Hello. We are going for nine days in June. We will book something in Edinburgh at the beginning and ending but trying to figure out what to do in the middle. We do not plan on getting a car. We have four adults and two older kids. We love beaches, art, antiques and sheep. Any ideas?

OK - may I ask why you don't want to rent a car? For a party that size. train fares will add up pretty fast. Plus relying on trains will definitely limit your options. You can get to lots of places - but not many that are off the beaten path. Driving in Scotland is a piece of cake - as long as you avoid the major cities. You could stay a few days in Edinburgh, then rent a "people mover" (mini van-type vehicle) and go anywhere you want.

Having said that - if you simply won't rent a car (a big mistake IMO) you could do a sort of loop up through Perth to Inverness - then to Kyle of Lochalsh - take buses around Skye (a real slog especially for 6) then to Ft William and back to Edinburgh.

Or you could go up to Leuchars (for St Andrews and Fife) then up to Aberdeen and back to Edinburgh.

Trains don't really serve many beach areas - but you will see lots of sheep. Think about renting a car - it would be much easier.

You didn't mention Scotch whisky so you may be teetotalers. Not that there's anything wrong with that; there's lots of room for diversity in this world. If, on the other hand, you might be interested in partaking of a wee dram, I can recommend a trip by train from Edinburgh north and then west to Elgin, thence south on a short local bus ride to Aberlour on the River Spey, where many large salmon lay in wait for serious anglers and along which there are several distilleries with the usual tours and tasting rooms. We did just that trip in 2004, lodging in Aberlour (the home of Walker's shortbread cookies), and visiting Glenfarclas and Macallan distilleries. There is also a "Spey walk" along the river for many miles. We had a delightful time in that neighborhood, and as always, we were without automobile.

I am a train guy, but with a large group you just might want to hire a private guide or do a couple of tours.

Ok Janis you have me looking for a car. When I was a student I was used to just hopping on. As an adult, I never felt comfortable driving in the UK, but my husband is going on. I'll tell him he is auditioning for Top Gear and he will probably go for it.

Another question. Should I lock in all of my accomodations beforehand or is it still common for folks to make arrangements while traveling? We will be going the second week in June so it will be busy but not as busy as it could be.

Top Gear is always a good carrot

Normally in June one can book as you travel around. But you are talking a large-ish group. You'll need two family rooms or even three doubles - so finding enough rooms could be an issue. But definitely not impossible. It partly depends where you head to. For instance in a tourist town like Callander, you might find a B&B w/ 3 rooms available -- or -- you might find a landlady who could take 4 of you and the other 2 end up at her neighbor's B&B up the road.

The Tourist Info Offices still have the book a bed ahead scheme - so instead of just looking when you arrive in a place, you could go into a TIO and have them book you a place in your next destination.

Or of course you can stick to larger hotels -- but I personally prefer B&Bs when possible.

Ok. I'll probably chicken out and make arrangements before we go, but I don't want to get too locked in in case of poor weather. If it is miserable, we can go to a museum. If it is nice I want to walk.
Thanks Janis
I know I'm on question three, but are midges a problem in June?

Why not avoid the well trodden tourist route and venture west to Dumfries and Galloway? This is an often overlooked corner of Scotland - I live in Wigtown, which is Scotland's National Booktown.

This area is often called Scotland in miniature - not as dramatic as the hightlands, but we have sea, beaches, lochs, hills, tropical gardens and loads more.

Wigtownshire (old name for our part of D&G) was recently voted on of the top 50 "authentic" visitors expreiences the only entry on the list for Scotland. We are reasonably well served by public transport, but may involve one or 2 changes of train etc to get here!

I found this website extremely helpful for finding where you can get to without a car and without too much hassle. It gives you routes and timetables using a combination of trains, bus lines and walking:

http://travelinescotland.com/welcome.do

Thanks, Andy, for that great site. It is MOST useful in planning my June trip to NI and Scotland.

midges

depends on when you are going in June

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...atures/midges/

Ditto. Thanks Andy. I looked and looked and didn't find anything like that. I will rent a van for most of the trip, but will use buses while in Edinburgh. I able to find my nearest bus stop.

I'd hire a car if you feel you can cope with it, just for the extra flexibility it will give you.

With Edinburgh as a starting point, I'd do Fife- for beaches; drive across to Dunkeld- for antiques en route and sheep when you get there. Art is very Edinburgh although there are good galleries all over the place- Crieff and Comrie spring to mind (and Dunkeld.

If I were taking 6 people, I'd at least book one night ahead.If it was just me, I wouldn't bother.

You won't get many midges in June and very few indeed on the east side.