We are traveling to Scotland for the first time and plan to spend 4 days there. Would love advice on where to divide our time. I have read a couple days in Edinburgh. We would love to see Skye but know it is quite a drive. Is it worth it to spend time driving and sightseeing on the way to Skye for two days OR stay in Edinburgh and make shorter day trips to neighboring areas for other two days? If we stay in Edinburgh and travel to closer sights, what are some favorites and best way to get there if we don't rent a car?
Thanks:)
Posted by
Keizer, Oregon, USA
588 posts
Two days in Edinburgh and two days in Oban. You can take a ferry trip from Oban to one of the islands.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
You might consider a small group tour. Rabbies and Heart of Scotland are two I looked into, but only for a day tour out of Edinburgh. They also offer longer itineraries of 2 or 3 days that may fit your needs. I read good reviews of both; we ended up with Heart of Scotland and had a great day. There are several companies offering tours, from my reading they seem similar and are favorably reviewed. We spent two and one half days in Edinburgh concentrating on the old town and planned a day in the new town. After an evening stroll in the new town, we decided that was enough for us, changed plans and instead spent the next day on our own taking a train to Stirling. Very easy. A nice day. Good luck.
My original query, "Day tour from Edinburgh" in this Scotland forum may have some info of interest for you.
Posted by
3122 posts
Is your entire trip just 4 days, or are you going to be in the UK and/or Europe for additional days before or after? Because if you're flying from the US to & from Edinburgh with just 4 days on the ground, you're going to be jetlagged the first day and packing up for home on the last day. If so, I would stay in Edinburgh the entire time. There's plenty to see in Edinburgh, and you can do a day trip to any number of interesting places to get outside the city and experience a smaller town, for example Roslin (Rosslyn Chapel) or Stirling (Stirling Castle) or Perth (Scone Palace), or possibly Blair Atholl (Blair Castle). As the earlier comment suggested, there are also van tours that give you a taste of the highlands in one day.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thanks everyone! We appreciate the advice!