Ireland & Scotland in 2wks

I would skip the Aran Islands simply because your schedule is so tight. Weather, rough water, fog can all cause ferries to be canceled no matter what time of year you go. You might be unable to get there, or unable to get back. If you don't have a spare day just in case, I would not try it.

Thanks Nancy! You make a good point that I hadn't considered. I was hoping to spend time at Dun Aonghasa, but it seems that it might be best to leave that for another trip. It'll be a good excuse to go back and experience more :)

I agree with Nancy about the Aran Islands. Otherwise, your Ireland itinerary looks good. I'm not as crazy about the Scotland part. I see no reason to go to Oban unless you are going to take a ferry to one of the islands. You could do that instead of Loch Lomond. Or you could skip Oban and spend more time around Inverness or spend another day in Edinburgh. I'm assuming your travel day between Scotland and Ireland is not included here. Also I'm assuming that day one is not the day you arrive. Edinburgh is a fabulous city and you need to have a full day at a bare minimum to appreciate it. If that's your arrival day, it's just not enough time.

If at all possible, try to fit in the Royal Yacht, easy access by bus but since you have a car, I seem to remember there is car park there. We were there off season so did not get tickets ahead but maybe you can, it is worth it we all thought, I think you can see it in hour or two. Lovely city. Try to be at castle at 1pm when they shoot off cannon. The view of the castle at night is awesome. As to Ireland, again we were there off season, but see if you can get advance tickets to Newgrange. Dingle is great, we thought best of all the peninsula. When went to the cliffs, stayed in Doolin, a tiny town with great pubs, I think three of them, with great trad music. Also in Dublin, skip the brewery, thought too expensive and not at all worth it. Our highlight was the Gaol, one of the best experiences. One time we went in December and have never been so bone freezing cold, hard to imagine how prisoners handled it. Two wonderful countries, enjoy.

Carroll - thanks! Transit days are not included in the schedule, we've got 12 days of pure sightseeing time. We've got at least another 1/2 day in Edinburgh. It certainly looks like an amazing city and I would love to spend more time there. Oban was just an end destination after the Caledonian Canal, but you've made me rethink the need to even drive all the way down. I'd love to spend time in Pitlochry, so focusing on the NE part of the country might be the easiest. Thanks for the help - I appreciate it!

And remember there are 2 castles/palaces in Edinburgh - one at each end of Royal Mile. Also, in Edinburgh, since you'll have a car, take a drive around Edinburgh, Queen's Park when you're going to do Arthur's Seat - great views.
I didn't get to the highlands but heard they are best, so Inverness good. I also loved little villages on North Sea coast - esp. Crail, close to St. Andrews.

I think you have a good plan for Scotland. The drive from Edinburgh is really beautiful, but do try to slip off the A9 even if it's just to check out Queen's View. I would not. Use the car to get around in Edinburgh. The trams and the traffic would make it really awful. I think you could bus it faster. If you want to stop off at Urquhart Castle take the north shore road to the canal, otherwise think about the Southern road. Also, though, keep your eye out for the Commando Monument just outside Spean Bridge. It's very moving and wonderful views. Pam

Oban is a small seaside, resort town. It's best for taking one day boat trips to the Isles. You can see fingal's cave on Staffa, Mull, and Iona. It's probably too late in the season to see Puffins. If you are not taking a boat trip - then maybe you can visit Glencoe Area instead. Not sure how far Glencoe is from Oban. Skip Oban if you are not taking a boat trip. Loch Lommond is nice, but not a must see. Lousy if it's raining. Maybe Stirling Castle is a possibility for you.
Have Fun! ---Barb

natively, you could head south from Oban toward Kilmartin Glen. This is an area with ancient monuments and a little further south is Dunadd, a hill where the Dalriada Kings supposedly placed a foot in a footprint in the stone to their Kingship. It's an easy climb and the view is great. You can then head back up Loch Fyne and over to Loch Lomond. Pam

Thank you everyone. It sounds like we'll need to revisit our plan for the Highlands a little bit and you've all shared valuable advice. Because we won't have time to do Mull & Iona justice, it sounds like heading to Oban isn't the best use of time. It was really just there as an end point to the day of driving down the canal. We might rethink driving all the way down the Caledonian Canal, and instead spend time in Pitlochry & Inverness and more of the northeast end of the isle.