Gwot

Hi - I'm planning a trip to Scotland from October 2, 2006 - October 9, 2006. I know it's not that long of a time period, but it's all I have.

I'm flying into Glasgow, arriving at 1030 on the 2nd, and flying out around 1100 am on the 9th (from Glasgow).

My question: I really want to see Dumfries/Castle Douglas/Dalbeattie area because my Great-Great Grandfather is from there. However, I am traveling with two friends who have never been to Scotland, so I would love to show them Edinburgh and a bit of the Highlands too. So, can anyone give me some input on this proposed itinerary?

Day 1: Fly into Glasgow, drive to Dumfries.
Day 2: Dumfries/Castle Douglas/Dalbeattie
Day 3: Drive to Edinburgh
Day 4: Edinburgh
Day 5: Edinburgh (we want to see a Friday
night in Edinburgh)
Day 6: Drive Edinburgh to Glencoe
Day 7: Glencoe area
Day 8: Drive to Glasgow and fly out (Am I
pushing it to make it to the airport
by 0830)?

Any input would be great! Thanks.

sheila

Mmm. Well it's a bit likethe old Irish joke "I wouldn't start from here". But if that's what you got.....

I'd stay an extra night in D&G if I could persuade my pals to get up early for departure. I'd get rid of the car once I got to Edinburgh. I'd try to organise a 2 dayer with one of the minbus tour companies and I'd get them to drop us in Glasgow afterwards.

noe847

I would stay in Glasgow (and possibly near the airport) the night before your flight. That's a fair amount of driving first thing in the morning, and I personally don't leave things to chance on departure day. When we drove that road this past summer, a truck had gone off the edge of the road and flipped over down the embankment. There was a fairly extensive traffic delay as a result.

Gwot

Okay....

How about this: I drop the Highlands. I stay an extra night in D&G.

Now my questions are:

1) What would be a good base in D&G?
2) Would a "self-catering" place be a good option?
3) Will my friends get a good sense of Scotland in D&G (like to people have cool Scottish accents and stuff)?
4) Is there a bus from Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport, or should we go to Glasgow the day before the flight?

Thanks!

sheila

A good base in D&G would be Kirkcudbright.

Self Catering might be an option but the period is so short it might be hard to get a let for it. You are, however, off season, so it may well be possible.

Your friends, somewhat to may amazement, (see 2 week old trip report) will get a good sense of Scotland. No Highlands but loads of hills, castles, Gaelic, pre-history, nature, sea.

There is a bus from Edinburgh to Glasgow airport, but I'm sure if it runs that early.

caroline_edinburgh

I'd get the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow then get a taxi. Assuming you are talking about Glasgow airport and not Prestwick ?

doonhamer

As a native of D&G, can i suggest you try the Gordon House Hotel in Kirkcudbright, (116 High Street, kirkcudbright telephone +44 1557 330670)- or the slightly better (by repute) Selkirk Arms, also on the High Street. Website on http://www.activehotels.com/servlet/...anguage=&mode=

Gwot

Thanks for the advice. I think we're going to fly into Glasgow, stay three nights in Kirkcudbright, drive to Edinburgh and drop off the car, and stay there until Monday morning. The flight doesn't leave until 10:55am on Monday (from Glasgow not Prestwick) - but they say to get there two hours early. I think we'll take the train and the taxi as suggested by caroline. I think we'll take a one-day tour with one of the bus companies from Edinburgh to the Highlands.

Any preference on the tour companies out of Edinburgh for the one-day Highland (or other location) tour?