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Return route from Isle of Skye - Suggestions?

Reposting - original post is nowhere to be found!

Hi all,
I will be visiting the West Highlands in early September. I plan to rent a car in Glasgow, then take the A82 along the western shores of Loch Lomond to Glencoe (2.5D/2N) then onwards to Isle of Skye (3.5D/3N). However, I'm undecided about which route to take back to Glasgow (or to Edinburgh if a one-way drop is warranted). I've reviewed the typical routes and nothing really jumps out at me.

What route would you recommend, given the following interests/preferences?

  • Not interested in history or museums. Prefer viewing ruins against a gorgeous backdrop, than taking a tour of the insidecof a castle. 
  • Prefer mountains and dramatic landscapes to flat/low pastures or fields. 
  • Prefer sheer cliffs (think cliffs of Moher) to sandy bays
  • Not a confident driver - so the fewer hairpin turns/bends, the better
  • Love trad sessions and folk music more generally (will get my fill in Glasgow, apparently)
  • Flexible start and end point. Coming from London, then onward to Ireland.

Routes that I've ruled out:

  • Via Lochness 
  • Via Isle of Mull (i.e. Skye > Mallaig > Kilchoan/Lochaline > Toberymory/Fishnish)

Routes that I'm still considering:

  • Via the Eastern side of the Trossachs (A82 > A85 > A84 to Callander or Stirling, then onwards to Glasgow)
  • Fort William > Oban > Inveraray > Glasgow
  • Fort William > Oban > Tarbert > Isle of Arran > Glasgow

Thoughts on the above routes? Alternatives?

TIA :-)

Posted by
8059 posts

Well, I would suggest any route that includes Arran. It's a gorgeous island and it's not called "Scotland in Miniature" for nothing. I spent 3 nights there and loved it. It's a very easy ferry ride to Ardrossan, and lots to do on the island. There are ruins, mountains, beaches, Brodick Castle and gardens, Lochranza, beautiful drives all over, ancient cairns, and some fun shopping. If you're a whisky drinker, there are two distilleries on the island.