A short trip to Scotland - where to go?

[TheGreatSoprendo]

The better half and I are planning a trip to Scotland around the end of June/beginning of July. As we have limited time, we'll only be going for just over a week. The plan is to fly into Edinburgh on the Friday and spend 2 nights in Edinburgh, before hiring a car and departing Edinburgh on the Sunday. We then want to do a mini-tour, probably up the west coast, before heading back down to Glasgow on the Friday to spend 2 nights with friends before flying out of Glasgow on the following Sunday.

So the main question is where do we go and what do we do between the Sunday and the Friday? I've heard that Fort William and the surrounding area is worth a visit, as is Plockton and Ullapool, although I'm not sure if the latter will be too far north to cover in the short time we have. I'm also keen to visit a whisky distillery, probably either Jura or Talisker.

All suggestions and recommendations appreciated, and also interested to hear of recommendations for reasonably priced (but decent) accommodation.

Edited by TheGreatSoprendo on Monday 27th April 11:29

[Famous Graham]

Fort William is a bit of a dump tbh, but it's a handy central place for some stunning locations - Glencoe, Skye etc.

[Penny-lope]

Famous Graham said:

Fort William is a bit of a dump tbh, but it's a handy central place for some stunning locations - Glencoe, Skye etc.

I was just about to type the same....great minds, or perhaps not

Oh and I would avoid the East...although Balmoral area is lovely

Edited by Penny-lope on Monday 27th April 11:31

[FWDRacer]

If you are going up the west coast it would be a shame to miss out on Applecross. Just make sure you've filled up

[chunkymonkey71]

Penny-lope said:

Famous Graham said:

Fort William is a bit of a dump tbh, but it's a handy central place for some stunning locations - Glencoe, Skye etc.

I was just about to type the same....great minds, or perhaps not

Oh and I would avoid the East...although Balmoral area is lovely

Edited by Penny-lope on Monday 27th April 11:31

Me too!

And yes, do the Applecross Road. Our own wee Stelvio pass.

[WorAl]

Ullapool isn't out of reach at all, depends how much you want to drive though, i've done newcastle to ullapool in one shift a few times.

Gairloch
Portree (or Isle of Skye in general)
Inverness
Glen Coe (on way back to Glasgow)
Mallaig (get ferry to Armadale on Skye)
Applecross (good roads there)
Wick

All nice places, Fort William as said isn't the best, but good location for surrounding area.
Just been up and climbed Ben Nevis this weekend, good if you like that sort of thing.

Oh and affordable accomodation?

Edited by WorAl on Monday 27th April 11:40

[fatboy b]

WorAl said:

Ullapool isn't out of reach at all, depends how much you want to drive though, i've done newcastle to ullapool in one shift a few times.

Gairloch
Portree (or Isle of Skye in general)
Inverness
Glen Coe (on way back to Glasgow)
Mallaig (get ferry to Armadale on Skye)
Applecross (good roads there)
Wick

All nice places, Fort William as said isn't the best, but good location for surrounding area.
Just been up and climbed Ben Nevis this weekend, good if you like that sort of thing.

Is it a climb, or a strenuous walk? We're off up that way for 2 weeks soon, and we're thinking about going up.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

WorAl said:

Oh and affordable accomodation?

You've obviously never met my missus!

[Don]

You simply must do the Applecross pass and eat at the Applecross Inn. We even stayed there - very nice.

I also thoroughly recommend Skye for a few days. Simply wonderful place.

[robinhood21]

Another for Applecross. There's another thread running Here on Applecross. Oh, and take the coast road back, you will not regret it.

[PD9]

I'd recommend this route. Especially for a hoon - Takes in some of Scotlands best scenary and roads

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

[v9 ogre]

Anywhere around Loch Lomond . Go up the A82, stop at the Drovers.....see the 2 headed sheep!

[southendpier]

Head north until it gets cold and people speak all funny.

[PhantomHumper]

southendpier said:

Head north until it gets cold and people speak all funny.

Welcome to Embra Airport!

He will think he got on the wrong flight.

[robinhood21]

A question for Ullapoolians; is that factory-ship always moored in the harbour? It must have been processing herring when I was up there last week (Lands End to John O'Groats) as it did whiff a tad (on shore wind).

[Famous Graham]

Penny-lope said:

Famous Graham said:

Fort William is a bit of a dump tbh, but it's a handy central place for some stunning locations - Glencoe, Skye etc.

I was just about to type the same....great minds, or perhaps not

Fools seldom differ?

[WorAl]

fatboy b said:

WorAl said:

Ullapool isn't out of reach at all, depends how much you want to drive though, i've done newcastle to ullapool in one shift a few times.

Gairloch
Portree (or Isle of Skye in general)
Inverness
Glen Coe (on way back to Glasgow)
Mallaig (get ferry to Armadale on Skye)
Applecross (good roads there)
Wick

All nice places, Fort William as said isn't the best, but good location for surrounding area.
Just been up and climbed Ben Nevis this weekend, good if you like that sort of thing.

Is it a climb, or a strenuous walk? We're off up that way for 2 weeks soon, and we're thinking about going up.

I thought it was a pretty hard walk, but not done anything like this for 5 years and not done any hard exercise for a year....got cramp in both calfs and paying the price today.

however on the other hand the para's i went up with didnt find it that hard so depends how fit you are really. Watch out for bad weather coming in too. it changes quickly up there.

Edited by WorAl on Monday 27th April 13:03

[Mr Trophy]

I've never heard of Applecross cross!

[WorAl]

Applecross Pass.....big twisty road, great fun

[robinhood21]

Pass Of The Cattle. If one stops at the top to admire the view, best not be wearing a syrup as it gets a tad windy up there.