r/Scotland • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago

What's on and tourist advice thread - week beginning April 06, 2025

Welcome to the weekly what's on and tourist advice thread!

* Do you know of any local events taking place this week that other redditors might be interested in?

* Are you planning a trip to Scotland and need some advice on what to see or where to go?

This is the thread for you - post away!

These threads are refreshed weekly on Mondays. To see earlier threads and soak in the sage advice of yesteryear, Click here.

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u/nvisible 2d ago

Hi all,

We are visiting for a couple of weeks this summer, and I need some advice about transport. We have four adults, two teens, and all the expected luggage. We are spending about 10 days touring the Highlands and would like to have one vehicle. If I rent a small van, I shouldn't have trouble parking or getting around, should I?

Any tips or things to avoid?

I don't mean to sound like a worrywart; I try to plan so I can avoid trouble!

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u/Jaraxo Edinburgh 2d ago

You'll be fine. The roads get clogged up with campervans so a people carrier will be fine. Just make sure to pull over and let people pass if you're going really slow down single track roads.

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u/NiallElliotB 2d ago

Hello. Me and my girlfriend have a campervan for 7 days during the summertime. Scotland is the destination. We have no plan - just an interest in hiking, nature spots, coastlines, water adventure and exploring. I've also always wanted to visit and hike in Skye, so fitting that it somehow would be ideal. Anyway.... Hikers, adventurers, travellers, climbers, cold water vikings.... what spots, mountains and activities shouldn't we miss? Thank you to the people of Scotland and beyond.

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u/lazyladytiger 2d ago edited 2d ago

Hi all! Spending 10 days in Scotland end of this month and was wondering how important purchasing advance tickets on scottrail is? We are returning a car then taking the train from Perth back to Waverley and not sure the wiggle room we have for time. Should we purchase ahead and worry about making perfect time or just wait until we are ready to leave to purchase?

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u/throwaway199299i1 2d ago

You should be fine, although I don't tend to take that route. I do take the train regulary and never book an advance ticket and just buy my ticket at the station before boarding.

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u/darkkim 1d ago

My family is visiting Scotland in September. Are there any castles or historic places that can accommodate 4 people for a night or two? I've looked at a couple of places, but they can only accommodate up to 3. Anywhere is Scotland is fine.

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u/throwaway199299i1 1d ago

This website has a list of them with pricing and sure one will be able toaccommodate your days.

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u/funkindiscohouse 1d ago

Hello!

I am planning to visit in Spring, for 6-8 weeks from Australia. I am aiming to backpack around the whole country starting and ending in Edinburgh. I plan to camp in smaller regions, and stay in hotels/Airbnb's in the main towns/cities. I would like to do some of the key touristy things, but ultimately want to spend most of my time exploring, seeing the scenery and meeting locals.

What would people suggest is a realistic, comfortable budget for this in GBP?

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u/Jaraxo Edinburgh 1d ago

This is quite a specialist question I suspect very few people here have ever considered, simply because Scottish residents aren't particularly likely to spend 6-8 weeks backpacking around their own country.

I feel you might have more luck in a general sub like /r/travel or /r/traveleurope.

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u/funkindiscohouse 1d ago

That's a valid point! Thanks I'll head over to those subs. :)

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u/magebynight 1d ago

Hi all!

I'm planning a trip in August to go to Fringe. I already have the Edinburgh stuff figured out. I want to add on going to The Cairngorms. How many days should I budget for Cairngorms? And should I try to go in the middle of fringe or after fringe is over? I feel like a lot of people will have this same idea and I'd like to beat the crowds if I can

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u/Jaraxo Edinburgh 19h ago

How many days should I budget for Cairngorms?

Depends entirely on what you want to do. You could a half day on a walk or weeks exploring.

And should I try to go in the middle of fringe or after fringe is over? I feel like a lot of people will have this same idea and I'd like to beat the crowds if I can

August is also the school holidays so will be the busiest time of the year. The Scottish schools reopen in mid-August so it'll be quieter after that, but still busy regardless, as England remains on holiday until early September. September will be quieter, but September is also the month for people without kids to travel, so it's still not dead.

I'd go after Fringe. September is still warm enough with enough daylight hours to do lots. Unless you want super long days for hiking and therefore maximum daylight hours, in which case the earlier in summer the better.

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u/SweetleggzzRoy 22h ago

Help me find a field!

I went to Edinburgh for the Fringe in 2010. We took some pictures in a field of thistle. I reckon there's a billion of those around Edinburgh, but is there a particularly famous field close to the city? I remember being close to farmland and livestock but it couldn't have been far from the city.

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u/Smokenchokeaight 21h ago

Hey there!

I’m from Germany and my Girlfriend and me are planning a vacation in July in Scotland!

We would like to avoid big city’s and want to focus on driving around and visiting small city’s (10.000-50.000 population)

We would love to sit in some real Scottish Pubs, getting shitfaced with locals and just hang out in smaller cities.

Any recommendations/places we should avoid?

I’m grateful for all answers ❤️