We have 10 day vacation in Scotland end of June- beginning of July 2026. My husband and I along with our 16 yo. We tend to enjoy beautiful scenery, music, good pubs/seafood, along some historical sites and would like to see a castle or 2. Reading Rick Steves books, we are interested in Edinburgh, Mull/Iona/ Staffa tour (seeing puffins and other wildlife), the Abbey on Iona, Isle of Skye, Pitlochry (interest in Scottish Crannog Centre or places like this), and Sterling Castle. That said, we don’t love crowds so open to other suggestions. We aren’t comfortable driving (I know that would be preferred for some locations). We like hiking, but that seems easy to fit in to whatever we decide to go. We don’t want a speed through sites- ideally staying 2-3 nights in each place. We typically feel that big cities don’t have the charm we like (often just feel too big), even though we do like the museums/historical sites they provide. Any itinerary suggestions with these in mind or maybe alternate places that might be similar but less busy? I know the time of year isn’t ideal but it was when we could go. Thanks!
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3132 posts
I don't know how it would fit into a short 10 days, but I loved the solo side trip I did last July to Anstruther and the Isle of May to see puffins.
It was easy to get to Anstruther using public transportation (Stagecoach company), and the trip to the island was so much fun! So many puffins!
https://www.isleofmayboattrips.co.uk/trips-php
A bit off the beaten track, too.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10907 posts
Getting to the Crannog Centre by bus is not impossible, but requires a degree of choreography-
You go from Perth to Aberfeldy on the Stagecoach #23 or 34 buses, then use Sweeneys local 91/91A service.
I would suggest staying in Perth for Stirling, Pitlochry (by train) and the Crannog Centre.
From Perth Scottish Citylink run a summer bus #913 at 1007 to Fort William (arriving at 1336, connecting at Tyndrum with the summer only #977 to Oban (arrive at 1324). Then either connect into a ferry for Mull or stay in Oban and do the West Coast Tour to Mull and Iona.
At Fort William that service connects with a 1350 Shiel Buses departure to the Isle of Skye, also (Monday to Friday) with the 1350 bus for Kilchoan (for the afternoon ferry to Tobermory).
This year there was a seasonal Citylink morning bus from Portree (Skye) to Edinburgh via Inverness and the A9. Or take a morning bus from Portree to Kyle of Lochalsh then train to Edinburgh/Glasgow changing at Inverness.
From Oban to Fort William there are 4 buses a day, connecting for Portree. Or take the very scenic train from Oban to Fort William (changing at Tyndrum), then the 1350 bus from Fort William to Portree.