We'll be traveling to Scotland (flying to/ from Edinburgh) for the first time and would appreciate any ideas for an itinerary to give us the best overview of the country in our 10 days. We've also heard it's beautiful in the Lake District (Keswick) and to spend a couple days there. Would it be less expensive and save time to drive or take a train or some of each? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Deb, The Lake District is in England. Don't let a Scot here you infer otherwise! ; ) It's a beautiful place, but I would save it for a trip to England. You can drive or take the train. It depends on where you decide you want to go and the type of travel you like. I've done both. BTW it would help to know a bit about your interests. I can give you my tour, but might not mesh with your interests. For example, is one of you a whisky fan? Do you like to hike? Do you love castles? Are you a history fiend? No matter which method of travel you choose, I would recommend starting the tour in Edinburgh. I would spend a couple of days in Edinburgh. I would then head north. I would pick up my car in Edinburgh and drive to Stirling stopping off at Bannockburn on the way. After viewing the castle I would head further north. (Stop off at Doune Castle if you are a Monty Python fan.) I would plan to stay in one of the towns in Perthshire--Killin, Crief, Aberfeldy, or over Dunkeld. The next day would be a leisurely drive north to the Inverness area. I would stay there 2-3 nights taking day trips further north and to the east. Now, if the weather is good, I would head west and visit, Skye for a couple of nights and then down to Oban and Argyle ending in Glasgow. Toni will give you a train itinerary. If you want castles, I would send you to Aberdeenshire. Also, if you have a whiskey lover, you might want to go to Speyside. Go to Undiscovered Scotland online and explore some of the places I've mentioned. Please come back with more questions. Pam
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
Yeah- Pam knows me well....
I agree- 2 days in Edinburgh. Then train to Aviemore (Caringorm Mts. and Speyside)- problalby 3 days especially if there is a whisky lover. Do a trip to Blair Atholl, Dahlwhinnie or Strathislay. Take the funicular up the moutain and do a ride on the restored steam train. there is also a microbrewery that gives tours and samples. Lots of hikes and walks, horsebackridding, canoeing, etc. if you want outdoor stuff. Then train to Inverness. I'd plan on 5 days and do Culloden, Clava Cairns, Elean Donnan castle and Isle of Skye, Urquart Castle and Loch Ness as day or half day trips. You can even do Orkney as a long day trip. If you want a bit more cut Inverness by a day or two and/or cut Aviemore or Edinburgh by a day and take the train to Glasgow for 1 or 2 days. Though you might could do it as a day trip from Inverness.