Also see my posts about What to see in Edinburgh, Edinburgh in 2 days, and day trips from Edinburgh.
How do I begin to plan a trip to the UK?
It always starts with your passport if you're coming from abroad - is it up to date? I have known one or two people who had to miss or delay their trips or expedite their passports at added cost for not checking the passport dates at the outset. A strategy I use to stay on top of them is to use my google calendar to send me reminders.
Where should I fly to if I want to visit Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has an airport but not many international flights go direct right now. If you do fly into Edinburgh, the airport is 30 minutes' bus ride from the city centre so budget a £5 bus/tram ticket or a £15 taxi.
Manchester is closer in distance to Edinburgh but its transport links aren't as regular as London's to Edinburgh. Manchester is also about 4 hours by train.
London is 4 hours away if you take the 'fast train,' which leaves many times a day (though not regularly on holidays or Sundays). We like using thetrainline.com for buying train tickets. We always choose the option to pick the tickets up at the station, and turn up 30 min early in case there are long lines at the ticket machines. If the tickets are for a 6 am train however sometimes I'll pick them up a few days early so we don't have to get to the station at 5:30.
It is even shorter if you fly from London to Edinburgh - sometimes a 50 minute flight - and sometimes flights can be cheaper than the train! Especially if you are doing a trip where part is spent in London, you may want to look at cheap smaller airlines like Ryanair for deals. Just remember to check out money pitfalls about Ryanair online - for example they charge you 20 pounds per person for printing boarding passes if you do not come with them printed!
Another option if flying into London is Megabus which is usually the cheapest. It drops you off in the city centre near the train station. It does take a long time though so we have never done it!
Where should I stay in Edinburgh?
When is the best time to do the highlands and islands?
Before the midges come out in July and August! Or after they all die off!
Some islands like Skye have a despotic single restaurant which charges ridiculous prices for poor service. There are also toll bridges and it's possible to book a week's holiday there and for it to rain the whole time. Since Skye is really only known for it's wild outdoor beauty, there's nothing to do but sit inside your cottage and play cards.
Do you have taxes in the UK?
The price items are labeled in the shop includes tax which is great. If you have to buy something larger like coats while you're here (don't forget to pack warmly even in summer!) you can claim back the VAT when you get home.
Manchester is closer in distance to Edinburgh but its transport links aren't as regular as London's to Edinburgh. Manchester is also about 4 hours by train.
London is 4 hours away if you take the 'fast train,' which leaves many times a day (though not regularly on holidays or Sundays). We like using thetrainline.com for buying train tickets. We always choose the option to pick the tickets up at the station, and turn up 30 min early in case there are long lines at the ticket machines. If the tickets are for a 6 am train however sometimes I'll pick them up a few days early so we don't have to get to the station at 5:30.
It is even shorter if you fly from London to Edinburgh - sometimes a 50 minute flight - and sometimes flights can be cheaper than the train! Especially if you are doing a trip where part is spent in London, you may want to look at cheap smaller airlines like Ryanair for deals. Just remember to check out money pitfalls about Ryanair online - for example they charge you 20 pounds per person for printing boarding passes if you do not come with them printed!
Another option if flying into London is Megabus which is usually the cheapest. It drops you off in the city centre near the train station. It does take a long time though so we have never done it!
Where should I stay in Edinburgh?
A brilliant bed and breakfast near the city centre is Elderfield Guest House
We also got rave reviews from friends who stayed at 53 Fredrick Street, in the New Town part of the city centre
We also found fantastic deals on Air B&B, which is worth a look. You basically stay at people's homes for a lot cheaper than a hotel.
We love TripAdvisor for reviews as well!
When should I order British money?
When should I order British money?
I would order some British pounds through your bank before you come so you don't stress about that. Or call your bank and see what the charge would be for using your charge card. Usually it's 12% but it might be worth if if you are nervous about carrying cash.
Otherwise I seem to recall there are places that do it in the airport or the train station...I haven't actually done that part for years though so you'd have to do some research. You might get ripped off otherwise.
Anything else I should do in prep?
Anything else I should do in prep?
Buy a really good map of the places you are going or study and copy out the online maps. Some people use their smart phones in wifi zones to check where they are - most American phones can be used abroad in wifi zones for little or no cost. You may want to buy a travel package if you want to use it more regularly however.
It is considered courteous in this country to buy a coffee or something if using a cafe's wifi or toilet.
How do you call/text a UK number with an American phone?You type 011 44 for the country code and then the number.It is considered courteous in this country to buy a coffee or something if using a cafe's wifi or toilet.
What books should I read in prep for a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland?
I love 'A Christian History of the Royal Mile' by Paul James Griffiths. He just came out with a new book called the Seers.
A new book on the market for 7.50 is 'A Sad Departure' about the current situation with the Church of Scotland.
'Fair Sunshine' is about the Covenanters.
The History of the Reformation in Scotland by John Knox has the benefit of being written in the period in question. I particularly love the account of the prisoners taken in the St. Andrews uprising who later became galley slaves on French vessels being forced to kiss the statue of the Virgin Mary and one unnamed prisoner throwing it overboard rather than kiss it. Many people think the unnamed prisoner was John Knox.
The History of the Reformation in Scotland by John Knox has the benefit of being written in the period in question. I particularly love the account of the prisoners taken in the St. Andrews uprising who later became galley slaves on French vessels being forced to kiss the statue of the Virgin Mary and one unnamed prisoner throwing it overboard rather than kiss it. Many people think the unnamed prisoner was John Knox.
A biography of St. Margaret of Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots, James the I and VI, John Knox or Bonny Prince Charlie wouldn't go amiss.
What car rental companies do you recommend?
What car rental companies do you recommend?
I'm not sure about the best car rental as none of our guests have rented cars. Public transport is so good here, you can get most places and actually enjoy the sites that are going past without having your nose buried in a map or GPS.
Parking in Edinburgh is a bit of a nightmare to be honest, so if you opt for a car you might want to choose a B&B further out with free, easy parking - maybe even Sir Walter Scott's home Abbotsford in the Borders which is now partially a hotel.
Automatics are definitely becoming more common - though they might be five to ten pounds more expensive to rent per day. You might want to consider spending your time in Edinburgh without a car, and just rent the car when you need it for the highlands. You might want to check on any proposed roadworks going on before you do though because sometimes they do it all in spring and it really slows down driving if you have to make a 3 hour detour, like all our friends going to the church retreat last year. We got the train and got to Pitlochry and back again without a hitch except for the last leg where everyone except old ladies had to stand.
The other thing to remember is they charge you for using some of the roads in Scotland. So even if it seems the same price to rent a car to get someone as to take the train, you have to remember the toll bridges - esp if going to Skye! Parking and petrol are apparently always going up in price and some b&bs have a hidden 'parking cost' where they charge you for using a parking spot.
The easiest way to see the highlands I have found is to find a bus tour that goes the place you want - some are one day, some are 3 days and go all the way to Eileen Donan and the Isle of Skye. Then you have a knowledgeable guide who will tell you about the castles you pass and the local history.
I find I don't really need flexibility when I travel because I usually have charted out what we're doing every day. And if you get an Explorer Pass, you're sort of locked into a series of castles anyway. I never plan to do more than one castle in a day generally because we like time to get coffee, explore old churches and anything else that might look interesting, but everyone has a different traveling style.
When is the best time to do the highlands and islands?
Before the midges come out in July and August! Or after they all die off!
Some islands like Skye have a despotic single restaurant which charges ridiculous prices for poor service. There are also toll bridges and it's possible to book a week's holiday there and for it to rain the whole time. Since Skye is really only known for it's wild outdoor beauty, there's nothing to do but sit inside your cottage and play cards.
Do you have taxes in the UK?
The price items are labeled in the shop includes tax which is great. If you have to buy something larger like coats while you're here (don't forget to pack warmly even in summer!) you can claim back the VAT when you get home.
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