Trip to Scotland and England
Jan 4th, 2015, 05:33 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trip to Scotland and England
My dream may be coming true!!! It has always been a dream of mine to go to Scotland and now my husband and I are trying to figure out if we can get there this April 2015! I am beside myself!! With that being said we will have 10 days to see what we want. I was thinking of flying in to Scotland do most of our time there, Edinburgh and the Highlands...what else??? Then driving down into England, or is it cheaper to take the train? I was thinking Bed and Breakfasts and hotels. What should we see? Where should we go? I am feeling a bit overwhelmed but excited at the same time. Thanks for any and all help.
Jan 4th, 2015, 06:29 PM
#2
With just 10 days . . . Stick to Scotland. Not really enough time to "do" two countries. In fact 10 days means you'll have to be pretty selective where to go just in Scotland.
2 or 3 days in Edinburgh, maybe a couple of days in Glasgow (or not) and one or two other small regions. There are your 10 days.
2 or 3 days in Edinburgh, maybe a couple of days in Glasgow (or not) and one or two other small regions. There are your 10 days.
Jan 5th, 2015, 03:56 AM
#3
What is your image of Scotland, is it the cities of the south, the highlands or the islands (East or West, they are different)?
I'd drop England as you don't have much time, April is very much early spring so the country will be alive with young animals so try to get to one of the island groups (fly up or hire a car) I prefer Orkney for its world class jewelry, archeology and seals on the beach but others prefer the more religious western isles, either way the sea food is to die for. The walking is wonderful and you are before the main midge season so things are pleasant.
I'd also look at Edinburgh/Glasgow and maybe Stirling which can be reached by public transport, though if you want to go and see battle fields (think hillsides with explanatory boards or cafes with explanation dioramas) then you need cars.
This website can help you get around a fair bit http://www.traveline.info/ if you decide to stick on public transport while http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ gives you the basic train system and links through to actual rail companies. See also seat61.com for train explanations.
If you book these early enough flights can be a cheap way to get around http://www.loganair.co.uk/ is the main Scotland airline and given the price of fuel can work out cheaper than long distance car rental. Also, if you decide to hire a car and you decide to go to an Isle check the contract, you may not be allowed to.
I did this trip 18 months ago, for ideas http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-orkney.cfm
I'd drop England as you don't have much time, April is very much early spring so the country will be alive with young animals so try to get to one of the island groups (fly up or hire a car) I prefer Orkney for its world class jewelry, archeology and seals on the beach but others prefer the more religious western isles, either way the sea food is to die for. The walking is wonderful and you are before the main midge season so things are pleasant.
I'd also look at Edinburgh/Glasgow and maybe Stirling which can be reached by public transport, though if you want to go and see battle fields (think hillsides with explanatory boards or cafes with explanation dioramas) then you need cars.
This website can help you get around a fair bit http://www.traveline.info/ if you decide to stick on public transport while http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ gives you the basic train system and links through to actual rail companies. See also seat61.com for train explanations.
If you book these early enough flights can be a cheap way to get around http://www.loganair.co.uk/ is the main Scotland airline and given the price of fuel can work out cheaper than long distance car rental. Also, if you decide to hire a car and you decide to go to an Isle check the contract, you may not be allowed to.
I did this trip 18 months ago, for ideas http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-orkney.cfm
Jan 5th, 2015, 03:59 AM
#4
B&Bs are a great way to go, the more you get out of the cities the more you need access to this sort of accomodation. Booking.com is a good tool, but also try google maps, move the map to the area you want and search for B&B or "hotel" and look at the local deals that you can get often well under the Booking price. The tricks to look out for are
1) does it include breakfast
2) does it include cooked breakfast (often enough to take you through the whole day)
3) is there anywhere nearby to get an evening meal
1) does it include breakfast
2) does it include cooked breakfast (often enough to take you through the whole day)
3) is there anywhere nearby to get an evening meal
Jan 5th, 2015, 04:02 AM
#5
Jan 5th, 2015, 07:36 AM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with the previous two posters, with only ten days, stick to Scotland. There is so much to see and do.
Fly into either Glasgow or Edinburgh, which ever is the most convenient. You won't need a car for these as public transport id good and there is a regular train service between the two.
I think you need to do a bit of preliminary research and decide what you want to do and see in Scotland. What are your interests - big cities, shopping, museums, stately homes, runing castles and abbeys, scenery, walking.....
Start off by getting hold of a guide book with lots of pictures. DK Eyewitness is probably the best as it has a lot of excellent pictures, enough information to get you going and reasonable maps. It also covers many of the smaller places ignored by the other guides.You can pick it up cheaply on Amazon.
Use this to start to identify which parts of Scotland you want to see. Don't be too ambitious and try to see/do too much.
Fly into either Glasgow or Edinburgh, which ever is the most convenient. You won't need a car for these as public transport id good and there is a regular train service between the two.
I think you need to do a bit of preliminary research and decide what you want to do and see in Scotland. What are your interests - big cities, shopping, museums, stately homes, runing castles and abbeys, scenery, walking.....
Start off by getting hold of a guide book with lots of pictures. DK Eyewitness is probably the best as it has a lot of excellent pictures, enough information to get you going and reasonable maps. It also covers many of the smaller places ignored by the other guides.You can pick it up cheaply on Amazon.
Use this to start to identify which parts of Scotland you want to see. Don't be too ambitious and try to see/do too much.
Jan 5th, 2015, 07:55 AM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We had no problem taking a rental car on a ferry (between Skye and Mallaig). And I haven't heard anyone else complaining about this. Bilbo has a thing about the Orkneys, north of mainland Scotland; you pretty much need to fly there. But there's lots of more accessible Scotland.
I agree, however, that it would be best for you to limit yourself to Scotland. Skip England this trip. Now the question is where in Scotland and what do you want to do and see.
I agree, however, that it would be best for you to limit yourself to Scotland. Skip England this trip. Now the question is where in Scotland and what do you want to do and see.
Jan 5th, 2015, 07:56 AM
#9
hoping2, yes I found a German couple stranded on Orkney who had rented from an American outfit (Herz??) who not only didn't know where Orkney was but claimed it was not Scotland and had a ferry exclusion clause.
So just check before you rent
So just check before you rent
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:06 AM
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Bilbo has a thing about the Orkneys, north of mainland Scotland; you pretty much need to fly there"
No you don't. North Link Ferries have a service there. Plan to catch the ferry from Aberdeen which is just under three hours drive time from Edinburgh and saves the long drive up to Thurso. Don't worry about the 2300 arrival time at Kirkwall. Accommodation providers are used to this.
http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/timetables/
No you don't. North Link Ferries have a service there. Plan to catch the ferry from Aberdeen which is just under three hours drive time from Edinburgh and saves the long drive up to Thurso. Don't worry about the 2300 arrival time at Kirkwall. Accommodation providers are used to this.
http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/timetables/
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:25 AM
#11
"Bilbo has a thing about the Orkneys, north of mainland Scotland; you pretty much need to fly there" yep, 'cause it is nice and the people are mainly viking stock with a proud lack of relgious dogma and a genuine lack of confidence in central government. (my kinda people)
A bit like Ukraine (not THE Ukraine) it is Orkney not OrkneyS.
I've spent the odd bit of time wandering around Scotland and apart from the Midland Belt (Glasgow & Edinburgh) the rest is lovely scenery, nice people and the odd distillery. For me the interesting places are Shetland, Orkney and even Faroe on the east and Harris etc on the west.
Why someone would want to travel across the pond to visit a nice little brewery in say Kilmarnock is beyond me when you can spend the day in land which has historical sites older than the pyramids, farm houses that perch on cliffs that are next to human habitation from 8000BC, walk amongst puffins, photo seals, etc etc.
Possibly a "thing" but there is some logic in visiting things that are not just Big Macs and faux Victorian kilts on the Mile. :-0
A bit like Ukraine (not THE Ukraine) it is Orkney not OrkneyS.
I've spent the odd bit of time wandering around Scotland and apart from the Midland Belt (Glasgow & Edinburgh) the rest is lovely scenery, nice people and the odd distillery. For me the interesting places are Shetland, Orkney and even Faroe on the east and Harris etc on the west.
Why someone would want to travel across the pond to visit a nice little brewery in say Kilmarnock is beyond me when you can spend the day in land which has historical sites older than the pyramids, farm houses that perch on cliffs that are next to human habitation from 8000BC, walk amongst puffins, photo seals, etc etc.
Possibly a "thing" but there is some logic in visiting things that are not just Big Macs and faux Victorian kilts on the Mile. :-0
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:27 AM
#12
Still there are people who seriously travel to look at Loch Ness, which while pretty, is not going to offer you a monster for your Iphone, still I guess you can go photo-stalking big deer or maybe try for trout on some pretty expensive streams.
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:28 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Northlink Ferries also travel between Scrabster, just outside of Thurso, and Stromness. Travel time is about 1 1/2 hours. Pentland Ferries run between Gills Bay and St. Margaret's Hope across rhe Pentland Firth. Travel time an hour. However, with ten days I really don't think you have time for the Orkneys.
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:32 AM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much! I will definitely get a book and decide from there what we actually want to see. I am a little sad to think I won't see London while over there but I will take your advice to heart when scheduling plans. Do you think a group tour is the way to go or should we plan our own things to do? I guess a part of me is concerned we will be rushed around in a tour group but worried we will miss something wonderful if we don't do a group tour. Not sure if we will rent a car or not but if we just stay in Scotland maybe we won't. Thank you thank you thank you. I can't say it enough!!!
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:35 AM
#16
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BTW, bilbo is right it is Orkney not Orkneys although I still have trouble with that. 
Certainly not a major mistake as even on Orkney everyone is pretty used to the Orkneys reference.
Best advice is to spend some time with a map...yes! a map and a guidebook, then come back here after you have a better idea as to where you'd like to go and what things you'd like to see and do. Keep in mind that travel in Scotland is going to be slower than what you may be use to.
Certainly not a major mistake as even on Orkney everyone is pretty used to the Orkneys reference.Best advice is to spend some time with a map...yes! a map and a guidebook, then come back here after you have a better idea as to where you'd like to go and what things you'd like to see and do. Keep in mind that travel in Scotland is going to be slower than what you may be use to.
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:40 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not really interested in Lochness. I want the history. My dad's side of the family came from Scotland and I have always wanted to delve into the history of our family and the beauty of Scotland! I love castles, museums, anything historical that is what I love! My husband likes to relax a little more on vacation. I just want to go and learn and see everything I can!
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:43 AM
#19
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay, posting at the same time. In brief, a car is best, but I have been touring Scotland for several years and mostly without car. If you're not persuaded to rent car then one tour company I can recommend is Rabbies. www.rabbies.com. They offer 1,2, 4 & 5 day tours, small groups and are quite good. The trains will also get you to some great areas. Still, a car will give you the most flexibility.
Jan 5th, 2015, 08:46 AM
#20
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Clarification. For the past several years I have been touring Scotland mostly by train. Prior to that, always rented a car. Age and solo traveling is what has made me switch transportation options.
