SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS - STAY FOR LESS "££"

SCOTLAND has many spectacular features from Bens, Glens & Lochs to the colourful, glorious but sometimes harsh History of Romans, Brave Heart & Bonnie Prince Charlie. For a GB, therefore, there are many great areas to cover so I offer you this Special ”Scottish Highlands Trail" to fill you up with Scottish Spirit . Starting from Glasgow it ends in Edinburgh (see GB Pages), all stages having good Scottish Hostels & transport links.

ACCOMMODATION is well served by the Scottish YHA – www.SYHA.org.uk

NO1 -LOCH LOMOND SYHA, near Arden – tele 01389 850 226 - £16 dorms & self-catering ( s/c)– open 1/3 to 25/10 - once a Scottish Hunting Lodge for the Gentry this impressive Baronial style Hostel has its own wooded grounds, looking over the Loch – a spectacular start to the Highlands on these “Bonnie, Bonnie, Banks”.

* Bus here from Glasgow, ask driver for Hostel stop /Bus onto Fort William via Bridge of Orchy & Glen Coe's “Five Sisters”

NO2 – GLEN NEVIS SYHA, Fort William – tele 01397 702 336 - £15 dorms & s/c – open all year - this out of Town Hostel sits below lofty Ben Nevis (highest Mountain in UK at 1343 mtrs), the path starts across the road. Fort William is a true Scottish Tourist Town at the head of Loch Linnhe with splendid views all around, understanding the journey here passes through the magical Glen Coe.

* Jacobite Steam Train along Harry Potter's Track to Mallaig/ then Ferry over to Skye / Bus onward to Broadford Village

NO3 - BROADFORD SYHA, on the Isle of Skye – tele 01471 822 442 - £14 dorms & s/c – open 1/3 to 25/10 – An ideal base to explore this romantic Scottish Island, just 15 miles from the “Cuilins” Mountain range – magic!

*Bus out or “ Hitch” lift to Invermoriston, past Dornie Castle & up Glen Shiel, inland

NO 4 -LOCH NESS YHA, at Alltsigh – tele 01320 351 274 - £13 dorms & s/c – open 17/3 to 25/10 - set right on the shores of this most famous Scottish Loch & an ideal location for “Nessie” Monster spotting on outdoor sitting areas. Urquhart Castle is another favourite location North, for special Loch views.

* Bus, North to Inverness

NO5 – INVERNESS YHA, Victoria Drive – tele 01463 231 771 - £14 dorms & s/c – open all year – another Main Scottish Town called “Capital of the Highlands” where the (salmon) River Ness meets the North Sea for a spot of Dolphin watching or night at the Theatre.

*Bus, South to Aviemore

NO6 – AVIEMORE YHA, 25 Grampian Road – tele 01479 810 345 - £14 dorms & s/c – open all year – in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, great both in Summer for walks & watersports or Winter skiing or snow boarding

* Bus out to Edinburgh via the fantastic Forth Road Bridge &Scottish Icon “Cantilever” Forth Rail Bridge, left

FOOD for self-catering needs to be well organised, starting off in the well-provisioned – Safeway - Supermarket in Glasgow for Loch Lomond. The next main stock up centre is the Fort William – Safeway – before getting to the remote Hostel & also for the Isle of Skye. Here you will have to rely on small local shops or the YHA's & for Loch Ness till arriving in Inverness where the main Supermarkets return. Aviemore is well provisioned for here & the long journey back to Edinburgh.

TRAVELLING AROUND – is perhaps the real challenge of this “Trail” even though the plan follows standard Bus, Train & Ferry routes so a good deal of time tabling is necessary via Internet initially, then local lists when travelling with the smaller Scottish Bus services which, once found you're on your way.

* Sylvia, Paul, Jean - Tiger, Notah,

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