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April Edinburgh + Highlands Options

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Hi Travelers! We're planning travel to Scotland in April & I've been perusing here for ideas. I could use some help on itinerary (like everyone else!). We have 5 nights in Scotland, then back to London. We're taking the train from London to Edinburgh, staying 3 nights.

We wanted to then do 2 nights in Oban, then up to Ft William to take the sleeper to London but TripAdvisor reviews are so spotty, we have doubts. (I know it's overpriced but it would save us a travel day)

Other options for getting back to London from Oban train look grueling. Train is 9 hours; getting to GLA &nd then flying is complex & takes nearly as long. It sounds like an unpleasant day.

Would you:

1) Stay put in Edinburgh and take a (long) 1 day Rabbies tour to Oban? Are there other good Edinburgh to Highlands day tours? Then, train back to London from there.

2) Inverness itself isn't charming & seems far for 2 nights and then a flight. Or is it? Edinburgh to Inverness train, overnight, Rabbies North Coast day trip from there? Spend another night, fly to London?

3) Is there another Highland location with easy transit to London that you'd go to instead of Oban?

My head is spinning, I'm driving my husband mad, and could use some input from those who know.

Posted by
409 posts

I am not sure how much help I can offer and there are Scotland experts who will provide better logistical support. Meantime, can you clarify why Scotland is sandwiched in-between London? Must it be?
That limitation seems to be an obstacle, as you are finding- I flew from the US through LHR to Inverness and back to the US from Glasgow, although I had to deal with a LHR connection again.
Everyone is different and travel is so subjective. I thought Edinburgh was wonderful but I just absolutely loved The Highlands (and was fortunate to have a week in the Outer Hebrides).
One of our smaller ferries was cancelled due to weather (common)- this was early October- so although you don't mention islands, it's a consideration with a schedule so fixed.
So far it sounds like a lot of travel, as you say, by whatever mode of transport you choose. Can you specify what most excites you - must sees, in order of preference?
I initially toyed with the idea of the Caledonia Sleeper from LHR to efficiently see swaths of countryside, but ended up choosing the flight to Inverness.
Good luck and hope you get better insight!

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks, good questions! London, because a) we got a points deal on Virgin via London and b) I'd like a day to possibly poke around to see if I can trace anything on great grandparents. The time frame is limited by my husband's vacation days. The idea of extended train travel was because we wanted to take scenic routes and watch it roll past the windows. We love train travel.

In order of preference:
1) My husband wants to explore Edinburgh.
2) I want to see some Highlands countryside. Could be travel through the Highlands to Oban and then explore the islands there, could be a tour through Glencoe, etc. I realize it will be just a taste.
3) I'd like to explore a seaside town for an afternoon & have fresh seafood.

Castles are nice, one is plenty. We don't drink, distilleries are a miss. We don't hike so extended "walks" aren't of interest.

Posted by
409 posts

That helps! Glencoe was just stunning! It seems a realistic day tour from Edinburgh and a quick check shows tours that also include Oban in their itinerary, despite likely a long day. It would give you a flavor of The Highlands within your time limits.
Maybe that's a partial answer :)
Inverness seems mostly a jumping off point for other places, and tours to Culloden Battlefield which included a beautifully curated museum. It was pretty, with the river and its walk but very touristy.
I agree about castles.
But Rosslyn Chapel was another highlight and easy by city bus from Edinburgh. It would make a great half day outing- and there's a cute cafe for lunch about halfway to or from the bus stop. I did reserve tickets online.

Posted by
10952 posts

Hi, I admit I'm a little confused by your itinerary so let me see if I'm getting this right. You're flying into London for a day and then you're heading up to Edinburgh where you have three nights. Then you have an additional two nights in Scotland and then you go back to London. Is that correct?

If so, since you don't want to rent a car, a tour does seem a likely possibility to get to where you want to go; namely the Highlands. Have you considered taking a 2-3 day Rabbies tour from Edinburgh? That would mean one or two nights outside of Edinburgh, which would fit with your itinerary (I think).

One other thing you might consider (and I'm not sure what your reasons are for not renting a car) but you could take the train from Edinburgh to some place like Inverness or Glencoe and rent a car for a day or two, then turn it back in and take the train back to Edinburgh. Unfortunately public transportation is not great in the Highlands so if you really want to see some of the beauty there, it's best to drive—or take a tour like I mentioned above. Rabbies is very well known and well recommended. If you take a one- or two-night tour with them, you have the choice of booking a place yourself or of having them do it for you. There are advantages to both.

Posted by
3 posts

Hi Mardee ... Yes, I'm confused by my itinerary too lol. Thanks for chiming in on the Rabbies tours. Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking of from Edinburgh. There are a few. You're right, a multi-way tour is also an option.

Re driving ... neither of us drives :)

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