After several days in the Mallaig area, we have about 5 days to go to Skye and/or Glen Coe area, but we will NOT have a car. We want to do a lot of walking (moderate is fine, but not terribly strenuous ascents or much scrambling). We've heard Skye is hard to get around without a car. If we stay in Portree will we be able to get to good walking? If we stay in Glencoe village will we be able to get to good walks without the use of a car? Would we be better off staying in Fort William and taking day trips bu bus to the Glen Coe area. Will the bus take us to where the good walks are? Any advice will be welcome!
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1446 posts
2013 "Lonely Planet Scotland"mentions for Skye a one day bus pass for 7 L per day, taxi for 38 L per day and several guided walking tours which include lodging and I assume baggage transfer. There are also Kayak tours. FYI you can drive a car over the free bridge to Skye. The West Highland Trail near Fort William is famous and the accomodations may be booked up in advance. A Highland Rover Train Pass allows unlimited travel in your area of interest for 4 days out of 8 for 79 L.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
You might want to look into a walking holiday. I did that about 12 years ago and have been enjoying the friendships formed in that week ever since. I was the only American in my group. If you join a tour based in the UK you'll likely meet people from the UK and other European countries. In my group we had two from German--the East--two Dutch, two English girls and me. :) I spotted this organization on Skye that offers tours in your time frame. I would suggest googling on Walking Holidays and then either Skye or Fort William or Torridon. See what you find and explore the websites. You may find something that will solve your transportation issues. Even if you have a car, you always need a circle walk or you go out and back. With walking holiday that's taken care of. I found that I saw parts of Scotland that I never would have found on my own. And, it was much more affordable that you would think. Pam