planning trip...Paris and Scotland

Scotland- Fly into Edinburgh- 2 nights, train to Aviemore- 2 to 4 nights, train to Inverness- 3 to 5 nights with day trips, train to Glasgow, 1 to 2 nights, and if you must, fly to Paris (I am one of those few people who just don't "get" Paris- I'll never return).

This June, we are spending 13 nights in Scotland followed by 4 nights in Paris. Easyjet flies from Edinburgh to Paris at 1:10 P.M. Quite possible! The Highlands are the best part--minimize your city time and spend time in Glencoe and Skye, maybe Wester Ross. Regardless of crowds, I would schedule enough time in Edinburgh to visit the castle and walk the Royal Mile.

Thank you all so much for all of your great advice! We are thinking August so wanted to start my planning by next month. We went to Italy last summer, our first trip to Europe, and had a wonderful time. This time, a trip to Scotland to visit my husband's ancestry to Glascow and Edinborgh (sp?) and maybe highlands then to Paris and maybe Provence. Thanks again so much!!!

Remember that August is "festival" in Edinburgh. It will be VERY crowded and rates will be at their highest. Unless your hearts are set on seeing the Tatoo or other festival events - and it may be sold out , be sure to check soon- I'd consider skipping Edinburgh. You could increase your time in Aviemore or Inverness or add time on Isle of Skye, Oban or the Orkney islands. You could still fly into Edinburgh- just immediately catch the train. Or fly into Glasgow and reverse the itenerary, then train from Aviemore to London for 1 or 2 nights, then Eurostar train to Paris.

Stephanie - Our family did this trip last summer. We started in Paris however. Then spent 4 days in Inverness including a long travel day to Inverness. After Inverness we spent 4 days in Edinburgh before heading to London.

Toni is right, Edinburgh is really crowded and expensive during the festival, but it's really high energy too. I wouldn't skip Edinburgh completely, but rather would minimize your time. But, you should decide soon and make a reservation for a room to have the most flexibility. The festival time can have rigorous cancellation policies and length of stay policies. You'll want to see the Castle, walk the Royal Mile and explore New Town at a minimum. Another reason to put Edinburgh at the beginning or end of your trip is that you won't want a car when you're in the city.

I like having a car in Scotland. I love the wee roads and the flexibility it gives me. I agree that Inverness is a lovely area. You can take your time going north and stop off in Perthshire on the way. Check out Pitlochry to see if the Festival Theater has something going that interests you. There is a nice distillery there as well. Blair Castle is near by. You can then head west toward Fort William and Oban checking out Loch Ness on the way. Urqhart Castle is a lovely old ruin.

PM me if you have any specific questions about music, walking, history etc.

Pam

Stephanie - If your husband said he wanted to golf at the Castle, he might have been referring to the new course at St Andrews. The greens fees at the Castle course are £84 and tee times can be booked on standrews.org.uk.

I remember my husband saying he wanted to golf at "The Castle". Is this the same place? I thought it was close to impossible to get a tee time for this. I wonder if certain hotels have packages that include tee times????

I woulld like to have a car in Scotland and travel down the "wee" roads...sounds fun! Also we love the hustle of a festival. We were in Siena for the Palio and it was awesome!