Traveling to Scotland in April 2024 with 2 friends who have never visited. I've visited many times and have family there as well. Edinburgh will be the base, we will be there 1 week. I've been doing the research, all tours, adventures, etc look amazing. Tryng hard to not go down the rabbit hole on this one! Ha ha I'm thinking do a few 1 day tours, possibly a 2 day overnight tour. Any suggestions as to what NOT to miss and what we should take a pass on this trip? No car, using public transportation, train, buses, etc. I would like to remain friends with the 2 ladies who are going so, I'm trying to not max out their week with a hectic schedule! Also, we are three 50ish old ladies in fair shape who can walk a bit. LOL Thanks for any help and if you happen to be traveling in Edinburgh that time as well, let's meet for a drink!
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8118 posts
If you're interested in tours (and since you won't have a car, it's a good way to get around), many people here recommend Rabbies tours. They are based in Scotland and have tours that start in Edinburgh ranging from 1 day up to 10 or more.
I would check these out and see if any of them look interesting to you and your friends. https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2310 posts
As Mardee says, Rabies gets consistently good reviews. There is also Timberbush.
Avoid the day tour to Loch Ness and Glencoe from Edinburgh which involves a long time sitting in a coach for not much time once there. Instead, go for either the West Highland Lochs and castles or Highland Lochs, Glens and whisky
Posted by
Canada
25 posts
Since you've been to Edinburgh many times I won't make any suggestions of the really well-known things to see, but when my family spent 8 nights there this past summer there were a few things that stood out:
Chocolatarium - was high rated on travel sites, but I didn't know anyone else who had gone. It ended up being a family highlight. Our group for the tour/tastings included a group of much older ladies than you, but they were having a great time as well. Definitely a good laid back few hours when you're tired of walking
- Auld Reekie Vault Tour - this wasn't on our original itinerary, but we had some free time and booked last minute. Whole family and everyone in our group enjoyed it a lot, and showed us a side of Edinburgh we hadn't known existed
- Glasgow - A quick train ride to Glasgow ended up being one of our favourite days. Totally different vibe from Edinburgh, and we feel like we got a great overview just taking one loop of the Hop-on hop-off bus and getting off at places that interested us.
- Linlithgow - easy day trip, only about 25 minutes by train. We rented a canal boat of our own for most of the day, but they do guided trips. Linlithgow the town as well as the castle were very nice, and a good change of pace. Could be a good half day.
Have a great time.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2453 posts
With Rabbies tours be sure you know where they drop you off at end of the tour. We were most unhappy with the last one we took with them as far as drop off location and I seem to remember someone else having a problem with that as well.