I’m another first-time traveler to Scotland who is trying to make the most of our available days. I sincerely invite suggestions.
We will spend two days in Edinburgh. Then we will drive to Oban, seeing Stirling on the way. First question, is the route along Loch Lamond a good idea on our way to Oban.
The next day we will schedule the three island tour and sleep again in Oban. As we leave is it reasonable to see Glencoe on the way to Skye?
The next two days will be on Skye.
Here is where I have uncertainty. As we make our way to St. Andrew’s, where should we spend the time between Skye and there. ... Inverness, Glamis, the scenic route through the Cairngorms, Pitlochry? We have about a day and a half, not much I know? Also, in light of that, is the Oban tour a good choice?
Again, thank you!
Posted by
3124 posts
From Stirling if you want to go along Loch Lomond you'll be going out of your way. As I'm sure you've already noticed from consulting a map, the A84 through Callander is more direct. I haven't driven it, but I'm willing to bet it's beautiful. It goes through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, after all.
The western Loch Lomond route on the A82, which I have driven (the southern part, anyway) is also perfectly nice. If you had more time I'd say take it and stop off in Luss for a cruise on the Loch. But to give yourselves adequate time in Stirling you're going to need to hurry along to Oban.
I don't think you're missing anything crucial by taking the A84, unless it means a lot to be able to say you've driven along the "bonny banks." If you do decide to take the Loch Lomond route, there's a big roundabout in Balloch with unmissable signs to direct you toward Loch Lomond. You do not want to head toward Glasgow.
Did you say what time of year you're going? It would be a bit of a waste (and hazardous) to take that drive in the dark, so I hope you'll have enough hours of daylight on your intended date.
Is it reasonable to see Glencoe en route from Oban to Skye? I'd say yes, again caveat hours of daylight. There are fun & interesting things to see in/around Ft William (Old Inverlochy Castle, Neptune's Staircase), and the scenery gets really amazing along the A87 out of Invergarry, so I wouldn't dally too long in Glencoe.
Between Skye and St Andrews, here's what we did (and would happily do again). Stop at Urquhart Castle & take walking tour. Stop at Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition. Continue right through Inverness and stop at Culloden Battlefield; eat lunch in their excellent cafeteria. Stop (briefly, in our case -- we only saw the outer area with the hairy coos at pasture) at Cawdor Castle. Overnight in Nairn, where I can recommend Tali Ayer B&B. Next day we drove down the A9 to near Dunkeld, turned off on the little country road A923 via Butterstone and Blairgowrie to visit Glamis Castle & lunch there. Then drove via Dundee to St Andrews.
Hope this helps!
Posted by
OP
70 posts
It certainly does help. Thank you so much! That is all appreciated advice.