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highlands and orkney
Heather1
Member ✭
we are planning our first trip to Scotland and cant figure out how long to stay in 1 place --or where to use a place as home base. We want to see Edinburgh, the highlands, skye and Orkney. we are interested in history--medieval, roman, Viking pict,and Neolithic. and we love scenery. How can we arrange an itinerary that's best for us. we plan on using public transit in edinbugh but renting a car in the highlands on. We will have 3 weeks. are we best to go to Orkney-how long to stay? or just get a day tour to see the Orkney neothlic sights? I am 65 and my leg gives out occasionally so I'm not a fan of walking tours but can walk sites ourselves at a slower pace. I want to see the fairy glen and the fairy pools. and hopefully a fishing trip on one of the lakes. Sorry if I'm asking too much at once. I'm exicted to go Scotland--trying to narrow it.
Best Answers
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VisitScotlandLiam
Member, Administrator, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✪
Hello @Heather1, sounds like a great plan! How are you getting to Scotland, will you be flying or getting the train? Here's some helpful information about how to get around Edinburgh by using public transport.
Also, I would recommend that you spend more than one day on Orkney as if you were just doing a day trip, it would be an exhausting day full of travelling.
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Horizons
Member, VisitScotland Ambassador ✭✭✭✭
How can we arrange an itinerary that's best for us. we plan on using public transit in edinbugh but renting a car in the highlands on. We will have 3 weeks. are we best to go to Orkney-how long to stay? or just get a day tour to see the Orkney neothlic sights?Hey @Heather1, I would highly recommend staying on mainland Orkney for 2-3 days minimum as you are on a 3 week trip. I have also taken the day trip from Inverness and most of it is spent in the bus (as is true with a few other long daytrips across Scotland). The fastest crossing is on the Pentland ferries (closer to Kirkwall) but taking the Northlink to Stromness may work better as Stromness is closer on average to all Neolithic sites.
I'll be happy to recommend an itinerary if you could tell us other spots outside of Neolithic Orkney you'd like to visit. Till such time, I invite you to read my Orkney trip report from my visit 2 years back: https://beyondourhorizons.com/2017/02/01/orkney-scotland-a-cornucopia-of-history-views/ I would also recommend not to leave booking rooms / B&Bs for after landing in Scotland to avoid disappointment, the most popular destinations (like Skye) get booked out for the entire summer.I'm Anirudh, an Indian travel blogger who has explored a lot of Scotland by public transport. My blog. Find me on Facebook | Instagram
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Speyside)5
Answers