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Skye to Edinburgh

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Hi everyone,

My partner and I are planning a 7-day road trip (with 2 additional days in Edinburgh, making it a 9-day trip in total) through Scotland during the first week of October, starting and ending in Edinburgh. We’re looking to enjoy scenic drives and hikes, local culture at a relaxed pace.

We land in Edinburgh on October 1st around noon and will pick up a rental car at the airport. We’ve already booked three nights on the Isle of Skye and would like to spend our final two full days in Edinburgh (Oct 8–9) before flying home on the 10th.

Here’s the rough outline of our trip so far:

  • Day 1 : Drive from Edinburgh to Aviemore (arriving afternoon) - Night in Aviemore
  • Day 2: Drive from Aviemore to the Isle of Skye - First night on Skye
  • Day 3: Explore Skye - Second night on Skye
  • Day 4: Continue exploring Skye - Third night on Skye
  • Day 5: OPEN Drive from Skye toward Glencoe or surroundings (Take ferry from Armadale to Mallaig)
  • Day 6: OPEN Could be a second night in Glencoe or elsewhere on the way to Edinburgh such as Loch Lomond
  • Day 7: Return to Edinburgh for overnight stay
  • Day 8–9: Two nights in Edinburgh
  • Day 10: Depart from Edinburgh around noon

We have two days (Oct 6 and 7) before arriving in Edinburgh. We definitely want to spend some time in Glencoe, but we’re unsure how best to structure these two nights. Should we stay both nights in Glencoe? Or would you recommend splitting them up, perhaps with a stop nearby Loch Lomond on the way to Edinburgh?

Any suggestions for how to make the most of this part of the trip would be hugely appreciated!

Thank you!

Posted by
2723 posts

Are you coming off a transatlantic flight? If so, it is foolish to pick up a car the same day and drive to Aviemore. Not only is it a two and a half hour drive, it is also along one of the busiests roads in Scotland and one that many regard as one of teh most dangerous to drie in Scotland (especially if jet lagged...)

Swap your itinerary starting with EdinburghYou won't need a car in Edinburgh so hire it when you are ready to leave. You could do the drive from Edinburgh to Skye in one day but that is going to be a LONG day - at least 6 hours PLUS time for stops. If planning to go via Loch Lomond, then make that nearer 7 hours plus stops.

There is an arguement for doing teh trip in reverse order and having a break at say Glencoe (or Fort William which has more choice of accdommodation) on the way to Skye.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks for your comment! We're actually not arriving from a transatlantic flight, just a short flight of under two hours. We land in Edinburgh around 11 a.m. The reason we planned to drive straight to Aviemore is that we’d love to spend at least two full days in Edinburgh at the end of our trip. We're also not keen on spending over five hours in the car, so Aviemore felt like a logical halfway stop before continuing to Skye.

As you mentioned, we’ve also considered doing the route in reverse, driving up to Skye with a stop in Glencoe or Fort William along the way. The downside is that this route wouldn’t allow us to include Loch Lomond.

So basically it's a trade-off: The trade-off we’re considering is this:

  • Option 1: One night in Aviemore on the way to Skye, and then two nights in Glencoe (including time to explore Loch Lomond) on the way back to Edinburgh.
  • Option 2: One night in Glencoe/Fort William on the way to Skye, and then two nights in Aviemore on the way back to Edinburgh.
Posted by
10095 posts

My choice for Loch Lomond wouldn't be staying in Glencoe.
I would do both nights at the Ardlui Hotel, or somewhere at Tarbet or Arrochar. In October even Luss, as it won't be tourist bedlam like in the summer.
If you want split it as two one night stays.

Likewise I'm really not a fan of Aviemore, apart from a convenience factor! It would be my last choice, especially with a car.

You should just hit the start of The Enchanted Forest at Pitlochry.

Otherwise, closer to Aviemore, I would choose Kingussie, Carrbridge, Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten or Grantown on Spey.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you for the helpful suggestions.

We’re now thinking of spending just one night in the Glencoe area before heading toward Loch Lomond to keep the itinerary a bit more manageable. I hadn’t considered the Ardlui/Tarbet/Arrochar area, but it sounds like a nice base for exploring Loch Lomond on the final day of the road trip, before making our way to Edinburgh for the last three nights.

I also really appreciate your takes on Aviemore. I’ll definitely have a closer look at the nearby alternatives you mentioned. And thanks for the tip about the Enchanted Forest, could be a nice addition to the trip!

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