Things to see and do in Edinburgh / Scotland

[cookiescrumble]

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  .

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.

[MikeDunn]

If you're hitting Inverness - get up onto the battlefield ...

[tadpole]

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.

[oscar]

And the line to Wick!

[scotsoft]

Bring a brolly.

...and warm clothes 

[cookiescrumble]

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.

[macwales]

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

[cookiescrumble]

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.....

[macwales]

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

[Agrippa]

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

[Steve.T]

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  ).

[EtchedPixels]

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.

[Lawrence]

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/
Perth & Dundee are grand old cities but no castles I'm afraid although the Dundee Observatory should be open in the winter evenings

[gorebridge2001]

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.

[cookiescrumble]

Now you've really got the cogs whirling  .

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.