Hello everybody.
After my last thread with regards to a trip to York, which was a cracking trip by the way, I thought I would ask for your suggestions with regards to a trip to Scotland.
I have a week off in November and have decided that a trip is in order, otherwise I'm just going to waste it sat around in my underwear :worried:.
The travel plan is to get the Caledonian sleeper up to Scotland and purchase a Freedom of Scotland Travelpass. I want to spend a day or 2 in Edinburgh to see the sites and wondered if there was anywhere else worth a visit. The only other thing I would love to do is a cruise up to Loch Ness from Inverness.
I've had a look at the touristy websites but would like to know peoples opinions on good places to visit.
If you're hitting Inverness - get up onto the battlefield ...
Well I live in Aberdeen, but I'm scratching my head as to what to recommend.
What are you after? Castles, hillwalking, museums, whisky, ale/pubs/food, trains/buses?
Edinburgh and Glasgow are both exciting cities by day and night, but quite different. Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen are probably worth a few hours' walkaround each, and as you mentioned, Inverness is a great launchpad for Loch Ness and the Highlands. I assume you'll do the Kyle line?
Bring a brolly.
And the line to Wick!
The main reason for the visit is to see some of the scenery Scotland has to offer. I also want to visit a few of the castles and take in a bit of the history. Not fussed about whiskey as I don't drink the stuff.
The Kyle of Lochalsh line looks fantastic, and could make a good day trip to/from Inverness. I think wick is a bit too far out of the way, is tempting though....
I will be planning on a 5 day trip staying 4 nights in various places (depending on what I decide to do.) I could always stay a night or 2 in Edinburgh, then stay in Inverness for a couple of nights and catch the sleeper back from there.
Hi
I would certainly travel by train from Glasgow to Fort William to see Rannoch Moor and Ben Nevis. Stay in the Premier Inn next to the station and go on the West Highland Line over Glenfinnan Concrete Viaduct (as did Harry Potter) to Malaig and view the Isle of Skye over the sea. This is usually described as the best railway journey in Scotland for scenery although part of the line from Inverness to Kyle of Localsh is pretty where its near the sea.
As far as castles go there is Stirling and of course Edinburgh.
Cheers
Mac
Quote from: macwales on September 16, 2012, 01:35:36 PM
Hi
I would certainly travel by train from Glasgow to Fort William to see Rannoch Moor and Ben Nevis. Stay in the Premier Inn next to the station and go on the West Highland Line over Glenfinnan Concrete Viaduct (as did Harry Potter) to Malaig and view the Isle of Skye over the sea. This is usually described as the best railway journey in Scotland for scenery although part of the line from Inverness to Kyle of Localsh is pretty where its near the sea.
As far as castles go there is Stirling and of course Edinburgh.
Cheers
Mac
Now you got me thinking..... I could get the sleeper from London to fort William, on the day of arrival head to mallaig and then finish back in fort william. The next day I can then head to edinburgh and spend some time there before finishing off in Inverness, seeing loch mess and heading back from there on the sleeper.
Ummm.....
A good plan!!
They do steam specials on the West Highland Line to Mallaig. Its called the Jacobian - daily service until 31st October I think? There is a Harvester type pub next to the Premier Inn but its only 2 mins walk to Morrisons cafe and an another two to the main street in Fort Willaim.
Not much at Mallaig - bar, a chip shop and an Ice cream (but what more could you want?).
On the out journey from Fort Willam sit on left hand side so you see the Glenfinnan monument ( a single pillar) where Bonnie Prince Charlie put up his standard at the end of Lock Shiel.
You should do at least one leg from Glasgow to Fort William or back in the daylight to see Rannoch Moor and the Mountains thereabout and look out for red deer.
Cheers
Mac
If you are travelling to Inverness a stop off in Aviemore is worthwhile to
see the Strathspey Railway, sometimes steam hauled. if you are travelling
to /from Fort William a stop off at Corrour or Rannoch is worthwhile to
see some remote countryside. (If going to these places take food with
you as eating places are thin on the ground, almost non -existent.)
If you are in Edinburgh a trip to Queensferry is easy and a
pleasant place to view the Forth Bridge and some old
buildings.
Enjoy and hope the weather is OK!
ps Don't hang about waiting for a tram in Edinburgh,
there'll be another along in about 5 years!
e
I would certainly recommend Edinburgh for at least a nights stay.
I have not been to Scotland for years and last week we took my 18 year old son up there to drop him off as he has just started Uni there.
It is a very lively city but what struck me is how friendly everybody was. Absolute great polite service in the hotel (only premier inn not an expensive posh hotel) as well as the restaurant and bars.
Can't wait to go back again.
To be honest didn't see much as most of time taken up getting my son settled in and having a bit of quality time with him before leaving him there but will see a lot more next time.
It is honestly the most friendly city I have been in the UK (no offence to anyone who lives in a city please :no:).
Quote from: Agrippa on September 16, 2012, 04:30:21 PM
If you are travelling to Inverness a stop off in Aviemore is worthwhile to
see the Strathspey Railway, sometimes steam hauled.
Like a lot of stuff they'll almost certainly be closed by November.
Might I suggest Stirling, a much under rated castle and the Wallace Monument just minutes up the road.
There is also this place http://www.srps.org.uk/ (http://www.srps.org.uk/)
Perth & Dundee are grand old cities but no castles I'm afraid although the Dundee Observatory should be open in the winter evenings
To be honest you need more time, but if the objective is to see some of Scotland's best scenery, here's my two penn'orth for it's worth.
DAYS 1 & 2
Sleeper to Edinburgh, stay for a couple of nights, take a late afternoon or early evening train to Glasgow.
Overnight in Glasgow.
DAY 3
Take the morning train to Mallaig. (If you take a later train it'll be dark when you reach Fort William.)
Overnight in Mallaig
DAY 4
Take ferry to Skye.
Take bus to to Portree (for sightseeing) or leave the bus at Broadford, and take another bus to Kyle of Lochalsh. Take train to Inverness.
Overnight in Inverness.
DAY 5
Sightseeing in Inverness, take sleeper back to London.
The rail journey to Mallaig is full of interest as soon as you leave Glasgow and come into sight of the Erskine Bridge. It's quickly followed by the River Clyde, Dumbarton Rock and Castle, the high level view over Loch Long, then onto Loch Lomond and into Crianlarich. From that point it just gets better, and better, and better! As macwales says, sit on the left hand side of the train for the best views - reserve your seats! The Isle of Skye is simply spectacular, and the trip to Inverness rounds things off nicely.
Now you've really got the cogs whirling :hmmm:.
As I'm up there anyway I may aswell extend the stay, I have 9 days off work which starts on the 18th November. So I could catch the sleeper on the Sunday evening which means I will be in Scotland bright and early Monday Morning. Annoyingly there is no service I can catch the Saturday beforehand. I would then have to travel back on the following Sunday, so will be back in London monday morning. This will give me a full week to see what Scotland has to offer.
A massive thank you for the input so far, keep the ideas coming.
If you are starting your trip from Edinburgh you could skip an overnight
stay in Glasgow by taking n early train from Edinburgh to Glasgow
in time for the morning Mallaig train, unless you particularly
want to spend a night in Glesca Toon! Check the Scotrail
website as there a few different types of rail pass.
Also if you are lucky enough to be 55 or over
Club 55 is on until 30 November , ie return
between any Scottish stations for £19.
enjoy!
Quote from: Agrippa on September 17, 2012, 10:07:36 AM
If you are starting your trip from Edinburgh you could skip an overnight
stay in Glasgow by taking n early train from Edinburgh to Glasgow
in time for the morning Mallaig train, unless you particularly
want to spend a night in Glesca Toon! Check the Scotrail
website as there a few different types of rail pass.
Also if you are lucky enough to be 55 or over
Club 55 is on until 30 November , ie return
between any Scottish stations for £19.
enjoy!
I'll be travelling around Scotland on one of these: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr7654870a04000401acfd92a8300c87/details.html (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr7654870a04000401acfd92a8300c87/details.html) As I work for a TOC I get a discount on the fare so it is by far the cheapest way for me to travel. It will also Include the ferry crossings and the buses in the Isle of Skye. I'm off on Wednesday so I will trawl through timetables and put together a travel plan. Once I've worked out the start and finish points I can get the train tickets and hotels/hostels booked.
If you do go to Mallaig from Glasgow,it will be from Queen St station and not Central.
Make sure you sit in the right part of the train as it splits at Crianlarich,the other half going to Oban...(also worth a visit by the way)
(With your railway pass you can take the ferry to Skye for free (McBrayne's ferry)
I would also recommend a trip on the Kyle Line.....
The only problem about exploring Scotland by train is that there are just not enough hours in a day.
Whatever you decide to do Cookie have a great trip.
If you are anything like me then once you have been you will be itching to go back as soon as you can...
:NGaugersRule:
The transport museum in Glasgow is worth seeing (and is free) as is the subway (its wee).
Edinburgh has the Castle (including 3 army museums), the Royal Mile (from the Castle to Holyrood House).
I would also recommend the Scottish Whiskey Experience on the mile.
Both have shopping, but little that are unique to them.
Harburn Hobbies , well stocked for N gauge is about 10-15 mins walk from
Waverley Station. As thomasash says the Glasgow subway is worth seeing
as it is the 3rd oldest in the world, the smallest trains and the smallest
network, just a circle. I think it's 3 foot gauge.
PS it's not called the tube , the underground or as frequently
stated by the Scottish media "The Clockwork Orange."
After taking in what everyone has said and trawling through various timetables I've come up with a game plan for my Scotland trip and wondered what people thought about it.
I'll be leaving London on Sunday the 18th arriving bright and early Monday morning. I'll spend 2 nights in Edinburgh which should give me plenty of time to do the things I want to do there. I want to visit the zoo, see the castle and take a ride over the forth bridge.
On Wednesday I'll take the train from Edinburgh to Stirling spending the day there, visiting the castle and having a wander about the place. I'll take an evening train down to Glasgow from Stirling and after spending the evening there I'll settle down for the night.
Thursday will see me catching the 09:03 train from Glasgow up to Fort William. Once there I will embark on this walk that will realistically take me a couple of hours, http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/inverlochy-castle.shtml (http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/inverlochy-castle.shtml) That'll give me a chance to take in some scenery and make it back to Fort William with enough time for Lunch and a stiff drink before taking the 16:19 from Fort William up to Mallaig. Once in Mallaig I'll have a wander about before stopping for dinner and staying the night.
Friday will mean an early start, taking the 08:40 ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, once on the Isle I'll take a bus trip up to Broadford and take in some of the views. I'll be on the 16:25 bus to Kyle of Lochalsh which means I will be back in good time to get the last train across to Inverness.
Saturday and Sunday will be spent in Inverness and will include a trip down to Loch Ness. This is the crusie that takes my fancy at the moment. http://www.jacobite.co.uk/Cruises-And-Tours/Temptation.asp (http://www.jacobite.co.uk/Cruises-And-Tours/Temptation.asp) I'll head back Sunday night and arrive back in London on Monday morning and then catch a service back to Portsmouth.
I'm tempted to cut my stay in Inverness down to one day and extend my stay in the highlands. Maybe staying the Isle of Skye or Mallaig for the day.
Quote from: cookiescrumble on September 19, 2012, 08:02:35 PM
I'm tempted to cut my stay in Inverness down to one day and extend my stay in the highlands. Maybe staying the Isle of Skye or Mallaig for the day.
That sounds like a belting trip you have planned.... :thumbsup:
I would seriously consider spending the extra day on Skye or Mallaig over Inverness if it's possible....it really is stunning up there
Quote from: Dock Shunter on September 19, 2012, 08:11:55 PM
Quote from: cookiescrumble on September 19, 2012, 08:02:35 PM
I'm tempted to cut my stay in Inverness down to one day and extend my stay in the highlands. Maybe staying the Isle of Skye or Mallaig for the day.
That sounds like a belting trip you have planned.... :thumbsup:
I would seriously consider spending the extra day on Skye or Mallaig over Inverness if it's possible....it really is stunning up there
You may have to if they cancel the ferry due to adverse weather conditions :rain:
cheers John.
Sounds like a cracking plan. I wouldn't stay for too long in Mallaig (not a huge amount to do!). I would head over to Skye - the Clan Donald centre at Armadale Castle is quite interesting if you like Scottish history (former home of the Lords of the Isles) and has some very nice grounds. Alternatively if you can find a way to do it a trip up to see the Cuillin (some of the most attractive mountains in the UK) and the Talisker distillery could be fun!
Cheers, Mike
So you guys reckon an overnight stay on the Isle of Skye is the way to go then? This would leave 1 day in inverness which would include the Loch Ness trip.
Skye trumps Mallaig or Inverness, especially if weather fine, enjoy your trip.
Quote from: cookiescrumble on September 19, 2012, 08:31:48 PM
So you guys reckon an overnight stay on the Isle of Skye is the way to go then?
Certainly gets my vote......... :thumbsup:
It's probably already been said but take plenty of warm clothing and waterproofs if you have them...it can get pretty frisky to say the least up there......
Quote from: Dock Shunter on September 19, 2012, 08:57:21 PM
Quote from: cookiescrumble on September 19, 2012, 08:31:48 PM
So you guys reckon an overnight stay on the Isle of Skye is the way to go then?
Certainly gets my vote......... :thumbsup:
It's probably already been said but take plenty of warm clothing and waterproofs if you have them...it can get pretty frisky to say the least up there......
I'll be doing a shopping trip beforehand to prepare myself. I'm fine on the waterproofs front but could do with a decent pair of walking boots.
I'll re work the plan slightly tomorrow then to include an overnight stay on the Isle of Skye. That leaves just Sunday in Inverness which will mostly be taken up by the Loch Ness cruise.
Quote from: cookiescrumble on September 19, 2012, 09:11:35 PM
Quote from: Dock Shunter on September 19, 2012, 08:57:21 PM
Quote from: cookiescrumble on September 19, 2012, 08:31:48 PM
So you guys reckon an overnight stay on the Isle of Skye is the way to go then?
Certainly gets my vote......... :thumbsup:
It's probably already been said but take plenty of warm clothing and waterproofs if you have them...it can get pretty frisky to say the least up there......
I'll be doing a shopping trip beforehand to prepare myself. I'm fine on the waterproofs front but could do with a decent pair of walking boots.
It will be money well spent as well Cookie because i'm sure once you have been up there you will soon be looking forward to planning your next trip. :thumbsup:
Sounds brilliant!
Just one observation. If you can, try and tweak things a little so you make the journey from Fort William to Mallaig on an earlier train, difficult I know if you intend to do the whole trip from Glasgow in a single day - and also fit in the walk round Fort William! However, if you take the 16:19 it will be dark and you'll miss out on some wonderful sights; Neptune's Staircase, Ben Nevis from Corpach, Glenfinnan Viaduct, the Glenfinnan Monument and view down Loch Shiel, plus much more. I admit I'm biased and would give up something else, but it really would be a shame to be there, and not see it all.
By the way, I think the timetable changes at the end of this month and the 09:03 from Glasgow becomes the 08:21.
You are spot on about the time change, good job you mentioned it.
The only way I could work it is to stay overnight in Fort William and catch a train up to Mallaig the next day. It appears that when the train leaves Fort William the sun will start to set. According to the UK weather office the sun will set around 16:10. The problem is I don't want to go to somewhere like Fort William and not explore it.
I'll work around it somehow :D
Cookies - it is your trip so whilst you should go where you like on this occasion I would suggest scrapping Inverness altogether and give yourself more time on the West Coast / Edinburgh as it all seems a bit of a rush and all squeezed in. Inverness (and the Loch) will still be there in a couple of years if you want to come back up, then you can do the East coast run (Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness). I just think you need to give yourself more time to enjoy what you'll be doing.
Also a bit late for new walking boots, you really should of had them broken in by now, better take a pack of Blisteze (other blister patches are available ;) )
Have a great trip whatever you decide but please give yourself the time to enjoy it ;)
If you have'nt bought your boots yet have a look at Brasher boots, very lightweight
and don't need breaking in, but a bit pricey. i remember breaking in a pair of
heavyweight boots for an Alpine holiday. Wearing them almost all day for
a week. (Never again).
Have you thought about reversing your journey?
You could then do this:
Sunday night - sleeper to Fort William
Monday - see Fort William, stay overnight
Tuesday - train, ferry, bus to Isle of Skye, stay overnight
Wednesday - morning, see Isle of Skye by bus from Portree, then go to Kyle of Lochalsh for an afternoon train to Inverness, stay overnight.
That takes you to Thursday, when you can decide whether to stay another night in Inverness, or move on to Stirling and Edinburgh for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Sunday night - sleeper to London.
This will give you the opportunity of seeing nearly all the scenic bits in daylight (it will probably still be dark on the sleeper at the very start of the West Highland Line) with the benefit of a less hectic few days towards the end of the week.
Also, I don't think I would worry too much about walking boots on this trip, unless you're intent on trekking miles over rough ground - but I'm not sure you have time for that.
Personally, I have travelled around ALOT of zoos (mainly for photography) and thought Edinburgh was one of the worst I had ever been to. Unless you really love Giant Pandas.
I've come up with a final plan now, I'd like to thank you all for your input. I couldn't have done it without you :claphappy:.
I could go on for days trying to make an ultimate plan but I think this one will do. This will give me a good chance to see what Scotland has to offer. It also gives me the oppurtunity to travel most of the raved about scenic lines in the country. I can always head back next year and take in some more of the country and fill in any bits that I have missed or want to see again.
The plan is basically the one I posted above apart from a slight change. The night in Mallaig will be replaced with a night in Fort William. I'll then take an afternoon train to Mallaig and the evening ferry across to the Isle of Skye, then a bus up to Broadford before staying a night there. The next day will be taking in the Isle of Skye before heading to Inverness for one night via Kyle of Lochalsh. This extra night comes from dropping one in Inverness.
I understand your concern about trying to fit it all in. But I can't go to Scotland without trying to find Nessie :D. Inverness is also a very convenient point to return to London on the Sleeper from the Isle of Skye.
Any Scottish taxi driver will be happy to take tourists Nessie hunting. Just wear a Hawaiian shirt and ask at airport in an American accent :beers:
Quote from: cookiescrumble on September 21, 2012, 05:48:08 PM
I understand your concern about trying to fit it all in. But I can't go to Scotland without trying to find Nessie :D. Inverness is also a very convenient point to return to London on the Sleeper from the Isle of Skye.
I think your new itinerary is a good compromise. Have a great time!
Good evening everybody! Posting this from Inverness after a cracking trip up in Scotland. Just waiting for the sleeper back to blighty! I have a 14 hour journey to look forward too ....
I'll get a summary and some photos posted up tomorrow! Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to this trip, I will definitely be coming back at some point!
Sounds like you have had a good time :thumbsup:
I hope you manage some sleep on the way back and I am looking forwards to your summary and pictures ;)
cheers John.