Travelling to Scotland in a few weeks to meet my husband who will already be in Bigger. We have 5 days including travel days to explore. We are thinking of Edinburgh and Oban. We are thinking we would start in Oban after I arrive in Edinburgh airport and explore Oban and a few Inner Hebrides Islands then move to Edinburgh for a few days then easy access to airport for our return home. Any suggestions? This is our first time to Scotland and would appreciate any help. I know 5 days is very short but we couldn't extend our days. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or tips!
Posted by
Chicagoland
2724 posts
Do you mean Biggar?
Will you be renting a car? Are you flying home from Edinburgh on day 5? When is "in a few weeks"? Some activities/island tours may start shutting down in October. Time change in UK is Oct. 25.
With only 5 days, you'll be rushed. Assuming 5 days does not include your departure day, here's one itinerary with 2 nights Oban and 3 nights Edinburgh.
- day 1 drive from Edinburgh Airport to Oban, perhaps via Stirling Castle, approx. 3-3½ hour drive with no stops
- day 2 day trip to Mull and Iona, depending on your dates you could take (West Coast Tours 2 Island tour or book the ferry and drive yourself.
- day 3 drive from Oban to Edinburgh, perhaps via Inveraray and Loch Lomond, drop car
- day 4 tour Edinburgh
- day 5 tour Edinburgh
Arnold Clark Car Rental or their representative Celtic Legend is a reliable company that has provided great service for many of us.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
3194 posts
I'm assuming you are planning on hiring a car for this rather than doing it by public transpoert?
Don't be too enthusiastic. Distances may not look that big in Scotland, but will take longer to cover than you might expect. Your plans to 'explore Oban and a few Inner Hebrides Islands then move to Edinburgh for a few days then easy access to airport for our return home' are decidedly optimistic with just five days. Also remember you will have shorter day length in October. Have a look here for sunrise and sunset times for Edinburgh. You don't say when you are in Scotland, but remember and the clocks go back an hour from Sunday 25th October so you will get an hour's less daylight in the evening.
On your first day hane a leisurely drive to Oban (doing a detour to Glencoe for teh scenery) and spend two nights there. Do a day trip to Mull.Check out sailing times from Oban to Mull as the timetable changes from summer to winter on 19th October.
The second day think about visiting some of the islands off the coast. Check out either Kerrara or Lismore for a completely different experience.
Then drive back to Edinburgh for the next three nights.