Scotland solo/no driving?
 

I am doing preliminary research for a solo, non driving trip to Scotland. I'm an older, but active, woman. My thoughts are to fly into Edinburgh and site-see there and take a few day trips with a tour company. Where to go from there by train? I like just about any cultural experience, such as castles, wildlife, museums, etc.. I will probably be in Scotland for two weeks in September. Suggestions?

TTT

My first step when I go to somewhere new is to get a Rick Steves of the country and get a sort of overview. He has lots of useful information about trains, tours, etc., as well as good hotel and B&B recommendations.

His books are selective rather than comprehensive, but I find them very useful as a beginners guide.

I was in Scotland briefly almost 40 years ago (I too am an active older woman), but the only specific things I remember and would recommend were a military tattoo (great bagpipes and lots of kilts) and a cool castle, whose name unfortunately I cannot remembers.

Have fun on your trip. This reminds me that I'd like to spend some time in Scotland.

You'll find a wide range of tours out of Edinburgh at www.rabbies.com.

Daytrips, and longer ones as well.

Thanks, Pegonthe road and kmpb...I have ordered some Scotland guides and have checked out rabbies tours.

Hi SusieQQ
From Edinburgh you can take a train to Linlithgow. It is not very far and a regular service. The town is attractive and walkable and Linlithgow Palace is the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. It is a ruin but there is an amazing lot left to explore. Many of the buildings in the town are very old as well.
Have a great trip

Rosemary

Thanks Rosemary, sounds like something I'd like to do.

If you want to take an overnight out of Edinburgh, my mom and I took the train to St Andrews last summer. It's a lovely place with cute shops, a ruined castle and cathedral and a beautiful beach to take a walk. You take the train and then a bus (it's really easy and well-marked).

My husband and I also took the train to Dunfermline to see the ruined castle and abbey there - it's a short trip and easily done in a day. There are some cute pubs on the main street and we had a lovely lunch. It's an easy day-trip.

Have fun.

Thanks, Pittpurple, I'll put those two on my list of possibilities to check out.

Some years back, my daughter and I took the following incredibly scenic trip all by public transportation:

Edinburgh-Glasgow by train-change stations --
West Highland Railway to Ft William and on to Mallaig.

To Skye via CalMac ferry-Portree by bus-hang out, local tours by bus --

Kyle of Lochalsh by bus, train through Great Glen to Inverness -- hang out, local touring.

Train to Aberdeen, local touring. Train back to Edinburgh along coastal route. Could have taken side trip to St Andrews.

Stirling makes a nice one day train excursion from Edinburgh.