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I have an itinerary, would love some suggestions

Posted by (Virginia) on

Thanks to you all for some helpful comments, I have an itinerary and lodging secured. I would appreciate any tips regarding worthwhile side stops, sites not miss, etc. At this point everything but the flights can be cancelled, but I think I am pretty happy with what I have. This will be mid-October. We aren't really big city people and are not really interested in nightlife, although a pub with locals would be fun. We enjoy beautiful scenery, but we won't really be hiking. Nice walks are a consideration, though. Any other distilleries that we should definitely fit in?

Day 1 Arrive Edinburgh around 2:30 pm and head to our hotel (Le Monde Hotel)
Day 2 Enjoy Edinburgh including the Castle, hopefully National Museum, Holyrood Palace. I have reserved afternoon Tea at Holyrood Cafe.
Day 3 pick up car from Arthur Clarke airport location and drive to Inverary to visit the Castle (my grandmother was a Campbell). From there complete the drive to Oban and check in to our hotel Perle Oban Hotel.
Day 4 Enjoy Oban including a wildlife tour (boat) and a distillery tour as well as enjoy the town, maybe do shopping for some tweed.
Day 5 Leave Oban and stop at Glencoe to explore on our way to Dingwall. (Staying at Tulloch Castle since I am a Davidson)
Day 6 explore the area including Culloden, Clava Cairns, etc.
Day 7 Leave Dingwall and drive to St. Andrews, stopping at Pitlochry along the way. Check in to our hotel The Arran.
Day 8 I have already booked St. Andrews History walking tour including the old course in the morning. Late afternoon, head back to Edinburgh airport to drop the car and check in to Hampton by Hilton at the Airport.
Day 9 Flight leaves Edinburgh at 6 a.m. (How early should we plan on getting there for an international flight? We fly from EDI to Frankfurt, then on to the US).

Appreciate any comments and my family surnames also include Ramsey (maternal grandfather), Brooks (maternal great grandfather), Stephenson (paternal grandmother) so any suggestions related to those clans that I can visit with this itinerary?

Thanks again.

Posted by
1296 posts

On day 7 when you leave Dingwall to head south you could take in the Dalwhinnie distillery located just off the A9 road. You'll need to book a tour.

Re boat tour from Oban. Are you sure it will be running in mid October. Weather could be questionable for boat trips, so expect possible cancellation. For example today here on Skye it is very cold and windy with heavy rain. No boat trips would be running here today.

Jacqui (Skyegirl)

Posted by
46 posts

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the distillery, we will keep that one in mind. As far as the boat tour in Oban, no I'm not sure and really wasn't planning on pre-booking anything pending the weather. I figured chances may be good that if the weather was good, I could probably book the night before or that morning. While it is something I would be interested in doing, it's not a deal-breaker. Here was the tour I was considering: https://obanseatours.co.uk/ and they are showing that it is bookable in October.

Posted by
8065 posts

Flight leaves Edinburgh at 6 a.m. (How early should we plan on getting there for an international flight? We fly from EDI to Frankfurt, then on to the US).

Jeanine, you only need to get there 2 hours early. Edinburgh to Frankfurt is not considered an international flight. In fact, if you get there 3 hours early instead of two, you probably will have to wait on the airline staff anyway. I flew out of Glasgow earlier this year (with a layover at AMS) and got there about 2 hours and 15 minutes before the flight, but the security gate did not open until 2 hours before.

Posted by
8065 posts

Thanks, Jeanine! You will love Scotland! I learned a lot from Jacqui above, who lives on Skye, and so many other wonderful posters here!

Also, I would suggest getting an airport hotel for that last night before you leave (if you haven't already thought of that). I left early from Glasgow Airport and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, which was very reasonably priced and very comfortable. I know they have one at EDI as well. And of course, others may have some recommendations as well. :)

Have a wonderful trip!

Posted by
1296 posts

Hi Jeannie
Regarding flights from EDI I'd suggest getting a hotel within walking distance of the terminal. Moxie is one such hotel and pretty decent - being part of the Marriott group I think. There's also a Hilton Doubletree and a Hampton within walking distance. Sadly the Holiday Inn Express (my usual choice when travelling away from home in the UK) is a bit further from the terminal building - requiring a courtesy bus, and at least when we last stayed there, not one of their better offerings (unlike the excellent one at Glasgow airport).

Jacqui

Posted by
46 posts

Thanks Jacqui, we are booked at the Hampton by Hilton at the airport. I wanted to get as close as possible since our flight is so early.

Posted by
8065 posts

Oops, that's what I get to recommending a hotel I don't know! Thanks, Jacqui! Too bad - I did love the one at GLA! And Jeanine, I just noticed that you had already mentioned your booking at the Hilton - duh!

I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip and I can assure you, it will leave you wanting to come back!

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