deltas

Older couple arriving Edinburgh on Aug. 10-20. Not using a travel agent as we like to "wing it" but am looking into various tours. Have to go to Isle of Skye to see our ancestral castle Dunvegan but other than that, we're open to suggestions as to "must see" places -- oh, bet they're ALL must see!!!!

BigRuss

You're winging it for Edinburgh in August? Good luck with that.

Edinburgh triples in size in August for the International Festival, Military Tattoo and various other festivals. The city is jammed to the rafters with people.

And nothing's a must see in abstract -- what do you like?

janisj

I <i>think</i> by "wing it" deltas just means they aren't booking through a travel agent (at least I hope that is what he means)

Deltas: You just haven't given us enough to work w/. Do you mean a fully guided coach tour for the whole time you are in Scotland? Or are you more looking for itinerary ideas to do on your own? Or are you staying in Edinburgh and asking for day tour recommendations? Or something else entirely?

Besides Dunvegan/Macleod connections -- what other sorts of things interest you?

Mimar

If you don't have reservations in Edinburgh for your arrival, book them immediately. The town gets very full during the Festival (and hotel room prices go up).

Are you willing to drive for your non-city travel? Skye is hard otherwise.

deltas

That's correct, no travel agent -- yet. We have room reservations one night in Edinburgh on the 10th and thought we'd stay in the city until the 13th when the 5-day "Explorer Tour" is -- a guided bus tour that includes Skye. We have 2 more days, the 18 and 19th before leaving for Dublin on the 20. We love countryside rather than "city" but if that much is going on in Edinburgh, perhaps we should snap up some other rooms and stay there.
Are there day trips by rail to St. Andrews? Am checking online about rail trips north and east but cannot book until 2 weeks prior.
Hey, thanks for all your help!!!

deltas

BigRuss, thanks for letting us know about the "busyness" of August. Our reservations are at the Quality Hotel at airport so is there good bus service into the city?

alanRow

There are two bus services from Edinburgh Airport to central Edinburgh, neither go anywhere near the Quality hotel. the Airbus service gets quite expensive at £6 per round trip, the 35 service costs £1.20 each way or £3.30 for a day ticket that can be used on airport Lothian Bus service - however the 35 is SLOW and goes around areas that tourists wouldn't want to see.

There is the 747 bus to Inverkeithing on the other side of the Forth which allows you to get the train to Leuchars from where you get the bus to St Andrews.

See the to & from the airport on the Edinburgh Airport for details

Personally I wouldn't recommend any of the airport hotels for saying in Edinburgh or going anywhere except onto a plane unless you have a car.

alanRow

"that can be used on ALL Lothian Bus serviceS"

deltas

Is there a "TI" kiosk in the city where we can gather transportation info. Also should we purchase bus passes etc. in advance (we did that in London)

janisj

"<i>Is there a "TI" kiosk in the city where we can gather transportation info.</i>"

Assuming you mean Tourist Information -- LOTS better than some dinky kiosk There is a large Tourist Information Center at Waverly Bridge in the very middle of the city just outside Waverly station.

"<i>Also should we purchase bus passes etc. in advance (we did that in London)</i>"

It usually isn't necessary/advised to pre-purchase transport for London and you definitely don't need to for Edinburgh.