Summary of Richard’s trip
Long weekend with friends discovering this stunning and lesser known part of the UK.
Country Visited
United Kingdom
General Tips for United Kingdom
- Go for a weekend if you want.
- There’s a direct flight from LTN or LGW, which is the longest internal flight in the UK.
- Hire a car.
- Unless you drive there, this is the only way to get around.
- Don’t go in summer because of the midges, or at least check first.
- It’s very cold in winter, which is the skiing season.
- Prices are all normal UK prices.
- Be prepared for the cold and sun year round.
- Don’t get too dragged into the Loch Ness monster stuff.
- All the rural pubs were great.
Destinations and Tips
Inverness
- The AC by Marriott hotel in Inverness was a great base and location without costing too much.
- Loch Ness is a must see but make it brief.
- The boat trip to supposedly see or hear the monster is overrated, but a must do when you are there.
- Fort George is not well known, but it has very interesting history and stunning views.
- Kool Runnings is a Jamaican restaurant in Inverness that is very unusual, with immense portions. (link).
- Avoid Inverness city centre on a Saturday night.
Fort William
- It’s much harder to find a good hotel in Fort William.
- Climb halfway up Ben Nevis.
- Doing the whole thing takes a lot more planning, and the half climb was very good in itself and can be reached from Fort William easily enough.
- Take the cable car up one of the mountains near Ben Nevis.
- The Geographer in Fort William has great food, with portions with interesting history.
Isle of Skye
- Skye is very remote but worth the drive.
- We managed to climb the Old Man of Storr when we went there.
John O’Groats
- Make the drive up to John O’Groats.
- We ran the last few miles.
- There isn’t much there when you get there though
- Look out for the whales off the coast!
See my map on Google here
