Will my itinerary timeframe work?

What time do you land at Glasgow Airport?

Hi, maplittle,

On a good day, it would take at least five hours to travel by car from Glasgow Airport to Mallaig. If you are visiting Castle Stalker and stopping for lunch, add two hours. So make that seven hours. If you're including stopping in Glencoe, add another hour. That doesn't account for getting stuck behind a bus or a lorry on the A82 or the A830.

When you leave Glasgow Airport, take the M8 west for the Erskine Bridge, rather than heading in to Glasgow. That will save you a bit of time. Don't forget that if your ferry departs Mallaig at 6:30, you need to be at the pier by 6:00.

Whatever you do, don't rush! Scotland is meant to be savoured.

Best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)

Thank you Mike. Yes, we do not want to rush, but we also don't plan on lingering in Glencoe Valley because the target of our trip is Skye. I know we are not planning on going to castle stalker, just looking at it from the parking area across the water. I also thought we'd get takeaway food. I don't know if those two things make any difference, but yes, I appreciate your insights.

Hello Mardee! Excellent question/ please pardon my oversight: our flight arrives at 9:40 a.m. I am not certain how long it takes to leave the airport with a rental car, but I was assuming we would be able to leave by 11:00 a.m. And still make the 6:30 ferry

Where are you flying from?

Flying from New York.

I just realized I made a mistake in reading the ferry schedule. The the ferry leaves at 1740 (5:40 p.m.) and not 1810 (6:10 p.m.). That means about 6 hours available to drive, I think, based on a 9:40 a.m. arrival at Glasgow.

Hi again, maplittle,

If it's a direct flight from New York, count on about 90 minutes from the time the plane hits the tarmac to the time you leave the airport and get on the M8. You need to go through Immigration, pick up your luggage, then go through Customs. Customs is a snap - just go straight through the "Nothing to Declare" gate.

After you get downstairs to the main terminal, go out the door and turn left to the car rental area, which is about 250 yards away from the terminal. That is, if you've rented from one of the majors. If you've rented from a company which does not have an office at the airport, contact them to let them know that you have arrived.

If you are just viewing Castle Stalker from the viewpoint, you'll probably need at least six hours to get to Mallaig from the airport. As far as stopping for something to eat, most of the supermarkets (Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Co-op, etc.) have ready made sandwiches, and meal deals (sandwich, drink, snack (chocolate bar, crisps, or fruit cup)) for under four pounds. They are great for a timesaving meal on the go. Once you get to Skye, the Co-op in Broadford is open late, if you're still hungry when you go through (and if you haven't reserved ahead for your dinner on Skye). There is a Morrisons in Fort William, and a Co-op in Mallaig a short walk from the ferry terminal.

Once again, best wishes!

Mike (Auchterless)

p.s.: Just saw your last post. If the ferry leaves at 5:40, you need to be at the ferry slip by 5:10.

Thank you, Mike!

We do have a rental car from an agency right at the airport, however, I think 6 hour time frame is a pretty reasonable estimate and too tight to make the 5:40 ferry. (It's too bad the ferry isn't at 6:10!)

Your information has been incredibly helpful. We really appreciate it.

I think the best bet is to play it safe and take the 725 a.m. ferry the next day instead. An early ferry like that means the rest of our tour plans really won't change substantially.

Thank you very much for all of your suggestions! Your feedback was exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated!!!

I take it that you know from multiple previous trips to Europe that your driver sleeps very well on the overnight flight? I can't imagine doing a drive like that after flying in from the states. I'd be lucky to make it 30 miles before I started nodding off.

Hi, acraven,

I have to disagree with you there. I've been over 26 tmes, and only once did I get to bed before 9:00 p.m. I can't sleep on those transAtlantic flights, and even with that, I'm always so happy to be back in Scotland that you'd need to slip a mickey in to my Diet Coke to prevent me from getting as much out of the first day as possible! And I'm well in to my dotage now!

I would never discourage anyone from getting out on the road and seeing as much as possible on the first day. You just have to take extra care on the roads.

Best wishes, and happy napping!

Mike (Auchterless)

Hi yet again, maplittle,

Well, now you'll have time to do justice to Glencoe and Castle Stalker, without worrying about getting to Mallaig on time. If you're staying in Mallaig, which I assume you are if you're taking the early ferry, I'd recommend the West Highland Hotel. It's about a three minute drive from the ferry terminal. There are several restaurants in town, including one at the hotel. The Co-op is open late for snacks.

If you do stay at the West Highland, be sure that your car is not blocked in, as most visitors will be leaving after you.

Best wishes once again!

Mike (Auchterless)

Hi Mike,

I do need accommodation in Mallaig, thanks to my ferry schedule error. (Better discovered now than later). I will check out the West Highland Hotel. Thank you again. !!!

Hi even one more time, maplittle,

I just remembered that the West Highland Hotel has two rates - one for bed only and one for bed and breakfast. I'm not sure what time they start serving breakfast, but if their breakfast schedule conflicts with your ferry time, you may want to skip breakfast (and save money) and get something once you get to Broadford, or even Armadale. Depending on which ferry is making the run that morning, you may even be able to get something to eat during the voyage.

Best wishes once again!

Mike (Auchterless)

Hi there. I want to second the advice to be careful driving the first day after a transatlantic flight. If you are able to sleep a bit adrenaline will keep you going for a while. But be prepared for a crash sometime mid afternoon. You don’t want to be driving for hours. Break it up with stops and walks out doors. Everyone deals with jet lag in different ways. My latest strategy is to get a day flight from NYC to the Uk which usually gets me to my initial destination just in time to go to bed. I get up the next day raring to go. But everyone is differently.

Hi Mike and Pamela,

Mike-- a hotel that has a non-breakfast rate. Brilliant! I will look into it today and will make note of the parking advice. Thank you so much for the very thoughtful tips. I also like to be aware of details when I travel. That way you are prepared. 👍

Pamela and acraven--I appreciate your concerns about sleep. We have traveled on Transatlantic flights. The conundrum is Scotland, in this case, is 5 hours ahead of New York. We find It's better to just keep going with as much sleep as you can get on an overnight plane. At the end of the first day you are knackered, you sleep like a rock and adjust to the time change more quickly. That being said, driving is different than walking. Because of my realization that we can't make a ferry at the end of the first day, we will have time for lunch and to stop at the vistas in Glencoe and Castle Stalker. We'll be ok. Thank you.

I thought I should update the post. We originally thought we'd take the ferry over to Skye. We decided to avoid the stress of ferry departure times and take the Skye Bridge. The first day will be long but less stressful. We will see plenty of scenery on Skye, as well as on the rest of our weeklong trip. Thanks to everyone who helped us shape our trip. Much appreciated.