I want to start Pt 3 by saying that the people of Scotland are so incredibly friendly. And chefs kiss to Glasgow. They win the award for honest, sincere friendliness and hospitality. There wasn't an interaction that didn't have an authentic conversation attached. We never spent more than 20 seconds looking at a bus sign or a map on our phone that someone didn't ask if we needed help.
Oban: I had a free night at The Isle of Eriska Hotel and Spa which was about 12 miles outside Oban. I get a free night on my HHonors Amex and once I was booking it and the customer service rep asked why I was using it for a low cost night somewhere in Ohio! She said most people save it for something special- so I did! This hotel was $800-900/night at the time I booked. And oh my goodness; what an experience. It was like living in a British murder mystery on a country estate! Big beautiful rooms, turn down service and the location was amazing with goats and highland coos and trails to walk on its own island. We didn't take advantage of the spa but had a beautiful lunch in the conservatory and then dinner! 7pm dinner started in the library bar with cocktails and appetizers then moved to the dining room with an amazing 3 course high end dinner. All in all we probably spent more money on dinner than if we actually booked a regular price hotel but it was an amazing experience that I will never forget. After I booked it I started to worry about getting from point A to point B. ( we did this trip without driving) . We took the bus (very easy) from Fort William to Oban and the hotel reserved a taxi for us. The driver met the bus and then took us back to Oban the next day. Etive taxis were the best.
Train to Edinburgh from Oban. A delay on the first leg so we missed the connection in Glasgow. A friendly ScotRail worker steered us to the correct express train!! Booked the Edinburgh Carlton (used Hilton Honors points) a slightly hilly but easy one block walk from Waverly station. Great hotel breakfast and an evening happy hour with free drinks and snacks for Diamond level. Half a block from the Royal Mile, close to the castle and stop 1 on the HOHO Bright Bus. We did the Literary Pub tour - excellent, The Real Mary Kings Close- very interesting, a lot of steps and underground but gives you great insight into how people lived. Museum of Scotland- excellent with a great view from the terrace. We went through the castle but i would trade for more time in the museum. Its a defense castle and mostly military info which is ok but not my go to. Crown jewels and palace apartments were interesting as well as the view. Dining highlights: dinner at Angels and Bagpipes- high end small plates wine bar, expensive but good and we were having a hard time getting a res on Sat night and it was available and close. Belle Italia was across from our hotel- very good pizza for a quick late dinner the night we arrived. Lunch at The Witchery was very expensive and they require each person have the spend equivalency of a main so no sharing or grazing over apps. Really neat experience in a beautiful setting but 2 cocktails and lunch (it was our main meal) for 2 was $194 USD. Delicious food but.... that price. Glad we did it, probably wouldn't do it again.
Rabbies tour to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomand and the Kelpies. Outstanding tour. Van meets you at Edinburgh bus station. Tour guide Jim Scott was excellent. The tour group was fun and he kept us engaged and interested.
Pubs we enjoyed: Worlds End, Jolly Judge, The Beehive Inn and Castle Arms.
This was a great trip and I thank everyone who gave me good advice about getting from here to there without driving. The scenery on the bus trip back from Oban to Glasgow was spectacular and Im sure my sister (who would've been driving) was much happier looking out the window!!
Malinda