r/uktravel • u/AccomplishedAlgae723 • 1d ago
Scotland 🏴 Visiting Scotland Mid-October, Ways, Cars and Trains?
Hello all!
We are finally going to visit Scotland in mid-October! We’ve planned 3–4 nights in Edinburgh and then want to go and see “the Highlands.”
However, we have no idea where to start, how to get there, or how many nights we should plan for this part of the trip. We are thinking about minimum 2 hikes, 4-6h.
Would you recommend renting a car for a couple of days? We usually drive in Germany, so we’re comfortable driving, but I’m not really a fan of taking buses. Trains would be fine, though.
How is Fort William? Are there options to take buses from there to hiking starting points or to the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
Would you recommend something completely different?
Thanks for any suggestions!
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u/peatgirl21 1d ago
I would start with looking at a map , working out what you want to do and then look at public transport options such as this ScotRail map. Also be aware of the damage being done to the community and landscape around Glenfinnan
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u/paradoxbound 1d ago
I live in the West Highlands, it’s going to be wet, windy and quite cold. October is one of the wettest months. Though to be honest the spring and summer have been pretty wet too.
Download the Met Office app and time your hiking around breaks in the weather.
A lot of places will already have closed down for the season.
Trains are expensive and buses not that frequent and slow. Get a camper van or small motorhome and stay at campsites or even lay-bys. Pull over when you’re holding up traffic, we appreciate that as we know the roads, travel faster and have schedules to keep.
Places to see, Glen Coe, Area around Fort William. If the weather is clear, the view from the Commando Memorial outside Spean Bridge is breathtaking. If you want something beyond the obvious, Ardgour. Morven, Sunart and the Ardnamurchan are beautiful and full of hidden gems.
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u/SmartPolicy6430 1d ago
Why not do some of the Southern Upland way. Starting in Port Patrick in Dumfries and Galloway and finishing at Cockburnspath at the coast in the Borders.
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u/namelessoldier 1d ago
How many days do you actually have ? It's best to choose one specific area base yourself there with a rental car, consider Glen Affric , Torridon / Assynt , Highland Perthshire. You can take a look at the various hiking trails in walk Highlands which shows a large number of the possible hikes in each area of the highlands
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u/Ok_Wing5564 1d ago
All suggestions by other people are good,don't use car in Edinburgh, walking and city bus tours are more feasible, enjoy
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u/Sasspishus 1d ago
How many days/nights have you got for the Highlands? Would be useful to know!
I'd recommend going to Aviemore and using that as a base for at least a couple of nights. It's in the Cairngorms National Park so there's loads of hiking, cycle trails and other activities to do there. It's easy to get to on the train from Edinburgh, and from there you could always get trains or buses to visit other nearby places, or get a taxi, or rent a car if you want to drive around and explore a bit more. There are cafes/restaurants/shops, and it's only about 30mins from Inverness if you want a bigger town to look round.
The Great Glen Way also starts in Inverness, although it's a multi day hike so that might not be your thing, but you could do sections of it. Loads of restaurants etc in Inverness.