Suggestions on easter Scotland (mini) road trip please
Discussion
I’m thinking of a small Scottish road trip next year. I dont have time for more than a few days, and that includes getting to/from Glasgow. I think any part of the NC500 will be too far, needing too many hours driving to be enjoyable.
All thoughts and suggestions welcome on the following:
Time of the year: immediately after easter- leave Glasgow on the Tuesday after Easter Monday, and travel that week. A good idea for a lack of traffic or a campervan nightmare??
My route: I don’t have enough time for the NC500, so how about:
Day 1: Glasgow to cambeltown via Inverarary and one half of the Kintyre 66
Day 2: Cambeltown to Fort William via the other half and via Oban
Day 3: Fort William back to Glasgow on the A82
Day 4: Glasgow to home.
Apart from the to/from Glasgow, about 3 hours driving and 120 off miles so time for stops and walks.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
All thoughts and suggestions welcome on the following:
Time of the year: immediately after easter- leave Glasgow on the Tuesday after Easter Monday, and travel that week. A good idea for a lack of traffic or a campervan nightmare??
My route: I don’t have enough time for the NC500, so how about:
Day 1: Glasgow to cambeltown via Inverarary and one half of the Kintyre 66
Day 2: Cambeltown to Fort William via the other half and via Oban
Day 3: Fort William back to Glasgow on the A82
Day 4: Glasgow to home.
Apart from the to/from Glasgow, about 3 hours driving and 120 off miles so time for stops and walks.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
Not being cheeky, is there any particular reason for going to Glasgow, (galleries/ concert/ shopping/ stocking up on Buckfast)? PERSONALLY I'd avoid and make somewhere else your base as its not very car friendly.
If its a driving trip on open roads you are after, avoid the A9 completely.
If its a driving trip on open roads you are after, avoid the A9 completely.
Compared to Edinburgh, Glasgow is a breeze for drivers. 
Actually, compared to many cities Glasgow is pretty car friendly, just accept the fact you're not driving through the town centre, which is no hardship as there's motorway bordering three of the four sides giving easy access to the larger hotels.
The route proposed is a good 'un if you're planning on getting out to explore lots, it's not much bigger than a common ride out route for day tripping bikers, but then we're not stopping to explore. My particular faves are Dunadd, the cairns and standing stones between there and Kilmartin, and Kilmartin itself is worth a stop for the museum and nearby cairn.
Actually, compared to many cities Glasgow is pretty car friendly, just accept the fact you're not driving through the town centre, which is no hardship as there's motorway bordering three of the four sides giving easy access to the larger hotels.The route proposed is a good 'un if you're planning on getting out to explore lots, it's not much bigger than a common ride out route for day tripping bikers, but then we're not stopping to explore. My particular faves are Dunadd, the cairns and standing stones between there and Kilmartin, and Kilmartin itself is worth a stop for the museum and nearby cairn.
If it's just a stopping-off point, I'd probably avoid Glasgow too and head for somewhere like Helensburgh - a fairly nice seaside place (or it certainly used to be). Depends whether you want the big city vibes or not, I suppose,
From there, as per your route over the Rest & Be Thankful and down to Campbeltown, it's a lovely part of Scotland.
Fort William is OK, but a bit too 'touristy' for me, I would possibly go to Spean Bridge or Invergarry but that may not quite fit your time schedule.
For the return route, again avoiding Glasgow, I would look at Glencoe-Tyndrum-Lochearnhead and maybe stay at Callander or even Stirling (we often stay at the Golden Lion as it has a private car park around the back of the hotel). From there, you have easy access to Southbound routes home.
Enjoy, hope the weather is kind to you and be thankful that the midges won't be out that early!
From there, as per your route over the Rest & Be Thankful and down to Campbeltown, it's a lovely part of Scotland.
Fort William is OK, but a bit too 'touristy' for me, I would possibly go to Spean Bridge or Invergarry but that may not quite fit your time schedule.
For the return route, again avoiding Glasgow, I would look at Glencoe-Tyndrum-Lochearnhead and maybe stay at Callander or even Stirling (we often stay at the Golden Lion as it has a private car park around the back of the hotel). From there, you have easy access to Southbound routes home.
Enjoy, hope the weather is kind to you and be thankful that the midges won't be out that early!
When were you last in Helensburgh? Not wanting to run it down, but the word "fairly" is doing a lot of lifting there, it's "Carluke-on-sea". If the intention is to suggest somewhere a bit more touristy than Glasgow then Stirling perhaps? Inverary would be a nice place for an overnight.
Remember the weather will be about 11°C and wet.
Remember the weather will be about 11°C and wet.
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff