My husband and I are traveling to Scotland for the first two weeks in August (we know it’s the busiest time to go but he’s a teacher who also does summer school so that’s the time we have for travel). We are trying to do this without renting a car and for most of the trip we should be ok since we’ll be in Edinburgh the first four days, then we’re going to Oban by train for the next four, then it gets tricky because we’re going to Aberlour for four days as well before we spend one last day in Glasgow. We already have a shuttle booked from Oban to Aberlour but once we’re in that area Is it possible to see Speyside and the Cairngorms without a car? We know uber doesn’t really exist there but I’ve been getting mixed info on the availability of taxis as well. I’ve researched the local taxi companies and there definitely seem to be a few but my concern is whether we would need to book in advance for everything or if we can call taxis as we needed them. We are also open to hiring a tour situation to do the distilleries and the Cairngorms if that’s the best way to do it. If anyone has any recommendations for getting around that area that I haven’t thought of or really just any recommendations for the Speyside area in general for early August, I would really appreciate the help! Thanks in advance!
Posted by
London
1522 posts
I've always had a car in Speyside, so can't speak from first hand experience of taxis. From a quick Google, there's definitely one firm with bases in Dufftown and Elgin and another in Craigellachie. There's also one in Grantown on Spey (Skye of Curr).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1GZPRvrW643s5xkt5 - Grantown on Spey
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SvJiCHXbdUGvep9n6 - Dufftown
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jbk1VPtDH1UcCp3BA - Elgin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W9P1HEKJyvx2JG9E6 - Craigellachie
The problem may be that some or all of these will most likely have school run contracts to fulfil if your visit is towards the end of the month when the schools are back. Makes it tricky if they only have one or two drivers to have someone tied up all day.
If you'd consider renting a car it would make your four days up there much more fulfilling. You're at risk of being stuck by your lodgings for some of that time if you're not driving. If you want to pick up a car locally, I'd maybe look in Aviemore or Inverness, which are easily reached by train. These aren't difficult roads to drive, in summer at least.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9179 posts
It is certainly possible
Most bus services from Aberlour are headed from Dufftown to Elgin- the hourly #36.
Getting from Oban to Aberlour normally involves a long diversion via Glasgow.
However there is a Citylink bus #978 from Oban at 0920 direct to Stirling (headed for Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh) - arrive at 1210, then the train at 1236 to Aviemore, arrive 1438 then the #36A bus (which runs 3x daily) at 1635 (heading to Dufftown) arrive at 1741.
EDIT- I have looked up paper timetables. The #978 above connects at Stirling into the Citylink hourly #M8 at 1213 to Perth (Broxden Park and Ride) arrive at 1300. There it connects into the 1305 #M10 to Aviemore arrive at 1450. From Perth Broxden to Aviemore there is a bus every 30 minutes.
On Speyside there is a 'Whisky Trail by bus' leaflet. The bus #36 above serves-
The Glen Moray distillery at Elgin, The Glen Grant distillery at Rothes, The Speyside Cooperage at Craigellachie, The MacAllan distillery at Craigellachie, The Aberlour Distillery, The Glenfiddich distillery at Dufftown and The Balvenie distillery at Dufftown.
At Elgin you can connect into the hourly #11 or the M96 (the latter is a codeshare with Citylink on the long haul Aberdeen to Inverness service) as far as Forres for the Dallas Dhu and the Benromach distilleries.
The Cardhu distillery at Knockando is a short taxi ride from Aberlour.
Moray council also run a special distillery bus #366 a few times a day from Aberlour to Elgin which additionally serves the Dailuaine and Glenfarclas distilleries at Aberlour and the Tamdhu distillery at Knockando.
So enough options there to get you pretty tipsy.
The #36A bus above gets you to Aviemore via Grantown, with connections at Aviemore for the Cairngorm Mountain resort and railway. An Inverness Zone 4 dayrider ticket for £18.40 covers all these buses (except the #366). That is £43.40 a week so has paid for itself by the end of Day 3. Buy on the first bus you board or on the Stagecoach app.