Need help with plan for 10 days in Scotland

I don't know if you plan on playing the old course at St. Andrews or just visiting the course and area. There is a very fun and inexpensive alternative which is playing the Himalayas putting course. This putting course is directly next to the old course and costs just a few pounds to play. Honestly, I had more fun on this course than most of the "real" golf courses I have been on!

I would suggest Oban as a possible stop for a few days. Easy access by Ferry to the Hebrides, interesting town and lots of things to see. I recommend West Coast Tours "Three Island Tour" as a great day trip to see Mull, Iona and Staffa. I don't suggest going to the aquarium which is quite sad in spite of its glossy brochures.

Stirling Castle and the Falkirk Wheel were very enjoyable and could be done either on your way out of or on your way back to Edinburgh.

Just my opinion, but flying to Europe for only 10 days does not seem like a good use of air fare money - you spend a lot to get there but when you're there, your options to see/do things are so limited. Any chance you could extend your trip?

I would take a look at the RS guidebook for Scotland. He has a two week driving itinerary that you could modify for 10 days.

Hi, smlri,

Also, check out the latest edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Scotland. They have an amazing two week itinerary of the Highlands and Islands, plus a lot of information not included in the RS guide. You could use both guides to plan your own itinerary.

As you only have 10 days, and are spending the first two in Edinburgh, you really need to figure out what your interests are in addition to golf. Are your arrival and departure dates included in those 10 days? If so, you really only have eight full days.

Are you interested in hiking, beautiful scenery, castles, lochs, mountain climbing, history, live music, interacting with the local folk, or any number of reasons to go to Scotland? As you're limited for time, you need to narrow it down.

Some of the small town golf courses have extremely reasonable greens fees and club hire fees, so you could conceivably play golf every day. Many of them are in stunning locations. However, you need to consider the rest of your party. Can you send them off to explore while you golf?

Anyway, whatever you decide to do, enjoy Scotland!

Best wishes,

Mike (auchterless)

A little distressed at the post about the airfare/value. This is certainly a personal decision made by people based upon many factors such as budget, time off, family obligations, etc. If it is a choice of coming for 10 days or not coming at all, come for 10 days!! You just need to pick what really interests you and focus on those items. Then, you can spend your time after your trip thinking about where you will go next time.

Yes, wish we could go longer but time does not allow this trip. But past experience has proven we can see so much and have a good time in Europe even if only there for 10 days. We found a great fare and booked it and now trying to plan the rest of our trip. Thanks for all the helpful info. I can now look at a map of Scotland and see the possibilities and I am starting to do some research into these places. Feel free to add anything else you think of. We are so excited to visit this beautiful place.

I only get 10 nights on every European trip (but I do get two trips per year). I've made it work, and so can you. If David feels 10 nights is "not worth going for," that's up to him, but I'm not going to stop going.

Mike, yes. We are interested in all of that. Hopefully we can find a rental that will be in a spot that we can drive to most of those things from. We (4) are all golfers but the guys only would most likely be the ones to play and we have heard about the great local courses you find there (know any names?) My friend and I can easily find something to visit if we are left on our own. I do want to visit St. Andrews and on a Sunday if it’s true you can walk the course that day. As I get into some of the things all have mentioned, I am sure I will have some questions. Thanks

Braemar has the highest 18 hole golf course in Scotland www.braemargolfclub.co.uk and this might appeal to those in your party who play.

Braemar is about a two hour drive from St Andrews and further sixteen miles along the A93 from is the pretty village of Ballater. Both are in the Royal Deeside area of Scotland which is somewhat overlooked by a lot of people who head off to Skye and all points west (can't really blame them for that though), but it does have a lot going for it and is a good base for exploring Aberdeenshire.

https://www.visitabdn.com/what-to-do/royal-deeside/

www.visitballater.com

www.braemarscotland.co.uk

And if you're on your way to Royal Deeside, one of the most spectacularly located courses in Scotland is in Stonehaven:

www.stonehavengolfclub.com

If you're not staying in Aberdeen, you could cut across on the A957 (Slug Road) to Crathes on Royal Deeside, then head west from there on the A93.

Slainte!

Mike (auchterless)

We planned a last minute trip about 6 weeks ago to Harris and Lewis and the Isle of Skye end of July through the beginning of August. Lodging on the islands was challenging to find since we booked late for that time of year. Thus, I would check availability of lodging on any of the islands that are of interest before making firm plans.

Hi, Nancy,

I don't know whether or not you've found accommodation for all of your days on Harris and Lewis, but the Harris Hotel usually has one or two rooms available.

Also, if it's not already on your itinerary, you must visit Luskentyre Beach on Harris. It's absolutely stunning! It may be the most beautiful beach in the British Isles. And it's absolutely unspoiled. Scarista Beach is no slouch, either!

Are you going to HebCelt?

Best wishes!

Mike (auchterless)

Thanks for all of the advice. Have got everything set up-4 nights on west coast, 3 nights central and 1 night at St Andrews. We will take day trips from our base homes. Now trying to figure out the best area to stay in Edinburgh for our last 2 nights, that will allow us easy access to see all that we can during this time.

Only thing I have set up so far is a walking tour. Is it important to be somewhere near the airport tram or is the airport close enough that a cab ride is not too expensive? If you know of any specific hotels or B and B's that is welcome. I have made a list of Airbnb's in various sections to work from too. All suggestions appreciated.

Mike
Yes, we got lodging but it took a bit of finagling!! We have both those spots on our itinerary - sadly we will miss Heb fest :-(
We can't wait - hopefully we'll get a bit of sun while we're there and the midges won't eat me alive!

We haven’t stayed there yet, will be there in July, but the Castleview Guest House looks to have a great location near the Royal mile. I would think you would want to stay in the downtown area as opposed to the airport since you don’t have a lot of time. I heard RS uses the Parliment hotel for his tours so that might be one to check out.

Thanks for the suggestion and I will check on availability. Some friends are going soon to Edinburgh and they are staying in New Town. Should we try to get a place around there or is it just as easy to get to things we would want to see from the West End, Old Town, Stockbridge or one of the other areas? We are dropping our car at the airport and then planned on taking the tram in and back again if possible after spending 2 full days there. Any info at all is appreciated.

You're smart to drop your car and then take the tram in and then back out to the airport. That is a good plan!

I second Oban as a good base. I would also recommend instead of staying in Edinburgh that you stay in Dunbar and use the train system. Last time we stayed there for 4 nights and did day trips to Edinburgh, and Tantallon and Dirleton Castles.