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Only 4 Days-Starting in Edinburgh

Greetings travelers!
My husband and I only have 4 days to get a taste of Scotland. We will take the train from London to Edinburgh, spend a night or 2 there, grab a car and try to get a first impression. We don’t want to spend all of our time in the car on long road trips, but we do want to get out of town and see the lush countryside. We are thinking of another place to base ourselves for 2 nights, then heading back to take the train back to London. He’s a pilot and this is a work trip that just came up, so it’s just in a weeks time. How can we make the most of our visit? Last year, we went to Ireland. Loved Dingle, the “off the beaten path” Abbey ruins, falconry, towns with history and charm, easy hikes, and a pint or two after a long day,

Any ideas for a second base or how you might spend your time would be appreciated!
Thank you

Posted by
13 posts

Personally I would spend my time in Edinburgh, there is enough to see, do and experience. But if i felt the need to explore a bit I would just book a day trip, or 2, with Rabbies Tours. That way you would get a taste of the countryside.

Posted by
1710 posts

Have you checked that you find suitable accommodation in Edinburgh at this time of year. It will be exceptionally expensive as the Fringe festival starts on 7th August.

If you only have a day outside Edinburgh I wouldn’t bother renting a car. It’s more trouble than it’s worth trying to drive in Edinburgh, so you’d want to rent from the airport, which would mean taking the tram or bus out to the airport to pick up the car, giving you even less time for your day trip. A Rabbie’s tour is a good idea, or maybe base yourself somewhere other than Edinburgh for the whole time in Scotland and then a car might make more sense. But honestly your time is so short that you won’t have time to do the highlands justice and the countryside in southern Scotland isn’t much different from northern England.

Posted by
1760 posts

New Lanark is an UNESCO site and is both Scenic and a Time Travel Trip to the Industrial Revolution with a sympathetic version of Popular Socialism. I really enjoyed it. Staying near Inveraray Castle is in Argyle is a great second location. We stayed in a Farm Manor House. This is countryside and lochs without driving for days. You can go to Stirling on your way back. You can take the train back from Glasgow, also. The Kelvingrove Museum & Gallery is a Victorian wonder, plus the National Gallery are both in Glasgow. Have fun!

Posted by
2026 posts

I remember a recent post from Stuart about a direct train from London to Stirling, so that's an option, as well, to avoid the high cost and massive crowds in Edinburgh. Nearby are the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel (so cool!). The town of Linlithgow was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and you can tour that castle. For pints, consider patronizing a community-run pub. Here's how to find them:
https://camra.org.uk/community-pubs

Posted by
12110 posts

From Stirling you could easily visit the Trossachs and Loch Katrine, and further north towards Aberfeldy and Highland Perthshire- the Crannog Centre. Pitlochry, and Rannoch.

For car rental there seems to be Arnold Clark, Europcar and Enterprise in Stirling.

The new train service direct to Stirling is Lumo Trains.

For next Tuesday, on the 1019 Lumo from Euston there are fares as low as £52.80, on the 0611 £49.90. 0611 is an early start, but you are in Stirling at 1147. So half a day to start with.
Get yourself a Two Together Railcard for £35 to get 33% off the train fares- https://www.twotogether-railcard.co.uk/

So £52.80 becomes £35.10. 2T isn't valid before 0930 on weekdays so wouldn't work on the 0611 train.

The last Lumo of the day to London leaves at 1709, arriving at 2317, so you have all day before needing to leave.

Looking at booking.com as a guide there seems to be good hotel availability in Stirling at pretty reasonable prices.