Just returned from RS Scotland tour. Well worth it. Satisfied most of our normal Scotland history questions. Then rented a car in Edinburgh for two weeks in the Highlands. Here's a few suggestions:
1. Be very careful when renting a car to see that you get the proper insurance. Unlike on other car-rental vacations, in Scotland we bought the road-hazard insurance. Was well worth it, because of the Scotland road conditions and the fact that because Americans are not used to driving on the left, the left front tires of rental cars often are damaged. We had such a tire and because we were on the isle of Skye and had the insurance, a new car was delivered to us within a day.
2. A few lodging suggestions at affordable prices -- In Edinburgh, the Angel's Share Hotel just a block from Princess Street and a few blocks from downtown; in Glencoe, the Ghlasdruim B&B with Maureen as host. In town and Maureen had good suggestions for local sightseeing; after the ferry to Armadale on Skye, the Morar B&B hosted by Janey and husband and two young daughters. Good location and wonderful breakfasts; In Portree at the Marine House on the picturesque waterfront with Fiona as hosts. A delightful spot. In Gairloch, a day's drive northwest from Portree, try the Oakwood Guest House near the village and on a picturesque golf course. In Glasgow, before the flight home, the Holiday Inn Express a few steps from the airport was good. Arrived a day early and had to accept a room at the Travel Lodge near the Holiday Inn Express. Avoid the Travel Lodge at all costs. Bad service, dirty room, skimpy breakfast all at awful price.
Posted by
3123 posts
These are great tips -- who knew that the Travelodge was icky while the Holiday Inn Express is pretty OK!
You may also want to post this same review under Trip Reviews on that side of the forum.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2681 posts
I last stayed in the Travelodge at Glasgow airport about 6 years ago and it was ok them, must have gone downhill since then ,never bother with breakfast as I was getting an early flight so had breakfast at the airport. In general in Find Travel lodges to be ok but nothing special.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
The budget chain Premier Inn is better than Travelodge, generally. Booking an airport hotel at the last minute is always expensive. No excuse for dirty rooms.
Posted by
3123 posts
Having stayed at both the Holiday Inn and the Holiday Inn Express, I can say the former was really superb. As airport hotels go, it's by far the nicest I've experienced, comfortable and attractive all around, with lovely helpful staff. The breakfast was excellent too.
The HIExpress was OK, bed was a little narrow and creaky, but perfectly OK for the price.
Posted by
63 posts
Just a warning about getting rental car insurance to cover damage to tires. We rented a car in Edinburgh earlier this year from Hertz, and the insurance Hertz offered specifically excluded coverage for damage to tires. As others have noted, tire damage is quite common because of the Scottish roads and inexperienced American drivers, and we were no exception, because we got a flat tire which required a replacement tire, and damage to a second tire, neither of which would have been covered by the Hertz insurance. Luckily the car rental coverage we had on the credit card we used to rent the car did cover the damage to the tires. So if you are thinking about getting the coverage offered by the car rental company you need to read the policy carefully and/or check to see if you credit card offers such coverage.