Hello we are flying into Edinburgh on a wednesday/thursday morn red eye (but flying Mint on jetblue so hopefully will get some rest) we land around 10am and are continuing on to Stirling for one night and then on to Oban the next day. We are considering the following options: Plan A- picking up a rental car at Edinburgh airport and driving to Stirling with a quick-ish stop to see the Kelpies along the way. We are staying at the premier inn stirling. We then plan to tour Stirling castle and have an early supper and then get to bed at a decent hour. In the morning we would wake up, head out of town and return the car at the Glasgow train statin and then take the train on up to Oban. We have never driven in Scotland before but have driven in Ireland but not for 20 years...we are in our late 40's
Our other option plan B: would be to take the bus from the airport to Stirling and then take the train the next morning to glasgow and onward to oban. But how would we get to see the Kelpies which I really want to do? Perhaps a detour on the way back from Oban to edinburgh? Could be a good way to break up the long train voyage... Thanks for reading!
Posted by
Lake District, England
10397 posts
Presumably this is the PI in Stirling city, not the one out on the M9.
The car is a complication, apart from driving unfamiliar roads on the other side off a red eye. You can't offhire at Glasgow Queen Street.
Rather than the 1153 or 1253 #909 bus take a tram to Edinburgh Park stop and then the Dunblane train half hourly to Falkirk Grahamaston station, then a taxi to the Kelpies and back. Then the next Dunblane train as far as Stirling.
Or just get to Stirling, drop your bags, do the Castle, then the Kelpies afterwards. They are open 24/7.
It's only 15 minutes from Falkirk to Stirling and trains run until midnight.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2824 posts
I can’t help you get to the Kelpies but I can tell you we were there in May of this year. One of our travel group really wanted to see them. I made fun of her...what’s the big deal…large metal horses etc.
But more fool me! They are so awesome!!!!!! We spent an hour there and really loved them. I will add that you should look at the pictures online of the Kelpies lit at night - boy are they gorgeous at night.
I tried to find a way to get back there at night for another look but we didn’t do it.
We saw the Kelpies as part of a Rabbies tour.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thanks Valerie- good point about going at night! And thanks @isn31c for all the logistics help. I think the bus to Stirling and then train over to the kelpies after supper.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7964 posts
If you had a rental car the drive to Stirling is pretty straightforward, but not recommended after a long flight and if you haven’t driven on the left in a long time. When we visited the Kelpies we had already spent a couple nights in Edinburgh to get over jet lag.
After picking up the rental car at the airport we drove to see the Forth bridge, the Kelpies, and the Falkirk Wheel en route to Stirling where we spent a couple nights. While in that area we stopped to see Doune castle that is only 8 miles from Stirling.
For you, using public transportation may be the best option.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
@jaimee thanks! I think we will skip the rental car. It seems like trying to do too much