We're going to be in Scotland over the first week of Oct and would like a recommendation from the group.
We are evaluating whether to drive from Edinburgh to Inverness or take the train. It will, in all probability, be a 2 day trip.
Does this group have any recommendations on which mode of transport is better - in terms of scenic beauty especially
Thanks
I just did this trip by train about a week and a half ago. The route went through the Cairngorms National Park and it was gorgeous. It also took a lot less time than driving would have (not to mention costing a lot less) and meant that we didn't have to deal with driving in an unfamiliar environment. We could just sit back and enjoy the scenery. I'm sure driving has its own perks as well, but I really enjoyed doing it by train.
If what Ayla describes sounds sufficient to meet your desire to "see the scenic beauty", then doing what Ayla did could be a good choice for you as well. If you want to actually drive to and explore the scenic sights instead of going past them on the train, only a car allows you to explore with that amount of independence. Just one example would be the funicular Mountain Railway at Cairn Gorm, it's easier to get to the car park at the base of the funicular by car. But as Ayla points out, there are disadvantges as well as advantages to renting a car: it will take more planning, effort, and navigating.
You should also consider what you want to see once you get to Inverness. You can certainly take bus tours out the sties that surround Inverness, but you might find it more efficient to drive yourself. So think about what you want to see. Possible sights include: Culloden Battlefield (brand new visitor's center), Fort George, Cawdor Castle, Loch Ness, Castle Urquhart, the Black Isle, boat trips on the Moray Firth, a hike the Culbin Sands area, Clava Cairns and more. Go to www.visitscotland.com and choose the Visitor's Guide. Then click on the area near Inverness on the map and then Inverness. There's even a list of available tours. Pam
Train! The ride is easy and beautiful. If you get off at Aviemore, you cand catch a bus up to the Caringorm Mt. that Kent mentions. aviemore is a great village and the hotel across the street from the station is great- it looks like a little castle and has a marvelous resturant. If you have time, Aviemore is worth a day or two itself- lots to do. Then take the train on to Inverness. Or skip it and go all the way there. Inverness is so easy to get about on foot. Easy to walk to everything. There are companies that do day trips and 1/2 day trips to places of interest. Most pick up right beside the tour center.
