We made it! Arrived in Edinburgh and after sorting the missing luggage boarded the Citylink bus at Gate D. Very easy to get and inexpensive. It stops at the Buchannan bus station and there is a lot of online info about getting the 385 bus that runs from all 3 stations but with our delays, it stopped at 8 pm so a lovely uber driver took our measly 5 pd fare. We were close but tired and just didn't know where we were walking through. Didn't want to chance it.
My sister and I threw this trip together using all the points and free stuff that we could. Started with Delta Skymiles points. When I orig booked it was 57k points to London and 115k to Edinburgh. At the last minute I realized how much that travel time (5 hrs by train) would put a dent in the trip and I saw prices coming down. I checked and was able to change the trip for no extra cost and 10k more miles. Easy and best decision.
Glasgow - 3 nights at the Voco Grand Central (IHG) (moderately priced but used Amex points). Beautiful hotel attached to the gorgeous victorian train station. So Harry Potter. Amazingly beautiful. They have a bar called Champagne Central that overlooks the train station and is great for people watching and conversations. Super staff and a great breakfast buffet (we love hotel breakfasts in Europe. I know many find them overpriced but I like them). Full on Scottish fare and much more. Its very extensive with anything you could want and cost 15 pds. Great location and highly recommend. Took the City Sightseeing bus then went to the Riverside Museum, Kelingrove Art Museum and The Tenement Museum- all highly recommended. Food highlights-tea at the Willow Tea Room (Mackintosh design was part of the reason for the trip). Dinner at Il Pastaio -really, really delicious and lovely, friendly staff. As promised our luggage showed up in the afternoon at the hotel so we really only had to wear our travel clothes for an extra 2/3 of the day which was the hop on/off tour.
Fort William- took the West Highland line from Glasgow to Fort William. Scenery is beautiful but really kicked in between FW and Mallaig. Based out of there for 2 nights at the Alexandra Hotel. Its definitely seen some time and could use updating but was very clean and close to the train station. Nicely located. A lot of shops and restaurants but many close early. Its on the West Highland hiking trail so a lot geared to hikers needs which is nice because there probably isn't a supply you can't get if you need it. Great souvenir, charity, outdoor and grocery stores. We actually even washed our clothes at a great outdoor washing center at Morrisons grocery store. Its called Wash.Me and the machine supplies the detergent, softener and its very clean and fast. You access it by an app and that keeps it locked and safe during washing and drying. It was super clean because the system controls the amount of detergent and cleans itself. Food highlights: absolutely not the hotel breakfast this time ! Dinner at Ben Nevis bar might've been the best mussels we've ever had and I highly recommend The Tavern. Great food, great people.
Mallaig: Between FW and Mallaig is when the West Highland line scenery really takes off. Oh my goodness. Just beautiful. Totally worth the trip and all the delays!! Took a day trip and a 1 hour wildlife sightseeing cruise with West Isle Cruises. It was very good but I wish I had booked something longer. Ended up spending a lot of down time in Mallaig due to train schedules- probably 3 hours on either side of the cruise. There were a few stores but not much more for us. But my real reason for going was the train ride, not the destination. The little Heritage Center was great. Had really good scones at the Tea Garden cafe and a nice lunch at the Crab and Creel. Stay tuned for Part 3!!