I have an itinerary planned for our upcoming trip to Scotland, and I'm wondering if this sounds reasonable.
We land in Edinburgh approximately 3 pm on Sat, May 31. We are planning a road trip, so I booked a Hotel outside the city, the Baird Hills Hotel. They have parking available, and we plan on taking public transportation into the city for sightseeing. We will then be driving to Fort William on Wed, June 4 for the Jacobite Steam Train. From there, drive to Glasgow. I've booked another place with parking, Boutique 50. Then, Friday we return to Edinburgh, will return the car, and stay at the Hampton Inn at the airport to catch our flight to Brussels at 6 am Sat morning.
I'm hoping staying outside the city in Edinburgh will still be convenient using public transportation, as well as in Glasgow, because we don't want to be burdened with a car in the city.
Posted by
2 posts
Hi Lisa,
On face value, it all looks good. Edinburgh is a notoriously difficult city to drive in and/or find parking, so getting a hotel on the outskirts and using public transport (bus) is an extremely wise idea, especially if you're not used to navigating medieval cities, on the wrong side of the road.
One thing to take into account is that driving in Scotland ALWAYS takes longer than you think. Edinburgh to Fort William is easily a half day drive, longer if you stop to take in the fantastic scenery (and believe me, you will). Give yourself time if you're catching a train in Fort William.
Your Glasgow leg sounds fine, and from there to Edinburgh airport is an easy 45 min drive, depending on the rime of the day.
It all looks good, just check out the Edinburgh to Fort William part.
Posted by
Duluth🌲
9342 posts
I'm just curious why you don't wait to rent a car until you are ready to drive to Fort William. That would make more sense, and would certainly be cheaper and a whole lot easier.
You could rent it at Edinburgh airport, then when you leave to come back from Fort William, just return the car in Edinburgh and take the train to Glasgow and stay there.
Posted by
OP
Fairbury, Il
53 posts
Thank you for this advice. Now I can't remember if we have the morning or afternoon train! I better check into that!
Posted by
OP
Fairbury, Il
53 posts
Change of plan. The train ticket is for the 10:15 am departure.
Now I think we will not rent a car until time to leave for Ft. William.
Rent a car on Tuesday, take the time necessary to enjoy the drive. Spend Tue night in Ft William, then take the Wed morning train journey.
I still think we will keep the car and stay in Glasgow Wed and Thurs, return the car on Friday and stay at the airport hotel Fri night.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5023 posts
Your itinerary is fine but I'm curious why you're bothering with a car that you won't use for most days. I'd probably start right in Edinburgh and take a tram on Wednesday toward the airport to pick up a rental and then drop it off in Glasgow and then take the train back to Edinburgh after your Glasgow visit. Look at Celtic Legend for a rental. The drop off fee was cheap, if it's not cheap for such a short rental then you can drop it back in Edinburgh and still save a few days of rental fees.
Posted by
OP
Fairbury, Il
53 posts
More helpful advise. I thought it would be really expensive to return to a different location-but I will look into this as well!
Always good to run my itinerary through this forum-it never disappoints!
Posted by
San Diego, California
6379 posts
I thought I saw a post about the steam train not running, so hopefully you checked this. I wish I could remember the details .
In any case, have a great trip! Safe travels.
Hopefully the problems have been resolved.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9531 posts
The train is operating, but currently with a diesel engine, due to a steam ban nationwide after a serious incident elsewhere in the very dry weather ten days ago- when scores of firefighters had to fight lineside fires after a west coast railways (who run the Jacobite) passed by. It is currently unclear if this week's rain will resolve the underlying issues.
Posted by
OP
Fairbury, Il
53 posts
I've altered my plans. How does this sound?
Arrive in Edinburgh Sat afternoon, May 31. Unbooked the Baird Hills Hotel, and chose to stay at Motel 1 Edinburgh Royal Mile. We will stay Sat, Sun and Mon. I bought Edinburgh Castle tickets that can be used any day for 1 week starting on Sat. We will acclimate ourselves Sat night and visit either Sun or Mon. Also we will either do Rick's city walk, or do a guided tour. Also the Whisky Experience.
Then, Tues we will rent a car and drive to Ft William. Spend the night there (Distillery Guest House), and do the steam train Wed morning. We will then head to Glasgow and spend the night Wed and Thurs (Boutique 50). We will keep the car, because I would also like to visit Peebles ( I have some family history there, Peebles surname). We will then return the car to the Edinburgh airport, and will spend the night at the Hampton Inn-right in the airport basically, because our flight to Belgium is at 6-ish am Sat morning.
I'm hoping this will be a more relaxing itinerary for the Scotland portion of our trip. Next up-Bruges for 5 nights, and then Amsterdam (Jordaan) for 5 nights!
Posted by
Western Canada
3800 posts
Just a small point: the Braid Hills Hotel is not “outside the city”…it’s just in a quieter residential area served well by buses.
Enjoy Edinburgh!!
Posted by
SoCal
1703 posts
We actually didn't find Edinburgh to be a difficult driving city at all. And having a car made it easy to go to golfing meccas such as Gullane and North Berwick, as well as other scenic coastal towns in the area.
With all that said, if you don't need a car in Edinburgh, get it elsewhere.
Posted by
Oregon
378 posts
The Jacobite Train is running steam engines again. We heard the whistle yesterday.