Hi,

Friends from the US want to visit Scotland in May. I've been to Edinburgh lots of times and adore it, but would also like 2 nights in a new place. We will be starting from London. Was thinking of flying to Scotland and taking the train back to London from Edinburgh. We don't really want to hire a car and want to stay in center (of city/towns). The other thought is to stay the entire time in Edinburgh and do a few day trips (Stirling Castle, Whiskey Tour, St. Andrews), ??) Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I'd either stay the entire time in Edinburgh . . . and possible do a day trip w/ Rabbies. They are not huge coach tours, but small groups with 16 or fewer passengers.

https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-...from-edinburgh

OR I'd do 3 nights in Edinburgh and one night in York on the way back to London. Morning train to York, than late afternoon/early evening train to London the next day giving you almost 2 days in York.

Depending on where you are starting from in London taking the train both ways (instead of flying up) might make sense. Train central London to central Edinburgh, the trains Edinburgh > York > London (or vice versa)

Good suggestions from janisj. Trains to Edinburgh from Kings Cross can take as little as 4 hours, 20 minutes.

There are overnight Caledonian Sleeper trains London-Edinburgh and various other places in Scotland - and day trains are about as quick as flying unless of course you fly out the day you land - I think janis makes sense about just staying in Scotland and forget London for just a few days -especially when going down there takes much of a day. For lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts.

escorted tours from Edinburgh into Scottish hinterlands makes sense with limited time and thoug I know nothing about Rabbies myself everyone here who has taken them or if familiar with them raves about them.

I like the idea of spending some time in York. As a former resident of Edinburgh, I much prefer York and it’s many attractions. . Train both ways is also an excellent idea.

York is great even for a day or two - but Stirling and St Andrews I loved as day trips from Edinburgh too. Can't go wrong with either.

Ah yes, York! I haven't been there in years so would be good to visit again! Maybe York on the way up for a night and Edinburgh for 3 nights, with a tour to highlands or maybe Rabbies tour back to St. Andrews (I had my best fish and chips there!) or maybe both! Thank you!
Now, any restaurant recommendations? Maybe traditional scottish fare one night? I love Mother India, the Grain Store, Less familiar with York.

Betty's Tea Rooms (sp?) is legendary in York.

easy to go on own to St Andrews- train to Leuchars then bus from train to town few miles away.

You could go over to Glasgow for a slightly different view of Scotland. It's good for Art Nouveau fans too. The night trains start from/finish at Glasgow as well as Edinburgh.

For info on the Caledonian go here: https://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm

Personally, I think Betty’s is overrated, and I have visited many a tearoom through out the U.K. It’s fine but not a must nor worth a wait of more than 5 minutes. I like thursdaysd’s idea of a trip over to Glasgow.

Curious if PQ has actually been -- he mentions 'legendary' but not his own experience at Betty's . . .

There are lots of wonderful places in York. Melton's is very good. Cafe No 8 is a really good casual bistro. The Star Inn is WONDERFUL. For casual and consistent there is always Jaimie's Italian. Lots more too.

I agree the Starr Inn is very good. Another good Italian restaurant is Delrio’s. For a Betty’s substitute, try Molly’s Tearoom ( it’s been around for some time ) or the Brew and Brownie just to name a few. No shortage of good restaurants or tearooms in York.

I wil also be in Edinburgh for 4 nights so post is perfect. I am looking ito maybe 2 day trips

I also appreciate this thread. We'll be in Scotland in May. Was thinking of staying at an AirBnB in Edinburgh for six nights, taking several day trips (Rabbies' sound good), then going on a Rabbies five-day tour to Skye. Any opinions on this direction of thought? Is it reasonable to consider a day trip from Edinburgh to York?
(Maybe I should start a new thread.)

Yeah -- I'd probably start a new thread since you are talking a significantly different trip. . . .

But until then: Yes, York is a doable day trip from Edinburgh. A little over 2 hours each way by train and the stations are in the center of both cities. Early train down and evening train back. BUT if I were you I'd do it over night. No need to stay in Edinburgh for 6 nights if you are going out of town nearly every day. What is the rest of your itinerary like -- are you coming up from London or just doing Scotland or something else? I'll look for your new thread.