I have booked a number of nights in Scotland already, and I'll be traveling by bus and train. 1 August Fort William. 2-3 August Oban. 6 August Edinburgh. 7-13 August Caledonian canal cruise. Previously I've been to Inverness and Skye and much of the west coast. Where else should I stay on 4 & 5 August? I have ancesters from Ayrshire, and I was considering a trip there, but it seems to be quite a distance from other west coast locations. Perhaps the area near Stirling castle.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Check out Kilmartin Glen. There are burial mounds but other remnants from Scottish history. I loved climbing up into the hill fort.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8913 posts
Oban to Stirling is certainly easy to do by train. My sister and I did this on our trip. You simply change in Glasgow. Stirling Castle and the Falkirk Wheel were quite interesting. Falkirk wheel was a short train ride and then a quick taxi or bus from Stirling. We took a taxi there and the bus back to the train station. I liked Stirling Castle more than Edinburgh Castle and was glad for our time there.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5647 posts
The Fringe goes on in Edinburgh most of the month of August. It's one of the biggest and best performing arts festivals in the world. Either plan for it, or avoid it, but know that it's happening.
Safe travels!
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2320 posts
One night stands don't give you much time to explore the place. Have you thought about a couple of nights on Mull?
I'm a bit confused by the one night in Edinburgh before your Caledonian cruise- does it start from Edinburgh?
Posted by
Yorkshire
1344 posts
I was a bit puzzled by the direction of travel too. Starting at the foot of the Caledonian Canal in Fort William and heading away from it to Edinburgh on the face of it makes no sense, it would be better the other way round. Of course it is possible that the tour on the Caledonian Canal starts in Inverness (didn’t take much working out - our own Great Glen Way hike with floating accommodation started in Inverness) and heads south, and the plan is to travel to Inverness from Edinburgh - or there’s a connection in Edinburgh - but if you are travelling the full length of the canal you’ll end up in Fort William again at the southern end. I think we need a bit of clarification on the logistics of all of this from the OP to lighten our darkness!
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Unfortunbately I booked the Jacobite train from Fort William on 2 August before booking the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh on 6 August. Both of these events are very popular and get fully booked early on. That's why I jumped to reserve them right away. Now I have to travel from the west coast to Edinburgh and back to the west coast for the cruise. Then I have to go back to Edinburgh for my flight home. Not good planning on my part, but I don't think it makes sense to try to change all this and lose my booking fees even if I still can. I'll be doing my part to keep ScotRail in business. :-)
Posted by
OP
16 posts
I just checked with the Military tattoo. There are still tickets available for 13 August. My flight from Edinburgh departs on 14 August. I may be able to switch my ticket from 6 August to 13 August. That may be a good option for me.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
I was successful in swapping my Military Tattoo from 6 August to 13 August. Now I have an Inverness Hotel booked on 6 August. I would like more suggestions on trips on 4 or 5 August departing from or in the vicinity of Oban or Inverness. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1869 posts
Several years ago we took a VERY long day trip from Inverness to Orkney. It was a bus to John O'Groats, boat to Mainland, then a tour bus that took us to Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, and the cathedral. It was an enjoyable overview of the principal Orkney Island. Inverness is also near Culloden and Clava Cairns.