Hello all,
I am visiting Scotland in August, and am looking to stay in a location that allows easy access to Stirling. Glasgow and Edinburgh. Any suggestions? Thinking of also doing day trips toward Glencie. Inverness and Skye either by car or tours. Any suggestions on thus idea? Will be in Scotland @18 days.
Thanks
Katsinca
A day trip to Skye or Inverness is not feasible from the Central Belt (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling). It takes me at least 6 hours to get to Edinburgh or Glasgow from my house in Skye and at least 5 hours to Stirling.
If you have 18 days you'd be better off planning at least a week in a Highland base, so that you can explore the Highlands (e.g. Inverness or Fort William). Even from Inverness it's 3 hours to Skye, so you'd maybe want 2 or 3 nights in Skye (if accommodation is available at this late stage assuming you mean August 2025).
You could then spend the remaining week in the Central Belt. I'd suggest Edinburgh (although it will be incredibly busy due to the festival), or failing that Stirling, from where you could do day trips to the other two cities.
Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh are easliy done from each other by train. So choose the place that apeals to you most and stay there.
You won't be able to do day tips to Glencoe, Inverness or Skye from there unless you are willing to spend all day sitting in the car or bus. (Distances may not look far on a map compared to USA, but will take a lot longer to drive than you might expect. Even if you are used to long distances in the States, that doesn't prepare you for long distances in Scotland...)
You would do much better to relocate to another base further north. August is prime holiday time and many places will have been booked for months. Choice may be determined by where you can find accommodation
Thank you Skyegirl and Wesley's for the info!!! I forgot to add that I have been to Scotland before 2 times and have seen many beautiful places and wonderful attractions. I just wanted to do things a little differently this time but am really having a hard time planning. Yes accommodations are hard to find and are rather expensive as is a car rental. There are so many things that I would like to see and having a car would allow me to explore on my own time-line, but day trips would cut the need for a car. So my delima is get a car for entire trip, just a week and see the Highlands and then use local/public transportation in and around Glasgow/Edinburgh *my final destination before returning to the U. S.) This will also be a solo trip and I'm already a little nervous about that. Planning this time seems do hard. I'd appreciate any help thought, ideas or suggestions anyone want to give!
K
Here is Rick's recommended itinerary, which might help you get past your block.
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland/itinerary
