historytraveler

Yes, as janisj said, the trip to Dunnator is pretty easy as stated. Caerlaverock is another great castle but too far from all the other places you've mentioned. I don't know where the tours stop on Skye but doubt they include Trumpan and maybe not Neist Point. Drum Castle is one of my favorites but, again, not likely to be included in the usual tour itineraries.. You may well have to do some compromising, but you'lll still see some great places.

Do you mean Newhailes ? I've only visited Tantallon Castle by car so don't know about public transportation.

Lewis and Harris require a car as does Syke IMO? Tours are still your best (only)option for the places you want to visit. Remember that while you probably won't get to all the places on your list, you will discover many others that will be every bit as good.

janisj

Tantallon could not be easier. I have also always had a car but it is just outside North Berwick which is a very short train ride from Edinburgh.

There are buses from N. Berwick - but in a nice day it woud be a nice walk.

Dirleton Castle is also near North Berwick - w/ bus access.

vacatia

I'm trying to figure out if I'd be sorely mistaken to drop the Outer Hebrides from my itinerary and stick with Skye/The Highlands as a tour? I'm afraid of missing something amazing and knowing I was close enough to see it!

janisj

What are the chances you'll get back to the UK in the foreseeable future? If you will get back - maybe this time take a tour of the western bits and spend the rest based in Edinburgh w/ a few days trips by public transport. Then you'll have your bearing re Scotland and next time you can drive and get in to more remote areas.

If it was me - and I wanted to see a lot of castles and such -- I'd drop the outer Hebrides, take a 3-5 day tour for Skye and the western Highlands

one of these:

http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotlan...our.asp?lng=en

http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotlan...our.asp?lng=en

http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotlan...our.asp?lng=en

http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotlan...our.asp?lng=en

(Timberbush offers similar itineraries)

janisj

Oops - should have read >>If it was me - and I wanted to see a lot of castles and such -- I'd drop the outer Hebrides, take a 3-5 day tour for Skye and the western Highlands, and visit more castles and such based from Edinburgh<<

historytraveler

A few things to consider: The Western Isles are great for prehistoric sites,but most of the castles you have mentioned are medieval. With Tantallon, Dirleton and Hailles Castle ( have not been to Hailles Castle but it did ring a bell...Harry Hotspur/the Douglas Clan ) seem to be doable as day trip(s) from Edinburgh. Then there is Linlithgow Palace, Stirling Castle and Rosslyn Chapel, all easily accessed from Edinburgh. Not to mention the castles along and near the Dee and Dunnottar south of Aberdeen

You will travel through the Highlands in getting to Skye. Skye only has one intact castle, Dunvegan. The rest are mostly rock piles. I love those rock piles but not everyone finds them that interesting.

historytraveler

Posting about the same time but janisj was much more succinct than I was, but think we're basically saying the same thing.

vacatia

I'm agreeing with what both of you are suggesting above. The only issue I'm having with booking right now, is the cost of hotels, like you've all mentioned above! I almost wonder if it's worth it to come in June or July instead?

I also think dropping the Outer Hebrides for this trip would make it easier, and janisj I would love to visit every year but I would likely be able to return in another two years.

historytraveler

You won't see a price difference from June/July to August except for late August in Edinburgh where prices increase because of the festivals.Simply switch your stay in Edinburgh to the first week n September and visit Skye/Highlands in late August.

janisj

>>except for late August in Edinburgh where prices increase because of the festivals.<<

To clarify -- the festivals/Tattoo run most of August - and mostly end in late August. Rates are very high in Edinburgh from late July through late August.

CBelle

The Edinburgh festival and tattoo run the entire month of August. July will probably be expensive as well because of the commonwealth games, I’m led to believe that Glasgow, Edinburgh and surrounding areas are pretty much out of affordable rooms for much of the month.

Have you considered having your base in Glasgow in August? Accommodation is cheaper and Air Transat fly direct from Toronto. Rabbies and Timberbush also tour from Glasgow. Trains and buses from Glasgow to Edinburgh run every 15 minutes so you could still spend all day there.

vacatia

Hi Cbelle, I completely forgot the 3-day Timberbush tour I'm interested in, runs from Glasgow. I've noticed alot of tour companies offer less from there.

I'll try and stick with the last week of August/first week of September then, and as you've said not stay over in Edinburgh until September.

janisj

>>The Edinburgh festival and tattoo run the entire month of August<<

Actually . . .

The Tattoo runs from Aug 1 - 23 this year

The Fringe (which is MUCH bigger than the International Festival ) from Aug 1-25

But the International Festival does run from Aug 8 -31

So by the last week of August things have calmed down quite a bit, though rooms are still at a premium they are easier to book.

CBelle

Actually...

All the festivals combined are known as 'The Festival' and that was the point I was making. But as Vacatia has decided to avoid Edinburgh during 'The Festival' the point is now moot! Which is a shame as it would have been a great experience.

vacatia

I know...I think I might venture up to Edinburgh the first couple of days regardless, perhaps just staying in Glasgow. I'll have to sort that out/find affordable accommodation! You guys have been extremely helpful.

If you have any other suggestions for a newbie like me of things I should try to check out, please do let me know.

vacatia

Another question - re: the train

Is there some sort of week pass you can buy, like transit systems have (here anyway), or is this more of a commuter train scenario where you have to buy a return ticket for each trip?

vacatia

Example:
One day - train to Dunfermline, $20 CAD return
Another day - train to Stonehaven, $23 one-way
-train from Stonehaven to St Andrews, $13 one-way
-train from St Andrews back to Edinburgh, $23
Another day - train to North Berwick, $13 return
Another day - train to Linlithgow, $9 one-way
- train from Linlithgow to Stirling, $10
- train from Stirling to Edinburgh, $15

Grand total = $126 on trains alone
Obviously this is subject to change and maybe it's ambitious, but I'm wondering if there's a way to save when taking multiple train rides. I've only been able to locate what are apparently discounts from groups of 3.

janisj

I don't think most passes will save you anything -- Scotrail offers a pass for 4 travel days over an 8 day period for £134 (CAD$ 240)

Really, the main way a pass pencils out is when one takes a lot of long distance trips - and most of yours are practically locals.

They do offer a £36 ($CAD 64) three day pass limited to bits of central Scotland - but it doesn't go to several of the places your want to travel.

CBelle

I'm afraid rail in the UK is probably about the most expensive in Europe, the only passes I know of are mainly suitable for commuters and can only be used in the region purchased. A trip to Scotland will never be cheap unless you have family to stay with and to drive you around.

For info, the Glasgow Millenium hotel is offering up to 50% off summer bookings, you should check it out because it's a very good 4* central hotel.

historytraveler

Look at it another way. According to your schedule you will be traveling four different days and that amounts to a little over $ 31 a day. Not cheap but not that bad. One can easily spend $ 50/60 to get a car service from LHR into central London.