We are spending 7 nights in Scotland in May. The first 3 nights and last night in Edinburgh (flying in and out of this city). In between we would like to rent a car and drive to one other destination for nights 4-6. Isle of Skye seems too far. Is there a reasonable journey to the Highlands where we could stay and take short day trips.
We have driven in west Ireland and in the Yorkshire Dales but are in our early 70’s and don’t want too much stress.
Thanks for any suggestions
Posted by
60 posts
We enjoyed 2 nights in Glasgow. Kelvingrove Museum and Kelvingrove Park were great. The Glasgow Cathedral and pedestrian friendly Buchanan St. were both enjoyable. Many restaurants in the Finnieston neighborhood. It’s only a short train ride from Edinburgh. We loved Edinburgh and wanted more time in the Highlands than the couple of days we had available so we went to Glasgow and saved the Highlands for another trip. Either way I’m sure you’ll have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you find your kind reply. We really do want to see some of the Highlands. Thinking of staying 3 nights in Aviemore as a base
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8379 posts
You might try reading through this thread from a couple of days ago . That has some good information about Aviemore and some other places. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/scotland/day-hike-town-stay-recommendations-one-week-in-scotland
Posted by
Delaware
1510 posts
Hi, commitch53,
If you do decide to stay in Aviemore, there are some good low level hikes in the western part of Cairngorms National Park. One in particular, which Mrs A and I enjoyed, is a circular walk around Loch an Eilean. There are a couple of slightly hilly parts, but it's a perfect walk for folks our age!
Aviemore is also a reasonable drive for the towns along the Moray Firth coast, and even Inverness would not be out of the question. Royal Deeside would be a bit of a stretch for a day trip, but it's certainly doable with an early start.
Don't forget to ask for a senior discount (usually listed as "Concessions") at places which offer it. That would include most castles, gardens, etc.
Best wishes for your travels!
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
Lake District, England
8410 posts
If you are wanting an island trip then you could go to Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides.
The breakfast time flight from Edinburgh to Stornoway on Loganair sees you there by 9am.
And there are two afternoon flights back on your Day 6 from Stornoway to Glasgow at about 4pm and 7pm. So you could have 3 full days there. From Glasgow airport it only takes about 90 minutes by express bus then train to transfer back to Edinburgh.
Another thought to see more is that, rather than spend 3 nights in one place (like the Aviemore area) you could do a three day road trip up to John O'Groats then the 4pm flight back from Wick to Aberdeen on Eastern Airways. You'd probably need to drop the car in Wick town (not the airport) then a taxi ride. It is such a short taxi ride that it is only 30 minutes walk or less from Wick Station to the airport (so under two miles). North of Inverness you are essentially taking the Eastern side of the NC500.
From Aberdeen train or express bus back to Edinburgh. (it is a bus transfer from ABZ to Aberdeen Station). Very manageable.
On the same theme you could do a three day road trip- up to Aviemore, then the North East coast and Aberdeenshire and back through Fife to Edinburgh.
Even the Isle of Islay is possible as an island trip with the morning flight from Glasgow on Day 4, and the evening flight back on Day 6.
Another island option is the morning flight from Glasgow to Benbecula, arrives 1045 then three days down through Uist and Eriskay to Barra, flying back from Barra on the afternoon of Day 6.
On both Lewis and Uist there are local car rental options.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8379 posts
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