I am absolutely thrilled to say that, barring any crazy events, I will be partaking in my very first RS trip, very first time crossing an ocean, and very first big trip "on my own" with the RS Best of Scotland trip (and an extension with a Rabbie's tour to Skye) in June 2026! I'll be flying in and out of Glasgow, and the cheapest flight with the fewest layovers has me arriving and leaving with a couple of extra days on both ends of my trip. Please give me some recommendations for some day trips (via train) or other potential stops on those extra days. Thank you all so much! It is all very surreal and exciting!
Posted by
West Coast
383 posts
How exciting, Amy! I have recently returned from Scotland (not via RS) and after looking at his itinerary can make a couple suggestions I hope will be helpful:
First- be sure to bring a waterproof/wind protective jacket, with a good hood. Even on a sunny day (this was September, for me) weather will all change so quickly! And feel colder, too. I wore my jacket every day, usually all day- you can always tie it around your waist or stuff it in your day bag. (On my tour I made the rookie error of leaving it on the bus on a beautiful sunny day for a castle visit 🙄!)
In Inverness with your free time be sure to visit The Prickly Thistle on Rebel Row, down a side street in the shopping area. You can arrange a ticketed (10 GBP) presentation online. Phenomenal! It provided not only context for the story of tartan but gave me a deeper appreciation for the battles, landscapes, castles, etc.
Their pieces are gorgeous (very expensive!) but I bought their fundraising tote bag. The owner is doing really important work in The Highlands.
In Glasgow, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum had a fantastic exhibit exploring Scotland's complicity with the slave and opium trades, also context for the opulant architecture.
I read Clear by Carys Davis before going on the trip. I never knew about the enclosures and had better perspective for Culloden and beyond.
I loved Scotland! Have a wonderful trip!
Edited to add: it's wise to arrive at least the day before the tour and more if you can. That allows time for delays getting to Scotland and to readjust to the time change.
Posted by
West Virginia
208 posts
I'm signed up for the Scotland tour as well (June 14-26, 2026). Let me know if you're on the same tour.
Happy Travels!
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, PA
2 posts
Thank you both for your responses!
@Bon Voyage! I am definitely in the market for a good waterproof/ wind protective jacket with a good hood! Luckily, I have some time to figure that out! If you have any recommendations... Also, shoes! How slippery were the cobblestone streets and sidewalks? I am thinking my weatherproof trail runners (good tread on the bottom) would suffice, but I'll find myself a pair of boots in the mean time, if needed.
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was already on my list, since it's not part of our tour. I'll definitely look into your other recommendations too!
@Stacie, I am actually on the tour 2 days behind you (June 16 - 28), but I'll be getting into Scotland as early as the 13th. The flight/layover combination was cheaper and it allows me to have a couple of days to fully adjust to the time difference. The Rabbie's tour to Skye (I'll be reserving my spot this week) starts the morning of the 28th and ends the evening of the 30th. I had the same issue on the back end of the trip where it was much cheaper to fly out a couple of days later than I originally planned. Extra time in Scotland-- Oh darn!
Posted by
the great P-NW
485 posts
AmyC, I wore my waterproof trail runners on our trip to Scotland, and they were just perfect. The cobblestones and streets in general are uneven and slippery at times, so non-skid is key. I'd personally stick with those rather than schlepping a pair of boots over as well. Enjoy every minute of your trip! Even flying across the ocean can be magical, and the whole thing will be an adventure.
Posted by
Southport, NC
442 posts
Amy-
I haven't been to Scotland, but can give information about great waterproof shoes that look like sneakers and have excellent traction. Keen brand shoes are comfortable and many look like sneakers. I did 10 hikes this past September/October in the Anchorage area with my Keen Zionic's and they did great! They gave me the stability I needed and washed up great after. Plus, they look good with jeans, so no worries about a clunky looking hiking boot.
https://www.keenfootwear.com/products/womens-zionic-nxt-waterproof-vapor-ballad-blue
Julie
Posted by
24 posts
Amy, I took this trip--my very first RS tour--several years ago. At the time, it did not include Glasgow and began and ended in Edinburgh. Like you, I arrived before and stayed after. In Edinburgh, I enjoyed touring Holyrood Palace and the royal yacht Britannia, and taking a bus several miles to the south to visit Rosslyn Chapel. I had a wonderful time and hope you do as well.
Posted by
3 posts
Hi Amy,
You will LOVE Scotland. My wife and i have been going to Scotland every other year for the past 20 years. We were married in St. Margaret’s Chapel in Edinburgh 18 years ago, and will be playing temporary locals there in June 2026.
We’ve never done a RS tour but have always planned our own trips of 3-4 weeks. So we’ve covered most of Scotland from East to West and the Borders up to Orkney.
In answer to your questions, as others have mentioned, in Glasgow Kelvingrove is well worth a good portion of a day. Also, the Glasgow Cathedral is very impressive along with the Necropolis next door. The Huntarian Museum is very good as well. If you arrange for transportation, the Pollock House is worth a visit along with the Burrell Collection next door.
In Edinburgh (our favorite city) the Castle is our favorite place to be. It will take a good portion of a day to tour throughout. Holyrood House Palace on the lower end of the Royal Mile is very well worth a tour, especially if you know the history!. Roslyn Chapel is an absolutely amazing place and well worth the jaunt down there.
A fun and informative thing to do in Edinburgh is to take the Mary King’s Close Tour. Fun tour about Edinburgh’s old days and living conditions. The National Museum of Scotland is very good and will take a few hours to visit. If you’re pub people, right down the street from the National Museum is the Captain’s Bar. It’s a wee hole in the wall pub with live music and very friendly.
You didn’t mention Scotch at all but if you have an interest there are a number of local tasting rooms in Edinburgh that are very fun as well as some day tours to the distilleries.
If you have the time, between Glasgow and Edinburgh you’ll find Stirling. The castle there is a good tour as well. And the nearby Bannockburn battlefield (if you’re into Scottish history) are worthwhile.
As far as clothes go the word of the day is Goretex! Yes, the cobblestones can be slippy so you want good soles. Most importantly, have comfortable walking shoes!!! Be sure to break them in before travel. We walk a LOT in the cities.
Enjoy what you’re seeing and don’t try to fit in too much to each day. Our motto is that we’ll save some things for the next trip.
Hope you have a great time. The locals are super friendly and great to talk to. Plan on rain/sun/rain/wind/rain/sun all in the same day!