On the day we are starting our RS Tour at 4pm, we do not have anything planned. The two day lead-up to the start, we are doing a one-day Isle of Skye tour and then a day of wandering Inverness, river walks, etc. We need to be in town for the 4pm start. Any morning/early afternoon excursions near by that we can access without a car? Many ideas seem to overlap with what we will do on the RS Tour. I was thinking of Cawdor Castle, just would need to figure out transportation. Any other options?
Posted by
Wisconsin
136 posts
We are doing the 13 day tour of Scotland in September. The day of the tour we are doing a private tour to Falkirk wheel and the Kelpies. I know a lot of people would say you can go on the train, but I would just as soon make sure I get meet the group. Our tour begins in Glasgow, but I know it’s about the same distance from Edinburgh.
Posted by
OP
Alberta, Canada
41 posts
@Anne that sounds like a fantastic trip. We are heading up to Inverness on the train as soon as we fly-in to Edinburgh so we can catch a 1 day tour out to Isle of Skye. We are doing the RS 8 day tour so we miss that west side of the island. Otherwise I think we would have done something like the tour you recommended. We need to find something based out of Inverness that tour start day so we can make it back in time for the 4pm meet-up. We might end up just wandering some river walks, catching a book store, and cozying up in a pub.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2320 posts
Tourist Information on 36 High Street is possibly your best source of ideas and help...
Cawdor Castle is going to be very problematic by public transport. You may have to use a taxi.
Two questions:
Does the RS tour include Culloden? If not that is worth visiting and afterwards do the short walk to Clava Cairns
If it doesn't include a boat trip on Loch Ness, have a think about that. Have a look at this one which starts from Inverness bus station, saving the problem to getting to Dochgarrock Loch where most of the cruises start from.
Another suggestion is to catch a bus to Beauly (ruined Aabbey ) and then onto Dingwall. Bus 28 from Inverness bus station.
OR use bus 27 from Inverness to Dingwall and then onto the spa town of Strathpeffer.
Posted by
OP
Alberta, Canada
41 posts
@wasleys thank you for the ideas. Our tour does include Culloden and the Loch Ness boat tour so we will leave those out from our plans. I will check out the Tourism Information website and office when we get there. I was looking into renting some bicycles but my sister has a shoulder injury that she thinks might not be ideal for hiking. I emailed Ticket to Ride and they are already fully booked out for our date from tours as well.
Hopping to Dingwall and some other small towns by bus is a great idea. I will look into these. Love that Undiscovered website!
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
The other possibility is The Black Isle- and the historical towns of Cromarty and Fortrose on Bus 26- scroll down on this full timetable of buses north of Inverness.
To any of the destinations mentioned here and in the previous post buy an Inverness Zone 2 Day Rider for £8.70 on the first bus you board- contactless payment
Posted by
OP
Alberta, Canada
41 posts
@isn31c Thank you for some more great ideas. It looks not ideal that this free day for us falls on Sunday as far as bus schedule.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
Oh it' s a Sunday. Oh dear.
Well you asked originally about Cawdor Castle-
What about catching train or bus to Inverness Airport, then taking a taxi from there to Cawdor and back,
Train at 0959 (10 minute journey), return train at 1500, or hourly Bus 11- scroll down.
Alternatively stay on to this bus to Ardersier for the short walk to Fort George
or the Strathspey Steam Railway-
main line train Inverness 0940, Aviemore a 1020- Steam train round trip 1030 to 1212,
time in Aviemore, then the 1349 train back, arrive 1429