Scotland - would any of you be able to help me?

[ChippingIn]

We are planning a trip to Scotland in July (YAY - but please ask the mossies to stay away!).

2 adults, no children.

The current plan is:

Start in Inverness (3N) - do the Kyle of Lockhalsh train trip (1N Plockton) and have a day in Inverness.

Hire a car.

Drive down to do Loch Ness (well you have to don't you ), Urqhart Castle down to Fort William (3N).

Train out to Malig.

Day around base of Ben Nevis (waterfall walk etc) and Loch Linnhe.

Down to Lochaline a couple of nights on Mull then out to Oban (2N)

Down to Mull of Kintyre (1N) (bit of retro tragic recorder playing )

Over to Loch Lomond (singing You take the High Road...bigger ) (1N)

Glasgow (1N)

Falkirk wheel

Edinburgh (2N)

Can you tell us anything we shouldn't miss on that route (or a little off of it).

How long you think we need (we have allowed 14 days not including the days we arrive or leave). I know we could spend a lot longer but we would actually like to condense it a bit, but not sure where/how?

We would like to stay in at least one, preferably more, proper castles (cheap not expensive) and probably B&B's, budget hotels other than that.

Both more interested in scenery/architecture not so much (or at all really unless completely unmissable) museums, nightclubs or huge hikes.

If anyone can help with planning any aspect of it I' be very grateful :) I'll be back mid morning to see if anyone's made it this far and answer any questions.

(Hope it all makes sense, haven't been to bed yet!)

Agreed northern. SO so beautiful. I miss it.

In danger of repeating myself - do take the car round from Inverness to Plockton and then do the Plockton to Kyle stretch on the train as a daytrip; you'll be so much more flexible, you can stop for the most fantastic views (Rogie falls is nice, a quick side trip to Kinlochewe to see the views over Loch Maree, possibly the long way round to Applecross and over the Bealach na Baa, a cup of tea at Achnashellach (nice jewellery too). The stretch between Dingwall and Plockton really runs mostly parallel to the road - it's nice, but I think overrated and the above are much nicer IMO. Plus the trains are generally too short and in spring/summer get loaded up with bus tours... If you have a car at Kyle you can cross over and see the Quirang on Skye or drive down to Glenbrittle and the Cuilin - pretty hard to get round by public transport

If you do go for the train I'd recommend reserving a seat though

Me either, could have got you tickets if you were though (perks of a fab ex boss) Not my thing either though!

sausagerolemodel - lemetti's is still there!
Quite fancy the canal trip from the wheel to Linlithgow palace - how long does it take? We enjoyed our visit to the wheel but the canal trip was too short, a longer one would be good.

visit www.lucs.org.uk for info about the canal trips.

Enjoy!

Giraffes - thanks for the offer :) It's very kind of you!! It's a shame it's not for Musicals etc as I love those and they cost a fortune!! But Opera makes me wince

Ori - Plockton to Kyle is only 15 minutes. What is it about it then (the earlier part) that makes it one of the Top 10 Rail trips?? I am sitting on the fence on this and the splinters are hurting my bum!

I haven't chatted to the co-traveller yet but I've put in the Glenelg Skye Traveller Route on the plan!! There's a little cartoon drawing on the lower RHS that opens into a Pdf www.skyeferry.co.uk/map.html with 2 nights there (2-3 days).

what about a day trip on the waverly?

Does Plockton still have the cafe/shack place that does pancakes with cream and syrup and banana? I can't remember what it was called but I think it was

PS Lemmetti's still going? Ace! (although my absolute favourite Falkirk chips were from Moscardinis on Manor Street. Is it still there?

Right - well, I need to get a bit more sorted for this trip :)

Gabity has just said I must make sure to 'do' Tobermorey...

Any other hints, tips, comments, suggestions for us??

In the name of god cheese I have got to go to Tesco!!! Not read about your flaming holiday!

Anyway...

Iona, thats where I was trying to think of earlier. Must do.

Aberfoyle is glorious, my aunt has a cottage in Loch Ard just along the road, lovely.

Think a night of pampering is missing from your plans. A night here would def be a highlight of your trip and the surrounding area is interesting too.

I would go against the grain and say Edinburgh over Glasgow, but you know my thoughts on living in Glasgow

Order on-line woman!

All places noted - will drop in on your Aunt for a cuppa :)

Pampering wont be on the cards - I don't think I'm going to be allowed to sit still for that long :) May need to book a week there when she goes home!!

I now have a list for Glasgow but what would you say is the one thing we shouldn't miss?? Same in Ed?

I live in Inverness, so grrr to those who've insulted my beautiful little city! Would agree that boat trip to dolphin waatch is fab, we've done it with almost all family and friends who come to stay and dc's still not fed up of it.

Would also second whoever suggested a trip on the Waverley once you get further South.
Have a fab holidy and do pm if you want suggestions on where to eat etc while you're here.
btw Carbisdale Castle is v lovely but v NOT in Inverness

I would look at www.sawdays.co.uk for fabulous b and b options for your trip

chipping - have you come of the plockton fence yet? Missed that last message of yours

Lost track a bit, this might not fit in the drive from Oban back to Crianlarich is lovely, stop at Kilchurn Castle (uninhabited and tumbledown, but very beautiful). It's easy to miss the signpost, it is at the head of Loch Awe. Also stop at Dalmally and walk up Monument hill, just up a bit form the station, fantastic view for very little effort (20 mins walk).

2blessed I am sure Inverness is lovely :) If you can suggest anywhere to eat or sleep in the city, or anything in particular we shouldn't miss, that would be great! Sadly we have decided that we wont go to Fortrose this time or anywhere above Inverness. It's already grown from 3-4 days to see some Puffins to 2.5 weeks and we just cant stretch it any further :(

Cristian I'll go and do that now, thank you!

Oricella Yes... and no . We are either going to do the train trip from Inverness (return) then another day drive back out that way going to Applecross and the other places you mentioned OR drive to one of the towns, take the train the rest of the way to Kyle (return same day) then stay somewhere else... either way we'll be visiting the places you suggested

Ogre You think you have lost track a bit - I look a lot like either or LOL I have to ring my friend in an hour and the plan was to make some decisions on the finer details and the rest of her trip here... however, I suspect as per every other phone call we'll get too engrossed in Scotland I will go now and have a look at those on the map - I am sure we can shoe horn them in somehow!! (not too hard to see why it's gone from days to weeks is it!!).

I use saw days every time i book a trip now, OP, whether here or abroad, i hope you find it useful

Ogre and all...

The plan was to go from Mull, through Oban down to Mull of Kintyre, now I'm not sure if we have time or not (it's just somewhere I want to go, my friend isn't fussed, so I may just go another time). So I need a plan for if we go to MoK & another if we don't.

If we don't go to MoK and so are just going from Oban to Edinburgh

via these places... (in any order)

Loch Lomond
Glasgow
Loch Katrine
Stirling
Falkirk (we want to do the wheel - just do!)

which would you do - Inveraray or Crianlarich

It doesn't really make sense to include both unless they are both absolutely unmissable - so which way would you go?

(Obviously if we do go to MoK then we will go through Inver. and just have to decide whether to go up to C or not)

Crianlarich itself is not v.interesting, you could follow the A85 to the top of Lochawe and see Kilchurn Castle and Dalmally as before, before heading down to inverary then on the A83 past Cairndow and to Loch Lomond that way, which is more scenic than the Crianlarich way. To give an idea, it takes about an hour to get from Inverary to the bottom of Loch Lomond that way. I've only been to MOK once, a long time ago and it wasn't particularly memorable.

So, then maybe stay somewhere along Loch Lomond (there's a fabulous teashop at Luss) and head over to the Trossachs and Stirling. I like the Falkirk wheel BTW.

Inverary is small but nice, good walk up to the castle, nice location on the loch side. If you drive back up from there the original Loch Fyne Oyster restaurant is at Cairndow.

Thanks!! Will be back - just on the phone trying to see how to fit a liftime of travel into 8 weeks!

Inverary. There's nothing in Crianlarich.

INverary Jail is a fun trip for children.

No kids!!!!!!

Ah! Changes everything.