day so to go from Oban, I would think you would have to be up before the crack of dawn. Iona is a five minute (if that) ferry trip from Fionphort. Driving around Mull is wonderful if slow going. You might want to visit Duarte Castle while on Mull. It would be on your way back to the ferry dock. There are some gruesome tales that accompany a visit to Duarte.
I have been to Stirling Castle several times and I liked it, but if pressed for time, skip it as it reminds me of Edinburgh Castle--high on a rocky outcrop above the city. But that is just my personal thought.
I don't count Glasgow a "must see". Just my opinion. But you do have a full plate of other wonderful things, so it is up to you what to give up. Easy day trip from Edinburgh, so you can decide "on the ground", as you see how things are shaping up.
I have been to Stirling Castle several times and I liked it, but if pressed for time, skip it as it reminds me of Edinburgh Castle--high on a rocky outcrop above the city. But that is just my personal thought.
I don't count Glasgow a "must see". Just my opinion. But you do have a full plate of other wonderful things, so it is up to you what to give up. Easy day trip from Edinburgh, so you can decide "on the ground", as you see how things are shaping up.
Nov 11th, 2013, 07:44 AM
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<i>Day 3 . . . overnight Elgin
Day 4, Inverness, Culloden Battlefield. Overnight Inverness
Day 5, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Overnight Inverness</i>
Elgin is close enough to Inverness to drive to I'Ness and overnight there (or the area) on Day 3. That would give you a better start on Day 4.
Inverness is . . . a place to stay to see what is NEAR it. So Day 4 could include (1) the Clava Cairns and Cawdor Castle, or (2) a trip up the coast to Dunrobin Castle (excellent) and potentially a tour at Glenmorangie. Culloden does NOT take a whole day. You could dress in your tartan of choice and run around the whole battlefield acting out most of the important parts and it STILL won't take a whole day.
Day 5 isn't quite packed either. If you go up the coast on Day 4 and then to Culloden on Day 5, you'll have time to drive to Urquhart and look at the lake.
Day 4, Inverness, Culloden Battlefield. Overnight Inverness
Day 5, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Overnight Inverness</i>
Elgin is close enough to Inverness to drive to I'Ness and overnight there (or the area) on Day 3. That would give you a better start on Day 4.
Inverness is . . . a place to stay to see what is NEAR it. So Day 4 could include (1) the Clava Cairns and Cawdor Castle, or (2) a trip up the coast to Dunrobin Castle (excellent) and potentially a tour at Glenmorangie. Culloden does NOT take a whole day. You could dress in your tartan of choice and run around the whole battlefield acting out most of the important parts and it STILL won't take a whole day.
Day 5 isn't quite packed either. If you go up the coast on Day 4 and then to Culloden on Day 5, you'll have time to drive to Urquhart and look at the lake.
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Nov 11th, 2013, 09:30 AM
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Nov 11th, 2013, 09:49 AM
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I may have missed this but what time of year?
The Oban part.
If you are there prior to mid July then I would take the boat trip from Oban to Iona/Staffa/Lunga.
The Puffins will still be on Lunga and that is an incredible experience. The trips are around 6 hours but that gives you a good visit to Iona (don't miss) and a chance to see much of the wildlife around the islands.
Option 1 : Could be day 9 to Port Appin, stay here http://www.pierhousehotel.co.uk/
Great seafood and a possibility of a very short foot ferry trip to Lismore. Next day boat trip to the islands back to overnight in Oban.
Option 2 : day 9 travel to Oban ferry to Mull then drive to Fionnphort, stay there the night. Day 10 take a boat trip from Fionnphort to Iona/Staffa/ Lunga. Them ferry back to Oban, overnight there.
Second option is rushed due the roads on Mull which as those above mention, are the worst A roads I have experienced in Britain. Forty miles on single track with coach after coach flying at you on the way to/from Iona is hard work.
I would personally steal a day from another location and spend more time on Mull. If you want to see the White Tailed Eagles and Hen Harriers take the road through Loch Na Keal. My favourite place in Scotland and where the birds are most easily seen.
If you are going in high summer pre book the ferries, all crossings are full on certain days. Also take care of your car, mine has been damaged the past three times we have used CallyMac.
The Oban part.
If you are there prior to mid July then I would take the boat trip from Oban to Iona/Staffa/Lunga.
The Puffins will still be on Lunga and that is an incredible experience. The trips are around 6 hours but that gives you a good visit to Iona (don't miss) and a chance to see much of the wildlife around the islands.
Option 1 : Could be day 9 to Port Appin, stay here http://www.pierhousehotel.co.uk/
Great seafood and a possibility of a very short foot ferry trip to Lismore. Next day boat trip to the islands back to overnight in Oban.
Option 2 : day 9 travel to Oban ferry to Mull then drive to Fionnphort, stay there the night. Day 10 take a boat trip from Fionnphort to Iona/Staffa/ Lunga. Them ferry back to Oban, overnight there.
Second option is rushed due the roads on Mull which as those above mention, are the worst A roads I have experienced in Britain. Forty miles on single track with coach after coach flying at you on the way to/from Iona is hard work.
I would personally steal a day from another location and spend more time on Mull. If you want to see the White Tailed Eagles and Hen Harriers take the road through Loch Na Keal. My favourite place in Scotland and where the birds are most easily seen.
If you are going in high summer pre book the ferries, all crossings are full on certain days. Also take care of your car, mine has been damaged the past three times we have used CallyMac.
Nov 11th, 2013, 09:51 AM
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It's a road trip. Like any road trip you look at what is there to see and do that is of interest to you, along the route you choose and that is what you try to see and do.
I would suggest putting together a list of things along your route that you MIGHT decide to see/do and then play it by ear depending on the weather you encounter. Rather than trying to plan out to the hour what you will do and then finding the weather (which you might have heard is unpredictable)makes your plan a waste of time, I would make the choices on the day.
The choices BigRuss gives are a good example. Going to Culloden to stand in the rain may have less appeal than visiting the Glenmorangie distillery. If both are on your list, you decide on the day which to do.
I think you would find few people who would consider Oban a desirable place to spend a few nights.
I would suggest putting together a list of things along your route that you MIGHT decide to see/do and then play it by ear depending on the weather you encounter. Rather than trying to plan out to the hour what you will do and then finding the weather (which you might have heard is unpredictable)makes your plan a waste of time, I would make the choices on the day.
The choices BigRuss gives are a good example. Going to Culloden to stand in the rain may have less appeal than visiting the Glenmorangie distillery. If both are on your list, you decide on the day which to do.
I think you would find few people who would consider Oban a desirable place to spend a few nights.
Nov 11th, 2013, 09:51 AM
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It's a road trip. Like any road trip you look at what is there to see and do that is of interest to you, along the route you choose and that is what you try to see and do.
I would suggest putting together a list of things along your route that you MIGHT decide to see/do and then play it by ear depending on the weather you encounter. Rather than trying to plan out to the hour what you will do and then finding the weather (which you might have heard is unpredictable)makes your plan a waste of time, I would make the choices on the day.
The choices BigRuss gives are a good example. Going to Culloden to stand in the rain may have less appeal than visiting the Glenmorangie distillery. If both are on your list, you decide on the day which to do.
I think you would find few people who would consider Oban a desirable place to spend a few nights.
I would suggest putting together a list of things along your route that you MIGHT decide to see/do and then play it by ear depending on the weather you encounter. Rather than trying to plan out to the hour what you will do and then finding the weather (which you might have heard is unpredictable)makes your plan a waste of time, I would make the choices on the day.
The choices BigRuss gives are a good example. Going to Culloden to stand in the rain may have less appeal than visiting the Glenmorangie distillery. If both are on your list, you decide on the day which to do.
I think you would find few people who would consider Oban a desirable place to spend a few nights.
Nov 11th, 2013, 09:52 AM
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Ps disregard any SatNav type machine in Mull.
The 40 odd miles from Craignure takes at least 90 minutes and Janis knows how I drive, just not possible to do it quickly. On a normal A road in Scotland it would take me 30 minutes.
The 40 odd miles from Craignure takes at least 90 minutes and Janis knows how I drive, just not possible to do it quickly. On a normal A road in Scotland it would take me 30 minutes.
Nov 11th, 2013, 10:52 AM
#13
The coaches / traffic Dickie_Gr mentions are honestly on a problem 10:00 to 11:00 traveling from the ferry to Fionnphort and from 3:00-4:00 traveling the opposite direction. That is when the day trippers form Oban are carried back and forth to Iona.
That is why one should stay on the isle - when the day trippers are gone the island (and roads) will be nearly empty.
And Culloden is 'worth' the stop any time. Rain almost enhances the experience.
That is why one should stay on the isle - when the day trippers are gone the island (and roads) will be nearly empty.
And Culloden is 'worth' the stop any time. Rain almost enhances the experience.
Nov 11th, 2013, 02:13 PM
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That was certainly not helpful! Being a history buff and having Scottish ancestors, I wouldn't mind the rain at all, but, then, the Scots are a hardy lot. Visit Culloden and then head for a pub and a whisky.
Nov 12th, 2013, 08:11 AM
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Culloden wouldn't even be on the radar of most visitors to Scotland or for that matter on the radar of most Scots on vacation in the area"
Write on a postcard, no better still write on the back of a stamp what you know of our national heritage and history. You don't get history because you don't have any in SoCal or whatever you call it.
Write on a postcard, no better still write on the back of a stamp what you know of our national heritage and history. You don't get history because you don't have any in SoCal or whatever you call it.
