hello all - my wife and I will be making our first trip to Scotland in late May. We enjoy easy to moderate hikes, cultural activities and of course food (and pubs!!). We prefer smaller locally owned establishments. Regarding hiking, i'd say we can hike about 5 miles or so or up to 4 hours, given how strenuous the trail is. I don't like unprotected heights tho!
Our trip starts in England (fly to London, 3 nights and then train to Liverpool – 3 nights) and initially we planned to spend 3 nights in Ambleside in the Lake District, driving from Liverpool. Then we plan to drive into Scotland. We are thinking of visiting Glencoe and Pitlochry. From what I read, Glencoe is really small with not much in terms of lodging and restaurants, while Pitlochry appears to have more but lacks the grand beauty in the surrounding areas of Glencoe. I currently have penciled in 2 nights each locale. This would be followed by driving to Edinburgh, returning the car and having 3 nights in Edinburgh, before returning home.
My question with this itinerary is I typically do not like less than 3 nights in any location – once you arrive, check in to the lodging and then departing that final morning - doesn’t allow for too much time and we normally don’t like bobbing around!
My questions are:
Keep the Lake District, either as is (3 nights) with the 2 and 2 nights in Glencoe/ Pitlochry
Skip the Lake District all together and spend 3 nights each in Glencoe and Pitlochry
Allocate the six nights in Glencoe/Pitlochry differently, eg 2 and 4 nights??
Spend only 2 nights in the Lake District and add that night to either Glencoe or Pitlochry.
Any and all advice welcomed!!!