vacatia

I intend on travelling to Scotland in late August of this year. I'm planning on spending the first 3-4 days in Edinburgh, then for the next several (?) days venturing out to Skye and the Western Islands. I'm just wondering if it's more cost effective to take a guided tour? I know it would certainly be easier than driving around myself. I've seen that some tours include accomodations, and some don't, so I'd need to do more research on them...but I guess I'm asking in a general sense.

janisj

What dates? Have you already booked accommodations in Edinburgh? It will be very VERY crowded til the last week w/ the Festivals and Tattoo. Are you planning attending them?

Rabbies and Timberbush are two good companies that do small group tours and which might actually be a bit less expensive than driving yourself (assuming you are solo). A tour that doesn't include accommodations sort of defeats the purpose.

I prefer driving but either of those companies would be good if you didn't want to hassle w/ a rental car.

CBelle

Accommodation in Edinburgh during August is very expensive in fact I’d go so far to say it is astronomical. A couple of years ago we managed to get a deal on a Snoozebox, you could check their website to see if they are attending the festival this year.

Remember to factor in the price of fuel if you are considering car hire as the price of filling the car will make your head spin!

I agree with Janisj, Rabbies or Timberbush are a good choice if you want to visit the Islands and they will assist in booking overnight accommodation based on your budget.

As you want to base in Edinburgh you might also consider the Hairy Coo company, they provide a FREE tour to the Trossachs and Glen Coe and all they ask is that you tip what you think the tour is worth. Sounds to good to be true but I assure you they are legit.

vacatia

Thank you both for the prompt replies.

Janisj, I have not yet booked accommodations. I am predicting my visit will fall in either the last two weeks of August, or the last week of August/first week of September. I was unaware that accommodations would be more costly at this time! What type of hike are we looking at, pricewise, compared to say June or July?

As a former Highland dancer I would like to attend a festival if possible, but I haven't looked into them in great detail. I know that I would likely want to spend the first few days in the city of Edinburgh, then make my way out to Skye and the Western Isles, then the Highlands for a few days. If possible Orkney as well, then make my way through St Andrew and back to Edinburgh or Glasgow. This is where I'm apprehensive about driving, as neither myself nor my SO have driven in Europe before and I don't want us to get lost! If it's more cost effective to take a tour to the islands, then I think I'd be able to rest a bit easier.

Again, I have absolutely no experience in Europe or travelling like this, the farthest I've gone is to a resort in Cuba.

Cbelle, thank you as well for your recommendations - I'm going to look into this right now.

historytraveler

I don't know if accommodations in Edinburgh in late August will be more expensive, but finding a place might be difficult. Does your two weeks (14 days) include arrival/departure dates. If so you really only have 12 full days and an ambitious itinerary. I would certainly look at both Rabbies and Timberbush. www.rabbies.com and www.timber-bush. co.uk. Personally I think both companies have reasonably priced tours covering some or all of your destinations. You can usually combine several tours.

historytraveler

Sorry posted wrong website for Timberbush. It's www.timberbush-tours.co.uk

BigRuss

"Attend a festival"?

Edinburgh in August IS festivals. Google and you'll see.

We didn't find the accommodations in Edinburgh "astronomical" during August, but you need to book asap.

Petrol costs about $9/gallon so be prepared.

CBelle

Accommodation costs in Edinburgh during August can triple and even quadruple. My hotel of choice in Edinburgh is the Grassmarket Hotel, normally it will cost £60 a night midweek, during August the rates are up to £200 a night! Even travel lodges are charging up to £200 a night!

If you are not accustomed to driving in the UK and not feeling confident then you should consider a tour company. You probably wouldn't get lost whilst driving however to make the most of your holiday you are best to drive the scenic routes and they are usually very narrow and bendy.

If Highland dancing is your thing you may want to check this out www.cowalgathering.com, and as you will be in Edinburgh anyway you should definitely look into getting tattoo tickets.

vacatia

historytraveler, I'm not sure the exact dates yet so the "two weeks" could be a Friday night leaving Toronto (ie August 22) to returning on a Sunday night (ie September 7). That also depends on what type of flight I can get. You said my (so far crummy) itinerary sounds ambitious, can you elaborate? I was assuming about a week would be ok to get out to Skye and the Highlands. Is adding Orkney onto this, overly ambitious?

Also I am now thoroughly panicking, as I can't book accommodations yet because I haven't gotten the approval from my workplace for those two weeks, yet! Although I do expect to. So thanks everyone for your help, but now I'm freaking out a bit, lol.

CBelle- thanks again, and thanks for the tattoo recommendation.

vacatia

ETA: Will the B&B prices outside of the city also skyrocket at this time, normally? I'm ok if I need to save up a bit more money, I just don't want everything to get booked up this early!

janisj

How soon do you expect to know about the approval? Don't panic - lots rooms will still be available for several months yet -- but it may take some searching. And there probably will be sticker shock You could also make a booking as long as there is a liberal cancellation policy and you aren't pre-paying.

The Tattoo is <u>wonderful</u> as are the Fringe and other festivals, but your accommodations 'issues' would solve themselves if you did the rural bits first and did Edinburgh at the end of your time frame. Things get back to normal hotel occupancy/rate-wise pretty soon after the end of all the festivities. Edinburgh is never a cheap place to stay - but it is very expensive twice a year - Hogmanay and August.

No, adding Orkney to an already busy plan really isn't feasible. I'd decide between Skye and <i>maybe</i> the outer Hebrides - or - northern Scotland + Orkney.

vacatia

Thank you janisj, I feel a bit better!

I was thinking the same thing...I might have to strike Orkney off my list for this trip, which sucks but what can you do in two weeks. I really want to see the Outer Hebrides and Skye. Maybe I can return one day to Orkney. Unless that's a grave mistake and I should choose Orkney over those?

And, I was thinking the same thing as you - for the last week of August, trek out to the islands. Then when I return (presumably the first week of September) to Edinburgh, it won't be as crazy. Is it reasonably easy to get to other places (Dunfermline, St Andrews) via public transit/train?

vacatia

ETA (I seem to press 'submit' to quickly), I'm hoping to know within the next two weeks.

janisj

>>Is it reasonably easy to get to other places (Dunfermline, St Andrews) via public transit/train?<<

Absolutely! And Stirling, and other places as well. For St Andrews - there is no train station in the city but they go to Leuchars which is 6 or 7 miles away and from there is is a frequent bus or reasonable cab ride.

vacatia

Perfect!

Also, would you recommend going to Oban and Aberdeen? I realise these are on opposite ends, wondering if they are a simple day trip via tour company or public transit. I'm absolutely terrible with Geography.

And another question - will the accommodations in Glasgow be pricey during August as well? Or, are they generally? I've looked a bit and they seem to possibly be a bit cheaper than Edinburgh.

Is there anywhere else you would recommend that I haven't mentioned? In particular I'm interested in castles (isn't everyone), and historical stuff/old buildings/ghost things. My travel partner is interested in seeing a soccer game, and drinking in pubs (I figure Edinburgh will be good for the pub aspect).

Thanks again for your help!

historytraveler

Have you looked at the tour companies recommended? As I said, they might well have what you are looking for, basically a Skye/Hebrides tour. I think Orkney is too much but, certainly, St. Andrews as well as several other places are easy day trips from Edinburgh. No reason for a special trip to Aberdeen, but Aberdeenshire is great castle country. I like Oban, but it's mainly for the easy access to the CalMac ferries. Is your plan to visit Lewis/Harris for the Hebrides part of your itinerary? There are ferries from Uig on Skye but perhaps you're already aware of that. You really need to decide whether you want to do a tour or rent a car.

You shouldn't have any problems with higher prices in Glasgow during the Edinburgh festivals. Glasgow will be hosting the Commonwealth Games, but I think they're over around the first of August. Scheduling Edinburgh at the end of your trip is probably the best idea.

CBelle

Your plans for the Highlands, Islands and Orkney are doable but only if you want a fleeting glance for photo opportunities and long spells driving.

If you are sticking to the Western Isles and Hebrides the Calmac Hopscotch might be beneficial. www.calmac.co.uk

Also check out citylink.co.uk and scotrail.co.uk , booking seats in advance especially on city link will be cheaper than buying on the day. I bought bus tickets from Glasgow to Skye for £6.50 one way. It’s a 7 hour trip that stops at every nook and cranny along the way but for £6.50 I can’t complain.

Glasgow is cheaper than Edinburgh, both are great for traditional pubs and have lots of them. They are only 50 minutes apart on public transport.

Edinburgh does decent ghost stuff. Search for Mary Kings Close, The Edinburgh Dungeon and Auld Reekie Tours.

Forget about Aberdeen and Oban there are better places to visit.

vacatia

Thanks to you both, you're being very helpful.

historytraveler - I'm definitely going for a tour over driving myself, it's just not feasible and I'd probably drive off a cliff. I've looked at several tour companies (particularly the ones mentioned), and I've found Skye/Hebrides mixes, and Skye/Highlands mixes. Would like a mix of all three but not sure if that's too much of a rush. I'll probably have to drop Orkney for cost's sake. I'm finding it a bit difficult to pinpoint particular things to see, I'd hate to not see anything amazing but I'm only going for two weeks...

Yes I'd like to get to Lewis in the Hebrides, even to see the standing stones and things like that.

vacatia

Forgot to add:

Places/things I've pinpointed so far - Old Man of Storr, Dunvegan Castle, Neist point, Trumpan Church. Dunnottar castle in Aberdeenshire (day trip??), Drum castle. Caerlaverock castle in Dumfries (day trip??), and Tantallon and Hailes castle in the Lothians.

And again, I wanted to get to Orkney but don't think the $$ will stretch far enough.

janisj

For Dunnottar (and if you are a castle buff you need to do just about anything to get there - it is amazing) . . . from the castle's website >><i>Public Transport:

Excellent Public Transport links using bus services X7, 113 and M9 are offered to and from the Castle. The bus stop for this service is located on the A92, only a few minutes walk from the Castle and it will take around 15 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the cliff-tops overlooking the Castle. If you wish to take the bus from Stonehaven to Dunnottar, please make your way to Barclay Street, just off Market Square and get the bus there. Unfortunately Dunnottar is not marked on any of the timetables but tell the driver you wish to depart at Dunnottar Junction, which is only a few miles from the small village of Kineff, which is marked on the timetable.</i><<

You can take the train from Edinburgh to Stonehaven - about 2 hours give or take.