Still trying to firm up some itinerary details for our short trip to Scotland in late September. We will be taking the 10 AM Armadale to Mallaig ferry on Monday, October 5th with the intention of making it to the Glasgow airport area by 7:30 PM (any later and I'm told we'll pay a whopping penalty for dropping our car off after hours). I'm trying to plot a reasonable day of driving with stops that will allow us to get there in time. I think the route though Glencoe and past the southern banks of Loch Lomond would be a pretty safe bet but a friend just emailed me a Buzzfeed posting about UK sites you have to see before you die (or something like that) and both Ben Nevis and Glen Etive were on there. Of course I want to see them both but it appears that they both are detours from that direct route. Is it realistic to try to see both or at least one? Any recommendations for which if it is to be only one?
Thanks!
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Lisa,
I have been to Scotland nearly a dozen times and I've yet to see Glen Etive. I've Glen Affric, Glen Lyon, beautiful glens on Skye, in Torridon, in the Cairngorms. I would really be hard pressed to say which one is the only one to see before you die. It might actually be the view of Loch Broome as you just enter the Glen on the way to Ullapool, but wait, maybe it is Glen Lyon in Perthshire. Oh, heck!
And then Ben Nevis. Of course, it's wonderful to see Ben Nevis and I finally saw it on about my 7th or 8th trip. The first opportunity it was hidden by clouds and then I sort of forgot about it as I had seen so many other beautiful things. If you do have a clear day as you drive into Fort William on the A830 from Mallaig you will be staring at it.
Needless to say, I really recommend that you not worry about what bits of Scotland you absolutely need to see before you die. Rather, just enjoy your time and then start planning a return visit as soon as you get back to NY.
Pam
Posted by
OP
New York, USA
110 posts
Pam -
Actually, I looked at the Buzzfeed post again and I was mistaken: I don't have to see them before I die. Apparently, however, they are guaranteed to be "jaw dropping" which, I'm pretty sure, isn't such a novelty in Scotland anyway.
So...I'm just trying to make the most of a drive on our last day in Scotland... And I'm a glutton for things that make my jaw drop. Sounds, however, like you think we should just stay on the direct route and we'll still get plenty of jaw-dropping views.
Thanks!
Lisa
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
You will see Ben Nevis from the A830 on the drive south from Mallaig, if it isn't covered in cloud/mist. You don't have time to climb it and you need proper mountaineering gear (and experience) if you are going to attempt this.
Glen Etive is not far off your route, but is a narrow road that can't be rushed. Not a great drive if it is misty or raining as not much can be seen, so decide on the day what you have time for.
Posted by
bedford, indiana
459 posts
If I had to choose I would give time to the drive down A82 through the Glen Coe, Rannoch Moore, Glen Etive. We spent a few days in Ft William last October and made the drive up A82 and also visited Ben Nevis. We hiked in the Glen Coe area and also at Ben Nevis but my nod would go to the Glen Coe area if you have limited time. The drive through the valley is jaw dropping but you must devote some time to pull over and admire the beauty. It is a narrow road and the driver will miss much of the awesome scenery just keeping the car on the road. It will be slower than you plan so give yourself a wide margin of error if you are keeping a schedule. It is over the top awesome. My trip was from Edinburgh to Ft. William to Skye so we did not make it south to the Loch Lomond so I cant speak about tht area.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Hey Lisa, glad that you rechecked. In know that you are going to find your own places that are jaw droppingly beautiful. As someone who has a very strong planning gene, I really understand the need to make sure that you have the trip planned so that you don't miss anything. But leave a little time for serendipity, but don't miss your plane! As someone has already posted, it can be slow going on the one track roads and when you're gunning for a flight, the tension can rise. The drive from Fort William through Glen Coe and down the western side of Loch Lomond is gorgeous. You will have plenty of times when you want to stop and just enjoy it. Watch for the Loch Tulla View Point. It's about 20 miles from Glencoe. I'm sure you'll find your own spots as well.
Posted by
Chicagoland
279 posts
I would definitely recommend Glen Coe and the Glen Etive. When my mom and I went through the first, it was the jaw-dropping beauty you are looking for. We went through the second after I read the write up on it on the Undiscovered Scotland website, and I am so glad we did! Very few people on the road, lots of places to pull over for photos, and ending in a gorgeous view of Loch Etive at the end of the drive. I took a panoramic shot of the loch and have it on my wall, and get compliments on it all the time.