Scottish road trip

dave_lunt2

Sorry to hijack your thread Little Vics,

We're staying in Stirling in February for a week and too like beautiful scenery and driving through the landscape, I notice about that aggypanthus mentioned Callander and Killin, with them being so close Stirling is that a worthwhile trip? What is there to see? We are also planning on heading to Balloch to take in Loch Lomond. Thanks

zolablue25

One of my favourite drives in Scotland is along the A86 on the banks of the River Spean and then passed Loch Laggan. Beautiful scenery and a few nice places to stop and have a pcinic.

daveyjp

dave_lunt2 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack your thread Little Vics,

We're staying in Stirling in February for a week and too like beautiful scenery and driving through the landscape, I notice about that aggypanthus mentioned Callander and Killin, with them being so close Stirling is that a worthwhile trip? What is there to see? We are also planning on heading to Balloch to take in Loch Lomond. Thanks

My favourite drive around there is along northern Loch Tay from Killin, up the lower slopes of Ben Lawers to Bridge of Balgie then down Glen Lyon to Aberfeldy. Only ever done it in Spring, summer, but if it is open it will be stunning in February with snow on the surrounding mountains.

Faith177

I love the area around Inverness loads to do and see and the people are lovely.

Lossiemouth beach is beautiful and Nairn isn't to bad either.

Little_Vics

loving all the tips - keep them coming please!

Buzby

Little_Vics wrote: »

I'm keen to go to Staffa - am I right you can go from Tobermory there? I've been to the Giant's Causeway, and it will be nice to join it up at the other end!

No - the Staffa trip leaves from Oban - a bus then connects to the Iona slipway and on to a circular tour of the island group. Search for Staffa Cruises - but book in advance, it's usually busy with twitchers.

cherrub

Little_Vics wrote: »

loving all the tips - keep them coming please!

Nobody has mentioned Kintyre/Mid Argyll. It's by far my favouite part of the west coast. Because it's not on the way to anywhere (apart from Campbelltown) it gets very overlooked. Scenery is stunning and the woodland walking fantastic and the area has much of the remaining ancient woodland in Scotland. Any tourist office in the area should have the excellent forestry walking maps that list walks from 1/4 mile upwards. We noticed some wild camping on the road between Claonaig and Skipness last week that would let you wake up to a fantastic view.

The other area that hasn't been mentioned is the Silver Sands of Morar - with some beautiful secluded beaches. If you're going that way pm me and I'll tell you how to find the 'secret beach'!

I did a possible road trip plan for friends recently that covered all my favourite bits and went something like this -


Ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, then ferry from Lochranza to Claonaig. (I would now probably suggest doing the new ferry from Troon to Campbeltown and driving up the east coast of Kintyre via Saddell and Caradale)

Drive to Oban stopping at Tarbert, Crinan and Killmartin and Seil Island

Ferry from Oban to Craignure (Mull)
Drive to Tobermory (with a possible side trip to Iona)

Ferry from Tobermory to Kilchoan
Drive to Mallaig stopping at lots of wonderful beaches on route (just make sure you've well stocked on provisions first - there aren't a lot of shops in Ardnamurchan)

Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale
Do as much of Skye as takes your fancy (I don't get the fuss about Skye but I know lots of people who love it)

Skye bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh (or even better, take the little ferry from Kylerhea to Glenelg)
Possible side trip over the Bealach na Bà to Applecross

Drive to Spean Bridge then up the length of the Great Glen to Inverness stopping at Fort Augustus for a Nessie hunting boat trip, visiting Urquhart Castle.

Drive from Inverness to Granton-on-Spey then head south via Tomintoul and Braemar visiting favourite distilleries enroute!

I've never done this route as a road trip but I know all the areas (apart from Iona) after many holidays so just ask if you want any more info. Until you get to Spean Bridge there should be plenty of possibilities for wild camping.

Little_Vics

wow - amazing. Thank you. I'll chat with the hubby and decide what we want to do, but may well PM you for camping tips.

paulineb_2

Ive been to Skye only once but it was lovely, also Aviemore, not really much to do in Aviemore, bit touristy, been to Inverness, didnt really love it.

My mum and her parents used to go to Granton on Spey every year on holiday, also the Trossachs, Aberfoyle. My grans family were from Aberfeldy.

The youth hostel on Skye is very nice as I recall.

Little_Vics

I'm just back from THE BEST 2 week road trip ever, and wanted to pop by to say thank you for all your tips. We loved every moment of it - apart from the midges......