Thinking about staying in B&B's without reservations?

I'm planning my first trip to Scotland now, and I'm frustrated at how limiting public transportation can be. I think you should definitely rent a car. It will make for a better trip, and it will make it much easier to be spontaneous about your lodgings, because you won't be limited to B&Bs in the major towns. I do recommend, however, that you use your smartphone/tablet to book your lodgings online (or by phone) as soon as you know roughly where you want to spend the next night. These days, that's what many flexible travelers do. If you just show up somewhere at 4 PM or 6 PM, the best options are likely to be full.

Hi, homeby51,

As you're going to be in Scotland in May, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding B&Bs without reservations. Except on Skye, but even that's not an insurmountable issue. Most B&Bs have signs out front advertising their amenities (En-suite, TV, full Scottish breakfast, etc.), and there will be a hanging or sliding sign stating whether or not they have vacancies.

If B&B owners are fully booked, most of them will know of someone nearby who has a vacancy. Just look friendly and semi-pathetic when you inquire! Your fallback option would be the local tourist information (TI) offices. They have updated information on lodging in the areas which they serve, and can usually arrange a booking for you for a small fee. Make a list of the TI offices in the areas where you plan to travel, along with their telephone numbers.

Don't discount chain hotels, i.e.: Premier Inn and Travelodge. You may be able to get a last minute booking at one of their locations. However, if you come in off the street, you'll probably be billed the rack rate. If you're planning to stay in one of those hotels, you can probably get a cheaper on-line rate by booking ahead (even the same day). Go to a local library and ask to use a computer. Go to the hotel's website, and make an on-line reservation.

In traveling without advanced lodging reservations, you will very likely make some serendipitous discoveries, as you'll be free to travel wherever the roads take you. Have a wonderful visit to Scotland!

Mike (Auchterless)

I really didn't want to book early because I don't know my itinerary. As a newcomer I don't know how long I will need in each town. All I'm sure of is my arrival date and the date I need to be in London (the 16th). As an example...I may want to leave Scotland early and go to York or something. Anyway...I think you get my idea.....
Thanks

If you have even a rough idea of your itinerary, check Premier Inns' website. They offer a fully refundable rate up until 1p on the day of arrival. It costs a bit more, but their rates are excellent, even with the premium for a fully refundable rate. Even better, you pay at the hotel, not in advance. I've made many reservations at their hotels, even double booking accidentally on occasion. If plans change, or you want to stay an extra night or get there a day early, the odds are much better that they'll be accommodating.

Inverness is not particularly scenic, but it could make a good base for trips out into the surrounding area. I guess it depends on what your interests are (hiking, distilleries, history?). As for making reservations, you might get lucky, but you might also waste a lot of time trying to sort out accommodation, whereas with a bit of forward planning you'd know you had your accommodation sorted out and could concentrate on enjoying the sightseeing. There are Premier Inns and a Holiday Inn Express (which I think is better) in Inverness as well as small B&Bs, but I'd say Inverness is getting busier and so reservations would be a good idea. If you want to stop over en route to Inverness I would certainly advise making reservations as you will be hitting smaller settlements with fewer options for accommodation.

Thanks guys. I will take a few days and do a little research and try to plan an itinerary of sort.

Since on your other thread you mentioned that you are somewhat disabled and use a walker, I am wondering about the B&Bs you will encounter “onthe fly” that might have rooms up a flight of stairs. I am reminded of a B&B we stayed in once in the UK where the bathroom for our use was down a flight of steep stairs. I mention this only to warn that this consideration may limit your choice of appropriate lodging.

As of last night the Premier Inn website was still broken; it's been almost 2 weeks now. It switches your arrival date as you navigate through the website. Be very, very careful. The smartphone/tablet app seems to work fine.

I can handle stairs. I crabwalk LOL!!! I have a cane and I do it all the time here where I live.

We went to Scotland and England last May/June. Based on our experiences and preferences, I would do Edinburgh for a few days and a day trip on Rabbies Tour to Highlands. Then 2 nights in York, which has so much to see.

Premier Inn site is a bit wonky. Sometimes, even though it changes the date at the search window, it's still correct on the actual room area, but not always. There have been times that I've had to change the date to the following day in order to get the correct price for the right day. Weekends seem to be the worst for it as it likes to show the Saturday night rate for a Sunday booking.

Be sure to verify all details before confirming the booking, especially if using the nonflex rate.

Sooooo....any recommendation on my driving route for 3 full days around northern Scotland? We have a car and have the 10, 11th, 12th to explore.

Hi again, homeby51,

Everyone has a different definition of "Northern Scotland." If we were to define the north by the old counties, I would consider the "North of Scotland" to be Sutherland, Caithness, and maybe the very northern part of Ross and Cromarty. Others probably have a different definition.

Do you have a more specific idea of which areas you'd like to visit? If you can narrow it down, we can make some recommendations.

All the best,

Mike (Auchterless)

I'm planning on going to Skye and back. I would love a nice scenic route to take. I am thinking about taking route 82 up to Fort Augustus and then taking 87 to Skye. On the way I may stop at Luss, Glencoe, and Eilean Donan Castle.
Probably stay in Portree two nights and one day.
On the way back I may take the eastern route through Dunkeld and Perth and then go to St. Andrews and stay the night. Leave from there to go to York.
What do you think?

Hi again, homeby51,

Sounds like a good plan. However, in order to avoid backtracking, you may want to consider taking the A830 out of Fort William, and taking the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. Then you can take the A87 back to Invergarry, which will give you your choice of driving to Dunkeld by way of Dalwhinnie or Loch Tay. Personally, I'd opt for the Loch Tay route, via Killin. You could also reverse your route, and take the A87 to Skye, and the ferry back.

Skye is the one place where you may have difficulty finding accommodation on the fly. It has become a year round destination for visitors to Scotland. If you are encountering difficulty, contact the TI office in Portree. They're very helpful. Also, if you do take the ferry to or from Skye, be sure to make a reservation, as they have put a smaller ferry (the Lochinvar) on alternate sailings, and it doesn't hold as many cars.

With only three days for your travels outwith Edinburgh, it may be a stretch to get to St. Andrews on your way back from Skye. That is a lot of driving! Best to skip Perth, if you can. Other than the Black Watch museum, there's not a whole lot of interest outside of Kinnoull Hill.

Slainte! Best wishes for your travels.

Mike (Auchterless)

I second the booking early for Skye. We're planning on being there early-May and several places are already booked. You'll have the advantage of a car so that will help get out a bit further.