From London to Scotland, best overnight excursion?
 

I've gotten great advice from forum regulars about my first ever trip to London with 2 teens and husband.
we were wisely talked out of trying to get to Edinburgh during our 9- day London trip, as the time of year (first week in August)and long travel time to and fro doesn't make much sense.
Still we want to see some of Scotland while we are so close. So, if one were to recommened the best overnight (or 2-night) excursion from London, to Scotland, by train or bus..where would one go, and where would one stay in Scotland? ("Best" for us means...biggest adventure, most local color, clean accommodations, gorgeous scenery). Thanks in advance.

First I disagree about not going up to Scotland from London on this trip. You would get a taste and a taste is better than nil. I would check out a family train pass that you can buy here and use once in England. From London it is only 4 1/2 hours by train to Edinburgh and another hour up to St. Andrews. Lots of B&B's that you can search out and book online. If you leave early in the morning from London you could have the afternoon in Scotland and most of the next day and then return back for your last night. Me I would just "eat" the additional room cost in London and leave most of the luggage there and take only one small bag up to Scotland.

We went in May for 8 days...4 in London...train to Edinburgh...great ride. 4 Days in Edinburgh...the kids loved it...lots of things to do and see in the city itself. Took a day trip to St. Andrews, our favorite day of the trip.

It is doable...flew into London and out of Edinburgh...That saved tons of time.

3 teens in our group. We stayed at 21 Hanover STreet. YOU can google it, just like the pics actually even better!!



It was wonderful!!

Thanks Roger and Joe. Now I am so confused, but I am grateful for your advice about taking the plunge and doing Edinburgh.
I have already emailed 21 Hanover Street as you suggested and I am waiting to hear. I will certainly do an online search for other places to stay in the area as I know August is a busy month in those parts and accommodations can be expensive and hard to come by. Would neither of you recommend then any place further South of Edin. in case it is all booked up because of the music festival?

needsnow,

I would suggest taking the Caledonian sleeper to Scotland. You can get some great info from the "Man in seat 61" Website (seat61.com). We have done this trip and is the most confortable and affordable way to go. You can get tickets for as little as 19 pounds one way. As far as a place to stay that may be more difficult. We stayed in the IBIS near the RR station. It is centrally located and reasonablly priced. Have a good trip.

Greg

Oh my gosh Greg, that site is such a wealth of information for us as we plan this trip. Thanks so much for the link and the tip. It even makes Ireland a possible sidetrip.
So you took the train all the way to Edinburgh?

We took the train and it was lovely. On time...took just 4.5 hours and we enjoyed the ride. We have not ever ridden on train transit before so it was interestign to us and very scenic countryside. My kids all enjoyed it...very much.

needsnow: &quot;<i>Now I am so confused,</i>&quot; I think you may have misunderstood some of the posts on your earlier thread.

You asked about doing a day trip from London or taking a train to Jedburgh for one night and using that as a base for Edinburgh. There is no train to Jedburgh and August in Edinburgh needs special/advance planning. Those ideas were what we were trying to talk you out of - NOT skipping Edinburgh/Scotland altogether.

IF you can find a place to stay - then going to Edinburgh is definitely something special. Just not as a day trip, or based in Jedburgh.

So cross you fingers and hope you can find accommodations at this late date - I'd stay 2 nights if you can manage. That would make finding rooms easier since many places will not rent for 1 night during festival/tattoo time.

Then you don't have to rent a car at all. Spend the time in London car-less and use the train for one day trip to Warwick or Bath or wherever.

Thanks Janis,
I guess my confusion was because so many of you seasoned travelers advised against trying to do Edinburgh, given the time of year and the length of our stay, and our delay in getting any real pans together, and then I received posts from others enthusiastic about the possibilities. All these comments I take to heart.
I think I will do what you and others suggested actually, and that is to do London and surrounding environs justice by concentrating there and saving Scotland for another trip. Wasn't it your comment on another post comparing my idea of getting a taste of Scotland from London, to being in NYC and taking a day to go to Atlanta for a taste of the South? Well that certainly hit home. Edinburgh on the rush, during the time of year when hordes of people are trying to do the same thing, seems unattractive. And we can't spend that much time there either if we want to do as much around London as we said.

I ignorantly spoke of Jedburgh because staying in the Borders seemed a less expensive alternative, and Jedburgh has a lovely castle-like place to stay , and I thought we could get our fix of adventure and gorgeous landscape all at the same time. But you're right - no trains to that area, and no car rental agenices, and what was I thinking?

So actually, thanks so much. I am resigned, (bit disappointed) but now clear - and will concentrate our energies elsewhere.
When my plans are concrete I would like to post them to solicit comments and advise from all you experts. You've helped tremendously. (I suppose that is the idea of the forum!)

You will be glad in the long run you made this decision. You'll have time to slow down a bit - not just to &quot;smell the roses&quot; but also to do things that strike your fancy at the last minute.

Much better IMO to have a bit more time in a place than to have to rush to make trains/planes

I took the sleeper service to Inverness for the first time last week. Didn't get the bargain fares because it was very last minute but I have written up a quick report here

http://achiltibuiecottages.wordpress...-to-inverness/

Rory.