bucylaperle

My girlfriend and I are traveling to Scotland for 7 days. There are many things we want to do such as golf in St. Andrews, see the Orkney Islands, tour the castle country, travel the highlands and just have a good time. We are staying in Aberdeen. Should we rent a car for the week or do you think we can get everywhere by train or bus?

janisj

Sorry - but a week is really not long enough to &quot;<i>golf in St. Andrews, see the Orkney Islands, tour the castle country, travel the highlands and just have a good time</i>&quot;

By the way - I am a bit confused that you say you are staying in Aberdeen? Do you mean to try this exploring as day trips from Aberdeen? Or are you just arriving in Aberdeen and then immediately leaving to start touring around Scotland?

Anyway - Scotland is a very big place, w/ very slow driving, and just the few places you mention are at the far corners of the place . . .

When is this trip?

sheila

Looking at your question, you can stay in Aberdeen and spend a day trip going to St andrews. If you mean the Old Course, it's VERY hard to get onto. Threads on this subject aboud.

You COULD then fly to Orkney one day and back the next. That would give you a taster; or you could catch the evening ferry and stay overnight, spend one day and drive back the next. Either way that's two days.

You can do as much or as little of castle country as you like. Certainly you couldn't drive round teh whole &quot;trail&quot; in one day, so say another 2.

The Highlands are a life's work.but part of the Castle Trail clips the edge; you could take in another bit on your drive back from Orkney, and that would leave you two further day trips to other bits.

You CANNOT do this on public transport, nor can you do it without spending at least one night on Orkney.

bucylaperle

we will be arriving in Scotland the end of April. Aberdeen is just our hotel location. We dont have a problem staying overnight in another city. But our &quot;plan&quot; was to make day trips to see everything. Thanks so much for your advise. Better planning will make our trip much better. We have never been to Scotland so this is very helpful.

GreenDragon

There IS a one-day trip tour to the Orkneys by bus, but it seems like a real fast-paced 'here's the stones, here's skara brae, let's go back now!' thing. However, here's the website:

http://www.puffinexpress.co.uk/orkney.htm#megatour

They also offer 2 day tours and longer.

Flying would probably be best, from Inverness I would imagine - least time spent in transit. It is a long day's drive from Aberdeen up to Orkney, and the same back. With only a week, I wouldn't recommend it.

Aberdeen area is great for castles and whisky - do rent a car! That way you can explore the wonderful backroads, which are the most fun.

GeoffHamer

It is possible to travel around Scotland by public transport and I've done it myself several times. There is a limit to where you can go if you're staying in Aberdeen, whether you're renting a car or using public transport. I'd suggest looking at a guide book and a map.

traveller1959

Aberdeen is somewhat remote, and therefore a rather unusual base for exploring Scotland. Think about choosing a base which is more central or, even better, drive a loop.

In any case, you have to rent a car, especially if you want to see the highlands, whisky distilleries, castles, small towns.

If you plan you itinerary, calculate distances well. Many people tend to underestimate distances and driving times, especially if they use an inadequate map. Roads in Scotland are narrow and winding and speed is low. Expect being stopped by flocks of sheep and other obstacles. But if you do not insist maximizing the number of destinations and attractions during your trip and if you adjust to a more relaxing style of travel, you will enjoy driving leisurely through the wonderful Scottish countryside.

janisj

&quot;<i>our &quot;plan&quot; was to make day trips to see everything. </i>&quot;

First of all, you need to look at a map. Aberdeen is over on the northeast coast of Scotland. It isn't a good base for day trips all over the country. Yes you can drive down to St Andrews. W/ a round of golf that will be 1 entire day. You could see Dunnottar castle on the way down or back depending on your tee time. Don't count on playing the Old Course, but there are other courses where you can get on. And at least you can see the Old Course in person.

Orkney from Aberdeen should be at least a 2 day/one night trip. More would be better but you really don't have time. You'd need to fly to have much time on the islands.

Then two days driving around the castle trail/Deeside which can be done as day trips by car. You could also explore the coast north of Aberdeen.

A day over to the &quot;whisky trail&quot; including a detour up to Culloden, maybe Elgin and Nairn - again by car. Long day by doable

That is your week . . . . .

Is there a reason you chose Aberdeen as your base?

bucylaperle

We have a friend living in Aberdeen, that's why we chose to stay there. We will only be able to visit with her for a couple days and plan on having her take us thru castle country. I now understand we will have to come back to be able to see everything, but we really want to maximize our time and try to enjoy the most of Scotland as we time allows.