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Skye NC500 and Cairngorms Itinerary

Posted by on

Greetings Scotland Travelers,

We have plans for 2 weeks in Scotland this summer, 4 days Isle of Skye, 4 days NC500 and 4 days in the Cairngorms. We are renting a car and staying in B&Bs.

On our last trip we spent almost a week on Skye but did not see the NC500. I am torn between going back to Skye and having to deal with a lot more time on the road, or skipping Skye on this two week trip and concentrating on NC500 and Cairngorms. I don't want this to turn out to be an exhausting trip and am reconsidering changing the itinerary to 7 days on the NC500 and 5 at Grantown-On-Spey. We enjoy hiking and the outdoors overall. Asking experts for thoughts on this. We are going to see the Heather and yes, it will be the busy season in August.

Posted by
1601 posts

At this point I think your choices will be dictated by where you can find suitable accommodation. The NC500 and Skye both have limited accommodation that books up fast. As an example my own B&B in Skye has been fully booked since mid January.

Posted by
1402 posts

There's plenty enough on the NC 500 and the Cairngorms and by Aug the tourist crush on Skye borders on unpleasant.
I have developed quite a liking for Tomintoul last few years,its quirky.
If you happen to walk up to the Green lochan above loch morlich and on towards Ryvoan bothy you can admire the bunkbeds I fitted in the hut.
Also the Cairngorms are significantly less midgey too, drier soils

Posted by
2085 posts

You say you're staying in B&Bs. Have you already booked everything? If not, if you want want to include Skye, I agree that finding lodging on Skye should be your priority before planning the rest of your trip. That may give you your answer.

Along the NC500 try to stop by the excellent Strathnaver Museum in Bettyhill.

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