I am planning a trip in August with the Isle of Harris and city of Edinburgh being my main focus. One of my friends also strongly suggested that I not miss Inverness and he suggested taking trains/bus/ferries to the Western Isles versus flying. I am a photographer and will be hauling heavy equipment that will take up most of the weight and room in my luggage.
However, I have some very dear friends that live in the Southampton (England) area. I cannot imagine going to the UK without trying to see them. However, it seems very expensive and time-consuming to take trains or planes or bus to the south. Trains and "coach" are what my UK friends keep suggesting, but my research shows that they are almost as expensive as planes and more time consuming. But I am not sure. I have never been to the UK outside of the city of London. They say that I can find cheap tickets and that I will see more and be able to not worry about luggage as much. But then what about hauling luggage on "the tube"" in London? It seems all routes I would want to take from either Glasgow or Edinburgh require travel on the "tube." I would never travel in New York City with a lot of heavy stuff or luggage so the tube thing seems like it is not a viable option.
Suggestions? Thanks in advance!