kriskate

Hello-

We would like to fly into Newcastle, rent a car, and see parts of Hadrian's Wall around Hexham before heading north into Scotland for the remainder of our journeys, eventaully dropping the car in Edinburgh before we head for home.

Do most car rental companies allow you to do this, or charge additional fees for crossing the border? I know there will be a one-way drop off fee, but wondered if that is an issue between Britain and Scotland like it can be for travel between the US/Mexico. It would save us a day and some back-tracking if we can fly into Newcastle and just head north from there. Any recommendations for car rental agencies would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Kris

P_M

You're not going to be crossing any borders, as you are staying within the UK. Scotland is as much a part of Great Britain as England. It is possible there will be a drop-off fee for dropping the car at a different airport, but I don't think it will be much.

Please see www.autoeurope.com for good deals on rentals.

janisj

if you go w/ one of the major/national chains there often are no drop off fees at all.

And despite what some Scots wish - it really is all one country. ( Oh, I'll get it now! )

P_M

Janis, my thoughts exactly!! I fear I will be flamed for saying that Scotland is as much a part of Great Britain as England, but it is true. I hope Sheila, caroline and our other good Scottish posters will please forgive me. [-o<

janisj

There is safety in numbers - so maybe we'll be OK - they can't kill both of us

P_M

I hope you are right, janis. I dread pulling up this thread tomorrow morning, after our Scottish friends have awoken to find this....

kriskate

Oops - I didn't mean to start an international incident. Blame it on a naive forigner who didn't realize she was stirring things up!

Thanks for the advise - I appreciate it!

-Kris

P_M

Happy to help, Kris, have a great trip.

Barbara

You certainly will not be flamed for educating people that Scotland is as much part of Great Britain as England.

What is infuriating for Scots is when "Great Britain" and "England" are used as though they are the same thing. It's not really surprising that Americans generally are ignorant about this because the books they learn from in high school are completely wrong. I do find it almost beyond belief that the people writing text books and approving them don't know any better. And if this is wrong, then one has to wonder what else is. No wonder our children graduate from high school and seem so badly educated.

sheila

Well, since it seems to be EXPECTED, here followeth the lesson. Anyone who read it the last time I posted it (sigh! will you people NEVER learn?) need go no further.

P_M, you're wrong. There is a border. You can see it on the map. In all other regards you're right.

Janis (and I'm surprised at you), you are also wrong. It's 2 countries. It is, of course, a single nation state. And as its name suggests a united kingdom. BUT IT IS NOT ONE COUNTRY.

Both countries (England and Scotland) and a principality (Wales) are parts of Great Britain. All three plus a bit of a province (N. Ireland)with the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man for the United Kingdom.

Now, repeat after me "France, Alsace; France, Alsace"

janisj

Of course sheila is right - they are all separate countries w/i one nation. But the border is about the same as the one between California an Oregon - a "welcome to Scotland" sign.

P_M

Thank you for your input, Sheila. I have also seen the border on a map. When I drove from England into Scotland, I remember seeing a sign, but that's all. As Janis said, it's like going from one state to another.

I don't know what this means, but I'll repeat in anyway in the interest of keeping peace.

France, Alsace; France, Alsace

SandyBrit

kriskate:

Here is another car hire place that we have used and had no complaints www.nova.co.uk

Good luck.

Sandy