Hi all

For a variety of reasons we haven't been able to plan a Christmas trip until now. We're currently thinking about spending some time in Scotland – 10 days on the ground between Christmas and just after New Year's. I thought was to try to get a real trip flying in to Edinburgh and maybe going out to a more rural area for the New Year's. Then I got the idea of maybe visiting one of the islands for the week in between Christmas and New Year's. But I'm not used to last minute planning so this is all pretty overwhelming. I'd love to hear any ideas for a possible trip spending a few days in Edinburgh over Christmas, and then the week after and the more rural environment. I really don't want to drive so buses or trains would be great and I do realize with the extreme weather that may hold sway, we will need to build lots of room for delays.

I've never been to the islands in Winter but I wouldn't want to go got them in Winter.

You could take the train from Edinburgh to Inverness and spend a few days in Inverness (or take a bus to a smaller town somewhere near like one of the towns on the whisky trail in Speyside).

*to go to them...

I'll assume you mean the Western Isles. The problem is much as sparkchaser said. The weather may well be a handicap both in getting there and in staying for a week. A rural environment in mid- winter in the Highlands basically means there will be very, very little to do.Public transportation on the Isles is limited at the best of times. In fact it will be difficult to find accommodation during this time period. For mid- winter trips to the U.K., staying in a major city is probably the best option. Edinburgh is fine and I would also add York to the mix. From either you could take day trips via train or bus.

You might check out both The Duisdale and The Tokavaig on Skye as they may be open and offer special ( not price ) deals for the holidays. Both are expensive. The Brits and to a lesser extent the Scots have holiday offerings, but I imagine it's too late to secure a booking.

Winter travel in rural Scotland and the Isles should not be taken lightly. You really can't plan ahead because a winter storm could have you stuck on an island for several days. And for the New Years period it is VERY late to be planning anything really. Hogmanay is the biggest of big deals.

Maybe reconsider -- and do a city-centric trip (Edinburgh, Glasgow, maybe Aberdeen . . . or even York). And IF the weather cooperates you can always rent a car and head into the countryside.

But whatever you decide -- get the New Years arrangement nailed down immediately - like yesterday.

Travel to the islands of Scotland in winter is very weather dependent. Ferries can be cancelled due to rough seas, so very difficult to plan. The exception is Skye as you can go across the bridge, but if the weather is bad it wouldn't be my choice.

janisj has it about right, stick to cities, but I'd give Inverness a miss because it's at the end of nowhere and a PIA to get to if the weather doesn't cooperate. In any case, I'm not sure it's worth a visit in the summer. Stick to Glasgow or Edinburgh, but again, do it now and Edinburgh if you can find a hotel.

>> but I'd give Inverness a miss <<

If you notice -- I gave it a miss too

<<The Brits and to a lesser extent the Scots...>>>

Aren't the Scots Brits? Scotland being part of Britain. Am I missing something?

Thanks so much so far - one issue is that we HATE big city new years. SO especially Edinburgh if we could even find a place is really unappealing for that stretch.

But we are thinking Edinburgh and maybe a few days trip outside the city if we can lock it down.

My guess tis that most rural/decent places open over Hogmanay will also be booked up by now.

My list - you could arrange the order to avoid being in Edinburgh over the holiday.

Mirmar, If you insist on being pedantic and from your post ( since you added nothing else to the conversation ) I can only assume that you do, you are not 'missing something ' in my reference to distinguishing Scots and Brits. I am well aware that Scotland is a part of Great Britian and, thus, people from Scotland are also Brits. Perhaps I should've used English instead of Brits but there are many Scots who do not like to be referred to as Brits. Nearly 45 % of Scotland voted for independence and I personally know of more than a few who do not wish to be called Brits.

"but there are many Scots who do not like to be referred to as Brits."

Also MANY English and Welsh.