My birthday is coming up and the wife decided we should go away. I've basically decided to go up to Scotland for 5 nights (maybe 6). I'm very outdoorsy and love the walks, nature, forests etc... I've currently looked into Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, Urquhart Castle, Corrieshalloch Gorge, Cawdor Castle, Alnwick Castle and the forests. Any local knowledge of places that would be a shame to miss? Also, any of the above not worth doing? We'll sadly be going by car rather than the multi but it makes dressing up for a night eating out somewhere nice, far easier.
Skye. Top half very scenic in and around Cuillins, Quirang etc. Nice restaurant in Portree, or Three Chimneys for the better padded wallet. @finm might have a view on Eriska hotel, I'm sure it's his local bevy place,for a cheap pint of heavy ....
Top left looks like the place to be (hotel near Ben Nevis would put us about central to the places I'd mentioned). I'm under orders to book a four poster.
Would probably stay and do trips out each morning. If we were staying longer we'd probably do two hotels but it's only 5-6 nights.
If you are looking for a four poster and a nice hotel take a look at Ardenaisig hotel. The driveway is around 10 miles long and the setting is stunning.
Badachro Inn has the best breakfast and place to eat it.... I sat watching seals swim inbetween islands, good access to Fairy Lochs (ww2 plane crash site, wreckage all still there). As mentioned, 3 chimneys on Skye is steep but worth it, marmalade sponge with drambuie custard..... Mmmmmmm...... Lochinver Larder does cracking pies. Stac Pollaidh is the best effort/reward walk there is. Got engaged up there, sadly in low cloud and drizzle but I showed her some pictures when we got home. I've attempted the Culliin ridge on Skye end to end a few times but been beaten by weather. Worth it every time though. Sutherland is where I'd head at every opportunity now. Properly out there. There's a little boat runs out to Handa Island up near Scourie, privately owned island and home to puffins and a few hundred thousand pairs of guillemots at right time of year. 100m high cliffs. Stunning.
Personally I'd head further North but finm knows the part of the country you're targeting better than me so will hopefully have some good pointers. Fort William, it has to be said, ain't all that. It's not awful or anything but it doesn't make the best of itself. You could go to Oban and get the Ferry to Mull. When in Oban pop up to Pulpit Hill for stunning views up the Sound of Mull. If you get a good day on Mull then the beach at Calgary, round past Tobermory, is a pretty place to dip your tootsies. Check your ferry times though and watch the drive between Tobermory and Craignure because it can be slow. They were widening the road the last time I was there so there should hopefully be less single-track. There are lots of walks in and around and over Ben Nevis. If you're a hard bitten hillwalker then Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete is one of the classic hill walks in Scotland but it is a big day out. It's not technical, as in you could do most of it with your hands in your pockets, but there is an awful lot of up and a narrow(ish) ridge to negotiate so it is exhausting but rewarding. There are however lower lying walks in the area with equally rewarding views I'm sure. You could drive to Mallaig and get the ferry over to Skye, tour around and loop back via the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. Once on Skye take the main road up to Portree and continue up the East coast of Trotternish. That way you'll take in the Cuillin hills and the big landslip cliffs of Trotternish. It's a lot of driving but you would probably have time to get your boots muddy at the Quiraing or The Old Man of Storr - both worth a visit. That would be a full day. The Three Chimneys on Skye offers some of the best fine-dining in Scotland. Near Kyle is the village of Plockton which is very pretty and the hotel does decent pub food. Further North there is Applecross which has excellent views across to Raasay and Skye and the hotel food is decent. The drive North from Applecross and around the peninsula gives great views of the Torridon hills. If you fancied a night at a different hotel then you could drive up to Scourie and stay at the Scourie Hotel. I've stayed there a couple of times and it was good but it changed ownership recently so can't say for sure what it's like now. That will give you a taste of the far North West. There are lots of places to stop on the way up and lots of nice walking. If you do go up that way then you could do worse that stop for lunch at Kylesku. Just some things I've enjoyed myself. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy.
Happy to look further north. Just happened to pick a point that looked central to this lot. Don't mind doing driving, will take a look further up. Will probably try and do Alnwick Castle on the way up or back down if we decide to do it
Her limit is 3 days away on the bike. I have offered her both panniers and the top box (I'll bungee a bag to the top box) but alas, SWMBO has spoken. We'll probably end up taken the telescope too so car may be best. Also can imagine turning up at three chimneys in bike gear [emoji6]. What is it they say, you'd get more "riding" done as a single man than you do when you're married. [emoji965]
An amendment to your route I'd suggest is to head straight north from Lairg to Tongue on the North coast and then follow the coast west to Durness. I promise you won't be disappointed. I don't know how you are on touristy things but Urquhart Castle, while iconic, has been pimped out to the max. They built a wall all along the road so you can't actually see the castle any more unless you pay the entrance fee. You can still see it from the loch of course. I took my son a few years ago in August, probably not nearly as bad in April, but in high summer the tourists arrive by the coach load, many coach loads, and, when I was there, everybody got parcelled up into groups and each group got piped down to the castle. It is the kind of tartan tourism I loath, my son wasn't impressed either so we just left without going into the castle. The road West from Corrieshalloch takes you past An Teallach, round Wester Ross and through some really beautiful coastal scenery. Just saying.
where to start? poss inverness/loch ness area some posh hotels and guest houses around there. a days walking in glen afric. a days drive around the north coast and back via ullapool. stop in the seaforth for the best fish and chips in da world. a days drive out to skye and plockton, covers most bases. eriska hotel? v.posh but the owners a dead man walking.
actually you could do all that from Avimore. easy drive up the A9 not the best biking route but gives you a flavor of the central highlands. the Hilton up there is excellent with lots of walks on yer door step. a busy wee place at the base of the Cairngorms and not the biggest drive in the world from the other routs i mentioned.
Everybody else seems to have it covered, just want to add if doing Corrieshalloch Gorge, be a shame not to detour for a drive along the A832, "The Destitution Road" excellent views God I have been away from there far too long I need to go up this summer @finm mentioned a possible summer run up there this year. Skye is wonderful but if the forecast is bad I'd avoid there's a reason it's called Skye when it rains and the mist comes down I cannot think of anywhere more depressing, if the sun shines though it is glorious, an island of 2 halves, to quote the pundits John
theres a wee restaurant/bar up there too. walked there a few times. superb, real forest Glen Affric walks, Strathfarrar and Beauly (Walkhighlands)
