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Winter holiday in scotland

LiketotravelLiketotravel Member ✭✭
in Planning and Practicalities
My family and I will be spending our winter holiday in Scotland. This is my family's first trip to Scotland and is excited to see and do as much as possible. We have booked a 7-day stay at a self-catering apartment at Tweedbank, Scottish Borders. Would appreciate some tips & advice. If possible we may not want to drive.  1) Where do you recommend that we visit? (There will be 2adults + 1 tween + 1 9-year old. We like sight seeing and activities). 2) my Son learnt about Loch Lomand in his English class and asked me to bring him there. How do I get there from Tweedbank?  3) After Scotland, Travelling down to England, which route should I take? by train/bus? I plan to have 1 or 2 stops before finally arriving at London.
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Comments

  • HorizonsHorizons Member, VisitScotland Ambassador ✭✭✭✭
    Will you have access to a car during your trip?
    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 fest)

  • HorizonsHorizons Member, VisitScotland Ambassador ✭✭✭✭
    Ok, am going to assume not driving. Tweedbank is connected to Edinburgh by Border railways and possibly with buses as well and EDB will be your gateway to the rest of Scotland. In the vicinity, I'd recommend Kelso, Jedburgh and Melrose (outside of Tweedbank of course, try Tempest Beer if you can nip in a pint of Scotland's best beer). Google will tell you best places to see. Spend a couple of days seeing Edinburgh.

    To get to Loch Lomond, I'd recommend going to Glasgow via Edinburgh and catching a bus towards Luss. This beautiful village is a 10 min walk from the bus stop.

    Finally, going back to England, I'd recommend taking the East Coast train towards London. Durham and York are worthy stops.
    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 fest)

  • VisitScotlandJulieVisitScotlandJulie Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    There is a good value ScotRail ticket that would be very useful if you are based in Tweedbank and want to explore around the wider local area without a car. Find out more about the Days Out in Edinburgh ticket at: 
    https://www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/combined-tickets-travel-passes/glasgow-or-edinburgh-days-out

    This gives you unlimited rail travel for two consecutive days on the routes shown and includes Borders, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Stirling, Falkirk and Fife. There is also a family ticket available.

    You can also use the X62 local bus to reach Melrose Abbey and Abbotsford House - both are well worth a visit.

    You must visit Edinburgh's Christmas in the city  centre if you are there between November 17 and January 6. It is something for all the family to enjoy.
  • LiketotravelLiketotravel Member ✭✭
    Thank you very much, Horizon & Julie for the useful tips.  Will get down to plan the itinerary soon. :)
  • MogMJMRMogMJMR Member ✭✭
    Hi There @Liketotravel

    You might already have seen it but there is another community thread on here about attractions on the Border's Railway.

    http://https//community.visitscotland.com/discussion/1103/visiting-midlothian-and-the-scottish-borders-using-the-borders-railway#latest

    If you have time I would also recommend a visit to The Tweed Valley including Peebles which can be reached on the x62 bus from Tweedback every hour, with a journey time of around an hour.

    Attractions include Go Ape and Ridelines (Aerial Adventure in the forest - for over 10s; and mountain bike taster sessions) as well as great walking routes.

    I also love the Grass Sledging at http://http//www.bornintheborders.com/  which is closer to Jedburgh and can be reached by bus too from Galashiels.

    If you'll be here before the end of October or at one of the winter open days they hold, http://https//www.nts.org.uk/Visit/Robert-Smails/ is also worth a look.

    Enjoy your visit to the Borders.
    Mogmjmr
    Based in the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire has a special place in my heart.
  • LiketotravelLiketotravel Member ✭✭
    Thank you Mogmjmr
  • LiketotravelLiketotravel Member ✭✭
    i need to plan my next league, after Scotland.
    Q1: How punctual is the train?
    Q2: Is it risky too take the 0520 train from Tweedbank arrive Edinburg Waverley 0620, then take the Lothian Bus 100 to Edinburg airport to board the 0745 flight?
    Q3: How early do I need to be at the airport?
    Q4: Any better recommendations?
    Q5: Is it possible to get Uber (or any similar) from railway station early morning around 6am?
    I need to board a flight from Edinburgh to Cardiff, depart from Edinburgh
    0745am.  I will take a train from Tweedbank (0520am), arrive Edinburgh
    Waverley station 0615.
  • HorizonsHorizons Member, VisitScotland Ambassador ✭✭✭✭
    Can't speak for Uber but there should be black cabs outside Waverley / Balmoral at 6:20 Shouldn't take you more than 20 minutes to get to the airport that early and hopefully the security line should be small. If you're planning to check in bags though, it might be tight as the slowest lines are at airline bag drop.

    Alternatively consider booking 1 night in Edinburgh city centre or near the airport and make the trek 1 day in advance (a trick I have used in a few cities while travelling).
    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 fest)

  • MogMJMRMogMJMR Member ✭✭
    @liketotravel I would agree with the above - the odd train can be cancelled and I would say that arriving at Waverley 90 minutes before your flight is to depart is too tight.  Staying overnight in the City the night before sounds a great idea, there are some great budget hotels at Haymarket and tram to the airport if you don't fancy staying at the airport itself .
    Mogmjmr
    Based in the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire has a special place in my heart.
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