We are driving from Oban to Inverness in August for only 1 night before driving down to Edinburgh. We're thinking of foregoing Inverness for Dundee (staying for 2 nights) as there is the new V&A Museum and other sights (husband is a designer). Would love feedback on whether this seems more feasible and/or worth the switch.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1293 posts
Both Inverness and Dundee are very much working towns, but the new V&A is supposed to be fantastic (I've not been yet) while Inverness itself has very little (IMO) to interest visitors. So unless you've something specific in or near Inverness that you want to see I'd skip it and head for Dundee and the V&A instead.
Posted by
Freedonia
16304 posts
I was in Inverness last week and I'm in Dundee as I write this.
If you are interested in the V & A, then Dundee should be your choice. (Not my thing but very popular.) Inverness is good as a base for exploring that area of the country. But not much in the town itself.
Posted by
Paris
10214 posts
I would choose Dundee for the recreated Oak Room of Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the V&A alone!! But then I have already been to Inverness so it’s not really fair of me to discourage you from going there . . .
Posted by
3123 posts
First of all, the drive from Oban to Dundee is not too bad since it's mostly Motorway. Just be aware that sometimes it's dual carriageway (i.e., center median) and sometimes not. We were told there are often head-on collisions because drivers forget they're in a 4-lane or 6-lane configuration with opposite-direction traffic.
Second, since your husband is a designer, what could be better than the new V&A?
Third, if you want an alternative to Inverness that has more character, the town of Nairn is about 30 minutes to the east, just beyond Cawdor Castle. I can recommend the Tali Ayer B&B, but there are many many other B&Bs in town too.
Posted by
OP
Orange County, Cali
2 posts
Thanks for all the great advice! Dundee it is!!
Posted by
103 posts
The only bit of the journey from Oban to Dundee that's dual carriageway is the last section from Perth onwards.......... however it's an attractive drive and if you've got time I'd probably recommend the slight detour north via killin, loch Tay, aberfeldy and dunkeld, which is a little more scenic imo.
If you're in Dundee you might also like to take a look at Dundee contemporary arts centre.
Near Dundee, St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife are worth visiting. St Andrews is not just for golfers and is a nice town with beaches and a ruined castle and cathedral.