After spending two days in Edinburgh we plan to rent a car and get into some of the highlands. We are wondering if we should catch a train to Glasgow and rent car from there and head north or can we experience some of the best of the highlands from Edinburgh?
Posted by
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
503 posts
Do you only have two days? If so, where are you flying out of? That will determine what your choices are!
Posted by
OP
11 posts
We haven't yet booked a flight to Belfast. We can book it from either Edinburgh or Glasgow
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
Train and coaches run frequently and economically from Edinburgh to Glasgow. If you need to rent a car to see the Highlands, rent in Glasgow and depart Glasgow to avoid one way rental issues and having to backtrack to Edinburgh,
Posted by
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
503 posts
With two days you are very limited but for a "wee taste" you could pick up a car in Glasgow and drive the A82 to Glencoe, the Trossachs and Loch Lomond. You could overnight in Loch Lomond or (if you're very ambitious!) Oban and then return to Glasgow. It's a lot of driving but the scenery is gorgeous and will definitely give a "feel" for the highlands!!
Posted by
3122 posts
If it was me, I'd get a rental car at Edinburgh airport and drive north to Aviemore or thereabouts, stay overnight, and work my way back to Edinburgh next day. Much as I like the Loch Lomond and Argyll & Bute region, I wouldn't consider it enjoyable to drive there and back in 2 days (even to Glasgow, which is not that much nearer).
If your heart is set on visiting Loch Lomond, head in that direction instead (A-811 via Balloch), and stay a night there. The village of Luss is very charming, for example. Next day, drive either back to Edinburgh or to Glasgow to fly out. But I wouldn't attempt anyplace up by Glencoe, Fort William, or Oban in such a short time frame.
Distances in Scotland are deceptive on a map because the roads are curvy and hilly with stone walls along the verges, and often just 1 lane in each direction with occasional turnouts for slow vehicles. It is not like driving through, say, the Shenandoah Valley on I-81.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Two days is not much time. Also, check out the cost of renting in Edinburgh and dropping off in Glasgow. It may not be much and it will cost time to get to Glasgow to pick up the car.
I would head up the A9 as far as Dunkeld. Have lunch and then head out toward Aberfeldy. You an head out Glen Lyon for some beautiful views. Then head over the mountain to Kinloch Rannoch. You're at series of lochs that make up the road to the Isles. You can't get to the Isles this way, but you can then head back east to Pitlochry, which is great town. See if there is something playing at the Festival Theatre. You can then head a bit north to head west and down to Glasgow. It would be a long day, but scenic.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
Thx for responding. Now that I have looked up those places I can see that our time is too short, so have managed to squeeze in another day for this area. Thx Pamela for the suggestion of picking up car in one city and leaving it in another. Seems the fee is reasonable in Scotland. Now to nail down a plan.
We certainly appreciate advise from the locals 😄 Thx