Scotland was always high on my bucket list! I had no idea it would end up being one of my favorite places. I only wish we had more time to explore the Scottish Highlands. We will be planning a return trip no doubt. Book that trip! You will absolutely not regret it.
Weather: I highly recommend visiting Scotland in the summer. During other times of the year, it can be rainy, cold, and not as vibrantly green. The weather can change rapidly, so it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella and a raincoat.
Currency: In Scotland, the currency used is the Pound, which is also used throughout the UK. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Transportation: If you plan to spend most of your time in Edinburgh, I highly recommend using public transportation. Parking can be a nightmare. However, if you’re heading to the Highlands, a rental car is a must. Keep in mind that in Scotland, they drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car. Taxis are also quite affordable in the city.
Water: Tap water is perfectly safe to drink!
Getting There:
We took a direct flight from JFK to EDI. The flight departed around 10:00 PM and arrived at approximately 9:00 AM local time. Upon landing, we followed the signs that directed us to the tram. The tram ride is very affordable and provides convenient transportation into the city. A one-way ticket cost us only about $6 and took us directly to the city center.
We chose accommodation near the Haymarket tram stop, which was in proximity to the rental car company. From there, it was just a short 15-minute walk to reach the heart of Edinburgh.
Driving Around:
We arranged the rental car for the second and third days of our trip, choosing to stay close to the Mcniccoles location where we needed to pick up the car. If your plan involves staying solely in Edinburgh, I highly recommend not renting a car. Driving on the opposite side of the car and the left side of the street, coupled with the challenges of traffic and parking, can be less enjoyable within the city. However, having a rental car is an absolute necessity for exploring the Highlands.
Our rental car provider, Mcniccoles, exceeded our expectations. Even though we booked our trip and rental car on short notice, we were able to secure a comfortable automatic Suzuki. (Obtaining a last-minute rental with an automatic transmission can sometimes be a challenge, so we were super fortunate!)
Pro tip: Allocate extra time when driving through Edinburgh because traffic can be quite congested. Moreover, when heading to the Highlands, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as gas stations can be relatively scarce in certain areas.
Where to Stay:
On our first night, we opted for an Airbnb in Haymarket, just outside the Edinburgh city center. We discovered that many available Airbnbs offered “shared bathrooms” or were quite expensive, so we decided to try the “shared bathroom” experience for the first time. Our Airbnb was a renovated apartment that we shared with the host and his wife. It was clean but a bit cozy, which is to be expected in shared Airbnbs, I suppose. Nevertheless, our host was excellent and even provided us with a ride to pick up our rental car the next day.
On our second night, we stayed in Fort William at another Airbnb, which also had a “shared bathroom” setup. The accommodation was incredibly spacious, and the bathroom was quite large. It was shared with another guest staying across the hall, but it was so quiet that I hardly noticed anyone else was there.
The host provided a delightful small breakfast, which we found delicious. They were fantastic hosts, and the location was perfect. There were plenty of nearby activities and numerous restaurants to choose from.
What to Do:
Day 1: Edinburgh
- Walk through New Town
- Edinburgh Castle- Last minute tickets are hard to come by. I recommend booking tickets in advance if this is something you’d like to see. We only toured the outside because we couldn’t get tickets.
- Prince Street Gardens
- Walk through Old Town- This is the famous Royal Mile street with all the old stone buildings.
- St. Giles Cathedral
- Victoria Street-This is a fun street to tour as the colorful buildings and stone are so beautiful. It was also the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.
- Elephant House-This is a cute cafe where JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books. As of 2023 it is under construction.
- Tom Riddles Grave- A cemetery serving as the inspiration for the greatest villain in Harry Potter
- Arthur’s Seat hike- This hike offers beautiful views of the city and out towards the ocean. It took us about 30 minutes to hike to the top and was very manageable. It does have some steep sections. I had slip on shoes and did okay but would recommend sturdy shoes if possible.
- Holyrood Palace- The King’s official residence in Edinburgh
- Dean Village- An adorable little suburb of Edinburgh. It is walkable and worth the exploration
Day 2: Scottish Highlands
- Midhope Castle- This is the Lallybroch castle from Outlander. It was only 5 pounds to enter. This was a little excessive in my mind as you can’t enter the castle and can only walk the grounds. However, I loved seeing it! Tip: you can see the castle from the road as you drive in if you just want to get a glimpse 😉
- Drive to Fort William through Glencoe
- Glenfinnan- This is where you can hike to see the train from Harry Potter (otherwise known as the Jacobite Express). You can find timetables for the train here. Make sure to arrive early so you have time to make the walk and settle down before the train comes.
- Loch (lake) Shiel- This is the beautiful lake with breathtaking views near Glenfinnan.
- Loch (lake) Eilt- Another beautiful lake worth visiting. Another Harry Potter site to see. Dumbledore was buried here.
- Drive to Lochness- See if you can spot the Lochness Monster!
- City of Inverness
Day 3: Highlands
- Go hiking in Glencoe
- Stop in the city of Callander- This is the cutest town and a great place to see the famous Scottish cows.
- We decided to spend some time in England after our time in Scotland. We drove back to Edinburgh and dropped off our rental car. The rental car company drove us to the train station (Edinburgh Waverley) and we took a train to London (London King’s Cross). You can book tickets here. It was about a 4 hour train ride and booking tickets is super easy online! Prices vary based on if you buy them in advance, time of day, and the season.
What to Eat:
- Scottish breakfast- We ate at Mannerstons near Midhope castle. It was phenomenal although, Scottish breakfasts are fairly traditional across the board
- Bertie’s Proper Fish and Chips- How can you not eat fish and chips in Edinburgh?
- Bakerys of course!
- The Waterfront in Inverness for fish and chips
- Mimi’s Bakehouse in Edinburgh- Across the street from the train station. Sandwiches were so good!
Overview:
Scotland exceeded all my expectations. I could spend months there hiking and exploring. I do wish we had more time to hike in Glencoe and explore Isle of Skye. It was quite a bit of driving for 2 days but we were able to see so much! 100% worth it.
Non Rev Roamer 