Expert: Willie Wallace - 6/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: My daughter and I are spending 4 days in Scotland----and we are having difficulty figuring out the most scenic route to get to Inverness. I would like to drive the Duke's Pass between Callander and Aberfoyle, but then need to head over to Inverness (Nairn actually as we have reservations @ Braeval Hotel in Nairn IV 12). How can we do the above and take in as much breath taking views of Scotland for our first day?

The second day we are staying at Mary Cultler's as my ancestors were from the Aviemore area, I believe. I want to see all of the Highlands! and then we stay in Edinburgh on the 6th, leaving from Glasgow again on the 7th at 7 PM. Appreciate any directions and suggestions you can give me. Thank you. I know, too little time for my agenda! I HAVE to come back.

ANSWER: Two possibilities, Sally, but they depend on whether you are starting in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Let me know that and I will give you the loveliest route.

Cheers,

Willie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your quick response! I am thinking that once we pick up the rental car at the Glasgow airport (the one near Ayre), we might want to go across the ferry to Dunoom, on the Cowal Peninsula (I think that is where my paternal great grands times 5 came from), and then drive up to Inverness and onto our first night at Nairn, Braeval Hotel. But I do not know the landscape and am afraid the roads from the peninsula to Nairn may not be do-able. Need your input in determining if that is feasible for the first day, ending in Nairns after a short walk inb the Argyll Forest.

The second day is up for grabs in the Highlands, as is the third day while we make our way to Edinburgh for the 3rd nights stay and touring MOnday before driving to the airport in Glasgow to leave for Dublin in the PM. Appreciate, and will take your loveliest route----even if I have to dump the Cowal Peninsula. Thanks, Sally

Answer
hi Sally,

Probably have to drop the Cowal Peninsula.  It will take you around in a lovely swoop West and North... which will take you along time to drive.  probably better to take the A(M)77 up to Glasgow, then the A80 to Stirling, then the A9 to Perth and the A93 to Braemar and then B976 and A939 over the mountains to Grantown on Spey and then over the moor to Nairn, missing Inverness completely.  Two mountain ranges, pretty little towns, like Braemar and Grantown, lovely moorland and you should make a side trip to see The Wolf of Badenoch's castle on an island at Lochendorb as you cross the moor.  Check the map and don;t expect to find road signs to it.  Remote and beautiful area.

Are you spending all your nights in Nairn?  If not, drive across to Achnasheen, via Inverness bypass, then down to Kyle of Lochalsh and over the bridge to the island of Skye. A night on Skye, then ferry (most beautiful in Scotland) from Armadale to Mallaig, then Road to the Isles (In reverse) to Fort William, then through Glencoe, down through Callendar to Stirling and onto Edinburgh.

If staying in Nairn, take second day up to Brora andTtain - visit Dunrobin Castle, Carn Liath, Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield (or maybe Cawdor Castle) - check all these and everything in Scotland at

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.com

I hope that all helps.  Make the trip longer next time :o)

Sorry for any spelling mistakes, in my hurry.

If you want a rental car, for great value, click the link below.

Cheers,

Willie Wallace
http://www.celticlegend.co.uk/car