Hello, our trip to Scotland is pretty well planned but for the three days between leaving Portree and arriving in Edinburgh.
We would like to head southeast to the Cairngorms and make our way to Edinburgh stopping at Stirling Castle. We will have 3 nights and if the weather allows would like to do some moderate walking. Can anyone suggest a route and/or base for lodging?
We are travelling Oct.7 to Oct. 20: 2 nights Glasgow, 2 nights Glencoe. 4 nights Portree, 3 mystery nights and 3 nights Edinburgh. We will be using a rental car for all but Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Thank you.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1819 posts
We have visited Scotland several times but last month was our first visit to the Cairngorms area. We stayed two nights in Grantown at Tigh na Sgiath and one night in Pitlochry at Knockenderock Hotel. We were happy with both locations. Places we visited in the area were Elgin Cathedral, Spynie Palace, Lossiemouth, Duffus Castle, Kildrummy Castle, Tomnaverie Stone Circle. We drove the "Snow Road" which runs between Pitlochry and Grantown via Ballater - Braemar. The beginning and end of that road, near ski areas, was dramatic, the rest was OK. Loch Tummel is pretty, especially the Queens View area. However, none of this area, IMHO, is as stunning as the Glencoe - Skye - Torridon area. We would have liked to visit Dunottar Castle and Stonehaven if we had more time.
You could drive from Kyle to Grantown via Shieldaig and Kinlochewe in a day. The scenery is certainly worthwhile. We travelled the opposite direction, but I would recommend one night in Grantown (Garth restaurant is good) and two nights in Pitlochry. You can do Stirling Castle on the way to Edinburgh.
Posted by
Singapore
302 posts
We spent a week in the Cairngorms over Christmas and loved it, particularly for the walking. While we stayed in the village of Tomintoul at a pub called the Glenavon, Grantown-on-Spey is also really nice.
There are a number of castle ruins in the area, and great walking trails.