I'm going to hiking in the Scottish Highlands for about a week and I want to leave my "civilian clothes" in Edinburgh and then pick them up again rather than carry them 100+ miles. There is left baggage in Waverly train station that is expensive for short periods of time but falls to 3.50 pounds a day for extra days. Rick (and others) recommend the lockers at the nearby bus station but I'm not sure about the pricing. They're clearly cheaper for short term storage and they're by size of locker and not per piece so you can stash as much as fits. But it looks like the 24 hour charge applies everyday - can anyone confirm this? Also is there a maximum time before they clean out the lockers or how does that work? If the bus station charges for every 24 hours I actually think the prices at Waverly will be less over time if I get everything into a single item for storage. Any insight is appreciated!
=Tod
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If you will be returning to your Edinburgh hotel for at least one night, the easiest thing to do is see if the hotel will hold a bag for you.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I take it you're walking from place with a back pack? I've done quite a bit of walking in Scotland and have found it easy to stay in one place and do day trips. So, that's one thought to look into. Otherwise, if your Edinburgh hotel won't help out, I would use Waverly. I've left bags there for a limited time and it's a very safe place to leave it. You could increase the chance of the Edinburgh hotel letting you leave a bag if it's small, and you're staying several nights--maybe a couple at the beginning of your trip and a day on your return. BTW no matter when you are going, I would strongly recommend a waterproof jacket. I like one with a hood, rain pants, a midgie hat, and really good walking boots. You won't be happy with running shoes. The paths tend to be rocky and wet, boggy and you often are using rocks to cross streams. It's beautiful and a wonderful place to walk. Pam
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
237 posts
Thanks for the all the advice! I am staying at the same hotel in Edinburgh for a couple of days before and after and it was my first thought to ask to stash a bag at the hotel. I just want to have a solid back-up plan if that doesn't work out. I've done a lot of California sierras hiking but I have had to increase my stock of wet weather gear. The friend I'm hiking with has spent time hiking there and I'm following his lead in terms of gear. Thanks,
=Tod
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
You're going to love it. BTW walking = hiking in the UK. :) The weather is very, very changeable. It can be raining and windy in the west and sunny and calm in the Cairngorms. Have fun!