Clueless, planning trip to Scotland

Old Sep 17th, 2017, 04:35 PM
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Clueless, planning trip to Scotland

Hi there - I am planning a (surprise) trip to Scotland for my husband and I in May, 2018. We are in our mid/late twenties. I am so torn over the information I've read on the web, so I'm hoping some of you on here can help me out. Here are the details:

- I'd like to spend 7-8 days in Scotland. Thinking of flying from the states on May 19, arriving on the morning of the 20th, and leaving for home either the 27th or 28th.
- The locations we'd like to visit most are Edinburgh, the highlands/Inverness, and the Isle of Skye.
- We love history, wildlife and open air. Fairly active, not afraid of a hike.
- We'd like to visit a distillery, some castles and historical landmarks, and spend more than 1 day on Skye.
- A train ride or two would be enjoyed.

^ This is literally as far as I've gotten. I have several questions to determine what to do next:

1. How many days should we devote to each location on our potential itinerary? Is 1.5 days in Edinburgh on the front end enough?
2. Is it better to book a tour that handles our accommodations/some meals and tours, or better to rent a car and do a self-drive tour? I'm nervous about driving on the other side of the road, getting lost, etc. I want an authentic experience but as a surprise trip, I want to also make sure I take care of everything/minimize risk of losing time.
3. Is there anything I've missed here that you think should be included in our itinerary? do we have time to visit anywhere else?

Any advice you may give would be appreciated. Thank you very much in advance!
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Old Sep 17th, 2017, 04:49 PM
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For starters read Maitaitom's trip report. He still has the last episode to post.
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Old Sep 17th, 2017, 05:06 PM
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Doesn't sound like you're totally clueless. Personally, I'm a driver and a self-tourer. I couldn't imagine taking guided tours in Scotland nor getting around the countryside without a car. But that's me. You'll have to decide if that's what you want and if so, I think it's possible but with a lot more planning and logistical details.

That said, with 7-8 days I'd skip Inverness and focus on Edinburgh and the west side of the country and/or Skye.
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Old Sep 17th, 2017, 05:22 PM
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Just a quick note. Personally, I think Edinburgh deserves at least two days. You can do day tours from Edinburgh. If you decide to do a day tour ( or, two ) add this to your time in Edinburgh. Have a look at Rabbies as they do a number of tours from one day to 5/6/7 etc. It's small group tour with a maximum of 16 and they do an excellent job. If going to Skye you really need at least two full days IMO. As several here will tell you, Inverness itself is not a good stopover although there are places nearby worth a visit. With your limited time, I'd skip Inverness if traveling on your own.Some will tell you it's no problem driving in Scotland and for most it isn't, but it's a decision only you can make. I'd never try to convince someone to drive if they're really uneasy with it.

Here's the Rabbies website. www.rabbies.com
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Old Sep 17th, 2017, 05:51 PM
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One thing in scotland, Do not plan too much! LOL, ask locals, specially when you come out of Einburgh=Glasgow area.
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Old Sep 17th, 2017, 06:05 PM
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random comments:

• Why Inverness? Especially on such a short trip it would be shame to spend time in the not terribly interesting city . . .

• IMO/IME 1.5 days is nor enough time in Edinburgh. You will very likely have less than 1/2 a day free on arrival and that partial day will likely be jet lagged.

• Not quite sure what you consider an 'authentic' experience. I've never done anything in Scotland that wasn't 'authentic'.

• >>2. Is it better to book a tour that handles our accommodations/some meals and tours, or better to rent a car and do a self-drive tour? I'm nervous about driving on the other side of the road, getting lost, etc.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 03:04 AM
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Thank you all for your advice and comments - they are very helpful!

I had read on several travel blogs that Inverness is a good "base" to see some of the area sights from (mainly, Loch Ness). If it's really not worth it, then I will most likely do 3 nights in Edinburgh and then head to Skye, whether it is Rabbies or we decide to drive it ourselves - your comments have given me more confidence in my ability to self-drive! My comment about "authenticity" was aimed at whether the guided tours hit more tourist traps/give us less time to experience Scotland the way a local might.

Again, thank you so much for your help.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 04:23 AM
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Here are some threads that have come up in just the last three weeks that might be relevant to your interests. Have a browse through them; it might help you clarify things. Many people planning visits to Scotland ask the same questions about Skye, Inverness, Loch Ness and Edinburgh, and they get pretty much the same answers.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/i-scotland.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-429747-2.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-scotland.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-scotland.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-itinerary.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ldpossibly.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...le-of-skye.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-glasgow.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...highlights.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...g-vacation.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ice-needed.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-scotland.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-scotland.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...orm-bases-.cfm
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 05:47 AM
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WOWZA. I should have taken a look first. Thank you, @Gardyloo!
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 06:22 AM
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I've done a number of Rabbies tours and found they covered as much as I would've done on my own, and they allow sufficient time at all stops.

I really can't recall any tourist traps in Scotland.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 06:31 AM
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>>My comment about "authenticity" was aimed at whether the guided tours hit more tourist traps . . .> . . . give us less time to experience Scotland the way a local might.>I really can't recall any tourist traps in Scotland.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 06:44 AM
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Well, here's why Inverness:

Culloden Battlefield
Clava Cairns
Cawdor Castle (attributed home of MacBeth)
Proximity to Loch Ness, Dunrobin Castle, Glenmorangie Distillery

It's not about Inverness, it's about what is NEAR Inverness.

Scotland has ton(ne)s of castles. Last check, Edinburgh had one and a palace about a (royal) mile away. You could blow most of the trip just castle-hopping.

And if you're from the US and worried about taking too many days off work, then return on Memorial Day so you get an extra day in Scotland without having to lose a vacay day at work. You're young, you can handle the travel effects.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 07:08 AM
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>>Well, here's why Inverness:

Culloden Battlefield
Clava Cairns
Cawdor Castle (attributed home of MacBeth)
Proximity to Loch Ness, Dunrobin Castle, Glenmorangie Distillery

It's not about Inverness, it's about what is NEAR Inverness. total so no time to hit Dunrobin or Glenmorangie or Cawdor.

Most North American first time visitors list Loch Ness and Inverness as 'musts' - neither is.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 07:20 AM
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As far as driving, we went with our daughter, a few years older than you. She picked up the driving right away. Her father took longer and never got really good. You have youth on your side. With GPS readily available and two of you, you should be fine. The passenger can always remind the driver what to do.
Enjoy!
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 11:01 AM
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The locations we'd like to visit most are Edinburgh, the highlands/Inverness, and the Isle of Skye.

- A train ride or two would be enjoyed.>

I would highly recommend two:

Inverness - Kyle of Lochlash a k a just "Kyle"-

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotland-...alsh-inverness

and from Kyle you can take public buses over to Skye

The other one and one ubiquitously deemed Britain's most scenic rail line is the West Highlands Line - from Mallaig to Glasgow (though the awe-inspiring scenes end well before Glasgow) - Harry Potter fans flock here as some of the scenes were shot on the line- there are also special heritage steam trains running over the most scenic portion.

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotland-...williammallaig

From Skye you can bus to Armadale in southeastern Skye and take ferries to Mallaig: https://www.calmac.co.uk/mallaig-arm...nter-timetable

For more on these scenic trains check www.seat61.com

So like I did you can take really scenic trains to Skye and from Skye (in conjunction with ferry).
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 12:24 PM
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Without a word of a lie, we're averaging about 40 mph, tops, closer to 30-35 along single track roads. Just to give you an idea of how far and fast you might be travelling in the highlands.

Then there are all the picture stops you just have to make, maybe a stop in a village or two, and its 5-6 hours to go 100 miles. We've been here a week and that's about our average. Do NOT underestimate the time it takes to drive.

I'll admit we're slower than most, but Saturday we saw the same couple three times over the course of the day, so they were at the same pace we were.

3-4 nights in Edinburgh, and 3-4 Callander might be a nice combination. Those two locations will give you tons of history, open air, hikes, and scenery galore.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 12:26 PM
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Both the trains Pal recommends travel across very scenic routes. The problem is that it makes no sense to rent a car and also do trips by trains especially with a limited time frame. The West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig takes about 5+ hours ( add another hour at least if traveling from Edinburgh ) and the route from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh takes about 2 + hours. The only exception might be if one wanted to do the Jacobite Steam Train between Fort William and Mallaig. This covers a small portion of the the West Highland Line.

Also buses on Skye are sketchy at best especially for those with a limited amount of time. Personally, I'd never try to use Skye buses for sightseeing. Renting a car or using a tour company is the best way to see the Isle.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 12:40 PM
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Yup agree with historytraveler= and yes the Jaccobite train could fit well.

Or from Fort William take a train an hour south to the Great Moor of Rannoch and get off at Rannoch hotel station - in the middle of this lovely wilderness and do a little rambling - British for walking on public footpaths. The hotel itself would make a memorable stay. You could drive to the hotel but not thru the moors, largely off-limits to cars.

- https://www.visitscotland.com/info/t...annoch-p246531

If Ft William area is near the end of your trip maybe ditch the car in Ft William and do the Jaccobite train and this train thru the Moor to Glasgow and onto Edinburgh - the train goes right thru the heart of it.
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Old Sep 18th, 2017, 02:56 PM
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>>Or from Fort William take a train an hour south to the Great Moor of Rannoch>If Ft William area is near the end of your trip maybe ditch the car in Ft William
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Old Sep 19th, 2017, 08:41 AM
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The locations we'd like to visit most are Edinburgh, the highlands/Inverness, and the Isle of Skye.>

You do not need a car at all for this - train to Inverness - do a local tour into the Highlands - take the scenic train to Kyle and bus to Skye - maybe rent a car in Skye - return car and take ferry to Mallaig and very scenic train via Ft William to Glasgow and back to Edinburgh.

In Ft William again do tours into Highlands and maybe Moor of Rannoch by train and back.

Even on Skye hiring taxis would not be bad because distances are so short and you have very little time really there.
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