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-   -   Scotland 4 days / 5 nights - Itinerary ideas?! (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/scotland-4-days-5-nights-itinerary-ideas-1036009/)

JulianoMelao Feb 2nd, 2015 01:25 AM

Hey guys!!

I appreciate your attention ;-)

I think that i will stay the first day at Edinburgh and rent a car to Highlands, stay 2 days and for the last day i will decide until my trip (next may).

I found many 2 day tours on the internet to use as a guide.

Thank you very much!!

RM67 Feb 2nd, 2015 01:45 AM

I think you'll be really glad you decided to go with car rental. The driving is quiet and easy in the highlands and it will give you the freedom to see exactly what you want to see. Enjoy your trip!

Rubicund Feb 2nd, 2015 04:35 AM

"There is no need to be quite so rude and dismissive" says ESW
"Rubbish..." says ESW rudely and dismissively.

Had you read my message, I said " not picturesque nor touristy". I was trying to give the OP a heads up on the differences between the warm Med and the North East of Scotland and merely pointing out that they are not similar.

I am in the UK and have been around most of the Scottish coastline over the many years I been going up there from here in Lancashire.

Sue_xx_yy Feb 2nd, 2015 05:21 AM

Meanwhile:

Juliano. We did a very quick tour of Scotland in 7 nights. You have only 5, so here is what I would do:

You arrive fairly late in Edinburgh, 7 p.m.

If you are planning to tour the Highlands by rental car, I would stay the night in an airport hotel, and pick up the car the next day.

night 2 - Glencoe. Drive to Glencoe from Edinburgh airport for the night. Perhaps go to the Visitor centre where there are exhibits on local history and wildlife.
night 3 - Glencoe. Using Glencoe as a base, explore the area's scenery a bit, either by hiking or by car.
night 4. Glencoe to Glasgow, about 2.5 hours. Drop the car at Glasgow airport and make your way to your downtown hotel. (by public transportation, it's about 30 minutes.)
night 5. Glasgow. A full day to explore Glasgow.
In the mid morning, make your way to the airport in time for your 2 p.m flight.
So that makes it:
EDI (Edinburgh airport) - 1
Glencoe - 2
Glasgow - 2
Total 5 nights.

If you want to take a bus tour like Rabbies, I will leave it to those familiar with that company to advise you.

Sue_xx_yy Feb 2nd, 2015 05:24 AM

Oh, as an alternative:

Spend the first two nights at your Edinburgh airport hotel and explore Edinburgh for a day.
Edinburgh-2
Go to Glencoe for 2 nights as before.
Finish up in Glasgow for a night.
Fly home from Glasgow.
This is a very fast look at the Highlands, which as others point out are quite extensive, but it does give you a look.

ESW Feb 2nd, 2015 09:11 AM

Rubicund, I fully agree with you that the Scottish coast is very different to the Mediterranean. It's a darn site colder but it is scenic and many of the small villages are quite attractive, hence my comment. You are right that they do tend to be ignored by many tourists so tend not to be geared up for the tourist trade.

keith_l Feb 13th, 2015 06:40 AM

I wouldn't rule out a tour. I'm personally not a big fan of them, but have done them elsewhere when I've only had a day or two to fit it in. Friends have done the Rabbies one day Highland tour from Edinburgh and really enjoyed it, although they found it really tiring!

ESW - on the villages, it depends where you go to. Anstruther, St Monans, and Pittenweem certainly are geared up for tourists, especially Anstruther, whilst others are still primarily working ports (as these three are.) I'd say that there are more similarities to some of the Mediterranean villages - apart from the weather, of course!


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