My husband and I are traveling to Scotland, one week in October, with another couple and self driving through the country. We will be flying into Edinburgh (2 nights) and hope to go north from there through the Highlands. From there we want to explore the western side of the country, including Skye, and then down to Glencoe and Stirling and back to Edinburgh. Looking for a base (after Edinburgh) that isn't over run with tourists and is a walkable village with pubs, grocery, and some shopping (but not necessary). We are all active, enjoy birding, hiking, history, and good food! Ideas appreciated!
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1645 posts
Look at www.visitscotland.com for some good ideas! It is a great gateway site for places to visit, etc. They do have list of their 12 favorite historic towns: Dunkeld Perthshire/Arbroath Argus/Pittenwear Fife/Fort Augustus Highlands/Wigtown Dumfries & Galloway/Inveraray Argyll & Bute/Dunvegan Skye/Falkland Fife/Rothesay Bute/Helmsdale Perthshire/Scollows Shetland Island. Maybe one of these might work into your tour. If you go west 1st you will have less chance of non-tourist Scotland. We did stay in a Farmhouse B&B in Inveraray not that far from the Castle. It is harder to get away from the 21st century lifestyle the closer you are to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Stirling or Falkland could work. You should really think about the east coast. Scotland has 100s of Castles, some of the Relic ones are fun to visit. Look Historic Scotland Site. Bon Voyage!
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you! We need to get farther from Edinburgh then Stirling, but definitely want to visit there. I am thinking Glencoe but worried it might be too small! It would be nice be be in walking distance from pubs, etc.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1645 posts
You could stay in Oban which is not that far to Glencoe. You could do a walk-on the ferries to the nearby islands. They have buses that meet the ferries.
Posted by
US
154 posts
Hello susanstevens50
Another vote for Oban. We stayed 4 nights, explored the area and took a day trip to beautiful Mull. We easily could have stayed longer especially longer on Mull. Highlights for us included Kilmartin Glen, drive to Glen Etive, walks on Inverary Castle grounds, Mull Art in Nature walk https://mullandiona.art/listing/calgary-art-in-nature/
Some resources for you
Undiscovered Scotland's interactive map contains a multitude of information. Click to drill down on the links.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
Undiscovered Scotland's suggested driving tours. We did both the Oban/Glen Coe & Oban/Inverary drives. There are some lovely places for walks along each route. I highly recommend the drive into Glen Etive with absolutely stunning scenery and you could walk some long the loch at road's end.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ustours/index.html
Walkhighlands provides detailed information and is an invaluable resource. It's interactive also.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/oban.shtml
Happy Planning!