My husband and I are just starting to plan a trip to Ireland and Scotland for two weeks next year. We are hoping to go in late February/early March. Is it freezing then?
We are up for pretty much anything. I'm sure we'll want to do some "tourist-y" things but would also like to see some things that are off the beaten path. Any recommendations whether to rent a car or use the train? We'd also like to bike for a few days? Where shold we go?
Thanks.

It was cold, windy, grey, snowing & generally miserable for most of the time in Scotland this year. Next year it clould be quite pleasant with an early spring.

Ireland doesn't get the snow but it can be just as cold, windy, etc or not

Just few thoughts to get you started. Renting a car gives you more flexability while the train can be more relaxing. However, if planning on touring both Ireland and Scotland you would need to figure in ferry costs which can be substantial. In addition ferry crossings are often unpredictable during the winter/early spring.

I'm not sure whether I'd want to be cycling in either Ireland or Scotland during February or March.

Well, I live in Scotland and I'm afraid that, in February and March, it's pretty damn cold. Public transport here isn't the best so I'd suggest hiring a car - holiday autos is a pretty good choice. Everyone will tell you that Edinburgh is the place to go, and it's very pretty, but don't ignore Glasgow: It's got a real buzz and it's close to the beautiful Loch Lomond and the road to the Western Highlands.

Two weeks really isn't long enough to do two countries - especially in Feb/March. The weather will likely be cold/windy/wet. Many things that are off the beaten path won't be open in Feb. In a lot of the scenic areas like the SW of Ireland or the west coast of Scotland you are lucky to average 35 mph in summer. In wintry/stormy weather it will be even slower going.

All of this is to say - <u>pick one country</u> and don't try to shoehorn both into such a short trip.

No need to ferry between countries when you can fly cheaply:

http://www.whichbudget.com

If you want to go to the remoter parts of the highlands then a hired car is the answer but with the variable weather conditions in February and March when snow is common you will have to watch the snow forecasts as it can be the case that the main A9 Inverness to Edinburgh road may be closed because of the snow so you will have to ensure that you are not tight on time if trying to return a hired car and catch a flight.

As you will wish to see various parts of both Scotland and Ireland you may wish to think about taking a week in Edinburgh and Dublin and then taking and of the day tours when it suits you. You can go to the likes of St Andrews, Perth, Stirling, Glasgow, the Borders and Roslin Chapel for the day - half day etc and this would ensure that you are not travelling every day and depending on the weather you can decide if you wish to travel or stay in town. You can then go out and about to suit yourself. What you save on car hire will pay for day trips and then you are leaving the driving to a professional driver who would be used to such conditions.
Getting between Dublin and Edinburgh could be organised for a few UK&pound; flying with either Ryanair or Aerlingus and booking well in advance. As you will be flexible with your flight times you can benefit from some of the cheap flights.
If you book a city centre accommodation or apartment (Vacation / Rental Apartments are generally cheaper and they give you more freedom) then you will have the city on your doorstep and also be near the tour operators if you wish to take a tour. The accommodation should be cheaper if taking a week rather than one or two nights here and there.