crckwc1

I'm trying to help daughter and husband with plans for visiting Scotland and/or Ireland. They don't want to drive but would like to hire a driver/guide for about a 7 or 8-day road trip. In Scotland they would start/finish in Edinburgh. In Ireland they could start/finish in either Dublin or Shannon.
I have encouraged them to select one or the other country and not try to do both in such a short time. Has anyone out there hired a driver/guide in either country for this kind of trip? Would appreciate recommendations for a reliable person/company to work with them in planning their trip. Thanks for any advice to pass along.

BigRuss

They should rethink this - a driver will cost a daily rate plus meals and lodging for traveling with them. The Scottish speak a version of English and adjusting to driving on the other side of the road is not that big a deal. Many sites - from castles to battlefields to distilleries, etc., have staff and tours available there.

historytraveler

Another option would be to base themselves in either Edinburgh,Dublin or even Shannon and take guided day trips from there. I know both Dublin and Edinburgh offer a variety of tours from one day to several days and imagine there are similar possibilities in Shannon.

crckwc1

Thanks to you both. I'll pass this along -- sounds reasonable to me.

janisj

Have they told you <i>why</i> they don't want to drive? Unless they are very young (too young rent or at least w/o a big surcharge), or don't have drivers licenses, or something else special . . . They will probably do just fine. Driving in Scotland is very easy -- except in the city centers. But no one needs a car in the cities (Edinburgh is probably the only city they'll visit)

The driving is similar though generally slower in Ireland. again - they wouldn't want/need a car in Dublin.

janisj

Meant to add . . . though if there IS a reason they truly can't drive, then the Tourist Information Office in each city (Edinburgh's main one is at Waverly Station) can hook them up w/ day driver guides.

crckwc1

Thanks janisj, I'll pass this along. There really is no reason they can't drive, but they specifically said they don't want to drive on vacation. They deal with LA traffic every day so maybe they just want a break from the tension of driving.

BigRuss

<<They deal with LA traffic every day so maybe they just want a break from the tension of driving.>>

Um, other than getting out of Edinburgh and perhaps back into Edinburgh, they won't be dealing with anything similar. Scotland as a country has fewer people than the LA Metro region and nothing approximating the San Diego Freeway. Large roads in Scotland smaller, and less trafficked, than mid-sized avenues in LA.

They will face occasional delays when tractors pop out onto the roads and plod along at 30 kph, but that's a bit different.

janisj

Traffic won't be a problem. Now, sheep in the road, maybe.

I'm also from CA and used to LOVE to drive (used to race/autocross sports cars and take long road trips up and down the state) but have gotten to<i> hate</i> the congested traffic/freeways at home.

Driving in Scotland is a joy in comparison. I look forward to hitting the road after a few days in Edinburgh.

nytraveler

I can understand not wanting to drive under certain circumstances - but a private driver - esp if also a guide rather than just a cab driver - is a very significant expense. For a multi-day trip you have to pay not only the driver's fees, gas, tolls, parking but also his hotel room and meals - for quite a few hundred $ per day total.

historytraveler

I agree that driving in Scotland really shouldn't be a problem and is the best option, but if they are set on not driving here are a few websites for them to look at.

www.timberbush-tours.co.uk

www.rabbies.com

www.highlandexploretours.com

I have had some limited experience with both Timberbush and Rabbies.

Also www.voyagetrek.com/Scotland_Travel I have no experinece with this company but they do private guided tours as well as small group tours.

ParisAmsterdam

It's all a question of money... maybe the OP's daughter and SIL aren't worried about budget. A couple not far from where I live just won $50,000,000... with that kind of money my wife said she'd hire Sean Connery to drive us around Scotland! LOL

crckwc1

Thank all of you for the information. I'll pass along the websites and the further encouragement to try driving in Scotland. DH and I drive often in UK and Ireland so we are urging DD and SIL to give it a try. Otherwise they may have to win the lottery. If they do, and if they hire Sean Connery, there will be two stowaways on board. LOL