Return to Scotland

too much time in Glasgow

It looks like you only have 2 half days there, I'd call that a good start. It's likely not an opinion shared by many but I liked Glasgow more than Edinburgh; it seemed more real and less touristy. We spent 4 days there including a day trip to Stirling Castle which was our favourite site in Scotland, a close 2nd was Mull where we spent 3 days with a car.

I would love to explore Mull a bit, but with not having a car, not sure how that would work, or what to cut out to do that. The only long train day we have is the day from Oban to Windermere. The others are only 3-4 hours each. Any thoughts appreciated.

On 4 September, if you take an early ish ferry over, then you could bus to Tobermory, then back to Craignure for the afternoon bus to Iona.
We would need to check when summer timetables come out, but I suspect you could continue from Tobermory on the bus to Calgary Beach then the bus back to Craignure via Ulva ferry to get a scenic tour of Mull.
It works on the winter timetable so should in summer.
On 10 September it is just over 2 hours from Windermere to Glasgow, so morning in Windermere and afternoon in Glasgow are both possible.
On 6 September they are just 2 Sunday buses off Iona so that needs a timetable check when summer schedules are released in about a months time.

Windermere and Bowness have scores of guesthouses, almost all served by the 3x an hour open top 599 bus, and other buses. In the evening the 555 Keswick bus diverts via Bowness.
Have a look on Goog!e maps between the Baddeley Clock and the police station. That's in between Windermere and Bowness, but an easy walk from both, and quieter.
Then by all means come back with anywhere that looks right for you.
You are a!so handy there for the Victoria Wood Theatre and the Royalty movie theatre.
The tours leave from the Tourist Information centre at the railway station, so use the 599/6/534/755/508 buses up the hill or walk.
There are a few places to stay just down from the station, but I think that area is really a bit busy.

There is a delicate balancing act here to give enough time in Glasgow, but also a bit of free time in Windermere out with your tours.

I will just say that I took the Discover Scotland tour of Glencoe, Glenfinnan, and Loch Shiel in 2023 and loved it. That was the most memorable day of my (too short) 6-day trip, and I treasure the photos I took in those places.

I've taken a couple of Rabbie's tours (St. Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife in 2023 and Robert Burns Country, Culzean Castle & Ayrshire Coast in 2024) and enjoyed them as well.

Nancy and Allan,
Thank you for your input on tours. It is a hard decision as to which day tour to take.
My husband and I took two Rabbies tours in 2017, one was wonderful, the other a long, boring day. Discover Scotland has been recommended, but not sure which to choose. As I mentioned above, we will have been to Oban and Iona on our own, as well as to Lake District in England, so looking for something different. We probably won't be back, as this is our third visit to Great Britain. I don't want the day to be all day riding in a bus, but a day that provides a chance to get out and enjoy. From what I've read, the Stirling Castle tour might be more off the bus, but would love to hear from you. We love nature and history. A boat ride isn't a priority for us as much as seeing the landscape and architecture. Not sure how far away Glenfinnan is - whether it would be mostly bus riding but I would so enjoy seeing Glencoe. Thank you for taking the time.

Rabbies: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands - or - Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Boat Cruise

Discover Scotland: Glenfinnan, Glencoe, & Loch Shiel - or - Loch Lomond & Stirling Castle - or - Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands

Stirling Castle can easily be done from Glasgow by train with no bus tour required. I don't know if they still offer it, but when we were there in 2022 there was a free 1-hour tour available every hour.

Glenfinnan is 3 hours without breaks each way, but it is a very scenic drive. All you do at Loch Shiel is look out over it from Glenfinnan as it is a very long and remote Loch with no roads alongside. If you were staying in the area there is a half day one way boat trip (a lovely one) you can do down the full length of the Loch, but there isn't time for that- full day return trip.

Just looking out at Loch Shiel is a wonderful experience! It's become one of my "happy places" that I revisit in memory frequently.

@mcgregds, my photo album from 2023 is here if you'd like to see my pictures of that tour, about halfway down the page. We had pouring rain at Glencoe and glorious sunshine at Glenfinnan, perfect for awaiting the arrival of the Jacobite steam train. The album also includes a few photos from Pitlochry, where we stopped on the way back. At the top of the album are my photos of the Rabbie's St. Andrews tour. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0PGfnH8tbviAC

There's quite a lot of Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture to see in Glasgow.

I'm back with another question. We are thinking about staying downtown on our first evening in Glasgow, taking public transportation from the airport to a centrally located downtown hotel.

On our way back, we will be spending two nights in Glasgow, with this itinerary, thinking about staying at the 15Glasgow B&B on the west side, nearer to Kelvingrove.

We would be coming from the Glasgow Central train station to 15Glasgow when we arrive. The next day we are looknig at a Discover Scotland tour that takes off from the Buchanan bus terminal in the am, returning late afternoon.
The last day we need transportation to the airport.

Guidance is appreciated. We both love Scotland and are excited about our journey.