The itinerary we planned has 4 nights in Edinburgh, we would be arriving around 5pm on monday and leaving 9am on friday. For the 3 days in between we planned, Tues-Royal Mile tours, castle etc. Weds- Day trip to Loch Ness/Highlands, Thurs-Wanted to do Skydiving in St. Andrews, which takes most of the afternoon. We already booked our flights and now I wish we would be staying one less day to make more time for the other places on our trip (Belgium, Germany, Amsterdam total 13 night trip). I heard there is not really much to do in Scotland for 4 days, should I consider changing the flight or is Edinburgh exciting enough to stay this much time here? Should we maybe do Glasgow for a night?
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
You may get a variety of answers on this one. Depends on what your family is interested in. Two days was plenty of time for me.
After you arrive, you might call a travel agent and ask about day trips out of town to interesting places nearby. Isle of Skye is one that some of my friends have boasted about.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
If you're including day trips out to Inverness and St Andrews then you're fine. It's a bit of a haul up to Inverness and Loch Ness for a day trip, but I second the advice to look for tours. Remember that there is more to Edinburgh than the Royal Mile. New town and Prince's street offer a different perspective. I go to Edinburgh every time I go to Scotland and I still have things to see. In addition to the Royal Mile, which can easily take up a day, you need to think about other places. The Museum of Scotland is fantastic and is near Grey Friars church. You should check out the Georgian House in Charlotte's Square. It's a great introduction to 18th and 19th century Edinburgh. And while you're there check out the Mussel Inn on Rose lane for lunch. The National Gallery has wonderful exhibits. The royal yacht Britannia in Leith is a great tour. Then at night it's great to hear some Scottish fiddle music at Sandy's Bells. Or you could have a wonderful Scottish dinner at Stac Poli. I haven't mentioned the Royal Botanic Gardens, climbing Calton Hill, taking a walking tour of the Vaults, or a Rebus Tour. It's a great city. Don't miss the Royal Mile, but try to see other parts as well.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
If you ONLY have 4 days in Scotland and if this is your first trip there, then stay in Edinburgh. Your plan sound pretty good. Next time, give more time to Scotland and stay in Inverness for 4 to 7 days. There are LOTS of wonderful day trips from there. Aviemore is a small village about 1/2 way between Edinburgh and Inverness. It is also worth a day or two.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
347 posts
There is enough to do in Edinburgh for 2-3 days by itself. Since you are spending most of your time not in Edinburgh, you will have plenty to do. My wife and I spent four days in Edinburgh by itself without going out of town and we wish we had spent one more day. Of course we have no kids, so we weren't trying to "entertain" anyone, but we had a great time.
Posted by
LONE TREE, CO, USA
29 posts
How about a day to Stirling Castle/Wallace Monument/nice town. It's about an hour train trip
also a sidetrip about 10 miles south of Edinburgh to Roslyn Chapel is great! Have fun
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2725 posts
On our first trip to Edinburgh we were just there one night. We fell in love with the city and hated to leave. So on our next trip we spent 7 nights in Edinburgh. We never got bored and did not regret it. It is a spectacularly beautiful city and my favorite city in the world.
Posted by
London, UK
286 posts
I second Stirling.