Itinerary Feedback

If two nights in Oban is for a boat tour, you might get canceled. I'd trade at least one Inverness for IOS (if not two). Dt takes a few days to see IOS. You might be better off staying in England or southern Scotland given your time constraints.

Oban to Inverness and 'stopping for the day on Isle of Skye' is completely unrealistic. A straight drive on the main route from Oban to Inverness via Fort William would be 3 hours. And that's with no traffic hold ups or delays. From Oban to Portree would be around 4 hours, and then you'd need another 3 hours to get to Inverness - but again that's without any kind of stops. And I'm guessing that you'd want to see something of Skye, e.g. Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Neist Point Lighthouse, Fairy Pools? Adding in any sight seeing or hiking would make it impossible as a day trip.

I'd also query the need for 3 nights in Inverness. Using as a base to see the Highlands is a good idea, but if you want to see Skye you need to spend at least one night and probably two nights in Skye.

I'm assuming 2 nights in Oban means you want to do a boat trip? If not then I'd forgo one of the nights in Oban and rob a night from Inverness giving you 2 nights in Skye and 2 in Inverness.

"*I'm trying not to hurry from place to place. *"

The thing about trying to duplicate a RS tour is that the coach drivers are expert professionals who have likely done this route hundreds of times. They know the traffic, where slow downs are likely to be and how to navigate around any issues by going cross country.

I think you are moving too fast and yes, are hurrying from place to place. I love Wales but unless this is a priority, I'd cut Conwy and add a night to Bath and one to Keswick. I think stopping in Keswick for just one night is going to not be worthwhile. If you decide to cut Keswick altogether, add a night to York.

For me, 2 nights = 1 full day to sightsee. 1 night = maybe 1/2 day on either side but not enough to do much especially if you want to do a hike or see some of the lakes in the Keswick area. I particularly love Castlerigg Stone Circle in Keswick but you might not be into Neolithic stuff.

I'm glad you are planning ahead!

With only 8 nights I would consider skipping both Skye and Inverness. There is so much more to see in Scotland.

I would consider 3 nights Oban. You'll be arriving after a long day of driving. Relax, visit a distillery, take the 2 Island tour to Mull and Iona, enjoy the seafood, drive to Kilmartin Glen to visit the ancient stones.

Then drive through more beautiful scenery and head over to Speyside for 2 nts for distilleries, a cooperage and the castles of Aberdeenshire. Maybe base in Dufftown area.

Driving down to Edinburgh for 3 nts you'll have many options for stops to explore gardens, waterfalls and more

Conwy to Oban is a minimum 7 hour drive, with no stops.

Even Rick gives Keswick two nights, and he is being dismissively brief. One night is all but pointless.

The first and last weekends in May are pubic holidays, when the lakes will be busy (= turgidly slow moving in the Central Lakes). The weekend after the second Bank Holiday is also school spring break. By my count Keswick is the end of that holiday week around 30 May.
Honestly if there is the slightest point to a one night stop in Keswick you would be coming in on the slow A591 and leaving on the A66.
In fact you'd find it hard to get a one night stay in Keswick then- most places impose a 2 or 3 night minimum stay.
In those circumstances a far better stop over would be up the M6, and overnight in the City of Carlisle.
See Carlisle Castle (a real castle if there was ever one) and as you pass at junction 40 pull off the M6 briefly for Penrith Castle and Brougham Castle. Also in Carlisle the city walls, the Cathedral and Tullie [House Museum].

And if you want a stone circle in Cumbria go to see Long Meg and her daughters, not Castlerigg. But I doubt you have the time.

Even then the M6 will be slow over Shap as we should have started 4 years of bridge replacement work. There is likely to be a very long average speed 40 mph section between junctions 37 (maybe 36) and 39.
Currently there is a 10 mile 40mph section between junctions 39 and 40- 10,000 drivers have been fined in the first month for ignoring it, at £100 a time apparently.

We have enjoyed several road trips in Great Britain and have visited all of the places on your list although not on the same trip! My observations, for what they're worth:
1. Are ;you a fan of Jane Austen or Georgian architecture? If not, you can skip Bath.
2. Northern Wales is very pretty, but IMHO the scenery is better in northern England and the Highlands.
3. Inverness is a convenient place to stop for an overnight, but not a place to visit for three nights.

Suggested itinerary- total of about 800 miles over two weeks
1. Take a train to York.
2. After enjoying York, rent a car at the train station.

3. Visit the Lakes District, then head northeast to visit the Scottish border abbeys - Dryburgh is the most scenic.
4. Head north past Stirling to Glencoe. We liked the Kingshouse Hotel.
5. Take the bridge to Skye. Book Skye accommodations early - it is a very popular destination.
6.After Skye, head to Shieldaig, then drive through the Torridon area - scenery to rival Skye's!
7. Garve to Pitlochry
8. Head to Edinburgh. Return car at airport. Enjoy Edinburgh.
9. Fly home from Edinburgh or Glasgow or London.

Thank you thank you everyone who replied! I'll definitely be changing my itinerary based upon recommendations. It certainly felt hurried. Appreciate the info!!!!