Scotland Travel Forum

We're planning a trip in the UK next August. We're arriving in London on August the 5th and going to stay there for 3 days, then fly to Edinburgh and stay there one night. That's the easy part. We need to return to Edinburgh on August the 20th.

Now, originally we've planned on going to Aberdeen and its surroundings, but upon researching the trip route and talking with friends, I found the Scottish Highlands to be a better destination for us. I've figured out some sort of a route, but I'm not sure if we have enough time, so I'd be grateful if any of the local experts could help me with the following. Any recommendations you can give: hotels, restaurants, roads, are very highly welcome.

The route I've been thinking of is basically driving from Edinburgh to Inverness. From there, I thought of a trip through the Great Glen - Loch Ness, Mt. Ben Navis - then to the Isles of Skye if we have enough time, and this is our main problem. Basically, we don't want to drive all day. This is a relaxed trip, and we'd like something like renting a small hut near a quiet Loch and have walking and biking trips around it, for a day or two - then moving on. We can drive several hours if necessary. It needn't be anything luxurious, but we don't really want to camp in tents.

So, my questions are:

1. Can you recommend a better route according to our needs and time allocations (doesn't necessarily have to be around the Great Glen)? Any recommended nature areas?

2. Is the whole area very busy with tourists this time of year? We would prefer a quieter place.

3. Weather - are storms, rain, etc. anything to be concerned of?

4. Any tips, suggestions, ideas, recommendations - are truly highly welcome.

I appreciate your input very much, thank you!

Regards,

Tal

I can't help much with specific route details, but this site will:

http://www.theaa.com/travelwatch/planner_main.jsp?database=B

If you put in your to/from places it will give you a printable route, with details of timings, possible traffic blackspots etc etc.

Timings from the AA (Automobile Association) are usually pretty reliable, but do allow for a) traffic congestion b) getting stuck behind slow-moving vehicels (many roads are not paricularly to overtake on) and c) weather conditions. Any rain/storms you might encounter will not be absolutely dreadful, but you will obviously need to slow down your driving speed for safety reasons.

You are, however, visiting at the height of the season. That means plenty of other people visiting, and plenty of tour groups on coaches. For that reason you should be looking for (and booking) accommodation now: if you leave it until you arrive you may well find you have a very limited choice. Your choice will be imited even now, to be honest: self-catering accommodation is often booked many months in advance.

The official tourist board site:

http://www.visithighlands.com/

will help with accommodation options and sites to visit.

The Highlands are stunning and there are many, many places where you will be able to be away from crowds even in August. But they do need to be treated with respect, so take appropriate care if you are planning to walk in the mountains:check the weather forecast, make sure you tell someone your route and when you expect to be back, take appropriate clothing and footwear. A map and compass is also a good idea, if you know how to use them.

http://www.mcofs.org.uk/enjoy-scottish-hills-in-safety.asp

A further point: take some good insect repellent. Scotland (especially the Highlands) is well-known for its midges, which are a real nuisance at this time of year.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usfeatures/midges/

Have you considered taking the train around Scotland? Years ago - not sure they still do it - I bought a rail travel card for use in Scotland. We went from Edinburgh via Glasgow up on the west coast line to Mallaig from where we picked up the ferry over to Skye. In Skye I hired a car for a few days to explore the island and do some walking in the mountains. We then left the island ( there's a bridge over the water now) and picked up the train from Kyle of Lochalsh. This was a superb train ride - made even more special because we'd booked seats in the old Victorian viewing carriage at the end of the train. The line goes right across the Highlands and then down the east coast to Inverness and on to Edinburgh. I think you can stop off en route but check that out. The terms and conditions of the travelcard could easily have changed in the time.

Regarding Scotland in the summer the one thing you can be certain about the weather is that it will be unpredictable. It could change from clear blue skies to pouring windy storms very quickly so go prepared. Scotland is renowned for its midges in summer and they can make life miserable so be prepared with the insect repellent. It is however a gorgeous part of the UK. Like everywhere if you hit the tourist spots it will be busy but Scotland is so vast that very quickly you could escape the big crowds. I've yet to get to the Great Glen or Loch Ness so cannot comment. Ben Nevis is relatively easy to climb - you'll see people walking it in trainers but again go prepared for all sorts of weather. I thought the top was slightly disappointing, flattish and very rocky but still got a sense of achievement to have walked up Britain's highest mountain.

Hope you a have a terrific time wherever you decide to go in Scotland.
Mike

Hi. We spent a wonderful week in the Highlands just outside Lochcarron and right on the loch. It was a rental and there were two units, both looking over the lake. We had ducks visit us at dinner time! It was well enough located we could visit the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle, Attadale Gardens, Inverewe Gardens (stunning), Strome Castle, drove the Pass of the Cattle (highest pass in the UK) and spent a wonderful day in Plockton (palm trees in Scotland, really). There is the lake and lots of hiking in the area; roads are pretty good and the scenery is spectacular. It was a great place to spend a week and we were able to do a lot of sightseeing and still relax at "home" in the evenings.

Here's the contact information. Perhaps you might just check the web site. Mairi Young and her husband are lovely people and very helpful.

Ms. Mairi Young, Resolis, Colonel’s Road, Lochcarron, Ross-Shire IV54 8YG
44-(0)1520 722- 436
http://www.holiday-rentals.com/index.cfm/property/1565
e-mail: young.res@lineone.net

With regard to Ben Nevis: yes, you'll see people walking up in trainers (and sandals, and even heels)...or trying to. You'll see that in Snowdonia too.

Trouble is, if the weather changes, or if an ankle is broken, they are the people who have to be rescued by the volunteer mountain rescue, who put their own lives at risk for no payment.

Scottish and Welsh mountains can be very treacherous indeed, largely because of the weather (even in August): don't underestimate them.

All the foregoing are excellent responses. I cannot emphasise enough that you have to take into account the length of time it will take to drive from one place to another - just becuase the actual distance is 30 miles, it doesn't mean to say it will take you 30 minutes to drive. The raods can be twisty and turn-y, you can be stuck behind a caravan(s) and so on. That said, the scenery is fantastic. If you are driving, bear in mind that petrol/gas station are not thick on the ground, so keep your tank topped up - and petrol will be more expensive than further south. I think Beausoleil's location is probably more or less ideal for you. Ah midges.... volumes have been written on the wee devils. they are worst at dusk and if the weather has been wet and then warms up. I am not sure if by "next August", you mean in two weeks time or August 2009. If it is in two weeks time, then you had better get your skates on and book some accommodation as it is high tourist season. I hope you have accommodation for Edinburgh as it will be Festival time and reasonably priced digs are as scarce as hen's teeth. If you are going to be in the Inverness area, then visit the Culloden battlefield site; it has a new Visitor Centre which further adds to the experience. I now can't remember if any of the previous posters suggested another route - you could drive from Edinburgh over to Glasgow and then up to Fort William through Glen Coe and so on. It's a slightly more scenic drive. Then for the return you could ddrive through the Great Glen and so on to Inverness and back down to Edinburgh. The 10 days you've allowed for the Scottish part is adequate - you won't have to go like a bat out of hell providing you don't plan to see everything! That's a lifetime's occupation and is best taken slowly.

Thanks all for your replies!!!! They are very helpful.

leics:

I will check out the AA timings. As for reservations: we have an hotel booked at Edinburgh. We haven't booked anything in the Highlands. We'll try to reserve ASAP, we just don't have the fixed route yet. Thank you for the informations about the Midges - I wasn't aware of them!

Mike:

I don't think traveling by train is an option. I guess we're too spoiled. The car is already reserved anyway. We are planning on escaping the crowds like you said. I plan not to stay in the Great Glen area for a long time seeing as I now see it's quite busy. Not sure we're going to climb that mountain though ;)

Beausoleil:

Thanks for the links. We're not planning on staying in one location though, but we actually they are in our planned route and we might as well stop there!

hawkhead:

August in two weeks it is! Coming up as you see. Yes, we have an hotel reserved in Edinburgh so that's not a problem. Regarding gas prices, we'll manage, but is there a map of gas stations (assuming they don't appear on our GPS) we can get somewhere? Getting stuck without fuel really isn't our kind of fun, hehe.

We'll take the midges into account... From what you tell they seem really frightening.

As for the route itself, I have some sort of a plan going but I haven't taken into account the various aspect you've discussed here, such as slow driving, no petrol etc:

1. Edinburgh to Inverness

2. Inverness through Loch Ness, Fort Augustus and Fort William without staying there - is that possible? I know it's going to be busy around there, but maybe we can grab one night around Loch Ness or in Inverness so we can explore the area.

3. Fort William to Mallaig via the A830 and Glenfinnan, and a ferry to Armadale in the Isle of Skye.

4. Explore the area and take a ferry from Uig to Lochmaddy then a ferry to Tarbet.

5. Explore the area then Ullapool and back to Inverness.

Just a really basic route - are the isles worth the long drive?

Again, thank you all very much - you've been a great help. If you even need help with traveling in Israel, give me a shout.

Regards,

Tal

Mmmmmmm, if you are going to include the Western Isles i.e. Lewis and Harris, then the itinerary you have proffered is going to be tight. It's doable but tight and is really veering away from your initial desire for a relaxed trip. If you are going to do the Isles, then you must book your ferry(ies) NOW! I am not entirely convinced that the extra time it takes to do the wee bit of travelling on the Isles actually is merited by the time that it takes to get to and from the Isles, if you see what I mean. Also, you must take into account THE WEATHER! Even though it is August, the weather can be fierce and the ferries delayed or cancelled. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. I have travelled there at the end of August and experienced one delay going to Tarbet due to the fact that there was a mjor accident just outside of Fort William which, effectively, closed the road, and the ferry waited until the "bus from Glasgow" arrived - 5 hours later! I know you're not going that way but that sort of thing might well affect your return trip. I don't quite know what you plan to do/see on Lewis and Harris. The area really merits a week - it's a laid back and totally friendly place that deserves to be visited properly. It is a long drive back from Uig to Portree (or vice versa) btw and is a prime example of the drive taking far, far longer than either anticipated or plotted on a map.

Oh yes, the midgies - they can drive a man or woman mad, similiar to the black flies of Ontario - however, most of us survive! We complain like billy-o and scratch like mad but we do survive and mostly the visitors return home in one piece, having lived to tell the tale and with the bumps and lumps to show for it!

I am sure there is a website for the location of gas stations and I will do a bit of surfing and see what I can come up with. Btw, a lot of the outlets are not gas stations per se, but a coupple of pumps located outside a post office or a wee shop or attached to a repair shop. It's not a major issue, just a point to bear in mind.

Are you collecting your car at Edinburgh airport upon arrival? If so, does your accommodation have parking, eithe free off-road or some sort of parking area nearby? Parking is a nightmare in Edinburgh and quite frankly, a car is a liability in the city. Especially during Festival time. I'm glad to hear you already have booked accommodaiton.

Anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate. I'll have a look for the gas station site, and also again at your latest reply and see if I can contrubte any more comments.

hawkhead,

Thank you for your second excellent reply, very helpful.

If you think it's tight, then we might as well skip these isles. Do you think we have enough time for Skye? Besides that, do you have any recommended lochs and places to visit?

Regarding Edinburgh, I've understood that it deserves more than one night, therefore we've booked an additional night. Basically it's not so much because we're actually arriving on the night of the 9th, so we get only 1 and a half day in Edinburgh. Thanks for the information regarding the car - we called our travel agent and we'll get it the next morning, cuts the price too!

Basically the route I have devised so far is pretty simple and not complete: on about 11am, August the 10th, we leave Edinburgh and drive to Inverness so we arrive there at about 4pm. There we're planning to take a short trip across town and drive to Glencoe while stopping shortly at Loch Ness. We'll sleep at Glencoe and explore the surroundings of Cannich and Drumnadrochit. I do think we're better off sleeping near Inverness, so as to be closer to Loch Ness, and spend the next night or two at Glencoe and the area.

What we do next is yet unsettled, but I think the Isle of Skye, particularly the north, can be a good destination. After that, I'm pretty much open to suggestions - where are the most beautiful, remote lochs and nature spots around that area?

Once again, you input is very appreciate and so is the time you put into writing your posts!

Regards,

Tal

When you leave Edinburgh on the 10th, in order to reach Glen Coe you are, in essence, driving two sides of a triangle, of more or less equal length and long lengths at that. It is entirely unrealistic to drive from Edinburgh to Inverness and then hope to spend the night in Glen Coe. Your idea of spending the night in Inverness and then going on to Glen Coe is much more reasonable!! Just as a matter of interest, why do you want to go to Inverness - is it just so that you can drive along Loch Ness? Rather a non-event, really!! You know, I think it would be much better to drive from Edinburgh on the M8 to Glasgow, then to Fort William on the A82, driving along Loch Lomond, spend a night somewhere there (Crianlarich?), and then continue on to Glen Coe (the National Trust for Scotland has a marvellous visitor centre there), staying somewhere near there (Ballachulish?), and then continue on to Skye, visiting Eilean Donan Castle on the way to the Isle or on the way back, and do whatever you want to do. Aas Beausoliel says, the Plockton area is lovely, and it has one very good hotel and a couple of good hotels all serving marvellous seafood. The drive from Ballachulish and Fort William to Skye is a long one and you would probably be glad to stay either in Mallaig if you opt for that route; or Dornie or somewhere around there if you opt for the other route. You could then go on over the water to Skye. Then you could return via Inverness and the Great Glen. That way you would be doing a circle. Or you could do the circle in reverse. There is now a bridge over the water to Skye (no charge), so you wouldn't have the hassle of going by ferry, unless of course, you want to "go over the sea to Skye". Another little circle on the way to Skye would be to branch off at Fort William onto the A830 and go to Mallaig, via Glenfinnan ("the road to the isles"), and take the ferry over to Armadale on Skye. Then after Skye, you could come back on the A87 to Invergarry ( and then on to Inverness) or the A87 and then the A887 to Invermoriston and rest of the way to Inverness. The former would land you just below Loch Ness and then you could take the A82 up to Invermoriston via the Caledonian Canal and Fort Augustus. I have concentrated on the west side of the country as you seem to want to reach Inverness pdq; however, there are a lot of lovely places to visit on the way to Inverness.
Just a thought, now that you are staying an extra night (good idea, btw),I hope you have told your travel agent that you only want the car for pick-up on the morning you leave Edinburgh. If you are to collect it at the airport, then it is very easy to go by the airport bus to the airport, and would save you having to negotiate your way out of the city in a strange vehicle and so on.
I hope you have a good road map of Scotland to hand, so that you can follow the general idea of what I have suggested.
In addition, I hope I haven't totally confused you!

hawkhead, once again thank you for your very insightful reply!

I'll go through your post and check the locations in Google Maps, but my thinking now is Edinburgh-Inverness (just to buy supplies or so), then a quiet B&B or hotel near Loch Ness where we can stay a day or two even. By any means Inverness is a target or a place I'd like to visit, just a place to get fresh supplies and such. Then, proceed to Glencoe and the area which seems beautiful, then the Isle of Skye (Eilean Donan Castle too, already marked it as a must-visit) through the bridge (seeing as you need to book a ferry and we didn't - no preference to go on water anyway), then back and explore the area a little bit more if we still have time. I might be saying exactly what you said in your post simply opposite, it's just that I don't know the names and even if I do... I confuse them!

As for the car: yes, we did. The travel agent still needs to get back to us but she said it's not going to be a problem. I do have a map of Scotland which I use - Google Maps! (and Google Earth of course) But we also have a GPS which we are obviously going to - heavily - use. When we were in Norway a couple of years ago, navigating with maps was really a nightmare.

Anyway, I'm going to go over your post and mark the locations for myself. Then I'll post back - thank you once again very much for your input.

Regards,

Tal

Righty-o then! You can also buy supplies between Edinburgh and Inverness!! However, as you go down into Inverness there is a big Tesco off on your right that is open, if not 24 hours, at least until late at night. The petrol at Tesco is usually the cheapest in the area. The Inverness area is very popular, so you should see about booking accommodation now. The economy in the UK now means that many more people are deciding to spend money in their own country, so it's likely that finding a place at short notice (and you are looking at short notice!) will be even more of a problem than usual.
A word of warning, sometimes the GPS has a mind of its own in remote areas, so don't rely totally on it. Something to do with being affected by the magnetic field or something, so by brother-in-law tells me and he works with the mountain rescue!
Google map is all very well but make sure that you expand it out, if you understand what I mean, so that you gain a good overall impression of the lie of the land from Edinburgh up to Inverness and over to the West. You will see that there aren't many, if any shortcuts, and what shortcuts there are usually are on B roads or worse.... fine for locals but not for the faint-hearted!

Sorry to bother you again..... I've just had a look at the Tesco and it is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you google Tesco Store Locator, then type in Inverness, you will get all info - it is store number 3 on the map that it the one I was referring to.

You're not bothering me at all! It's the other way around ;)

Thanks for the information regarding the Tesco store. It's going to be useful. I'm trying to make a reservation at a B&B around Loch Ness and it's proving to be pretty hard this time of year, so we might need to stay at an Inverness hotel.

As for the GPS, thanks for the warning. It's new so we didn't really know that, will take that into account.

Next time you need a B&B in Israel don't hesitate to contact me!

Regards & thanks

Tal

You could try www.booking.com They have a choice of rooms from the eye-wateringly expensive to the reasonably priced in places on or near Loch Ness on or around your dates. I use them all the time for accommodation all over the world and they are 100% reliable and always offer good accommodation. I'll remember you when I come to Israel - not been yet but would dearly love to.

I've tried everything, and I just began mailing every B&B I saw, and it paid off: we found a free one for just 75 pounds a night per room looking out on the Loch Ness, pretty remote too - lochnabeiste.co.uk.

And here our route begins to shape! :D

1. Two days in Edinburgh.

2. Drive to Inverness, quick rest and to our B&B.

3. Tour the Loch Ness area for two days - should be more than enough to relax.

4. Drive to the area of the Isle of Skye. We've decided to lodge on the mainland itself since we want to explore areas that others have suggested, so somewhere around Applecross should be fine. We'll make quick trips to the Isle of Skye - all of that for two night. Have yet to reserve any accommodation there so suggestions are welcome.

5. Moving on to Glenco, where I thought of staying at the historical Kings House Hotel. I'll phone them tomorrow and see if they're not booked full. Stay there for three days.

6. This part is undecided: our plane from Glasgow leaves at 11am so we need to be close to Glasgow. I thought of staying somewhere in the middle, that is near Loch Leven.

Any comments about the route?

You should visit Israel, it's a lovely country, even though I'm not an expert on travel routes, probably don't even equal to you.

Good morning!

1. Okay

2. Okay - looks fine, though it might not be as remote as you think but then one person's remote is not another's!!

3. Okay - try and visit the battlefield site of Culloden - very emotive and they have a wonderful new visitors centre. Also Fort George. The Black Isle.

4. I'm having a problem here - you say somewhere around Applecross should be fine. The only Applecross I know of is way out on the Inner Sound. It is miles away from the A896 down a very, very minor road. Not at all practical for quick trips to Skye, as you would have to return to the A896, then continue to Lochcarron and then up and round the head of Loch Carron and all along the side of the loch to Stromeferry and then down to Auchtertyre to join the A87, and then along to Kyle of Lochalsh, and then you cross the bridge to Skye. I really suggest that, if this is indeed the Applecross that you are referring to, that you reconsider and stay at, eg.. Plockton. The Plockton Inn is very good as is the other hotel (can't remember the name off-hand but if you google hotels plockton it will come up.)

5. Okay but perhaps Ballachulish might be better, especially as you are staying for 3 nights. I think you will keep on going back up the road towards Glen Coe. Ballachulish is a community and very pretty.

6. Don't know where you are flying to but you must allow time to reach Glasgow airport in time to a)deal with the car and b)check-in and deal with security. So, you would need to be at the airport by 9.00 at the latest. So staying near Loch Leven is not really an option as it is a fair way from Glasgow, certainly not "close to" and on the wrong side. You would have to get up very early and you would hit the rush hour traffic which, especially coming in from the direction, is extremely heavy and often non-moving. Plus you would have to deal with the rather convoluted sign posting to the airport - it's okay when you've done it once!! I assume you have a reason to head off east again from being on the west side? I don't know quite where to suggest - Stirling is about an hour from Glasgow and is also on that side of the country. (Btw, the Castle there is well worth a visit and is miles better than the one in Edinburgh). You know, to be honest, I would arrange to ditch the car a day early and just stay the night in Glasgow. You could stay near the airport but that's not very "romantic" and rather a let-down after a holiday. Glasgow is fine and there is a lot to see and do there. However, you might just want to roll into the city in the early evening, ditch the car, check-in and have a meal. Then, it's an easy trip out to the airport by bus or taxi. If you do opt for this, then choose a hotel that is either near the bus station at Buchanan Street or else has its own transportation to the airport or is a hotel that the airport bus stops at. (I can give you pointers). And this way, you could have breakfast and then go out to the airport to arrive refreshed and so on in time to check-in.

Hope this helps a bit. Probably poses more questions than answers!!

Very helpful post as usual!

3. Yep, these are all places I've been intending to go to but we'll make a detailed plan when we arrive there, see the weather, etc. No need for something VERY remote.

4. Miscalculated Applescross's location apparently. I'm currently hunting for B&Bs around Kyle of Lochalsh. I'll check about Plockton, thank you!

5. Ballachulish seems interesting. It doesn't seem to be too far from Glencoe and there's an A road nearby! Thanks, we'll check them out. It'll probably be a better choice than Glencoe as it's pretty busy there from what I know.

6. We're flying to London. We actually thought of staying in Stirling - it's an option, but so is Glasgow. We'll check hotel rates and see if it's possible to give the car back earlier.

Once again THANK YOU!

Just a quick note -

1a) If you decide to stay in Stirling at the end of your hol, then bear in mind that the comments I made re Loch Leven and getting to the airport, are still valid.

1b) If you come the other way, you could stay at the Lomond Castle Hotel, right on the bonnie bonnie banks - it is a very expensive place but you might want to have one last splurge. That entrance (from the north) and through Glasgow is also very busy at rush hour but considerably less so than the M8.

2) As you are "only" flying to London, if you don't have the car to deal with, then arriving at the airport around 9.30 should be fine. Glasgow is a busy airport, especially in the early part of the morning, and getting through security can be time consuming, even for a "local" flight.

3) Re Glencoe - it's really an area you drive through and wallow in the atmosphere, rather than stay in, although there is a youth hostel in an absolutely splendid location. Ballachulish is a good spot.

Anything further I can help you with, or give suggestions, comments, tips and so on, please don't hesitate.

Hi again hawkhead:

Regarding the hotel in Lomond: Do you mean Stonefield Castle Hotel? It does look expensive but one night should be bearable if it's worth it. It's only 3 starts so I wonder if it's worth it really. What we might do is stay over at Loch Lomond for one day and go out very early in the morning so we can get to the airport on time. Or we might do Glasgow, but that depends very much on hotel prices.

I'm used to tight security, for obvious reasons.

We wouldn't want to stay around Glencoe only, but rather travel in the area. It's quite a large area so we want 3 nights. Haven't booked anything yet but one B&B owner was kind enough to recommend her neighbor's B&B as hers is full, so we'll see if it works.

Once again thanks for your help. Do you have a PayPal address so that I can express my gratitude with a small tip?

Regards,

Tal

One more thing: can you can recommend any B&Bs (we prefer them over hotels, even if they cost the same or a bit more) in the area of Kyle of Lochalsh (doesn't have to be there at all) or Plockton, I've sent several emails to B&Bs in the area and they are either full or didn't yet reply, so we're looking for more possibilities.

Applecross is a fairly long drive either from inverness or from skye.
Part of the way consists of single track roads and a fairly rough ride over bealach na ba, the mountain pass.
there is a camp site there where it's possible to rent what they call wigwams, which are wooden constructions with a couple of bench beds which are very cheap and cheerful, and one hotel which is very popular for its' seafood restaurant and consequently may be heavily booked.
The scenery around there is spectacular but the roads can be hair raising with sheep, nervous tourists and speeding locals all vying for space on one little narrow road.
another point to consider is that some businesses, apart from the camp sites and hotels may close on sundays for religious reasons, so make sure you have enough petrol and supplies to last from saturday to monday.
Having said all that, the journey is worthwhile and I am sure it would be a memorable part of your vacation

We might as well check that part of the area if we have time!

Our main problem now is a place to stay in Ballachulish. Nothing seems to be available. I'm still looking but things don't look too bright so we might need to look for accommodation in the area. Any suggestions?

Regards

Tal

A very good website is www.laterooms.com I have done a quick recce for both Ballachulish and for Kyle of Lochalsh, taking a stab at relevant dates. In the Ballachulish area I tried 15-18 August) there are a few available, particularly the Inchree Lodge, just north of Ballachulish.
There is also availability at a place on Skye called Kyleakin - just more or less over the bridge onto the island. I tried 10-14 August.

I should imagine that you have worked your way down the various and many websites that appear when you google "accommodation glencoe" or "accommodation ballachulish". A lot of places are listed on www.glencoe-scotland.net and click on Accommodation. Most of the places appear to require the filling in of a booking form, which is rather tedious and not immediate. I see that the Ballachulish Hotel has rooms but it is fearfully and terrifyingly eye-wateringly expensive!!

I haven't treid to see if there is room at the SYA youth hostel. May not be your idea of heaven. It is in a remote-ish but rather spectacular location.

Ah, I think the Lomond Castle Hotel must now be incorporated into the golf course and as such, is for members only - pity!! They used to serve the most fabulous crab sandwiches!!

I'll have a word with various contacts and see if anything rises to the surface.
I haven't yet maanagfed to unearth the website re gas stations. However, the way your route is progressing, availability shouldn't be an issue. Good mention from the poster re Sundays!!

Just had a look at the SYHA website and the Glencoe Youth Hostel has availability on the 16th and 17th August.

Hi again

I've been on laterooms but I haven't searched for B&Bs, I will now!! The Ballachulish Hotel is too expensive indeed, even more than in Edinburgh.

After a lot of searches I found a B&B in Plockton (actually, I was looking over at the Kyle of Lochalsh, and one owner of a B&B which was full referred me to her sister's B&B) which looks great and is priced well. We're probably going to stay there.

We also found (expensive but bearable) accommodation at Ballachulish but only for two nights, so we might stay one more night at Plockton. I've also tried looking at Onich B&Bs, is it worth anything?

I'll go check on laterooms, thanks! As for the gas stations, we have a GPS and they're probably going to be built-in the POI (Points of Interest) system.

Regards

Tal

I'm not sure we really want a youth hostel, here they're associated with dirty and yucky places, I don't know how matters work there in Scotland - we are not spoiled by any means but we would prefer a traditional B&B...

Finally!! Route is pretty much booked & ready. Let me know what you think!

1st part: 2 nights in the Loch Ness area
2nd part: 3 nights in Plockton and the Isle of Skye
3rd part: 2 nights at an excellent place in Onich though we're not sure we're going there yet
4th part: 1 night at Kings Hotel at Glenco (if we manage to get 3 nights straight somewhere, we won't stay there)
5th part: 1 night at Glasgow or nearby.

Ballachulish and onich have little to recommend them unless you're just passing through. not worth paying lots of money for, unless they have changed a lot since I was there.
fort william and surrounding areas have more potential and are not too far from either of the former

on the roads you are travelling there are enough gas stations, Sundays excepted, as long as you are sensible.
Scotland is a small country and one tank of gas should take you from the kyles of lochalsh to glasgow.
the weather at that time of year is normally warm and sunny, although being close to the atlantic coast with its' prevailing westerly winds can mean sudden strong showers but nothing you need heavy weather clothing for.
Unless you intend hill walking or mountain climbing a rain jacket would suffice.
Also, scotland being very boggy means that biting insects (midgies)can make your life a misery, especially as they are so small as to seem insignificant

With reference to youth hostels, and for general information, they are most definitely not 'dirty and yucky places' in the UK (they would be closed down if they were), especially those run by the Youth Hostel Organisation. www.yha.org.uk (or www.syha.org.uk for Scotland). Many now have double/family rooms available as well as dormitories, some en suite, and offer breakfast.

Don't bet on the weather being warm and sunny: it might be, but it is more likely to be overcast. You'll need to bring waterproofs (and will probably need them), and you will most defnitiely need insect repellent once you are in the countryside.