Hello, Scotland forum folks. My wife and I (in our 70’s but fit) and grown children (in 30’s and fit) plan to visit Scotland for the first time in May, 2026. Our niece and her partner, in their 40’s and fit, will join us in Glasgow from London where they reside. First time in Scotland for all of us !
We will begin in Edinburgh for its own sake and because our flight lands there nonstop from Chicago, and also visit Glasgow, but in this forum I won’t ask advice about those major cities (can’t go wrong with their art museums) and instead ask for feedback about our plans for the Isle of Skye.
At present, my plan is for the niece and some others to hire a six-passenger car in Glasgow and then drive in one day to Mallaig in time for the 16:00 ferry to Armadale. My wife and I will take the Scotrail West Highland line from Glasgow and meet the car travelers in Mallaig. This concept is based on the niece being a UK driver, on my wife and I preferring train travel, on the West Highland line’s reputation for scenery, and on not being able to find a six-passenger vehicle for hire on the Isle of Skye.
Upon landing in Armadale at 16:30 we will drive to Portree and stay three nights in a rented house within walking distance of the center. (Will book dinners). We have not filled in the wish-list for this portion but it will include the standard highlights with special attention to potters, wildlife and coastal scenery. After that we return to the Sleat Peninsula and stay three nights in two different cottages at Armadale Castle. We will want to take at least one boat outing from Elgol on Bella Jane’s AquaExplore zodiac, one featuring puffins but perhaps another trip also. Remaining activities for Sleat Peninsula not yet determined.
Then the niece and partner will drive back to Glasgow to return the rental car, then return to London while the two parents and two adult kids visit the Isle of Arran for a few days with no car (or we might visit the Isle of Arran first, depending on logistics).
I am hoping that the experienced Scotland posters will share thoughts on:
1). Best itinerary for the car party driving from Glasgow to Mallaig in one day for the 16:00 ferry. The
group will have varied interests and not want to depart at dawn, but perhaps Stirling or Falkirk ?
2). From Portree, would it be worthwhile to spend a day across the bridge on the mainland since we
will have six nights on the Isle of Skye and have a car ? Or just enjoy Skye, unhurriedly ?
3). Our lodgings in Armadale are self-catering, so we are starting in Portree in part to provision there
but what should we expect in Portree for grocery shopping - two of the group are vegetarian, two
love seafood. Are there restaurants serving dinner near Armadale ?
4). What should we prioritize during the Armadale stay ? Boat trip to Canna on AquaExplore from
Elgol, scenic drive on Sleat Peninsula, walks in the Armadale Garden and their trails are on the list.
Are Neolithic sites reachable from there ? We have the Bradt guide but are starting in this Forum.
5). Our visit is in May but we have not included any of the renowned Scottish gardens in our planning
so far. Armadale has gardens and so will the cottages in Portree but are we missing an
opportunity to visit prime gardens that might be incorporated into our overall plan ?
Thank you.