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Do we have to rent a Car?
Looking forward to a first visit to Scotland this June.
Quite nervous about driving but want to see countryside more than just cities.
Would taking trains allow us the opportunity to see the wonderful scenery and some of the Islands?
Or is a car the only way to do smaller places?
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Comments
You can see a lot but combing public transport with hiring a car is probably a more effective method of getting around. Especially if you're short on time.
Whisky, Castles and Food a speciality.
yourscotlandtour.co.uk
The roads here are much narrower, in general and traffic flows faster.
The main thing is, if you do drive, keep an eye on the mirror and when you've got a queue of cars 400 miles long behind you, let them pass ;-) don't feel pressured to drive outside your comfort zone.
Whisky, Castles and Food a speciality.
yourscotlandtour.co.uk
The main disadvantage is that the schedules are restrictive, you'll have very limited options in the remote areas (3 or 4 buses / ferries a day) so discipline is needed to stay on track with your schedule. There will also be a fair amount of walking involved.
The main advantage is watching the Scottish countryside go by without worrying about the road with rapt attention
The most popular post on my blog is how to see Scotland in a week by public transport. Check that out for ideas on what a practical schedule looks like. Plus, I have regional writeups on many regions & islands in Scotland and how to get in & around using public transport. Hope they can help and that you have a wonderful Scotland trip!
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Dunoon, Speyside)
I will check out your links.
Thanks again!
I'd use the above-mentioned NAVMII GPS ROI & UK app to work out where I was during the more remote rail or coach stretches and how far I was from my destination. (On city busses the NAVMII GPS app allowed me to see how close I was getting to the stop I wanted.)
App icon:
Example, Ullapool to Plockton: The next departures are listed, all involve a walking transfer and coach and rail, all under 4 hrs of travel. Note, today as I post it's Sunday afternoon in Scotland, another example of how doing one's research is invaluable, no travel options remain for today. (In some areas public travel options are not available seven days a week - welcome to the Highlands!)
I choose to depart Monday morning, details listed include walking instructions of 1/2 km, coach route #891 toward Kinlochbervie, exit at Garve and transfer to ScotRail toward Kyle of Lochalsh, exit at Plockton station, walk 1 km into town. Note: For rail travel, book online 24+ hrs in advance for reduced fares. Or choose travel times outside of busy commute times, also cheaper, often by several pounds.
Pull up map of route from bottom of screen, map can be zoomed in to see street names for walking sections.
I really hope knowing about this valuable app helps anyone who is planning a trip to use public transportation to travel Scotland. And their transportation systems are very good considering the remoteness of parts of the Highlands. I used this app more than any other. Good luck and enjoy your Scottish adventures! Slainte mhath!
Whisky, Castles and Food a speciality.
yourscotlandtour.co.uk
Over the years I have found a good solution for me is to travel by train, but to then hire a car for a day or 2 in more remote areas (being a country girl, the country lanes are no problem, but the motorways are tricky!) I find this means I can enjoy my holiday rather than stress about the long drives.
I have also travelled on most rail routes in Scotland including the most remote (Inverness - Thurso, Kyle - Inverness and Glasgow - Mallaig ) and they offer AMAZING views. I would really recommend this - you can then soak up the view without having to keep an eye on the road.
Most Hotels and B and Bs will look after your luggage early or later than your departure and I have never found travelling with luggage by train a problem.
I once made use of a Highland Rover Ticket and travelled around Scotland using this rover rail pass available from Scotrail:
This is what I did:
Night 1 - Glasgow
Day 1 - Travel Glasgow - Fortwilliam using pass
Night 2 - Fort William
Day 2 - Spend day on Jacobite train (Steam Train not included in pass - but this is just an added extra)
Night 3 - Fort William
Day 3 - Travel Fort William - Mallaig then Ferry to Skye - use bus on island then travel by bus to Kyle on mainland - All this travel using pass apart from small fee for ferry
Night 4 - Kyle of Lochalsh (as no accommodation on Skye available - this was fine and only a 30 minute bus journey across the bridge)
Day 4 - took bus from Kyle then went on an organised tour of Skye (not included in pass but again just a suggestion) then travelled back across bridge and took train from Kyle to Inverness (included in pass)
Night 5 - Inverness
Day 5 - You could travel then Inverness - Glasgow using the pass (I returned to Aberdeen)
I used the Highland Rover Rail pass and found it great value for money.
https://www.scotrail.co.uk/offers/travel-passes
The routes are very scenic too:
https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/tours/railway/
Hope this helps
Based in the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire has a special place in my heart.