Hi,
We are going to our daughter's graduation at St. Andrews in June. I have a place booked there for a week as that was the minimum time. We will be renting a car. So far this is what I have and would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.
Day 1: Leave St. Andrews visit it Culloden and sights spend the night in Inverness.
Day 2: Loch Ness, Caledonian Canal. Night in Inverness
Day 3: Leave early head toward Isle of Skye for two nights stopping at Eilean Donan along the way
Day 4: Isle of Skye
Day 5: Leave Isle of Skye stop at Glenfinnan, Fort William, Glen Coe
Day 6: Oban?
Day 7: Stirling?
Day 8: Leave from Edinburgh
My main question is where would be the best places to stay and visit on Days 5, 6, and 7.
We do not have time to visit the islands around Oban. Is it worth staying for a night? Or staying in Glencoe? Or two nights in Stirling?
We have visited Glasgow and Edinburgh and do not to spend more time there.
Thanks in advance.
Lisa
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
The point of Oban is to go to the islands as far as I'm concerned. I'd spend a third night on Skye.
If you have extra time in St. Andrews, I'd recommend a day trip to Dundee, a nice, relatively untouristy city with some good museums, including the new V&A Dundee design museum.
Posted by
Freedonia
16409 posts
Are you talking about next month or next year? If next month, if you don't have accomodations yet, you may have a hard time finding them in some of these places.
Start with that and work your desired itinerary around it.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1306 posts
I would be really surprised if you can find accommodation on Skye easily at this short notice. You might consider checking out a Facebook group called Skye Rooms that aims to match those seeking last minute rooms with providers who have space.
Also if you want to leave Skye by the Armadale to Mallaig ferry you will need to make a reservation as car space is limited and demand high.
Posted by
8 posts
We would highly suggest one of the trips to see Puffins (May - July). You'll need to book in advance as these trips fill up fast. Most of them start by taking the ferry from Oban to Mull. Tour start locations depend on the tour operator. You'll go by several islands and land on one island to spend time up close to these amazing birds. There are many, many tours; each operator offers something different, so review several companies to get the type of tour you want.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8157 posts
Also if you want to leave Skye by the Armadale to Mallaig ferry you will need to make a reservation as car space is limited and demand high.
I agree with that. I just took the Mallaig to Armadale ferry and it was packed full. CalMac was religiously checking every reservation before you could even get into the parking area. It was the strictest I’d seen them. You’ve always got the bridge option, though. Or the Glenelg ferry.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
If you can't find anywhere on Skye, think about Kyle of Lochalsh (the mainland town by the Skye Bridge) and drive onto the island each day over the bridge.
Or look at Mallaig and use the ferry each day. By then the Mallaig route should be back to a 2 ferry service.
Otherwise go to Oban for the Isle of Mull and Iona, and the various other islands around there.
People are unjustly sniffy about Oban. There is an enormous amount you can do based there.
The ferries from Oban to Mull should also be back to full capacity before then.
Posted by
OP
Tucson, AZ, United States
23 posts
We do have accommodations booked in both Skye and Inverness so that is not an issue.