Hi. Would anyone recommend a picturesque destination for a couple of nights this August that would be on our way from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye? We'll be driving, and we're looking for scenery and character _ the more stunning or charming, the better. Oban, with a boat trip to the islands, seems wonderful. But we're curious what other options people might suggest. Thanks - Alan in Virginia
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1448 posts
If you go to Oban go to the Oban Chocolate Shop. There are a couple ways to go to Skye from Edinburgh. Maybe you can solve this by designing your own circle route. Falkirk and Stirling are one way. Glasgow, Loch Lomand and Oban the other way. Trossachs National Park which is accessed both ways. Look at Visit Scotland web site for great visuals. Secret Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and World Heritage a good sites, too. Plus there are others. Remember you can drive on to Skye...if you plan to stay there book early. Bon Voyage
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
There are so many options. :) If you go to Oban, I would recommend staying on Mull if you can. There is a ferry from Kilchoan to Mull that is not as well known. It's good if you are coming from Skye. If you go to Tobermory check out the Minch. It's a great pub.
Alternatively, you could head for the center of the country. You can go up the Loch's past Spean Bridge to the center. There you can visit Blair Castle. Check out what' playing at the Festival Theatre in Pitlochry. Have a walk in Dunkeld further south. The center is beautiful with lots of options.
Pam
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
It’s a no brainier for me - stay in Glencoe or North Ballachulish. Jaw dropping mountains will surround you and THE MUST is to take the Corran ferry over to the Ardnamurchan peninsula and spend the day driving a leisurely loop through Strontian and look for otters in Loch Sunart, then visit the lighthouse at Acharacle before looping back to Fort William and Glencoe. Many great little tea shops en route and stunning scenery without the crowds.
Oban is a good base for the islands, but, like Fort William, it’s not pretty, although the chocolate shop is fantastic.
Posted by
bedford, indiana
459 posts
Glencoe is pretty awesome including the moors on the way there from Edinbourgh. We stayed in Fort William on our way out to Skye and from FW we visited Glencoe a couple of days and Glenfinnen and the viaduct, pretty cool. Great seafood meal at http://www.lochlevenseafoodcafe.co.uk/ which is on the way south from FW to Glencoe. We also had great visit to Ben Nevis while staying in FW.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
360 posts
We stayed in Oban on our way to Skye and loved it (did the day trip to Mull/Iona), but we wanted to stay in a city where we could walk to restaurants/shops (Mull would've been too remote for us). The Oban Distillery Tour was worthwhile, though recommend booking it in advance (and note the early closing time of their tasting bar around 4 p.m.). Totally agree that Glencoe is beautiful, as we drove over there for a hike and then back through it on our way to Mallaig to catch the ferry to Skye.