Train or Car from Edinburgh to Inverness
Mar 27th, 2003, 05:14 AM
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Train or Car from Edinburgh to Inverness
Hi Again Everyone!
My mom and I have decided to rent a car for our October visit to Scotland instead of relying on the train. Right now we have booked the car to be picked up in Inverness and to be dropped off in Glasgow. We now have the option to pick the car up in Edinburgh instead. Is it worthwhile to get the car in Edinburgh so that we can visit some interesting places along our drive to Inverness? Or would it be better to take the train to Inverness and spend more time there seeing the sites?
If it is better to drive to Inverness can I get some suggestions of places to see and possible driving routes?
Thanks so much in advance!
Megan
My mom and I have decided to rent a car for our October visit to Scotland instead of relying on the train. Right now we have booked the car to be picked up in Inverness and to be dropped off in Glasgow. We now have the option to pick the car up in Edinburgh instead. Is it worthwhile to get the car in Edinburgh so that we can visit some interesting places along our drive to Inverness? Or would it be better to take the train to Inverness and spend more time there seeing the sites?
If it is better to drive to Inverness can I get some suggestions of places to see and possible driving routes?
Thanks so much in advance!
Megan
Mar 27th, 2003, 06:39 AM
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Hi Sheila,
We will be spending 3 days in Edinburgh and then we were planning on heading to Inverness on the 13th of October. We have no solid plans as of yet only that we have to be in Glasgow on the 17 (our flight leaves on the 18th).
This will be my first visit to Scotland and my mom's first visit into the highlands. We were wanting to make our trip after Edinburgh a bit more relaxing since the first part of our trip will be spent visiting some of the larger cities (London, Bath, Edinburgh). So we would like to try and experience the people, culture and scenery.
So to answer your question we are looking more for the experience than just getting to Inverness. I've read some of your previous postings to others and you've mentioned that the Kilmartin Valley and the Isle of Skye are places of interest, is Inverness not neccessarily a must see? Do you have any other suggestions for places to visit and routes to take on our 5 day trip?
Thank you so much Sheila!
Megan
We will be spending 3 days in Edinburgh and then we were planning on heading to Inverness on the 13th of October. We have no solid plans as of yet only that we have to be in Glasgow on the 17 (our flight leaves on the 18th).
This will be my first visit to Scotland and my mom's first visit into the highlands. We were wanting to make our trip after Edinburgh a bit more relaxing since the first part of our trip will be spent visiting some of the larger cities (London, Bath, Edinburgh). So we would like to try and experience the people, culture and scenery.
So to answer your question we are looking more for the experience than just getting to Inverness. I've read some of your previous postings to others and you've mentioned that the Kilmartin Valley and the Isle of Skye are places of interest, is Inverness not neccessarily a must see? Do you have any other suggestions for places to visit and routes to take on our 5 day trip?
Thank you so much Sheila!
Megan
Mar 27th, 2003, 07:37 AM
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Inverness is not very much - it is a nice town to live in -- good train connections, shopping, etc but really just a large bustling town. So I would not make Inverness a "destination". If Loch Ness/Nessie/Urquhart Castle are of interest to you, you can see all of them (well, maybe not Nessie) w/o setting foot inside Inverness.
Sheila is absolutely right - if getting to Inverness is you requirement, take the train. But if you want to wander and see things definitely drive.
There are some nice things along the main route North from Edinburgh - Blair Atholl among them. But I would drive more towards the west - in your 5 days you could visit Stirling Castle, the Trossachs, Glen Coe, Skye, a lot of other great sites, and still be within easy driving distance of Glasgow airport.
Sheila is absolutely right - if getting to Inverness is you requirement, take the train. But if you want to wander and see things definitely drive.
There are some nice things along the main route North from Edinburgh - Blair Atholl among them. But I would drive more towards the west - in your 5 days you could visit Stirling Castle, the Trossachs, Glen Coe, Skye, a lot of other great sites, and still be within easy driving distance of Glasgow airport.
Mar 28th, 2003, 04:20 AM
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After making a short trip through Inverness, my mom and I are actually making Inverness one of our planned destinations.
A morning or afternoon tour through Culloden is definately worth a trip to Inverness as is a day trip to Cromarty on the 'Black Isle'. It is a lovely little fishing village that is overlooked by tourists - seeing the dolphins in the Moray Firth during the breeding season is really awesome.
If you are still looking for something 'different' take one of the day trips up to the Orkney Isles. Some of these trips will include tours of some of Orkney's highlights such as Skara Brae, an unforgettable prehistoric site that is older than the pyramids in Egypt and the Ring of Brodar. Yes it makes for a long day but it is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
There are some lovely B&B's in Inverness - while it isn't as bustling as Edinburgh, Glasgow I love Inverness' grace and charm, especially in the old town. And I can't say enough for the warm hospitality of all the Scottish people but it seems a bit more gracious in Inverness.
I second (or third) the suggestion to take the train to Inverness. It really is a lovely city.
A morning or afternoon tour through Culloden is definately worth a trip to Inverness as is a day trip to Cromarty on the 'Black Isle'. It is a lovely little fishing village that is overlooked by tourists - seeing the dolphins in the Moray Firth during the breeding season is really awesome.
If you are still looking for something 'different' take one of the day trips up to the Orkney Isles. Some of these trips will include tours of some of Orkney's highlights such as Skara Brae, an unforgettable prehistoric site that is older than the pyramids in Egypt and the Ring of Brodar. Yes it makes for a long day but it is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
There are some lovely B&B's in Inverness - while it isn't as bustling as Edinburgh, Glasgow I love Inverness' grace and charm, especially in the old town. And I can't say enough for the warm hospitality of all the Scottish people but it seems a bit more gracious in Inverness.
I second (or third) the suggestion to take the train to Inverness. It really is a lovely city.
Mar 28th, 2003, 09:41 AM
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CeeJay is right - the area AROUND Inverness is wonderful. Culloden, Ft George, Clava Cairns, the Black Isle and the Bottle nosed dolphins, the west coast, Nairn, Cawdor, etc, etc. staying in the general area is great -- Inverness itself tho' is just a busy town.
What I meant - don't go TO Inverness expecting anything special. You could stay in a lovely little village west or east of Inverness and see all the good things in the surrounding area.
What I meant - don't go TO Inverness expecting anything special. You could stay in a lovely little village west or east of Inverness and see all the good things in the surrounding area.
