Scotland- can't decide

Are you talking about this April? If so, them your itinerary may depend on finding accommodation, especially on Skye... If possible I'd try and book three nights on Skye as there is so much to do and see, especially if you are wanting to do some walking. I would give the extra night to Skye rather than Glencoe area, cut that back to 2 nights.

Stirling would make a nice stop for the last night and isn't too far to drive to the airport next day.

Hi Christine
There's no reason why the weather will be bad in mid April. Often spring is better than summer up here on Skye.

There are no 'towns' in or very close to Glencoe. Unless you are wanting to a lot of pretty challenging hiking then personally I can't see any reason to stay overnight there.

You could rent a car and drive towards Skye via Glencoe, and possibly overnighting in Fort William. You could then head out towards Mallaig (stopping on the way to see the viaduct used in the Harry Potter films for the steam train). Then take the ferry to Skye (you need to book in advance if bringing a car). You could base yourself in Broadford or Portree (the largest settlements on the island) and spend 3 nights which would give you the best part of two days to explore. You will want to find accommodation asap.

You could travel back to Edinburgh via a different route, leaving Skye by the road bridge and heading on the A87 and A82 towards Spean Bridge where you'd turn left and drive east to Dalwhinnie. There you would pick up the A9 and head south. You could stay just north of Edinburgh, giving you and easy run to the airport to drop off your car and fly out. Stirling would be a decent place to spend your last night - there's a brilliant castle there.

Best wishes
Jacqui (Skyegirl)

Really tough hiking in Glencoe and odds are the summits still holding snow would be high
Plus there's not a lot in the village as such.
Skye has better choices of low level walks.
I will give a shout out to the Clachan at Dornie, excellent food and a proper pub atsmosphere

Christine, whatever you do, you should book as soon as possible; especially on Skye. I've been told by everyone here that it's difficult to find accommodations on Skye (and some of the other islands) unless you book well in advance. I booked my stay on Skye back in September, but I had not booked a hotel on Harris and Lewis and the Isle of Arran, and found that pickings were slim by the time I started.

I can't help you with the outdoorsy stuff, but since you like castles, then a yes to an overnight in Stirling. We enjoyed it much more than Edinburgh Castle; probably because it focuses on Royal history instead of military history.

I agree with booking your accommodations on Skye ASAP. I booked our reservations in November for this June, and quite a few places were already full.

Plenty of beautiful places to visit in Scotland. If Skye isn’t a must, with the limited time you have, maybe make a loop to places like Stirling, Pitlochry, Spean Bridge/Fort William, Inveraray. Near Glencoe we stayed in Kinlochleven. There is the Grey Mares Waterfall a very short walk from town.

Since you like Harry Potter, then the Glenfinnan viaduct would be a must. Within sight of it is Loch Shiel Viewpoint. It was seen in almost every HP movie. There are a couple other filming locations and great scenery along the A82. Parts of one film and Hagrid’s hut were across the street or near the Clachaig Inn. Nothing is left from the movie and you’d just be looking at scenery. Further down the road is Rannoch Moor Viewpoint. Parts of another HP movie we’re filmed near it. In Edinburgh you’d need to visit Victoria Street. It was supposedly part of the inspiration for Diagon Alley.

Hi Christine -

Definitely more time on Skye (it’s bigger than you might think) and less in Glencoe unless your definition of hiking includes the words ‘intrepid’ and ‘lung busting’. Nearly all the hikes in or around Glencoe are extremely vertical and fellow Tyke Richard is right, snow could still be present on the summits in April. Skye does have more lower level walking options. Stay out of the Black Cuillins though, it’s Glencoe with a mean streak! The best way to get up close and personal with the Black Cuillin is to take the Bella Jane boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk - you have some time ashore to explore and generally marvel at the surroundings but be warned! - if the weather is poor there’s no shelter there of any kind. It is a great trip though, takes in seals and bird life etc and if there’s anybody doing it, watching those with nerves of steel crossing the ‘bad step’ is a jaw dropping and somewhat tense affair even from the safe confines of the boat!

For accommodation near Glencoe, the go-to place is nearby Fort William, which gets a bad rap sometimes for being utilitarian and a bit dull (frankly, I like it!) but there is plenty of accommodation there and wining and dining options too. Nearer to Glencoe proper is the village of Glencoe itself and beyond that Ballachulish and Onich, although options here are more limited. If you don’t mind ‘isolated’ you might consider the brilliant Clachaig Inn at the bottom of Glencoe or the equally remote Kings House at the head of the glen.

Ian

P.S. I always thought ‘Hagrid's Hut’ was filmed in Glen Nevis, but I’m by no means an authority on Potter locations. Glen Nevis itself is worth a visit if you are in and around Fort William. Drive to the furthest car park up the Glen and there’s a short hike up to see the Falls of Steall. Up to you if you decide to cross the bridge to get closer, but you’ll need that word ‘intrepid’ with you again!

Hi everyone, thanks a lot for all the help and replies. You've convinced us three nights on Skye; we have a booking in Portree.
My current thought is that after 3 nights in Edinburgh, we will pick up a car and make the long drive to Portree.
After Portree, we will drive to the Glencoe area. I don't want to remove this area (we'd like to see the Jacobite express/ HP sights, Clachaig Inn Pub, and hopefully some hiking- but definitely need to look more into that last bit!) It sounds like Fort William might be a better place to sleep in the area? Any suggestions welcome. We may also try to day trip to Inverary to see the castle there, if time. We are thinking 3 nights in Glencoe/ Fort William. It seems that if hiking's a bust there will be lots of pretty drives and scenery nearby, at least.
On our last morning, we will leave early and drive to Stirling, tour the castle and have lunch in town, and drop off the rental car at Edinburgh airport. Our connecting flight to Bucharest leaves at 4pm. Is it realistic to leave at 7am, tour the castle and have lunch, and make it back to the airport by 1pm or so? If this is a terrible idea, we will sleep in Stirling the night before and just plan on two nights Fort William or Glencoe.
Thank you again!

Add 20-30% to the time Google Maps tells you for the drive, the roads are narrow and curvy and will take longer than you expect to get to Stirling. But a little bit of Stirling Castle is better than nothing, we spent about 5 hours there, so you'll be rushed that morning. Țhe castle does have a decent cafeteria to grab some lunch.

Inveraray Castle was very much worth visiting if you have the time. We visited it after seeing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. One of our travel companions was Campbell Clan related so it was a trip highlight for her.

A relative recently stayed at the Clachaig Inn and enjoyed it. If you look on Google maps you see that Hagrid’s hut location is about a half mile from the inn when coming from Glencoe. Again, there is no sign for it, the hut isn’t there, so it’s just scenery.

I apologize for hijacking this thread. I have a question for Allan (or anyone else who can answer). We will be driving from Glencoe to Stirling Castle. Then from Stirling Castle to Dakota Edinburgh Hotel, near the airport. We fly out the next morning. Do you think the drive from Glencoe to Stirling Castle will take 2.5 hours?
Thank you!

Hi, kmkwoo,

No apology needed - that's what the forum is for!

Yes, Glencoe to Stirling can easily be done in 2 1/2 hours, but a lot depends on traffic. If traffic is light, it should be no problem. However, if you get stuck behind a bus or a large lorry, it could take a bit longer.

You would take the A82 south to Crainlarich, the A85 south to Lochearnhead, then the A84 east to Stirling.

Best wishes for your travels!

Mike (Auchterless)

kmkwoo, if you look at Google maps, it gives you an approximate time of 2+ hours. Add 20% onto that and it puts you at about 2 1/2 hours. Add 30% and you're looking at closer to 3 hours. So that timing is feasible but of course, things can go wrong.

Oops, Mike beat me to it! Go with his answer - he's one of the experts here. :)

Hi again, kmkwoo,

I just re-read your post. The 2 1/2 hour timing is from Glencoe to the outskirts of Stirling. Add about another 20 minutes to find a car park and make your way to the castle entrance. So it could be closer to three hours.

Best wishes once again!

Mike (Auchterless)

Thank you, Mike and Mardee! Does Stirling Castle have its own car park?

We will check out of our hotel in Glencoe (The Glencoe Inn), and then drive to Stirling Castle. After we visit Stirling Castle, we will drive to our hotel (Dakota Edinburgh). But along the way I would like to stop at the Kelpies. Do you think we have time to do all this in one day? I realize it depends on how long we stay at Stirling Castle. I know we won't want to rush through it.
Thanks,
kmkwoo (Karen)

Hi once again, Karen,

As the Kelpies are on more or less a direct route from Stirling to Edinburgh, you should have enough time to visit them en route. There is a small charge for parking. You can walk around outside, but you need to be part of a scheduled tour to go inside. The Kelpies are illuminated at night, but I'm not sure what time they would turn the lights on in mid to late April.

Yes, Stirling Castle does have its own dedicated car park on the esplande. You shouldn't have any problem finding a space, as you'll most likely be arriving early to mid-afternoon. There is overflow parking down the hill. If memory serves me correctly, the castle will be open until 6:00 p.m. in April, with last entry at 5:00.

I hope that answers your questions.

Best wishes once again!

Mike (Auchterless)

Thanks, Mike! You are very helpful. BTW, we will be in Scotland in June. The OP, Christine, will be there in April. So we will probably have more daylight hours.

Hi again, Karen,

I should have remembered! Well, that should give you plenty of time to see Stirling Castle and the Kelpies. Unfortunately, you won't see the Kelpies illuminated at night. However, you should have plenty of time to have a wander about.

The easiest way to get from Stirling to the Kelpies is to take the A9 south for Falkirk. Stay on the A9 through town, then take the exit for the car park. It's part of the Helix Park, and may be signposted as such.

Once you've seen the Kelpies, get back on the A9 then take the M9 at the big roundabout. When you get close to Edinburgh, take the A8 and follow it in to town. Or if you're going directly to the Dakota, take the M90 north toward the Forth Road bridge, and get off at the A90/A9000.

Best wishes once again!

Mike (Auchterless)