docdan

We will be a party of 7 adults with relatively light luggage, coming into the UK to Glasgow in June and spending a few days, then want to travel via car or van (I'm driving) for several days to Ft William ( Jacobite train) Blair Athol, St Andrews, then Edinburgh. 3 nights in E'burgh. No car needed/wanted in the big cities. So the question is: would it be better to rent in Glasgow, and turn in the vehicle in Edinburgh and absorb the hefty 2nd location fee - OR - I could drop my party off in Edinburgh and then (by myself) drive back and drop the car off in Glasgow and rail back to Edinburgh. Is that idea developmentally challenged on my part? We'll be seeking a 9 pax van, as 7 adults ( with bags) in a mini-van proved to be unacceptable on prior trips. Vendor suggestions would also be appreciated. Results will be prominently posted on a TR on this forum after the American 4th holiday.
(Says one American to the next: "what day is the day after the 4th of July?"
2nd American: "the 5th of July"
1st American: "Stop being a jerk! You know what I mean!"
2nd: "oh, right . . I think it is a Tuesday")

docdan

Clarification: we are planning many nights in each of the above stops - do not mean I'm trying to do all that in one or two days . . this is not an itinerary question, rather just what is the best tactic for car rental? (hire)

BigRuss

Is there a hefty drop fee? Glasgow and Edinburgh are as close as Philly and NYC, if not closer. I could envision a big drop charge if you dropped south of Hadrian's Wall or up in Inverness or something . . .

janisj

>>and absorb the hefty 2nd location fee - <<

Check w/ autoeurope.com I have only very rarely had a drop off fee. And especially if you drop it at EDI (instead of in the city centre there may not be a fee. Then you can take the tram or a cas) in to Edinburgh

docdan

Ah, the airport! Good idea, J.

janisj

>>Then you can take the tram or a cab (s) in to Edinburgh<<

Love those unexpected emoticons

L_A

If there is a large drop off fee - not a developmentally challenged idea. Drive from Edinburgh to Glasgow takes about an hour. There is a shuttle bus service from Airport to the rail system, but March - August Glasgow Queen Street Station is having some engineering works. Usually once you arrive there, the train leaves for Edinburgh every fifteen minutes, and takes about 45 minutes - it'll probably take longer this summer. There is also a (cheaper) bus link to Edinburgh from Buchanan Street Bus Station in Glasgow. What a lovely itinerary you have chosen! Eat lunch at the watermill in Blair Atholl - also check out walkhighlands.co.uk if you want to find a hill to walk up that suits the time/energy you have.

docdan

L_A - nice suggestion - I am hoping to do the Ben A'An Ascent - this has been suggested on other postings in this forum. This will be a nice activity in between seeing the Inchmahome Abbey and a drive to Glen Coe.

unclegus

A van is for carrying goods in the UK and not people.You need to look for a people carrier and not a van.

janisj

unclegus is right -- you'll be renting a people mover/people carrier, which is what is called a mini van in the States.