Heading out next Friday. We’ve been once before but I’m open to any “don’t miss” advice. Here’s our itinerary:
After a night in Edinburgh, our first 5 days are on the Royal Belmond train for a Whisky tour. So not a lot of discretion over itinerary then.
2 nights at The Cromlix, between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Assume we’ll spend days in Edinburgh.
3 night in Isle of Skye near Portree
2 night on Loch Awe near Oban
1 night in Glasgow before flight home.
Thanks for any tips.
Went to Scotland in '95 with family. Saw Loch Ness, Aberdeen, Dunnotar Castle, Glenlivet Distillery, and Edinburgh. Oh, and the royal gardens somewhere.
Check out Dunnotar if you can.
Re: Isle of Skye, it’s much bigger than I expected. We stayed off the island at a cottage on the property of Eilean Donan castle which was a mistake… great location, but a LONG way to most of Skye
If you are into fishing or hiking, Mitchell from Skye Ghillie tours (http://www.skyeghillie.co.uk/) was fantastic. I had him for a day of trout fishing, but I’m sure he’s equally as good with hiking
For food, the place l loved was Loch Bay Seafood restaurant (http://www.lochbay-seafood-restaurant.co.uk/). It’s a bit out of the way and definitely need a reservation - but the food was awesome.
In general Skye is all about the outdoors, and most of the name locations live up to the hype (Fairy Pools, Quirang, the Black Cuillins, etc). If you happen to head to Talisker distillery and enjoy Oysters you should stop at the tiny shop of Isle of Skye Oysters (http://www.isleofskyeoysters.co.uk/) for the freshest oysters you can imagine.
PM me if you have any specific questions - happy to help
Brian
Thanks Drew and Brian! Appreciate the info.
There are a couple of prior threads on this. Inverary has a great whisky shop. Glencoe and the moor east of there is pretty great, although the drive takes a bit. Glen Etive is a fun drive off that road.
Good seafood at Eeusk in Oban.
If you get near Loch Fyne eat at Loch Fyne seafood, kippers and oysters especially.
Yeah lots of hiking on Skye all right. Brian is right, The Quiraing loop is worth it. Ditto the Fairy Pools, the Cuillin, and driving to the end of that road at Loch Brittle through the little sheep farm near the end.
A run into Stirling from the Cromlix might be easy, the castle area and old bridge and the Wallace Monument are cool.
I have lots of recs for Glasgow’s West End if you go there.
I can heartily second John’s rec. for Loch Fyne seafood restaurant. Definitely get the oysters.
Also: eat lots of haggis.