help with west scotland visit
Jul 24th 2007 | 4:21 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
help with west scotland visit
Hi,
Been to Scotland once before, did mostly east side. We've a couple of
nights planned for west Scotland this time and are looking for some
advice.
We're an adult couple liking scenery, hiking, history, local charm,
drink and food.
Late September, we'll leave Edinburgh in the morning for a visit to
Stirling Castle. Suspect that'll be most of a day. We'll leave in
the afternoon by car and head for a destination for 2 nites with a
return to Glasgow for a mid morning flight.
We're thinking of staying in Oban or Ft. Williams or someplace around
Islay. Our final day will be a drive back to Glasgow with an overnite
close enough to the airport.
Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
the distance and possible ferry transport. Beyond that, which is the
better location given our interests? Finally, we seek specific
recommendations for hikes, pubs, and accommodations.
Many advanced thanks!
-Chris
Been to Scotland once before, did mostly east side. We've a couple of
nights planned for west Scotland this time and are looking for some
advice.
We're an adult couple liking scenery, hiking, history, local charm,
drink and food.
Late September, we'll leave Edinburgh in the morning for a visit to
Stirling Castle. Suspect that'll be most of a day. We'll leave in
the afternoon by car and head for a destination for 2 nites with a
return to Glasgow for a mid morning flight.
We're thinking of staying in Oban or Ft. Williams or someplace around
Islay. Our final day will be a drive back to Glasgow with an overnite
close enough to the airport.
Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
the distance and possible ferry transport. Beyond that, which is the
better location given our interests? Finally, we seek specific
recommendations for hikes, pubs, and accommodations.
Many advanced thanks!
-Chris
Jul 24th 2007 | 7:22 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
Following up to checker <[email protected]> wrote:
>We're an adult couple liking scenery, hiking, history, local charm,
>drink and food.
>
>Late September, we'll leave Edinburgh in the morning for a visit to
>Stirling Castle. Suspect that'll be most of a day. We'll leave in
>the afternoon by car and head for a destination for 2 nites with a
>return to Glasgow for a mid morning flight.
Right, so you leave Stirling to drive to the west in the afternoon, so
you can do something the next day and stay in the area the next night.
You then have to be back at Glasgow airport in the morning
So you cant go more than a few hours from Glasgow?
>We're thinking of staying in Oban or Ft. Williams or someplace around
>Islay.
Islay ("eye-ler") is good for wildlife and whisky but I dont think you
have time for ferries.
>Our final day will be a drive back to Glasgow with an overnite
>close enough to the airport.
>Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
>these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
>the distance and possible ferry transport.
Stirling-Fort Willaim is 160 miles and at least 4 hours.
Given your limited time and impending flights islands are going to be
difficult. To really explore the western highlands and islands you
need a few days. Assuming you have been to Edinburgh before, my plan
would be to forget the east and concentrate your time on the west
coast and Skye.
>Beyond that, which is the
>better location given our interests? Finally, we seek specific
>recommendations for hikes, pubs, and accommodations.
Its difficult to recommend walks without knowing what level of
difficulty you are happy with. If I have understood your itinerary you
only have one day free for a walk.
One idea would be to stay in Glencoe at the Chlachaig
"http://www.clachaig.com" its convenient for walking the west end of
the Aonach Aagach as an in and out walk (dont think about attempting
the whole ridge). The Clachaig isn't special for food, but its OK and
it has atmosphere.
for scenery and walking the west is much better than the east, I'm
surprised you concentrated on that side in the past. If it was me I
would forget about Stirling and use your limited time to explore the
western highlands and islands by driving through Glencoe and then
onwards through Fort William to Skye, which of course now has a
bridge. On your way you will pass the Cluanie Inn, there's a fantastic
walk there on the south Cluanie Ridge, which most people do as two
halves, even then its pretty hard work but exhilarating without being
very difficult as long as you have a head for hights. On Skye there's
the Sligachan located below the formidable black Culliin,
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/pict206.htm"
last time I was there it had a seafood restaurant in addition to the
so so bar food. You could walk up glen Sligachan from there out to the
coast "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepic070.htm" or travel further
north and do a bit of the fascinating Trotternish ridge, which is
mostly easy but with some fascinating rock scenery
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/trotternish.htm"
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepic200.htm"
on the food front the "Three Chimneys" is a very good restro in that
area set in wild surroundings.
view south from restro area "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepic230.htm"
Doh! You have got me in the mood now, I planning my next northern
isles trip, now I want to go to the western isles too!!! :-)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
>We're an adult couple liking scenery, hiking, history, local charm,
>drink and food.
>
>Late September, we'll leave Edinburgh in the morning for a visit to
>Stirling Castle. Suspect that'll be most of a day. We'll leave in
>the afternoon by car and head for a destination for 2 nites with a
>return to Glasgow for a mid morning flight.
Right, so you leave Stirling to drive to the west in the afternoon, so
you can do something the next day and stay in the area the next night.
You then have to be back at Glasgow airport in the morning
So you cant go more than a few hours from Glasgow?
>We're thinking of staying in Oban or Ft. Williams or someplace around
>Islay.
Islay ("eye-ler") is good for wildlife and whisky but I dont think you
have time for ferries.
>Our final day will be a drive back to Glasgow with an overnite
>close enough to the airport.
>Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
>these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
>the distance and possible ferry transport.
Stirling-Fort Willaim is 160 miles and at least 4 hours.
Given your limited time and impending flights islands are going to be
difficult. To really explore the western highlands and islands you
need a few days. Assuming you have been to Edinburgh before, my plan
would be to forget the east and concentrate your time on the west
coast and Skye.
>Beyond that, which is the
>better location given our interests? Finally, we seek specific
>recommendations for hikes, pubs, and accommodations.
Its difficult to recommend walks without knowing what level of
difficulty you are happy with. If I have understood your itinerary you
only have one day free for a walk.
One idea would be to stay in Glencoe at the Chlachaig
"http://www.clachaig.com" its convenient for walking the west end of
the Aonach Aagach as an in and out walk (dont think about attempting
the whole ridge). The Clachaig isn't special for food, but its OK and
it has atmosphere.
for scenery and walking the west is much better than the east, I'm
surprised you concentrated on that side in the past. If it was me I
would forget about Stirling and use your limited time to explore the
western highlands and islands by driving through Glencoe and then
onwards through Fort William to Skye, which of course now has a
bridge. On your way you will pass the Cluanie Inn, there's a fantastic
walk there on the south Cluanie Ridge, which most people do as two
halves, even then its pretty hard work but exhilarating without being
very difficult as long as you have a head for hights. On Skye there's
the Sligachan located below the formidable black Culliin,
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/pict206.htm"
last time I was there it had a seafood restaurant in addition to the
so so bar food. You could walk up glen Sligachan from there out to the
coast "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepic070.htm" or travel further
north and do a bit of the fascinating Trotternish ridge, which is
mostly easy but with some fascinating rock scenery
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/trotternish.htm"
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepic200.htm"
on the food front the "Three Chimneys" is a very good restro in that
area set in wild surroundings.
view south from restro area "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepic230.htm"
Doh! You have got me in the mood now, I planning my next northern
isles trip, now I want to go to the western isles too!!! :-)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
Jul 24th 2007 | 8:37 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
"checker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ups.com...
<< Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
the distance and possible ferry transport. Beyond that, which is the
better location given our interests? >>
http://www.calmac.co.uk/
http://www.visitscotland.com/
A quick look at the CalMac Schedule and a knowledge of the ((Speed x Time) /
Distance) formula will show you that a visit to an island is a no no for the
time you've got. A run around the Trossachs would probably fit the bill.
From Stirling go to Aberfoyle. it is quite nice and there are a couple of
nice pubs for lunch - The Baillie Nicol Jarvey is one, then over the Duke's
Pass to Callander which is a good place to spend the evening.
http://www.incallander.co.uk/trossachs_katrine.htm
This goes via Loch Katrine where you can have a trip on a museum piece of a
steam passenger boat around the Loch.
http://www.incallander.co.uk/steam.htm
If you want to extend it, go north from Callander on the A85 to Crianlarich
(nothing there) and pick up the A82 back to Glasgow via Loch Lomond. At
Tarbert, cut across to Arrochar and down the Gare Loch to Helensburgh,
passing the Clyde Submarine Base at Faslane. It gets a bit tacky after
Helensburgh but you can cross the bridge at Erskine which brings you out at
the airport. Stay somewhere north of Helensburgh over night.The are lots of
suitable places down the side of Loch Lomond.
news:[email protected] ups.com...
<< Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
the distance and possible ferry transport. Beyond that, which is the
better location given our interests? >>
http://www.calmac.co.uk/
http://www.visitscotland.com/
A quick look at the CalMac Schedule and a knowledge of the ((Speed x Time) /
Distance) formula will show you that a visit to an island is a no no for the
time you've got. A run around the Trossachs would probably fit the bill.
From Stirling go to Aberfoyle. it is quite nice and there are a couple of
nice pubs for lunch - The Baillie Nicol Jarvey is one, then over the Duke's
Pass to Callander which is a good place to spend the evening.
http://www.incallander.co.uk/trossachs_katrine.htm
This goes via Loch Katrine where you can have a trip on a museum piece of a
steam passenger boat around the Loch.
http://www.incallander.co.uk/steam.htm
If you want to extend it, go north from Callander on the A85 to Crianlarich
(nothing there) and pick up the A82 back to Glasgow via Loch Lomond. At
Tarbert, cut across to Arrochar and down the Gare Loch to Helensburgh,
passing the Clyde Submarine Base at Faslane. It gets a bit tacky after
Helensburgh but you can cross the bridge at Erskine which brings you out at
the airport. Stay somewhere north of Helensburgh over night.The are lots of
suitable places down the side of Loch Lomond.
Jul 25th 2007 | 12:57 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
On 2007-07-25 02:22:56 -0500, The Reid
<[email protected]> said:
>> Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
>> these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
>> the distance and possible ferry transport.
>
> Stirling-Fort Willaim is 160 miles and at least 4 hours.
>
> Given your limited time and impending flights islands are going to be
> difficult. To really explore the western highlands and islands you
> need a few days. Assuming you have been to Edinburgh before, my plan
> would be to forget the east and concentrate your time on the west
> coast and Skye.
The circuit around Skye is awesome. The circuit around Loch Lomand,
near Glasgow, is also amazing. And then the Trossachs are nearby. I
figure that by late September the midges are gone?
--
Dan Stephenson
Photos, movies, panos from the Europe, USA, plus N.Z.:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda
(remove nospam from email address to reply via email)
<[email protected]> said:
>> Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
>> these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
>> the distance and possible ferry transport.
>
> Stirling-Fort Willaim is 160 miles and at least 4 hours.
>
> Given your limited time and impending flights islands are going to be
> difficult. To really explore the western highlands and islands you
> need a few days. Assuming you have been to Edinburgh before, my plan
> would be to forget the east and concentrate your time on the west
> coast and Skye.
The circuit around Skye is awesome. The circuit around Loch Lomand,
near Glasgow, is also amazing. And then the Trossachs are nearby. I
figure that by late September the midges are gone?
--
Dan Stephenson
Photos, movies, panos from the Europe, USA, plus N.Z.:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda
(remove nospam from email address to reply via email)
Jul 25th 2007 | 1:35 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
> Been to Scotland once before, did mostly east side. We've a couple of
> nights planned for west Scotland this time and are looking for some
> advice.
> We're an adult couple liking scenery, hiking, history, local charm,
> drink and food.
> Late September, we'll leave Edinburgh in the morning for a visit to
> Stirling Castle. Suspect that'll be most of a day. We'll leave in
> the afternoon by car and head for a destination for 2 nites with a
> return to Glasgow for a mid morning flight.
> We're thinking of staying in Oban or Ft. Williams or someplace around
> Islay. Our final day will be a drive back to Glasgow with an overnite
> close enough to the airport.
> Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
> these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
> the distance and possible ferry transport. Beyond that, which is the
> better location given our interests?
Go straight to Glasgow and on to Arran - it's much smaller and more
easily accessible than the western islands, but the landscape
(particularly at the northern end) is similar, and Goat Fell is a
spectacular hike. It's the right side for the airport and on the
same railway line, too, so you might be able to spend your last night
at Brodick on the island rather than going back to Glasgow (I don't
know when the first ferry is).
Oban is okay, but not worth a detour in itself (unless you want to
see the setting of Alan Warner's "Morvern Callar"...). Fort William
(not Williams) is a dump.
: The circuit around Loch Lomand, near Glasgow, is also amazing.
You can't circuit Loch Lomond by road - no shoreline road on most
of the eastern side.
: I figure that by late September the midges are gone?
No, it's still well in midge season then. Loch Lomond is full
of them, Arran not so bad (more exposed and windier).
============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk =============Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975
stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800 739 557
> nights planned for west Scotland this time and are looking for some
> advice.
> We're an adult couple liking scenery, hiking, history, local charm,
> drink and food.
> Late September, we'll leave Edinburgh in the morning for a visit to
> Stirling Castle. Suspect that'll be most of a day. We'll leave in
> the afternoon by car and head for a destination for 2 nites with a
> return to Glasgow for a mid morning flight.
> We're thinking of staying in Oban or Ft. Williams or someplace around
> Islay. Our final day will be a drive back to Glasgow with an overnite
> close enough to the airport.
> Our concerns revolve around how long it takes to get from Stirling to
> these areas and is it reasonable to be able to visit an island given
> the distance and possible ferry transport. Beyond that, which is the
> better location given our interests?
Go straight to Glasgow and on to Arran - it's much smaller and more
easily accessible than the western islands, but the landscape
(particularly at the northern end) is similar, and Goat Fell is a
spectacular hike. It's the right side for the airport and on the
same railway line, too, so you might be able to spend your last night
at Brodick on the island rather than going back to Glasgow (I don't
know when the first ferry is).
Oban is okay, but not worth a detour in itself (unless you want to
see the setting of Alan Warner's "Morvern Callar"...). Fort William
(not Williams) is a dump.
: The circuit around Loch Lomand, near Glasgow, is also amazing.
You can't circuit Loch Lomond by road - no shoreline road on most
of the eastern side.
: I figure that by late September the midges are gone?
No, it's still well in midge season then. Loch Lomond is full
of them, Arran not so bad (more exposed and windier).
============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk =============Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975
stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800 739 557
Jul 25th 2007 | 2:38 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
Following up to Jack Campin - bogus address <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Go straight to Glasgow and on to Arran - it's much smaller and more
>easily accessible than the western islands, but the landscape
>(particularly at the northern end) is similar, and Goat Fell is a
>spectacular hike.
thats a good suggestion!
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
wrote:
>Go straight to Glasgow and on to Arran - it's much smaller and more
>easily accessible than the western islands, but the landscape
>(particularly at the northern end) is similar, and Goat Fell is a
>spectacular hike.
thats a good suggestion!
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
Jul 25th 2007 | 2:39 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
Following up to Jack Campin - bogus address <[email protected]>
wrote:
> The circuit around Loch Lomand, near Glasgow, is also amazing.
>
>You can't circuit Loch Lomond by road - no shoreline road on most
>of the eastern side.
I didnt like to say :-)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
wrote:
> The circuit around Loch Lomand, near Glasgow, is also amazing.
>
>You can't circuit Loch Lomond by road - no shoreline road on most
>of the eastern side.
I didnt like to say :-)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
Jul 25th 2007 | 11:44 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
My, such helpful people here!
It'll take me a week to pour over the maps and guide books to suss out
all of the recommendations, but I wanted to clarify a couple of things
before then.
We'll have 2 nites in the west, not just 1.
and
Much of our time is inflexible due to commitment to a mother-in-law
(hence the concentration in EDI and Stirling at the beginning of the
trip).
Now, about those islands....
Regards,
-Chris
It'll take me a week to pour over the maps and guide books to suss out
all of the recommendations, but I wanted to clarify a couple of things
before then.
We'll have 2 nites in the west, not just 1.
and
Much of our time is inflexible due to commitment to a mother-in-law
(hence the concentration in EDI and Stirling at the beginning of the
trip).
Now, about those islands....
Regards,
-Chris
Jul 25th 2007 | 7:03 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
Following up to checker <[email protected]> wrote:
>Now, about those islands....
Arran and Skye are both doable, Arran you get to go on a boat :-)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
>Now, about those islands....
Arran and Skye are both doable, Arran you get to go on a boat :-)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
Jul 25th 2007 | 8:52 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: help with west scotland visit
Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> wrote:
>Arran
should have mentioned stalking restrictions may be in effect in Sept
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/page38.htm" (half way down)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
>Arran
should have mentioned stalking restrictions may be in effect in Sept
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/page38.htm" (half way down)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
