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2-Week Scotland Itinerary Help

Posted by on

Hi everyone. Boyfriend and I are planning for a first time trip to Scotland this July. We're aware it's peak season, but unfortunately it was the only time that would work for us. We do not drink or play golf. We love nature, old cities, and culture. Boyfriend is a Campbell and has Scottish heritage - so we are particularly excited about the Argyll and Bute area. We're from Chicago so we're thinking more time in Edinburgh, less in Glasgow. Flights are already booked (in and out of Glasgow was $400 cheaper than Edinburgh!).

This is what we have so far... we're hoping to book accommodations soon. Please advise on length of time in each place, and if we are missing any must-sees that we can squeeze into this timeframe. I wish we could spend some more time around Glencoe, but I'm not sure if it's possible with everything else we want to see. Any advice? Thank you so much!

Mon, 7/15 - Leave Chicago

Tues, 7/16 - Arrive in Glasgow 7:55, train to Edinburgh (3 nights)

Wed, 7/17 - Edinburgh

Thurs, 7/18 - Edinburgh

Fri, 7/19 - Morning train to Inverness, pick up car, Loch Ness/Urquhart Castle (2 nights)

Sat, 7/20 - Inverness Highland Games, Culloden Battlefield/Clava Cairns

Sun, 7/21 - Drive to Isle of Skye via Eilan Donan Castle, stay near Portree (4 nights)

Mon, 7/22 - Isle of Skye

Tues, 7/23 - Isle of Skye

Wed, 7/24 - Isle of Skye

Thurs, 7/25 - Take ferry to Mallaig, drive through Ft. William/Glencoe, stay in Oban (2 nights)

Fri, 7/26 - Mull, Iona, maybe Staffa

Sat, 7/27 - More Oban, Inveraray Castle, Rest and Be Thankful, Three Lochs Forest Drive, stay in Callander (2 nights)

Sun, 7/28 - Loch Lomond and Trossachs, Ben A’an

Mon, 7/29 - Stirling Castle, half-day in Glasgow, drop off car (1 night)

Tues, 7/30 - Depart Glasgow @ 8:20

Posted by
932 posts

My only suggestion is that on leaving Skye you take the drive out to Applecross (instead of Ft. William) on your way to Oban. Spectacular!

Posted by
1440 posts

Hi, musicteacher93,

Sounds as though you have your plans well in hand. Other than advising you to make your accommodation arrangements right now, if not sooner, I only have one suggestion to make: Pick your car up in Edinburgh instead of Inverness. That way, you can visit Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle on the way to Inverness. Otherwise, you'd be on the same stretch of the A82 twice - once from Inverness to Drumnadrochit, and again on your way to Skye via Eilean Donan. Unless you plan to head for Skye via Garve, Achnasheen, and Strathcarron.

You might get a better price on your car hire out of Edinburgh - factor in how much you'd be saving on train fare, minus the cost of petrol from Edinburgh to Inverness (about $45 to $48 US at the current exchange rate).

Be sure to make your ferry reservation from Armadale to Mallaig, as well. That's not as imperative as making your accommodation arrangements, but you should make the ferry reservations at least two weeks out.

If you're stuck for accommodation in Inverness, and don't want to pay a week's wages for your lodging, the Travelodge Fairways is a suitable alternative. It's not the best accommodation in Inverness, but it's clean, comfortable, and relatively inexpensive, even in July. Also, it's about a ten minute drive in to central Inverness via Culduthel Road.

Good luck, and don't forget to make those lodging arrangements!

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by
1518 posts

If you are going to Stirling, you are very near Campbell Castle above the town of Dollar. It is a spectacular ruin and is very evocative of medieval times. If you visit Glencoe you will be haunted by the Mac Donalds because of the infamous treachery of our Clan Campbell. Look at Visit Scotland web site for some great itinerary ideas. If you go to Skye, it can be done as a day trip by taking the bridge. It is extremely crowded now that it has become very popular. There are many romantic and scenic locations through out Scotland that you can enjoy. You must make reservations for Portee months in advance.

Posted by
1290 posts

Previous advice about accommodation on Skye is accurate, but do not fear! There is probably still some availability if you do not restrict yourself to being near Portree. Other lovely spots to consider (with good food in the vicinity) include, Uig, Edinbane, Lochbay, Dunvegan, Carbost and Colbost. Many accommodation providers on Skye use booking.com or Airbnb, but if you get really stuck there is a Facebook group called Skye rooms that aims to match providers with those seeking rooms. Good luck!

Skyegirl (Jacqui)

PS: Your overall plan looks great. And Mike (auchterless) is right - you need to book the Armadale to Mallaig ferry asap too. calmac.co.uk and make sure you choose Armadale to Mallaig and not the other way around!

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