Fort William Travel Forum

Hi
We have rented a cottage near Fort William for the week, 9-16th Sept.
2 pieces of advice please.
Firstly on things to do, so far considering Ben Nevis, mallaig train or drive, Loch Ness, Glen Coe, isle of Skye, any other ideas ?

I am considering driving early on the Sat morning to Edinburgh, use the park and ride and see Edinburgh for the day. Then get hotel outside edinburgh before driving back to Gloucestershire on the Sunday.
Is it worth doing Edinburgh for the day, if so what realistically do you suggest we can see in the day say arriving at park and ride at 8am

Thks ian.

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If you are going to Skye, then stop off at Eilean Donan Castle.

I would check the opening hours of the Park and Ride - all the info I have been able to find is that they are open 10-5 with extended openings on Tuesday but that may be old info.

I enjoyed very much train trip to Mallaig, as well as the trip (by car) to Fort Augustus, at the Southern end of the Loch Ness.
About Edinburgh, in one day you can see the essential: Holyrood Palace, the Old Town, the Castle.

You should be OK at either of the Lothian Buses schemes, the X48 that serves the Ingleston car park starts at 0620.

http://www.lothianbuses.co.uk/park_ride/park_ride.asp
http://www.lothianbuses.co.uk/timetables/rx48_mon2fri.asp

Once into town, head straight for either the Castle or Arthurs Seat (it's open earlier) then work your way along the Royal Mile. Take a look around the Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street.

When you head south take the A701 or A7 as these are more scenic than the A702 that most of the traffic uses.

Thanks

Clivedinburgh, I take it the park and ride car park is open late into the evening ?

Any suggestions for hotel south of edinburgh ?

As far as I'm aware the scheme is just a carpark with a dedicated bus service and I'm don't think it closes at all but I'd check by calling them. The airport bus also stops there but may cost you more tha £1 each.

Can't think of any places on the way South, sorry.

Clive

The Castle opens at 9.30. You could then work your way down the Royal Mile visiting (not in any order and depending on your interest) Camera Obscura, the whisky place, Gladstone's Land, St Giles Cathedral, John Knox House, Museum of Childhood, Museum of Edinburgh, Scottish Parliament, The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyrood House. Then, there's also the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Museum, the Scott Monument, the National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish Portrait Gallery, the Writers Museum plus a fair few other places.

Very much worth doing Edinburgh for the day, but not worth arriving at the Park and Ride at 0800. This would also mean leaving Fort William around 0430! Though at least the roads would be quiet.

Another idea: you could park at a train station, South Gyle or Wester Hailes, and drive in. Or even better, North Queensferry. Then you get to go across the Forth Rail Bridge (twice), then drive across the Forth Road Bridge.

South of Edinburgh, Peebles, Biggar and Melrose are all attractive places. Which you chose would probably depend on the road you decided on. Peebles I think has the largest choice of accommodation, including the venerable Peebles Hydro. And you could always fit in a bit of mountain biking there before you drive home.

Hi thanks for the reply

we have no problem getting up early to get to Edinburgh early to avoid traffic and make it a full day.
Is there another reason for not getting to park and ride by 8am. Guess be in the centre by 9am so full day then get hotel in borders area.