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7 Day Road trip Edinburgh to Isle of Skye

We are planning a 3 week trip to Great Britain, with the first 7 days in Scotland. Recognizing that roads are narrow and windy, we have lowered our expectations on what we can see in Scotland. This is the itinerary I have put together so far, and I would like to get some input:

Monday: Arrive in Edinburgh
Tuesday: Edinburgh
Wednesday: Edinburgh
Thursday: Pick up car at airport and head out toward Isle of skye: Which is the best route??????
1) Stop in Sterling, take A 84, around Callander, to A 82 up, stop overnight somewhere in Glendcoe. WHERE WOULD BE A GOOD STOPPING POINT FOR THE NIGHT.
2) A9, North to Perth, Blair Atoll, to A86 to A82...WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE TO STOPOVER FOR A NIGHT
Friday: Arrive Portree
Saturday: Portree
Sunday: Portree
Monday: Drive Portree to Loch Lamond via A82, stay overnight somewhere
Tuesday : Stay overnight in Loch Lamond
Wednesday: Drop car in Glasgow (if possible ) and fly to Southampton (where we have friends.)

We would like to drive a loop drive to Isle of Skye to maximize our sites in this area. I would greatly appreciate any input.

Posted by
7175 posts

Recheck your maps, and note the correct spelling.
Stirling / Glencoe / Loch Lomond

For me this is best for you from Edinburgh...
Via Stirling to Pitlochry (1)
Via Braemar to Inverness (1)
To Skye (2)
Via Fort William/Glencoe to Oban (1)
Via Loch Lomond/Trossachs to Glasgow (1)

Posted by
459 posts

the drive through glencoe is awesome, I went from EDI directly to Ft. William thru Glencoe. We spent 3 days in Ft. William, and returned to Glencoe for hiking, dinner etc. If I only had one night I would probably stay somewhere in Glencoe as you will be closer to the sights down there. We had a great meal up the road a few clicks at the Loch Leven Seafood Cafe, one of my favorite meals on our 12 days in the highlands!. We took the more northern route when we returned from Skye to EDI and it was quicker but clearly the Callander, Rannoch Moor Glen Coe route was prettier imo. I was majorly jet lagged on the way out so the roads were ruff those first few days, in hindsight I like your plan of Edinburgh first, back to EDI to pick up your rental and then head out. If you decide Fort Williams I cn suggest a great B&B, but for one night I'd try a spot in Glen Coe

Posted by
54 posts

I really appreciate your comments. Do you think I should take the northern route on the way to skye and the glencoe route on the way back, since the northern route is quicker and then we can have a relaxing drive back? Sounds like a couple of days in fort Williams or glencoe makes sense. I would appreciate the name of the bed and breakfast. Thanks again.