Scottish Highlands - fly/drive?
Discussion
I'm contemplating a trip to Scotland - probably the Highlands - in a few months time. My OH teaches and I'm busy for the remainder of the summer so we're going to have to leave it until the (end of) October half term.
We're based in London so even Glasgow is a good day's drive and we were thinking about maybe flying up then hiring a car. Any suggestions or recommendations? We'd probably be looking at 3-5 days in total for the trip.
Anything to look out for when booking flights - looks like about £70pp return, so probably less than petrol there and back...
Likewise any thoughts on car hire - places to go etc? Not going to pay for anything exotic, but I might consider hiring something vaguely interesting (TT, Scirocco or something) if anyone knows of a hire company that does good rates for something a bit nicer than the usual knackered Corsa.
Is there much difference between the two Glasgow airports?
Where to go? Scenery is the main box we're looking to tick, although some good roads wouldn't go a miss - how far into the Highlands could we realistically get on, say, a three day round trip, taking time to explore on the way?
We're based in London so even Glasgow is a good day's drive and we were thinking about maybe flying up then hiring a car. Any suggestions or recommendations? We'd probably be looking at 3-5 days in total for the trip.
Anything to look out for when booking flights - looks like about £70pp return, so probably less than petrol there and back...
Likewise any thoughts on car hire - places to go etc? Not going to pay for anything exotic, but I might consider hiring something vaguely interesting (TT, Scirocco or something) if anyone knows of a hire company that does good rates for something a bit nicer than the usual knackered Corsa.
Is there much difference between the two Glasgow airports?
Where to go? Scenery is the main box we're looking to tick, although some good roads wouldn't go a miss - how far into the Highlands could we realistically get on, say, a three day round trip, taking time to explore on the way?
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 24th August 14:34
Well, it's certainly not an imaginary experience.
Some details on Seat61:
http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm#wonde...
Trains depart from Euston
Some details on Seat61:
http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm#wonde...
Trains depart from Euston
Amateurish said:
Well, it's certainly not an imaginary experience.
I just feared you meant it in the same way that an unsavory individual is sometimes described as 'a real character'.
Looks interesting - certainly a bit different. It's no cheaper than flying (actually somewhat more expensive before airport parking etc) so it would have to offer a pleasant experience and a decent night's sleep, but could be an option. Any idea if you get such a thing as a double sleeper compartment?
Personally I love the experience and I've done it a few times. Have a couple of drinks in the dining car as you travel through North London suburbs then to bed after Watford Junction and wake up with spectacular views over Rannoch Moor.
A good night's sleep is not guanranteed especially if you are a light sleeper - there's a fair amount of movement, especially once your on the tracks North of Glasgow.
No double beds, only single first class and twin bunk second class compartments.
No doubt flying is cheaper but a sleeper train is part of the holiday, plus you gain a day.
A good night's sleep is not guanranteed especially if you are a light sleeper - there's a fair amount of movement, especially once your on the tracks North of Glasgow.
No double beds, only single first class and twin bunk second class compartments.
No doubt flying is cheaper but a sleeper train is part of the holiday, plus you gain a day.
True. Another big plus - seems we're looking to get as far north as possible basically - is that the train would deposit us at Fort Bill, so we'd be into the fun it of Scotland instantly, rather than having to drive a couple of hours of Glasgow before things got interesting.
Definitely worth a look.
Definitely worth a look.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
How come, I thought the beauty of the sleeper was you travelled overnight? I'm quite a light sleeper unfortunately, but at least in theory it's time I'd otherwise be horizontal...Will definitely check out flights to Inverness though. It makes far more sense if we fly. Although it'd be nice to hire something a bit nicer than average the cost of anything remotely interesting may prove prohibitive anyway - I'm not going to pay three times the price of a perfectly addequate hatchback for a base spec TT or something, I'd only do it if it worked out vaguely reasonable.
Sagacitas said:
you can hire a Caterham or Boxster in Perth
http://www.openroadhire.co.uk/
Sadly my missus won't even willingly get in our own Caterham http://www.openroadhire.co.uk/
and luggage space could be a bit tricky for touring. A Boxster quite appeals, but it rather depends on the price. It's not a driving holiday particularly (that'll come later when I lug one of my cars up to the frozen north...) This lot based in Inverness used to hire Boxters and the like, but not seeing too much in that range now.....still have some different options though!
http://www.focusvehiclerental.co.uk/fleet.php
http://www.focusvehiclerental.co.uk/fleet.php
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