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Castles by Public Transport
VisitScotlandHeather
Administrator, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✪
While some of us are able to drive, some people prefer to explore castles without a car and if you’re in Scotland, there are plenty of options.
Within Edinburgh, all you need to do is buy a Lothian Buses day ticket (£4 for adults, £2 for children or £8.50 for a family) and you can easily get between Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle and Lauriston Castle.
If you want to head out of the city, Stirling Castle is only a short walk (or taxi ride) from Stirling train station. Or if you want to head up to the Highlands, Inverness Castle (which has a new 360 degree viewpoint from the top) is only a short walk from the bus and train station and from the bus station you can also get bus to Urquhart Castle.
Although not technically public transport, if you’re feeling really eco-friendly and fit, Scotland has loads of cycle routes. Sustrans have an excellent map of the different routes and where they pass through e.g. Route 195 starts in Aberdeen and will pass Crathes Castle and Drum Castle. If you travel by train and then want to cycle, Bike and Go allows people to hire bikes from a number of rail stations too.
Don’t forget, if you’re wanting to visit several castles, you might be best buying a Historic Scotland Explorer Pass which gives you entry into all their properties for either three or seven days.
Anyone else been castle hunting by public transport?
Comments
You can reach Dunnottar Castle by public transport. The X7 Perth bus from Aberdeen bus station will stop at Dunnottar Junction and it's a five minute walk from there. You can also get a train from Edinburgh, Dundee or Aberdeen to Stonehaven town centre. From Stonehaven town centre you can make a walk (with stunning views of the castle) from the town along the cliffs to the castle or pick up the X7 bus from the town square. It's a great day out!
fishypro
- Eilean Donan castle is accessible by public transport too by all Skye bound buses (stop Dornie). Alternatively, take the train to Kyle of Lochalsh and it is a short 10 min taxi ride from the station.
- Duart castle on Isle of Mull can be reached by the castle provided coach that connects with the Oban-Craignure ferry
- Blair castle is a short 15 min walk from the Blair Atholl railway station served by ScotRail on Inverness bound lines from Edinburgh / Glasgow
- Linlithgow palace is almost next to the Linlithgow railway station served by ScotRail
Am sure I've been to more but this is at the top of my headBest of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Speyside)
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Speyside)
St Andrew's Castle is easily accessible via public transport. It's great one to explore.
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Speyside)