Rent a car?

Hi, d.f.hall,

Based on my experience, I would say definitely rent a car. If you rely entirely on public transportation, you miss out on a lot. With a car, you can stop whenever you want, whether it be for taking photos or for stopping to eat at a pub or restaurant that catches your eye. Or just to stop and take in the spectacular scenery.

There are some caveats, however, to renting a car. First of all, you won't need a car during your time in Edinburgh. It's an encumbrance as opposed to a convenience. You'll be driving on the left side of any two lane or more roads, and the steering wheel is on the right. If you are uncomfortable driving a standard transmission (stick shift), then spend a little extra for an automatic. If you have not driven in Britain before, roundabouts take a bit of getting used to. There are videos on YouTube which are helpful. Also, you'll probably encounter single lane roads with passing places on Skye. YouTube videos are helpful there, as well.

Finally, as you're flying out of Edinburgh, pick up your car at the airport after your three days in the city. That will make getting on the road toward Inverness a lot easier.

Have a wonderful time in Scotland!

Best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)

Currently the Jacobite train is yet again in doubt for 2025.

There was considerable dis-satisfaction both from customers and local stakeholders over the operation this year. The operator is again in locked horns status with the rail regulator over the same thorny issue of wanting to run with non compliant train cars again next year. A report is also awaited into a serious on track incident called a SPAD (Signal Passed at Danger) incident towards the end of this season. This in spite of now owning plenty of train cars which meet the safety regulations.

This seems to be a never ending story regarding the running of the Jacobite Steam Train. No-one is betting any money on the outcome of events.

At least make a provision within your plans to do the Fort William to Mallaig rail journey on the normal scheduled diesel train over the same tracks..

One night in Skye is not enough. On our visit to Scoltland, we rented a car. We commuted into the big cities by train, staying in bedroom communities.

Sit down and do a detailed itinerary by car, calculating driving time from one place to another. You may be surprised at how long it takes to get from one place to another. For instance, we drove from Skye to Saint Andrews. From one side of Scotland to the other, seeing a few sites on the way took 12 hours.

I agree, one night on Skye isn't enough as it will only give a few hours there...

Do Glencoe on your way from Fort William to Stirling so add that night to Skye.

A question for isn31c..... Looking at the Jacobite website it says

The dates for the Jacobite 2025 season trips have now been confirmed.
We will be going live with bookings for these on Thursday 5th
December.

There is a comment they won't be running from 1st-5th September inclusive because of scheduled line maintenance.

I can't find anything on the web this evening about potential problems with services next year - may be you have access to information not in the public domaine?

Speaking of the Fairy Pools, here is a tongue-in-cheek article from the P&J:

www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands-islands/6641447/fairy-pools-long-walk-emily-silver-tik-tok/

Mike (Auchterless)

Not sure what "booked" means. If it's just the flight then you still have some flexibility.

I'd definitely rent a car, as public transportation adds 30-50% to the transit time (with some exceptions). A SatNav or co-pilot with a good map is essential. We use a dashboard GPS that I pre-program with all the routes and stops before leaving the States. One button push first thing each day, with the occasional fiddle for the unexpected.

These suggestions reflect our personal tastes in things to do, but if you get an early start from Edinburgh, you can hit Culloden on the way in to Inverness. Spend just one night in Inverness, then head to Skye maybe via Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness, stopping at Fairy Pools. After night on Skye, do the Totternish Peninsula circumnavigation, maybe with time to hike The Old Man or Quraing. A second night in Skye, then head to Fort William, maybe via Eilean Donan (over-rated). Next day the Jacobite (or diesel) to Mallaig and back. Maybe do Steall Falls or Lochan Trail that evening. Next day, either move on to Stirling or stay another night in Ft. William with some more hiking. If you get an early start from Ft. William, you could see Doune Castle that afternoon (ex-Outlander location), then do the Stirling things (Castle, Wallace Monument, etc.) the next day.

You question isn't clear about whether you're spending the last night in Edinburgh or going from Stirling to the airport.

If you use Google Maps and ask directions between say, Edinburgh and Inverness, then "search for Things to Do" along the route, and populate a travel plan. Add some time to Google driving times (25%?) as they are based on the speed limit, not the speed of sheep, coo, or tractors, nor do they reflect rookie wrong-side drivers. Many sites let you know how long you need to enjoy them, although I think they leave a lot of time for gift shops :-)

You also need to consider how your group travels. You proposal is not very "relaxed" and my changes don't help. It's a bigger country than you think and you might want to consider axing one of your destinations. We're used to "hectic" trips ("We'll sleep in the grave") and our group travels very light (carry-ons) and never unpack. We're at breakfast by 8am and on the road by 9am. And my wife has learned to suppress gasps as we careen down N roads at the speed limit. It wasn't until our third trip that we spent three days in one place (Skye).

Mike-

As you mention in your Pay and Display trip report, the parking situation at many of Scotland's finest places has gone a little crazy. It's nice that they raise some funds to pave the access roads, maybe clean up the trash and build a loo, but it is sad to see tourism going overboard.

Of course when I moved to S. Oregon 30 years ago, airport parking was free in a dirt field. Now its $15/day (but at least they won't siphon your gas).

Ah the good old days...

Wasleys,

Yes there is trade information which is not in the general public domain. West Coast Railways did exactly the same last year in taking bookings for trains they always knew they were highly unlikely to be able to run, then cancelling at the very last moment, leaving people high and dry.

It really profoundly disappoints me to be again having to play the same record as last year. In fact it is scarcely believable that we are here again.

It would not be responsible if people were not at least aware that there are ongoing issues. I had hoped this would be finally resolved (in whatever direction) before questions started appearing on the forum for next year. Silence would have been bliss.

They have applied for a 2nd judicial review of the decision not to allow the Mark I's to run, on grounds which seem to some observers as shaky.

Please don't come to Skye for just one night and only to see the Fairly Pools. The fairy pools are just a series of small waterfalls coming off a mountain range. All over Scotland you will see similar pools! If you come to the fairy pools you will encounter a lengthy stretch of single track road, congested with camper vans and rental cars, many of whom have little idea of how to drive on our roads, a busy car park, and a long line of people hiking up to the pools. At that time of year what you won't get is a relaxing hike, any hint of solitude, or a real sense of Skye.

If you want to come here please try to squeeze more than one night into your schedule and have a look at Walk Highlands to check out a multitude of other less congested and equally beautiful hikes on the island. I'd do 3 nights in Skye and 1 night in Fort William. Just my personal opinion....

Sit down and do a detailed itinerary by car, calculating driving time
from one place to another. You may be surprised at how long it takes
to get from one place to another.

I'd also add about 30% to the driving time that Google Maps gives you. Maybe more when you're driving in Skye and it's single track roads. Scotland deserves all the time you can give it, but it can be slow-going from place to place.

Thanks for that update isn31c. That is very interesting and doesn't reflect well on WCR again....