Asking for advice

Best Answers

• VisitScotlandAngela Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩

  July 2017 Accepted Answer

  Hi @Niva_tlv and welcome to the community!
  
  Two weeks is a decent amount of time to explore the regions that you have listed above, although the section from Loch Lomond to Skye would involve a lengthy drive of around 5 hours, so it would be wise to incorporate a break in between.  Perhaps you could base yourself around the villages of Ballachuillish, Glencoe, Kinlochleven, Fort William or Spean Bridge for a few days (all surrounded by some spectacular mountain landscapes) before travelling onto Skye.  From any of these villages you would be able to go on a day trip to Loch Ness or the Cairngorms. 
  
  
  
  
  

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• VisitScotlandMuriel Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩

  July 2017 Accepted Answer

  Hi @Niva_tlv
  Thanks for your post. Please remember that Scotland is a "wee" country and that in 2 weeks you have ample time to do all that you're planning to do. It would be a shame not to go to Loch Maree - it's a personal favorite of mine!! I have talked about it several times on the community... Also Skye, but do make sure you book ahead as it's very busy even in September. The Trotternish area (Old Man of Storr) is amazing!! I think if you go round in a circle either clockwise or anticlockwise that's the best way. Happy holidays!! 

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• VisitScotlandMuriel Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩

  July 2017 Accepted Answer

  Hi @Niva_tlv ;
  You can't do anything about the Scottish weather I'm afraid  BUT the good news is September is usually a good month weather-wise!! I was in Skye last year around the end of September and I experienced pretty good weather all in all (except on the drive up to Skye). So best of luck and please don't break your head over anything to do with the weather, it's not worth it . Get some good waterproofs instead.
  If you don't manage to find accommodation on Skye, you could go to Mull instead, much less busy and I am told just as nice - personally I haven't been but it's on my bucket list. 
  Your itinerary: How about a couple of nights in or around Callander (you could also visit Killin and Loch Tay), a night in Inveraray on Loch Fyne (do you like oysters? they grow them at Loch Fyne), a night in Oban then 2 nights in either Mull or Skye (if you go to Skye, don't forget to see Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie or go to Plockton to see Palm trees in Scotland!). Then head up to Loch Ness (almost compulsory and very busy) and Inverness (1 or 2 night stop?). Then head up to Loch Maree and Gairloch (overnight stop at the Old Inn in Gairloch - nice walk behind the Hotel and at night you can go down the harbour to see the fishing boats coming in with their catch) and back down to Inverness via Black Isle (do you like beer? you can visit Black Isle Brewery). On the way down if you like whisky there are many distilleries in the Speyside area (careful if you are driving!!) and you could stop in the Cairngorms - Aviemore has plenty of accommodation and you could spend two nights there. If you are interested in nature you will be interested to know that native Caledonian pine trees can be seen in the Rothiemurchus Estate and that you may also spot some red squirrels - they are quite rare in Scotland as the grey ones coming from America took over the native red squirrels. Then I would recommend a stop in Perthshire for 2 nights maybe in Pitlochry or Dunkeld - very nice walk to the Hermitage. Explore Glen Lyon near Aberfeldy and Fortingall which is home to the oldest Yew tree in Europe (around 500 years old), it's really worth it. Then I guess you will be back in Edinburgh (if you feel really plush you could stay at Gleneagles Hotel on the way down).
  Regarding planning your walks, please use the Walk Highlands website which shows everything from very simple to the more difficult walks - and not just in the Highlands.
  I hope this helps. For autumn colours, unfortunately end of September is a wee bit too early I'm afraid. You need to come in October to see the beautiful golds and reds and browns that this amazing season has to offer. Again have a lovely holiday and do not hesitate to speak to the locals or visit the local iCentres - they are full of good advice!

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