Approximate population for 7 km radius from this point: 595

Jeez.

Well, it looks like just a hop to Glasgow.

Ardrishaig has a website! http://www.ardrishaig.com/

The travel info for Scotland is funny- they talk about different regions like they're hours away and then when you look at the map scale it turns out it's 40 miles. I suppose if the roads are atrocious "hours away" might be accurate, like in the SW desert country here. But I doubt it.

But I doubt it.
ha hah ha ha.
In my experience, West Scotland roads are thin and wriggly. They sap your mind and it does take twice as long to get from (a) to (b).
But in the U.K. we have no sense of scale. 16 miles is about as far as we go without assuming the place is too far away to pop over to.

and Edinburgh's only an hour away from Glasgow by train (Glasgow rocks tho--i'd spend my time there)

have fun!

Just out of curiousity, why did you swear never to travel with that friend again? and is it worth breaking the vow?

He was a terrible travelling companion and I think he was way too far out of his comfort zone.

I have been rationalizing all the ways that this trip is different ...

1) it's his family
2) he's been there many many times before
3) he knows the language
4) this time I'll be n00b
5) last time wasn't REALLY that bad was it? (yes, it was)

Small Scottish islands really rock. (To visit anyway - I've never spent serious time on one and everyone I know who comes from one, well, they come from them, they don't stay there). May can be a great month and the Western Isles get the benefit of the Gulf Stream, but I think this year it will probably still be a bit cold. It will still be gorgeous though, and if you like seafood, there will be awesome treats in store. If you can get out in a boat, then you will see the world in a different light (in both senses).

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh will be really close (once you get to the mainland). But the best reason of all I would say, is that you'll get to see this guy well inside his comfort zone, understand why he was such a bad companion before, and see what a great place it is that he comes from. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. If you can cope with the small town mentality of some (and some possible anti-US attitudes), then you will have a ball.

Even if it sucks, you will come away with some great stories. Go for it.