Inverness or Cotswold?

Posted by jlorentzen33 on 12/26/24 02:50 PM

We have a trip coming up in July with some time constraints and wondering if we should go to Inverness and area or Cotswold. To begin:

We fly into Copenhagen and will spend 4 nights there.
Then we spend 10 nights aboard Windstar Legend for a Norwegian fjord cruise.
We debark in Edinburgh and have 7 nights left on our trip. I thought we would spend 2-3 night in Edinburgh
Then, either to Inverness and Scottish highlands for 2 nights or to Cotswold for 2 nights.
Then to London for 3 nights.

Which would ;you pick? Inverness and area or Cotswold? Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Posted by Mardee

Duluth 🛶

12/26/24 03:57 PM

8263 posts

First, it would be helpful to know if you will have a car after Edinburgh or if you will be relying on public transport.

Also, keep in mind that 2 nights only gives you one full day; which is not nearly enough time to explore the Scottish Highlands.

Having said that, I would really consider staying in Edinburgh the entire 4-5 nights, and maybe take a day tour to some places. Rabbies has 1-day tours that come highly recommended here and that leave from Edinburgh. https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh

That would give you enough time to explore Edinburgh and see some of the countryside. Then once you are done, just take the train down to London and enjoy your last 3 nights there. Save the Cotswolds for another time.

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

12/26/24 08:54 PM

8256 posts

If you go to the Cotswolds by any means (car, flight or train) you will spend most of the day travelling, so will only get one day there.

Stay in Edinburgh and you get two full days especially if you transfer to London on the Caledonian sleeper train.

'Edinburgh' is actually 4 ports- South Queensferry, Newhaven, Rosyth and Leith. On a small ship like that you arrive at Leith (right beside the Royal Yacht). From there you are straight onto the tram to the airport (a one hour ride) then two hours check in, one hour flight to LHR, Birmingham or Bristol then about two hours from any of those to the Cotswolds, so at least 6 hours to get there, depending on flight timings.

Driving (to Moreton in Marsh) takes a minimum of 6 hours with no stops and no issues due to peak summer traffic.

The train to Moreton is also 6 hours, with two changes.

So the mode of travel makes no real difference.

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

12/27/24 03:08 PM

2339 posts

If you are already in Scotland and with the time limit of only two days, stay in Scotland (the scenery is a lot more dramatic than the Cotswolds!) . Mardee has already mentioned Rabbies one day tours. Don't be sucked into the one to Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands unless you want to spend all day sitting in the bus. The West Highlands, Lochs and castles is regarded as much better. The one to St Andrews and the fishing villages of Fife is 'gentler' scenery and is an attractive day out.

If you want to get out of Edinburgh then think about Pitlochry for teh two nights - easily reached by traiun freom Edinburgh.