Rick Steves' Scotland Travel Guide or Great Britain Travel Guide?

Posted by Chris (Seattle, WA) on 04/24/24 08:42 PM

Does the Rick Steves Scotland Travel Guide have the same content as the Scotland section of the Rick Steves Great Britain Travel Guide? Or is the Scotland Travel Guide more extensive?

Also, a friend and I will be spending 6 days on Iona, and 1 or 2 nights in Oban in late September/early October of this year. We have an additional 5-6 days to spend in Scotland before heading to Iona. What are people's recommendations in terms of whether we should spend that time in Edinburgh or Stirling? Or possibly a combination of the two? Thanks!

Posted by Dick

Olympia, WA, USA

04/24/24 09:07 PM

6525 posts

You'll find info on the guidebooks here, including comparisons of the different books that should answer your question. I think the answer is that the Scotland book has more detail than the Scotland parts of the Britain book, but judge for yourself. Maybe you can compare them directly in a bookstore or library before buying one.

I haven't been to Stirling but I doubt if you'd want more than a day there. Edinburgh has a lot more to see and do.

Posted by Sabrizzz

Tacoma, WA

04/24/24 10:31 PM

17 posts

I have the Great Britain book and my mom has the Scotland book, I have looked through both. The Scotland guide has a lot of the same info as the Scotland section in the Great Britain book, but does seem to include a bit more information about some attractions and does have sections about more cities/towns in Scotland than what is included in the GB book. If you're planning on just visiting Scotland you might want that book. If you are planning on visiting England and/or Wales too I'd look at the descriptions to see if all of the Scotland places you want to visit are included in the GB book or if you might want/need to get both.

Posted by Kathleen

Camano Island, WA, usa

04/24/24 10:51 PM

1450 posts

Stirling can be a day trip from Edinburgh. I would use Edinburgh as a base to visit the greater area. Friends of mine stayed in a nice apartment for a week and took day tours from there. I am wondering why you are planning 6 days on Iona? I am assuming it is to visit the Holy Sites. The Iona Abby will close for the season on Sept 30. Oban is necessary if you plan to catch a ferry. The ferry runs are weather dependent. I don't think you will have to worry about really stormy weather, yet. But you may be at the beginning of the windy/rainy season. Some historic sites will start to close in October. Try this site for ideas: www.visitscotland.org , it is a great gate way site for info on entry passes, transportation and accommodations.