This forum is always an incredible resource for us in our travels. I searched and didn't find anything here referencing my particular question. We are staying in Inverness and driving down and back to the games in Pitlochry. Also considering a train, but we have a car and having control over when we arrive/leave seems enticing. Is the traffic completely unmanageable? Parking an issue? Input on trains? Am I just a silly American unaccustomed to public transportation and letting fear overtake me? :)
(We are driving down and back in INV the same night due to the need to be in Northern Scotland afterwards.
Thanks in advance for your thoughtful comments.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8882 posts
From the Games Website-
Admission Ticket does not include parking as this depends on weather / ground conditions leading up to Games Day.
IE- There will be parking in the town, but may not be at the Games Site. The town is busy anyway normally, so the Games will certainly add a lot of pressure on.
The games site is not that far from the railway station. It's hard to know how busy the trains will be. I thought at Gourock Games they would be packed- but they were merely busy.
Why not take the LNER train heading for King's Cross from Inverness at 0755, arrive 0928- as that is a long train; then catch it's counterpart back to Inverness at 1827, arriving at 2005. Train service is broadly hourly.
The normal drive time from Inverness is 1 hour 45 minutes, plus whatever time in the congestion of everyone leaving at the same time (after the massed bands end around 5pm), and potential parking issues if the field is either unavailable (so using the normal town car parks) or becomes too wet and they have to tow people out with tractors.
The train is faster and could just be easier. You can always explore the likes of the fish ladder and dam afterwards if you do have time in hand.
Posted by
OP
Arizona
18 posts
You are so kind, isn31c. I appreciate the detailed response. Sounds like the train may be a smarter call!