How The Hell Do I Get There!!??

[sydnie7]

I would recommend the Michelin map book over any others.

As another poster noted, look for the brown "i" signs in most towns, tourist info offices can book you into local B&Bs. We tried to hit the "i" by about 2:30 or 3 p.m., then you can explore the town with reservation in hand.

I've used Enterprise, Avis, AutoEurope, and a small private company for hire cars. You can comparison-shop online for the lowest price -- we enjoy a small minivan (about 4/5 size of American minivans) because you sit up higher and can see more as you travel.

If you are a Costco member, link to the rental car co through Costco Travel website -- we found a significant savings there, last trip. There are more automatic transmission rentals available now than in years past, but if you can't/don't want to drive a stick shift be sure to specify!

If you are going to be staying in one place for three nights or more, consider a self-catering property. Check Slow Travel for ideas, reviews, links.

And yes, flexibility is the key to having a great time!

[ForresterModern]

Maps fold?

[Phil]

A word of advice. Check with Tripadvisor on the Scotland forum and you will get more advice than you can shake a stick at - from both locals and visitors. To see the country properly you really do need a car as many places just aren't on bus routes. As someone has said you can fly directly to Edinburgh or Glasgow from Newark by Continental and can pick up a hire car at the airport. And don't be intimidated by the driving. Wrong side of the road I know but everywhere is clearly signed and, well hell someone may toot their horn if you make a mistake, but what else can happen. Post your questions and we will be happy to help.

[Monkey@Arms]

All great advice, particularly MoR's to not even attempt to drive in London. My one added comment is when planning a driving trip in Scotland keep in mind that with a few exceptions you won't driving on U.S. style highways, and thus drive times will be longer between destinations. (But that is part of the charm.)

Best regards,

Jake

[wvpiper]

So the wife and I are trying to start planning a trip to Scotland but I am having a hell of a time figuring out how the hell to plan the trip we want to take. I can figure out the air fare and I know where we want to go and what we want to do but figuring out prices, places to stay, car rentals etc is confusing and difficult at best with the interweb being my only resource. I am loath to go through a pushy and pricey travel agent when I know exactly where I want to go and the methods of transportation I’d like to use. Help!!?? Advice? Thoughts?

ricksteves.com is a good source

[macdpb]

Hi Ethan, I saw your note on the website.

The Scottish Executive, our "government" over here, sponsor an official website called VisitScotland.com

Personally I don't think its a great site but you might find it helpful. For what its worth, assuming you will fly to and land in Edinburgh, and assuming aa 2 week schedule, I'd suggest a night in Edinburgh before driving north to Perthshire. This is the southern approaach to the magnificent highlands. Places like Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Balmoral and the town (or is it city??) of Perth will give you a great feel for what's to come.

Heading north after that, maybe go to Inverness (catching Loch Ness en route) andd then to the small fishing town of Ullapool. From there, if you choose to you can get a ferry out to the Hebridean islands.

Maybe return via Mallaig on the west coast and once back on the mainland, drive to GlenFinnan to see the monument to Prince Charlie. Fort William iss just a few miles further on.

You can then return to Edinburgh either via Spean Bridge and Achnacarry where the commandos trained before the 2nd WW, or go via Callander etc to get back to Edinburgh.

A bit rough and ready but as an outline sketch, I hope it may be useful in your planning

rgds

Pete MacDonald
Edinburgh

[Jock Scot]

You suggest a fine trip there sir. If I may,can I correct you on one minor point? Glenfinnan was indeed the rallying point for the clans in 1745, however, the figure atop the monument is not of their leader.

[Ethan Evans-Hilton]

Wow! Clearly I’ve come to the right place for advice. Thank you one and all. I have some things to consider now. It had been asked what kind of a trip we had in mind. Here’s what we were thinking as far as the places we’d like to visit.
We had thought about flying into Glasgow as it was suggested that this is cheaper however we are not set on this and are open to flying into any city really.
Spots we want to visit are:
- Glencoe
- Culloden
- Oban
- Eilean Donan castle
- Isle of Skye
- At least a couple of scotch distilleries. I tend toward the Speysides
- Loch Ness maybe
- A nice dense deep Scottish forest
We had thought about renting a car. We’d prefer a 4x4 (Jeep preferably) and with the exception of the day we land and the night before we leave we were thinking B&Bs the whole time. I know we have listed a few touristy type places above but by and large we want to avoid the touristy stuff and see a) the real and rural Scotland and b) historical sites. Taking a steam train at some point could be fun as well.

[Jock Scot]

Well all that should be fairly easy to see!One thing to remember that fuel is now several pennies over £1 per litre,I drive a jeep and filling up is getting to be a fairly painful exercise!Also in the highlands fuel stations are often many many miles apart, fill up as soon as you see a fuel stop when your fuel gauge says half full. I kid you not!

Glencoe, Oban, Loch Ness,Culloden,Steam train trip(renowned),Eilean Donan castle,Isle of Skye, distilleries(not Speyside) can all be fitted in to the Inverness----Skye----Fort William---Oban area.

Be warned you may see "such and such deer forest" written often on a map.DO NOT expect to see a tree!It is a turn of phrase, describing an area where traditionally red deer are shot, so not to be taken literally! There are huge tracts of trees though, not much of it is that old as most(not all) quality trees were cut down during the two world wars.Specimen trees there most certainly are and hundreds of thousands of acres of rather uninteresting forestry.

[macdpb]

Hi Jock, thanks for the timely correction. I am amazed that I had it so wrong after all these years. I've driven past the monument dozens of times always assuming the figure was he himself. In fact, it is a far more fitting tribute.

Thank you for the clarification. Meanwwhile, Ethan, best of luck and I'm sure that we all extend to you a warm welcome whenever you decide to come over.