AboutEmoor Expertise I have been traveling almost annually in England or Scotland as a tourist for the last 25 years, so I know quite a bit about train travel, car rental, B&Bs, tourist discounts, standard tourist sites, good places to eat, pubs, prices, and things to do off
Question I am planning a short tourist travel to Scotland in second half of May. We are a senior couple. My basic plan includes travel by train/Bus from London to Edinburgh and once there also visit Aberdeen and Inverness. Please inform following:
1. What is the best public transport in Scotland to do this travel? Train? Bus? Both?
2. I can only travel 3 days. Is it possible to visit these towns in 3 days? If not which should I quite?
3. What are the best tourist points to visit in those locations? My main preferences are views, old towns, monuments (palaces/castles).
3. Would you recommend a local tour operator to do this travel starting from Edinburgh?
4. How do you forecast weather in mid May?
5. Just in case you recommend a step by step trip (all on my own using public transports), what would be the itinerary/time-table?
I am also an expert in travel to Portugal. Please ask me whenever you need information about Portugal.
Best regards,
JCD
Answer A train from King's Cross Station will get you to Edinburgh in a little over four hours, and I believe that is the best way to make the trip. In Edinburgh, take local tours of Old Town and New Town. If you are up to it, take the walking tours called Robin's Tours. The bus tours of Edinburgh are also good. This is a wonderful city, with great restaurants, historic buildings, and Edinburgh Castle. You would not regret spending your entire time in Edinburgh. If you insist on more, then after your visit to Edinburgh, take a train to Inverness through scenic highlands to put you in the City Centre. You can take a local tour of Loch Ness by bus, taxi, or boat. Mid-May weather should be warm, but you can encounter rain and cooler weather, so take a sweater or two, a raincoat, and your umbrella. I see no way to get Aberdeen into a three day trip. Even with two cities you will be spending most of your three days on the train. After Inverness, take the train back to London, via Glasgow or Edinburgh. You might want to consider a BritRail Pass.
