I'm planning a freedom of Scotland trip

[Kite159]

Most likely it will be a week in June time (so the days are at their longest), trying to cover as much of Scotland railways as possible using a Freedom of Scotland Travelpass (which I'm assuming doesn't include the Glasgow subway or the forecoming Edinburgh Trams) (http://www.railrover.org/pages/freedom-of-scotland-travelpass.html)

Has anybody done anything similar in the pass, with any hints or tips where to stay overnight (reasonable priced hotels within a reasonable distance of the railway stations)?

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I travelled a little in Scotland on an All Line Rover and used the YHA for accomodation, basic but very good price. In Edinburgh during the summer they use Uni dorm rooms which are far cheaper than any hotel.

A real treat was Carbisdale Castle on the Inverness to Thurso line, but this seems to be permanently closed now.

 

[Welshman]

The Premier Inn at Fort William is only a couple of minute's walk from the station [and closer still to the Bus Station if you intend to take advantage of using the Fort William-Inverness bus link].

I'm not sure whether it would be within your intended budget, though, especially in June!

 

[Kite159]

I was planning to do Scotland on a All Line Rover, but I guess it will take at least 3 if not 4 days to cover it all, including the highland lines (which run 3/4 times a day). If I finish earlier I will try and do a Cumbria day ranger

 

[Techniquest]

I would perhaps suggest multiple trips to Scotland, as it will enable you to get things done better. Like the Inverclyde and South West of Scotland, it takes frigging ages to get it all in so easier to do that lot in one trip, then the Far North on a separate trip, the West Highlands another time, etc.

Say for example book a flight to Inverness and do a Far North ranger, whatever it's called (Highlands Rover?) which covers Wick/Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh and over to Aberdeen. Or you could book a flight to Wick, do those lines and fly back from Aberdeen or Inverness. Or indeed you could utilise the Caledonian Sleeper to get you up there.

There's plenty of options with bashing in Scotland, and it took many trips to get everything up there track wise. Still a lot of DMUs and EMUs, not to mention stations, I need though so will be going back up for a long time yet!

Final thought, the Premier Inn at Charing Cross (Glasgow) is very, very conveniently located right next to the station and you may find it an ideal base for your adventures.

 

[Greenback]

I have travelled around Scotland using a Rover on quite a few occasions. I think you have chosen the best time of year to do it!

On one of my trips I stayed near Oban station. It was twenty years ago so I can't remember the name! The next day I went to Fort William an dback to Glasgow, before my first ever run up to Inverness.

I used to like the Glasgow Central Hotel in those days. It was a bit run down and you could get cheap rooms. Now it has been renovated and is 4 stars, it's a bit mroe expenisive than when I used it!

I also used an independent hotel near Haymarket, and the Royal Highland in Inverness. In those pre internet days I used to visit the Tourist Information Centre for accommodation, and hotels like the Royal Highland often had notices in the window offering cheap rooms for that night!

These days it's difficult to beat the likes of Premier Inn and Travelodge for value. The PI in Fort Bill is particularly well locate dfor the station. But I still have a soft spot for the old style station hotels, which tend to be the most convenient of all!

As for itinerary, take the coast line to Aberdeen from Edinburgh, on to Inverness via Elgin, then Kyle of Lochalsh, over to Skye on the bus, down to Armadale ferry to Mallaig, Fort William and on to Glasgow. Or do it in reverse!

If you have time, take side trips to thurso from Inverness, divert to Oban, which I thought twas a very pretty town, and take a quick trip out to Ayr.

 

[Buttsy]

Having used it many times, the Premier Inn right next door to Charing Cross station is pretty good if you get a cheap room. Also, if you go across Skye (the travelpass I think gives you buses on the island too http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/prf90d13c35ce741008d5f4736d0e192.aspx), The Hebredian Hotel on the way into Broadford is a reasonable place to stay for the money.

Depending on where you're coming from, I would suggest an itenary like the below:

Day 1: Carlisle - Kilmarnock - Stranraer - Ayr - Kilwinning - Ardrossan - Largs - Paisley - Weymss Bay - Port Glasgow - Gourock - Glasgow.
Day 2: Glasgow - Fort William - Mallaig - Syke (you may be able to fit in an Oban trip in here).
Day 3: Skye - Kyle - Dingwall - Wick.
Day 4: Wick - Inverness - Aberdeen - Perth - Inverness - Falkirk - Edinburgh
Day 5: Edinburgh - Fife Circle - Dundee - Perth - Glasgow - Edinburgh (via Shotts) - Motherwell (via Carstairs) - Falkirk - Glasgow (via Cumbernauld) - Glasgow surburban routes.
Day 6: Glasgow suburban routes
Day 7: Glasgow - Edinburgh (via Falkirk High) - Berwick

You may find you can add in certain places or extend some of the trips and miss out others, but that will cover most of the Scottish routes available.

I went a lot of places on the pass I bought in 2001, starting with Ayrshire coast and found it relatively do-able.

 

[Gathursty]

I'll second the Premier Inn at Glasgow's Charing Cross and give an honorable mention to the Best Western at Perth and the shower at the station in Fort William which perked me right up for a bit more exploration around Scotland.

 

[Kite159]

I picked June as the days will be at their longest (I would imagine the length of daylight when up in the far north will be quite long) and it's before the kids break up from school, so hopefully the hotels will be less busy.

I will probably go up on the West, depends what the advance tickets are like when they go on sale for Virgin, most likely it will be a (early) Saturday star (One good thing with being near Salisbury is that the first train East is at 5:27 (although the first train westbound isn't to 7:51), as long as I pick a weekend where Waterloo isn't part closed.

Thanks for the idea Buttsy
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Roll on 10th May

I'm heading up on the Highland Chieftain, now to work out a plan to book a returning train

-----------

Just waiting for when Virgin decide to release their advance tickets for the 18th May (annoyingly it's getting cut off at the 17th)

 

[HullMichael]

As has been said you can't do it all on one Rover, so some careful thought and planning is required to get the most from it. I've used a Freedom of Scotland Rover to do the lines around Inverness. It was great but there's obviously large parts of the country I didn't get anywhere near. There's a good Premier Inn about 10-15 minutes walk from Inverness station. Make sure you're aware of the times involved. For example the Far North Line, Inverness to Thurso, Wick and back takes eight hours! So you can't do much else on that day. The Freedom of Scotland Rover is one of the few that you can buy online, but if you buy months in advance they only send it out to you at a certain date before it becomes valid.

 

[Kite159]

My Freedom of Scotland Rover arrived last week.

I'm going to start planning a bit nearer the date, if I can get most of the lines covered which isn't covered by the Central Scotland Rover, which can be left for another trip.

 

[Techniquest]

Anything outside the Central Scotland area (so north of Markinch and Gleneagles, west and south of Glasgow (except the line to Edinburgh via Shotts, although maybe the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Carstairs services are included, not sure) and the West Highland lines) is definitely recommended. Although even that lot would easily take 4 days. It can take a couple of days to do everything in the Strathclyde Daytripper area too.

Good luck planning it all, and try to include back up plans in case it all goes to the dogs!

 

[Kite159]

I was going to try and focus my attention on the outer lines, leaving the area covered by the Strathclyde Daytripper ticket (http://www.railrover.org/pages/strathclyde-daytripper.html) for another trip to Glasgow area. Seems quite a good deal that Daytripper ticket (£11.20 for the trains in the wider area, subway & 'most' buses).

I did the Fife circle line (and the line to North Berwick) last month, and they were very beautiful area

*wonders if the trams in Edinburgh will be running come mid-May*

I might give up waiting on Virgin to release advances down the West Coast (I have a feeling it will make me change at Wolverhampton to a XC service down to Southampton/Bournemouth) and get a ticket down the East Coast via Yorkie's suggestion

---

Alas it hasn't worked

 

[philjo]

I did the Highland rover last summer. (4 days in 8 version)
Friday: Sleeper Euston-Glasgow (as Fort William portion was already booked except for full fare 1st class)
Sat am 08:21 Queen Street-roy Bridge. Roy Bridge-Crianlarich-Oban.
Stay for 2 nights in Oban.
Sunday - Ferry to Mull & iona
monday am - oban-Queen Street. Then advance single Queen Street-Aberdeen.
Aberdeen-Inverness (using the rover again)
Tuesday Invesness -Wick (stop at Dunrobin castle en route)
stay in Wick.
Wed Vist Castle of Mey (by bus) then 16:00 Wick-Inverness.
stay in Inverness (premier inn by river)
I have also stayed in the Best western near the river in Inverness -also handy for the station for early departures (e.g. the Chieftain or the 07:06 to Wick)
Thurs: EC rewards 1st Inveness-Stevenage

 

[30907]

Takes me back to the 70's, when there was the overnight Glasgow-Inverness to save on hotels and YH's, and a Mallaig-Kyle boat still ran!

Watch out for Scottish school holidays which start earlier than English.

Don't think you need worry about daylight hours in June, it hardly gets dark in the Far North.

Routes - Wick is the least scenic of the rural lines, but that's only in relative terms. I'd certainly do Mallaig-Skye-Kyle, and perhaps one of the ferry routes out of Oban (though buses in the Outer Hebrides aren't, I think, covered).

 

[Kite159]

In the end I've given up waiting for Virgin to release their advance fares for the 18th, so I've booked a FTP service from Carlisle (will be on board from Glasgow) to Manchester, then the 18:07 XC service to Bristol (most likely a Voyager boo), then onto a FGW service to Salisbury (which annoyingly gets in 2 minutes after the last SWT service east, so I'm getting picked up).

1 month to go

 

[Techniquest]

then the 18:07 XC service to Bristol (most likely a Voyager boo)

Unless something radical happens in the meantime, it's 100% going to be a 220 or 221 I'm afraid!

 

[Kite159]

220/221, better than a Pacer. I will take ear-plugs

I'm guessing the FTPE service from Glasgow to Manchester will be on a 350 (leaves Carlisle at 14:33), my mission is to try and get a FTPE 185 at somepoint.

 

[Techniquest]

Can't help you with the TPX one I'm afraid, but I would guess so. Easy enough to get a 185 on other TPX services though!

 

[matabiau]

I did the North of Scotland two years ago. As has been mentioned before here the biggest problem is the lack of services at the weekend, particularly on a Sunday. For example, there is no return service from Inverness to Wick on a Sunday. As a result I took it at quite a leisurely rate.
Day 1 Edinburgh to Inverness via Aberdeen.
Day 2 Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and back to Inverness (Sunday)
Day 3 Inverness to Wick and back to Inverness
Day 4 Inverness to Aviemore to Edinburgh including a ride on the Strathspey Railway

I stayed in the Mercure Hotel inInverness which was a little pricey although well placed for the station. I had planned to stay in a bed and breakfast but it closed a few weeks before I arrived and I only found out when I got there!

 

[DanDeerskin]

Hi All - I'm a new member but a long-time reader. Kite159, I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread a little however my queries are kind of similar so I didn't want to create a duplicate thread.

I'm planning a 4 out of 8 Freedom of Scotland trip at the end of July / start of August. Think I've finalised an itinerary with a fair bit of tweaking needed to stay within the restrictions and meet connections.

I'm a wee bit concerned as the time I'm travelling is the same time as the Commonwealth Games - once I'm out of the Greater Glasgow area, am I likely to encounter increased loads on services?

Additionally, I've planned a 'rest day' on the Sunday due to the limited timetables (many thanks to those on this thread who brought this up) which means two over-nights in Edinburgh Fringe and Tattoo. Having memories of a school day trip into Edinburgh during August, I want to avoid this at all costs - and accommodation is crazy money. Would anybody have any suggestions of an alternative area to stay on a Saturday & Sunday night? Good options for accommodation and things to do locally a must!

It might be worth saying that I'm coming from Oban late afternoon to my 'rest' destination then following it my final day plans are to head to Berwick then return home to Preston via any Virgin Trains service (to complete a full house of TOCs).

Apologies for the lengthy post; I hope you can forgive me as it's my 'maiden speech'. Any advice much appreciated!

 

[leightonbd]

*wonders if the trams in Edinburgh will be running come mid-May*

31st May I'm afraid, though there is frequent testing now and you don't have to be long on Princes St to see one. The tram bell has a beautiful 'ding' sound.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-trams-to-launch-on-31-may-1-3396033

 

[Techniquest]

I'm a wee bit concerned as the time I'm travelling is the same time as the Commonwealth Games - once I'm out of the Greater Glasgow area, am I likely to encounter increased loads on services?

Welcome to the forum first of all

I would expect a bit more than usual the nearer to Glasgow you are, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. The Olympics didn't cause chaos anywhere in the UK and that was a much bigger event, so you should be fine

Additionally, I've planned a 'rest day' on the Sunday due to the limited timetables (many thanks to those on this thread who brought this up) which means two over-nights in Edinburgh Fringe and Tattoo. Having memories of a school day trip into Edinburgh during August, I want to avoid this at all costs - and accommodation is crazy money. Would anybody have any suggestions of an alternative area to stay on a Saturday & Sunday night? Good options for accommodation and things to do locally a must!

It might be worth saying that I'm coming from Oban late afternoon to my 'rest' destination then following it my final day plans are to head to Berwick then return home to Preston via any Virgin Trains service (to complete a full house of TOCs).

Apologies for the lengthy post; I hope you can forgive me as it's my 'maiden speech'. Any advice much appreciated!

Good gosh you timed that badly to end up in Edinburgh during both the Fringe and the Tattoo! You could only do worse by ending up there during Hogmanay, trust me you don't want to see hotel costs during that...

Get yourself onto Trivago asap to find some bargains while they may still exist I would recommend. If you can, I'd recommend staying clear of Edinburgh for hotels, they're bound to be expensive. Worth checking first though, so the usual searches through Travelodge, Premier Inn, Hotels.com and Booking.com, as well as Trivago.co.uk would be wise. Cheaper locations to stay may include Stirling, Dumfermline, Linlithgow and maybe even North Berwick. That's not an exhaustive list mind! As should always be the case, check exactly where somewhere is first. Just because it says it's in, say, Ipswich doesn't mean it's even close to Ipswich! Or if it says it's at Birmingham Airport (yes I'm moaning at you Travelodge! Again!), you don't want to end up with expensive taxi fares just to get to/from the hotel/B+B. Or walk along roads with no pavements, or walk across roads at a major roundabout (Ipswich Beacon Hill Travelodge I refer to here...) and cause risk to yourself...

I haven't the time to look it up for you I'm afraid, I've got to motor on now and finish getting ready to go to work, hope you manage to sort it out OK

 

[DanDeerskin]

Thanks for the welcome Tecniquest!

Your list of alternatives to Edinburgh were fairly on the money, although I've taken a shine to Dundee as an option - some cheap options for central accommodation and lots of things to do if I stop on the Sunday. Plus, although I'll have done it in reverse at the start of the trip, there's something very appealing to the idea of starting the last day with trips over the Tay and Forth Bridges then down the East Coast.

I'm considering forgetting the rest day altogether and cutting the trip by a day, feeling like it's getting a bit expensive before I've factored in food and beer! Without the rest day it's shaping up to be quite intensive, but I suppose it's got to be to fit everything in.

On the timing of my trip, I'm a bit restricted to the days I've chosen as the missus is heading on a Girly holiday to Majorca so it's a perfect opportunity to use up a bit of annual leave and do something she has no interest in. She'd have a fit if I said I was swanning off on my own and leaving her at home with the dog, but she sure as heck wouldn't be interested in coming with me!

 

[Kite159]

31st May I'm afraid, though there is frequent testing now and you don't have to be long on Princes St to see one. The tram bell has a beautiful 'ding' sound.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-trams-to-launch-on-31-may-1-3396033

Ah well, I will add it onto a future trip up to Edinburgh (I want to try and get a bargain bed on the sleeper and make use of an East Coast 1st class on the way back)

And how long until they decide it's a massive success and to increase the network size?

---

When I book a hotel via booking.com, I always look at the map to see it's location to a nearby railway station which has decent service the following day (no point booking into a hotel next to a station where trains don't stop on Sundays).

I can't believe it's only a week to go, time flies

 

[Drsatan]

I'm also planning a Freedom of Scotland rover, having got a week off in June.I have booked accommodation as well. Here is my provisional itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive at Glasgow Airport in the evening. Stay overnight
Day 2: Glasgow Central - Stranraer- Kilwinning-Largs-Paisley Gilmour Street - Gourock (ferry to Helensburgh) - Helensburgh Central - Glasgow.
Day 3: Glasgow Central - Paisley Canal - Cathcart Circle- Neilston - Falkirk- - Edinburgh - Inverness.
Day 4: Far North Line
Day 5: Inverness- Kyle of Localsh - Armadale - Mallaig - Glasgow Central - Stepps (staying in the Premier Inn there).
Day 6: Stepps - Glasgow Airport.

Suggestions welcome.

 

[Kite159]

How much of a walk (10 minutes?) is it between:
Charing Cross & Queen Street plus Charing Cross and Glasgow Central

----

Rough plan
Day 1 - Highland Chieftain to Inverness (I wonder how many Grateley to Inverness tickets have ever been sold)
Day 2 - Kyle of Localsh line (bit of a 'quiet' day)
Day 3 - Far North and back down to Dundee (was aiming for Aberdeen but couldn't find any hotels for less than £100* for Monday night! (apart from one which on it's description is a mere 25 minute drive from the station)
Day 4 - Perth triangle, Alloa, plus glasgow to edinburgh (well Haymarket) and back
Day 5 - Mallaig
Day 6 - Oban & Glasgow suburban stuff
Day 7 - More Glasgow suburban stuff, plus Motherwell
Day 8 - Stranraer, Carisle, yet more glasgow suburban bits
Day 9 - Ardossan Harbour (I'm guessing it will take less than 50 minutes to walk back to Ardossan South Beach), Largs. Then back home via Manchester, then a Voyager back to Bristol, then back to Salisbury (where I'm getting collected owing as the train comes in 3 minutes after the last east bound train departs)

Add in the glasgow subway at some point

 

[Gathursty]

Ardrossan is fairly straightforward but not noticing the footpath from the level crossing upto the Harbour station in the dark meant my very late night soiree around the towns stations was a bit longer than what I wished. The reward for the walk (about 20 mins max between Harbour and South Beach) is the seafront which is very tranquil.

 

[IanD]

I'm also planning a Freedom of Scotland rover, having got a week off in June.I have booked accommodation as well. Here is my provisional itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive at Glasgow Airport in the evening. Stay overnight
Day 2: Glasgow Central - Stranraer- Kilwinning-Largs-Paisley Gilmour Street - Gourock (ferry to Helensburgh) - Helensburgh Central - Glasgow.
Day 3: Glasgow Central - Paisley Canal - Cathcart Circle- Neilston - Falkirk- - Edinburgh - Inverness.
Day 4: Far North Line
Day 5: Inverness- Kyle of Localsh - Armadale - Mallaig - Glasgow Central - Stepps (staying in the Premier Inn there).
Day 6: Stepps - Glasgow Airport.

Suggestions welcome.

I thought the Gourock-Helensburgh ferry had been cancelled. Have they re-instated it?

 

[Drsatan]

Yes, it looks like the Gourock-Helensburgh ferry has been cancelled.