Two couples, 5 days, we need a centrally located area we can take day trips to and from. This is our first trip to Scotland and we will be travelling on to Ireland for 5 days. Any suggestions for accomodations also?
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1863 posts
Fort William is central for Glencoe and Mallaig. We stayed at Huntingtower Lodge, right on the shore of the loch. Invermorriston is central for Loch Ness, Plockton, Eileen Donan Castle. We stayed at Tigh na Bruach. Both of the B and B that I mention had lovely rooms with views. If you want to see a lot of Scotland, staying in one location the entire time probably isn't very practical.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
If you want to see the Highlands, Inverness is a great base. There are lots of day trips and many good tour companies that provide them if you (like me) prefer not to drive yourself. You can see Culloden Battlefield and Clava Carnes; Isle of Sky and Ellien Donnan castle, Glen Affric and Loch Ness with Urquart Castle, Glencoe and the Great Glen, the Black Isle, Aviemore and the Caringorm moutain area, Inverewe and other gardens, even Orkney. There are quite a few distilleries in the area, too. There are cheap flights from Belfast, Shannon and Dublin to Inverness or there is ferry service, then use the train. It really is my favorite Scottish city!!!
If you prefer a more rural setting, I'd suggest Aviemore. Lots of castles and distilleries, a microbrewery in town, a restored steam train that does nice roundtrips a few times a day, the funicualr up Mt. Caringorm or walks/hikes, the rothmurchie estate with canoeing, horseback riding, walks, etc., a reindeer preserve, a heather center, etc. Many of the trips from Inverness can be done from Aviemore, too.