On a Friday morning in early May, we will be taking the Mallaig ferry from the Isle of Skye and driving to Fort William. We need to return our rental car mid-afternoon Saturday at Glasgow Central Station before our train ride to London. Deciding where to spend Friday night - choosing between Ft William, Oban, or The Mhor Hotel in Balquhidder. Including the Viaduct of Glenfinnan and Glencoe in our stops on Friday. Will get ferry ticket ahead of time as well. I've checked the ferry and driving time and it seems doable, but wanted others opinions.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
Really the choice is yours, but Lomondside would mean being nearer Glasgow and hence less stress on the Saturday.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4161 posts
I don't feel comfortable having to make a trip of any distance when connecting with a plane ( or , in this case , a train ) . Could you drive down from Fort William on Saturday to make your connection in Glasgow ? Yes ! SHOULD you ? Not in my book . As MC says , getting down to Lomondside Friday night would be better . If , however you spent a little more time behind the wheel , you could come down the A82 over the Erskine bridge directly to the Airport , You could drop the car that night ( or the next morning , if you prefer ) , take one of the hotels right by the terminal and car rental offices for the night , and comfortably ( with no stress ) take the 500 bus from in front of the terminal ( and rental offices ) into Glasgow on Saturday AM , with no worry about a drive before connecting to the train . Among other stops , the bus stops right at Central Station . You will also find it easier to drop the car at the airport , driving in central Glasgow isn't the best idea ! The area around the staion is a tangle of one way streets and restricted bus lanes .
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
To bad that you're stuck with an auto in Ft. Williams. The West Highland Rail Line Ft Willians to Glasgow is one of the more scenic train routes. The "Super Sprinter" rolling stock contrary to its name travels at a very civilized speed conducive to enjoying the scenery.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
Steven makes very valid points. Although Glasgow is not the most difficult city to get around, it is still a big city. Stress may be saved by dropping at the airport, which might save you money as that is where they want the hire cars to be!, and popping on the bus or taking the bus train to Central. You can get a bus to Paisley's stations and enjoy the commuter trains directly to Glasgow Central.
Edgar's suggestion is also worth consideration. It is not just one of the most scenic routes in Scotland, or in the UK. It is one of the most scenic in Europe. Though it takes you into Glasgow Queen Street, but that is 15 minutes in a taxi to Central.
Of Steven and Edgar's suggestions, personally, I would go with Edgar's. Rannoch Moor is remote and beautiful in a car on the A82. Imagine it on a train...
Sorry Steven.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4161 posts
No apology necessary , MC . I liked Edgar's suggestion better myself ! If Gail can drop the car in Fort William , I would do that too . On our first trip through Scotland we drove out along Loch Tummel to Queen's View and then toward Loch Rannoch , absolutely stunning ! I'm at the computer editing photos for an upcoming presentation , and just pulled some of the Loch Tummel shots for the show . Can't wait to get back !
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I think that you should stay at The Mhor Hotel. I had lunch there one year and it looked lovely. The food was excellent, the views are wonderful. It's a very peaceful glen. And Rob Roy MacGregor's grave is in the church yard at the beginning of the glen. I checked the route on Via Michelin. The route planner struggled with the direct address and so has it from beginning of the Glen so add another 20-30 minutes to get to the starting point. I think I would plan on two hours. But you should just ask the hotel. At any rate, there should no problem catching an afternoon train. \
Pam