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Drive from Skye to Aviemore and Day in Cairngorms

Posted by (Bedford, texas, united states) on

I am back (and will be again) trying to separate my posts with the separate day drives.
(recap Scotland Itinerary)
- Drive up from Lake District
- 2 nights Glencoe
- 3 nights Skye
- 1 Night Aviemore
- 3 nights EDI

This post is to try to single out:
1. a drive from Skye to Aviemore / spend night in Aviemore - try to be in Aviemore by 4:00pm to see dogs
2. Next day have 3/4 a day in Cairngorm (either stay longer that day or try to hit the heather gem factory before closing at 5:30pm - or Skip and by heather gem elsewhere ) and head to Edinburgh (note , I mention the heather gems, as I think those will be great gifts for a few people and think the heater gem factory is a good place to get them, but then I am limiting my time to try to be there by 5:30).

For the Drive to Aviemore from Skyehere is what I am seeing, but looking if there are other options that you would suggest. I know that I am passing Torridon, but it just seemed to much to add. (unless there is a slight vartion you think it is worth adding to the drive).
• A850
• A87
• Stop at Eilean Castle
• A890
• A832
• A835
• A9

OR - I just looked and we could do this:

  • A850

• A87

• Stop at Eilean Castle

• continue on A87 side the loch ness

• Stop for views and quick look at urquhart castle

• Detour to Cannich/Plodda falls (might be too much time)

• Continue to A82

  • A9

Leave skye via the Bridge at KyleakinSun 09
Take the road bridge at Kyleakin, visit Eilean Donan Castle.
Eilean Donan Castle - opens at 9:00am if we want to go in --- I know it can get crowded...(can get crowded)

Any other not to miss sights along the way?

I know we can stop at Lochness maybe a quick stop for a view form the Urquhart Castle? not time for a boat ride or anything.

Day in the Cairngorms:
Love to see some wildlife if there is a certain section etc that we should be in ! or certain trails etc.
Short hikes/different landscapes etc. (looking over walk highlands, but always like to hear what people have done and like so I keep that in mind while reviewing).
- thinking of Wildlife park, but not sure as I prefer to see animals in nature, but I hear it gets a lot of great reviews.
- Feshiebridge walk (need to look up more)
- Reindeer farm

thanks, I will be back with a "day in Glencoe area questions"
(hope it is ok to separate, as I think sometimes what I am asking can be too much).

Posted by
5678 posts

Either of your routes is fine. They both offer beautiful scenery. I've done the northern route most often and it is stunning. There are some waterfalls and rapids that you might want to stop off at and view. First near Garve are the Blackwater Falls and then a little further east are the Rogie River falls. Both are worth a stop.

Of course, the advantage of coming up the "southern route" is that you'll driving past Loch Ness which is impressive. The north shore road does tend to be a busy one, and I expect that you would have less traffic on the northern route. If you go past Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is worth a stop. It's great on it's own with a good visitor center and although the castle is a ruin it's got wonderful views of the Loch and it's fun to clamber around on it. Also, earlier, you might want to take a small detour and explore Loch Garry. It is just off the A87. (BTW the route that came up for me has you picking up the A887 to Invermoriston where you pick up the A82 into Inverness. To see Loch Garry you would go past the A887 see Loch Garry and then head north and east on the A82. )

Check out Rothiemurchus for walks in the Cairngorms.

Pam

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