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8 day itinerary for Scotland in August

Posted by (Oakland, CA, United States) on

Hello:
This is our 1st trip to Scotland, and we're just in the beginning planning stage. Does this sound like a reasonable itinerary? We will be driving.
Day 1 & 2 Edinburgh (stay outside Edinburgh, as I've heard it is very crowded, due to the festival);
Days 3 & 4: Fife county (can anyone recommend the best place to stay there ? OR is Oban preferable? Or one night in each location?
Days 4 & 5: Fort Williams
Days 6 & 7: Isle of Skye.

Would appreciate any input! We usually like to linger in a location at least two nights, and hike. Our main interest is nature, distilleries, and throw in some castles!

Also, any accommodation recommendations would be great!

Am I missing any must-see's?! It would be great if we had a month, but we don't! Mull island?Orca Island?

Thanks! Michele

Posted by
4103 posts

It's awfully late to be planning. Your itinerary may depend on hotel availability at this point. I'd be surprised if you find anything in Skye.

Is not Fife, but Stirling is close by and I'd highly recommend an overnight stay and a visit to the castle. Fort William is as good a place as any for hiking. If you want to stay in a castle, consider Barcaldine Castle near Oban. It may be too late to book though. I love Mull, try a hike around Calgary Beach.

Posted by
55 posts

Well, luckily, we haven't purchased plane tickets yet. On our own, we've been researching accommodations, and have come to the same conclusion. The places that are available, are exorbitantly expensive. Well, maybe we'll go back to Portugal....where we were last November! Thanks for your help!

Posted by
55 posts

One note, I'm finding Airbnb's available, which look pretty nice!

Posted by
1605 posts

We are currently staying in Portree on Skye, and ALL the accommodations in Portree have No Vacancy signs posted.

Posted by
5767 posts

You may need to sacrifice Skye, but you really should be able to find accommodation in Oban, Fort William, Mull, Fife, Stirling/Perth, especially later in the month after the Scottish Schools go back on 16 August. That is a Wednesday, so after the previous weekend- 14 August.

We don't know what is "exorbitant" to you. That is a relative term.

What is the real name of Orca Island, Scotland?- I can only think of Orca Island, San Juans, WA.

Posted by
313 posts

Stay in Edinburg. It's fantastic and yes crowded. But that's part of the fun. If you like spectacular, do yourself a favor and buy tickets to the Royal Military Tattoo Festival at the castle. And if your have the budget, spring for the dinner before the event, which also includes great seats for the event. You will not be disappointed.

Posted by
6323 posts

Stay in Edinburg. It's fantastic and yes crowded

I very much doubt that they will be able to find accommodations in Edinburgh at that time.

Michele, Scotland is beautiful and friendly and one of my favorite places I've been to, but because it's small and its resources are limited, you really have to plan ahead in many places (especially Skye). If you don't make it this August, I hope that you would come back at a later date. But make sure you plan ahead! :)

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