Scotland Travel Forum

I will have 8 days in Scotland in September. I am an older woman and I don't want to drive. Here are two options that I am considering during my stay:
1) train from Edinburgh to Inverness and take two day trips with Puffin Express, one to Skye and one north to O'Groats. This would mean two nights in Inverness. I would then take the train to St.Andrews.
2)Rabbies 3 day tour to Skye, departing and returning to Edinburgh. Spending two nights in Portree..Then to St. Andrews.

why not try the company who own Croit Anna in Fort William - www.alfatravel.co.uk
they do day tours from this base - to places like Inverness Syke Oban and others -depending on when you want to go and from where -
the hotel is used to single women attending as my mother in law is a regular visitor ( i mean like 3 or 4 times every year) - so it can't be bad --
dependng on the length of stay you may get free days to entertain yourself in

hope you find something suitable
Julie

Julie, thanks for the quick response. I went to that web site and can't find that they do day tours...maybe I'm looking in the wrong plae.

hiya

the main page does say excursions included -- give the a ring and check
08451 305666(local call rate )


MiL goes there and yes there are tours - depends on the days you stay as to where you go though - i think

check the telephone number out and ask - but they definately do them

A day trip to Skye from Inverness is a long day and I wonder how much time you would have at any one place. Also if the weather is bad, it is a long time to spend in a bus looking at scenery through raindrops, especially as then there wouldn't be much scenery because the clouds would be down!! Ditto for John O'Groats. Perhaps you would do better basing yourself in Fort William.

Thanks, Hawkhead, What do you think of my second option...a three day trip to Skye, roundtrip from Edinburgh?

I think that sounds totally more restful and feasible. You will go through some absolutely stunning scenery via Loch Lomond and Glen Coe. It means you can start and finish in Edinburgh, and have a reasonable amount of time on Skye, and then go on up to St Andrews if you wish.

I like your first option best. Have you heard of Premium Tours? I went on a 3 day tour from Edinburgh through the highlands to Inverness, a day trip to Skye and then another day travelling back to Edinburgh. It was a good little tour.

I too will be in Scotland soon and am hesitant about driving. If I need to travel around I tend to just use the public buses for shorter trips and trains for longer ones.

Have fun!

Between the original 2 ideas, definitely No.2 (Rabbies) by far Inverness is ok, but Portree is beautiful.