Ah, success- my husband talked to a friend who happily drove in Scotland and now he is willing to rent a car for part of our trip. He says he doesn't want to rent a car at the Edinburgh airport but would like to take the train to Perth and use that as a place to rent/drop-off the car.
Does that sound workable?

I think having a car will make our trip be much more enjoyable.

Saraho: "<i>He says he doesn't want to rent a car at the Edinburgh airport but would like to take the train to Perth and use that as a place to rent/drop-off the car. </i>"

That would work -- but Honestly collecting your car at EDI (airport) will be easier.

Not only are there more agencies on site so you have your choice, but the airport is right on the main motorway routes to all parts of Scotland. You wouldn't be driving IN Edinburgh city traffic at all.

It is usually much easier to get used to driving on the left, the cars controls, etc on a multi-laned, fully divided highway than in a city w/ lots of signs/one way roads/congestion. Perth is not a big city -- but it is a city w/ lots of distractions and the rental agencies are in the middle.

You can take a taxi or the airport bus to EDI and the rental agencies are right next to the terminal.

I picked up my car in Edinburgh at Waverley Station.

Thanks for your helpful information, janisj and sheri.

I'd use EDI myself. I am VERY familiar w/ Edinburgh and have driven there lots of times. But there is major road construction all over and it can get very congested. Waverly station is in the middle of town, EDI is outside of the city.

janisj is spot on about getting it at EDI vs. in a city like Perth. My husband (born and lived in Scotland until 6 years ago!) went the wrong way down a one way street, and also just going into Perth clipped a van's mirror (although the van was parked in double yellow lines, which means he wasn't allowed to park there).
So yeah, I'd get it at the airport, it's easy to the motorway from there.

Thanks, it sounds like picking the car up in Edinburgh is the best thing to do.

"<i>Thanks, it sounds like picking the car up in Edinburgh is the best thing to do.</i>"

As long as you don't mean <u>IN</u> Edinburgh. EDI airport is outside of Edinburgh. That is where amelie and I were talking about.

I would not pick up your car IN Edinburgh, but out at EDI.

I mean EDI.

The gardens at Culross are worth a visit too.

There is a National Garden Scheme operating in Scotland whereby many gardens are open on a one off per annum basis. Details here:-

http://www.gardensofscotland.org/index.aspx

Different gardens are best at different times. The west coast stuff is stunning in April and May when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. East coast gardens are better later. And I concur about collecting the car at Edinburgh airport.

Thanks for the garden web site, Sheila. I am looking forward to seeing as many gardens as possible. Next time I hope to visit Scotland in May or June.