Please sign in to post.

Need Help with Itinerary Ideas

Just starting the research and planning process for a trip (9 or 10 days) to Scotland in August of 2027. We will be relying on rail/bus/taxi for getting around as I don't want to try and learn to drive on the left while trying to enjoy a vacation. Our group size may be anywhere from two to eight people. Trying to come up with the best balance of historical sites, the Highlands, the coastal towns, etc. We don't want to move to a different town every day, so probably looking to do day trips from bases in Edinburgh, Inverness and Stirling.

As far as the Highlands go, I do have one question. We went to Iceland a couple of years ago, and I'm curious if the scenery is similar. Not saying we wouldn't still go, but it might move down the priority list if it's going to be very similar to scenes there. Would appreciate advice from anyone who has traveled to both countries.

Thanks in advance for any input or ideas!

Posted by
1767 posts

A couple of thoughts:
Maybe one of the seven other possible travelers would be keen to drive.
You can do a day trip from Edinburgh to Stirling.
I don't know what parts of Iceland you visited (or what type of scenery you're used to seeing), but I'm going to just go ahead and say no, the scenery isn't similar. Also, Iceland is pretty much all scenery, while Scotland HAS very nice scenery, but visiting there is also about history, culture, architecture, food, etc.

Posted by
3 posts

I don't know if anyone would be willing to drive as I don't believe anyone in our potential group has ever been to the UK. Plus, if we did end up as a group of eight, I'm thinking that might limit us as far as car hire options are concerned.

Thanks for the input on the Highlands. Like I said, I'm trying to find a good balance of natural scenery, history, culture, architecture, etc. Would Inverness be a good base for day trips, such as Isle of Skye or Loch Ness?

Posted by
192 posts

Would Inverness be a good base for day trips, such as Isle of Skye or Loch Ness?

Loch Ness is very close to Inverness (hence the name).