My family and I will be visting UK in July, splitting time between London and Edinburgh. My question relates to lodging. I was thinking of spending a couple days exploring Edinburgh then renting a car and exploring areas North of there. I'm finding some nice vacation rentals in Edinburgh but just asking for advice on where to stay. Should I be looking at towns outside of Edinburgh instead and simply drive or take train into town.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
With Edinburgh (or near to) as a base, you could easily make days out to St Andrews, Stirling and the Borders (Melrose & Jedburgh). However, I would want good public transport close by to access Edinburgh and even to Glasgow. .
I would stay in town. It's not a big city and it is really nice to be able to either just walk back to your B&B or catch a short bus ride. I highly recommend staying in town.
I would totally do your current plan. There are great places to visit not far from the city, and its much easier to not have to pack and unpack. I've been to Edinburgh once, going back again this May. I'd really stay in town, maybe not in the very downtown section (the traffic is gross near the castle/royal mile area). If you want to stay slightly outside of Edinburgh you could do Ingliston or Newbridge, but there less places to stay.
Some awesome things you can see nearby if you have a rented vehicle:
Stirling- Stirling Castle, Holyrude Abbey/Church, Wallace Monument
Falkirk- the Kelpies + there is also a nice farm park/safari excursion not too far off the highway
Loch Lohmond (this would be your whole day- depending what part you plan on visiting)
Perth area- Scottish deer center and nature area
Jedburgh- Jedburgh Abbey
