Expert: Willie Wallace - 5/26/2009

Question
Hi Willie,

We've got only 4 days in Scotland before driving on down through England.  We are arriving in Heathrow and plan to fly straight up to Scotland.  Could you suggest an intinerary that (hopefully!) is able to take in castle Dunvegan on Skye?  We had thought we might fly straight to Inverness and pick up a car there....but just discovered there are no direct flights from Heathrow anymore.  We're heading off from Australia in 2 weeks (last minute trip!!) so anything you could suggest would be really helpful.

Cheers
Scott

Answer
Hio Scott,

So much to see, so little time.

To reach Dunvegan, take the road up from  Glasgow up the banks of Loch Lomond, the A82, then carry on through Glencoe and up to Fort William.  Then the Road to the isles to mallaig and the ferry to Armadale on Skye - a beautiful trip all the way.

Stay on Skye, maybe in Portree and do Dunvegan and the rest of the island on day two. Come off towards the end of the day and make your way North, maybe staying somewhere like Shieldaig, Applecross or even plockton.  

Day three make your way up via Inverness to Grantown on Spey and stay at

http://www.garthhotel.com

one of my faves.  On the way, take the road from Inverness to Nairn and follow signs for Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Cawdor castle, before driving down to Grantown.  All great visits.

Day four, drive over the mountains to Braemar, then down to Pitlochry and perth and from there to Edinburgh.  last afternoon and evening in the most beautiful city.

I hope that does it for you.  Sites which might and should help are

http://www.calmac.co.uk for the ferry

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.com

for everything about Scotland and a lot of links to accommodation and

http://www.celticlegend.co.uk/car - me, for your car rental.

Hope that all helps.  Sorry for spelling etc., in a hurry!

Cheers,

Willie