Itinerary for 24 days in Scotland-feedback

Posted by losrichins on 02/09/25 11:16 PM

So, from all the comments, suggestions, insights from this forum, this is the plan we have come up with. We will rent a car from Glasgow on. We have secured lodging in all places and now will be making ferry reservations. If you have any adjustments/suggestions, please comment. We will have a bit of flexibility if we need to add a day or so. Also, any side trips, restaurants, etc. you recommend! Many thanks!

Day 1-land Edinburgh, take train to Glasgow
2-Glasgow explore
3-Glasgow explore
4-to Islay
5-Islay/Jura explore
6-Islay/Jura explore
7-To Tobermory
8-Tobermory-explore Mull and isles
9-Tobermory-explore Mull and isles
10-Tobermory-explore Mull and isles
11-To Mallaig
12-Mallaig
13-ferry to Portree
14-Portree
15-Portree
16-to Plockton
17-to Newtonmore
18-Newtonmore
19- to Crail and Fife Villages
20-Crail and Fife Villages
21- to Edinburgh
22-Edinburgh
23-Edinburgh
24-fly out of Edinburgh

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

02/10/25 09:23 AM

2442 posts

Looks good and you have a reasonable amount of time at each place too.

Posted by TexasTravelMom

TX, USA

02/10/25 09:29 AM

5019 posts

Looks delightful!

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

02/10/25 09:50 AM

8684 posts

If there are any ferry reservations not currently available that is because they are in Phase 2 release- which opens bookings on 18 February.
Not all routes, like Tobermory to Kilchoan, are reserveable at all- such routes are turn up and go as capacity is greater to or equal than demand in normal circumstances.

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

02/10/25 01:05 PM

8684 posts

Reverting to an earlier iteration where you tried to incorporate the Jacobite steam train. The Strathspey Steam Railway at Aviemore is another steam possibility. It is very close to Newtonmore, and you don't have to book ahead. So if you have time and that days timetable happens to have a suitable train just turn up and travel.

Posted by scotlandmac

Glasgow

02/17/25 04:41 PM

40 posts

What a great trip!

I’ll throw in some eating out places that I enjoy, as a starter (so to speak!):

Islay - the Machrie Hotel at the golf course is first class, gorgeous inside, good food especially lunchtime.They have a lovely upper outside terrace for eating out to, in good weather, looking over the golf course , dunes and the sea.

They have a Port Charlotte hotel generally does good food.Book ahead, as with the hotel above too.Nice outdoor terrace again for drinks looking across Loch Indaal to the Paps of Jura.

The Ardnahoe Distillery cafe looks quite amazing in terms of location and view, worth it for that alone though it was shut when we were there.The cafe at Ardbeg distillery has a good reputation.

Skye and Mull punch above their weight for nice eating places - if you fancy a special treat, Edinbane Lodge currently gets my vote as the best on the island for Michelin style/level food.Also enjoyed An Crubh on Sleat for a light lunch, a community run cafe/shop with grand views and as ever, excellent pub food at Am Praban Bar , Isle Ornsay.

The Oyster Shed on Skye is a good seafood experience ; we’ve generally enjoyed food at the Old Inn , Carbost.

Had great Lobster and Chips sitting outside at the Creel Seafood Bar at Fionnphort /the Iona ferry if you fancy something at short notice and it’s a lovely sunny day:

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551865-d8494544-Reviews-The_Creel_Seafood_Bar-Fionnphort_Isle_of_Mull_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html

Glengorm Cafe is consistently good for home made cakes and excellent light lunches.

More when time allows!