Things to see and do in Edinburgh / Scotland

[cookiescrumble]

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 

[Lawrence]

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 

[Agrippa]

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).

[gorebridge2001]

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.

[thomasash]

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.

[cookiescrumble]

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  .

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  . Inverness is also a very convenient point to return to London on the Sleeper from the Isle of Skye.

[EtchedPixels]

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 

[gorebridge2001]

I understand your concern about trying to fit it all in. But I can't go to Scotland without trying to find Nessie  . 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!

[cookiescrumble]

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!

[scotsoft]

Sounds like you have had a good time 

I hope you manage some sleep on the way back and I am looking forwards to your summary and pictures 

cheers John.