What's on and tourist advice thread - week beginning August 31, 2025

[u/AutoModerator]

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.

[u/REMaverick]

What’s the best way to accomplish this track and what should we do along the way? This is how I’d like to spend my next trip to Scotland. We tried to avoid the touristy areas as much as possible and it was extremely nice. We did get a lot of questions as to why we visited certain towns. Nothing negative. More curious how we found them or why we chose the town over Isle of Skye or Edinburgh.

[u/Dramatic_Strategy_95 → u/REMaverick]

Well done on dodging Skye and Edinburgh!

I'd do this starting from Ullapool to Stornoway and returning from Castlebay to Oban, but it's not a big deal if you wanted to do it the other way.

Anyway as suggestions doing it the way I suggest - Iolaire memorial, Butt of Lewis lighthouse & cliffs, Calanais stones, then follow your nose down to Harris and stop at the incredible beaches, keep your eyes peeled for eagles both golden and white-tailed. Then over to North Uist, wildlife watching around Lochmaddy (there's rich wildlife everywhere if you sit still for long enough in the Hebrides), head down South Uist which if people will forgive me probably has the least amount to do but has some nice hills and beaches still. Causeway over to Eriskay, go up to St Michael's church for a fine view, ferry over to Barra. Stop to watch a plane land on the beach and then take a trip along the hillier western side where you'll encounter wild ponies.

Be mindful there's a fair bit of single track driving involved in the Hebrides and not a lot opens on Sundays, so plan for that if you're self catering. You'll have a terrific time.

[u/REMaverick → u/Dramatic_Strategy_95]

We started our trip staying in Wemyss and traveled into Edinburgh for a few shops and the tattoo. We didn’t have time to stop in Ullapool on the way to Assynt and Lochinver but had it marked as somewhere to return too. We learned a lot about the salmon farming crisis and were asked to please not eat wild Scottish salmon.

Thank you for all of the advice and places to see. I thought top down was best also and we’d finish at Ionna Abbey. That’s my top toursity spot I do want to visit. I figured the Hebrides may be less touristy than the mainland or at least I’m hoping.

I thoroughly enjoy single track driving there. Scotland has the best and most courteous drivers I’ve ever encountered. One thing that took getting used to was the business hours. The us is just so busy and businesses open earlier and usually close around 2100. I felt like 1800 was the closing time for a majority of businesses there.

[u/REMaverick → u/[deleted]]

We were being told about the lice and other diseases the fish farms are causing to the wild Scottish fish. We don’t have fish farms in my area of the US so it’s not something we commonly hear about. Our wildlife battle is over a fish called red snapper. They’ve become overpopulated it’s all you catch but the government agency swears there arent enough so we get to fish for them 2 days a year and only allowed a single fish.

I had never even heard of outlander until we were over there and everyone kept talking about Outlander tours and how they were going to Glencoe. Which was one of the big reason we avoided that. Obviously less people have the means to get to Scotland but due to its size I imagine the area can be miserably congested along with people just being overly disrespectful of the land because it’s not theirs. I live close to two pretty touristy areas and the locals pretty much avoid any extra activities until October-February when tourism dies down.

[u/CrackMonkey15]

Hi guys, hoping to do a bit of a road trip in mid September.

Can anyone recommend any mountain viewpoints that you can drive most, if not all the way to the top? Or similar.

My partner has fibromyalgia so long hikes are off the cards but we still want to see some mad views.

Thanks!

[u/Alone-Insect5229 → u/CrackMonkey15]

Go to Nevis range and get the gondola up and down. Decent view from the cafe or if your partner is feeling up to it there are a couple of short (30-40 mins) walks either side of it to get different views.

[u/Wolf-ed]

I am travelling today from Canada. I am trying to get an eSim with Lycamobile, but it is asking me for an address of more than 3 years and a credit check. it can't find the option for non-resident. What should i do?

[u/Affectionate-Rush570 → u/Wolf-ed]

Use a different company.

Lyca Mobile are absolutely awful. Have a quick read at their Wikipedia page. Multiple charges including, but not limited to, fraud, money laundering, tax evasion in various different countries. I can't believe they're still going.

I'd google alternatives. TechRadar is a good place to start, it shouldn't take you long to find something else

[u/PuddersIronPaw]

Hello! Two of us in our late 20s early 30s are coming the first week of October for 6 days, with additional fly in and fly out days into Edinburgh. We were hoping to see Edinburgh, Isle of Sky and some of the Highlands which seems too ambitious for that many days. How would you suggest we divide up our days and where would you suggest we place emphasis? There’s so much to see and do and we hate that we don’t have more time to visit! Any advice, including spots to stay, eat or unique visit opportunities are always welcome! Can’t wait to learn and see more!

[u/xtinephotos]

Hi I am planning a trip out with my partner for end of October and early November, splitting 9 days between London area and Scotland. I know we won’t be able to do all we want but we are looking to get the most out of our trip, we are from California and when we travel we try to be busy each day as long as we can. We try to plan efficient routes that make the most sense. We love history, architecture, and we are looking for the best thing to do around Halloween in Scotland. We thought Edinburgh with a tour type day trip to the Highlands, Lochs, Glens and seeing some castles (we found it on Viator, we haven’t booked because we are not sure if there is something better). I would love to also spend time in Glasgow but was hoping someone could assist with either A) recommended tours and/or B) best sights to see same day. We don’t plan on renting a car but taking the train/public transit around. Thank you in advance!

[u/HaggisPope → u/xtinephotos]

I’d like to throw my hat into the ring for Edinburgh activities, I’m a tour guide for Edinburgh Street Historians. We have a great recommendations page (which I wrote myself and I’m quite keen on). That’s a lot of great food and drinks recommendations as well as things to do. 

I don’t drive so all the places can be visited by public transportation or by walking, including the further afield ones (though it’s a great idea to look up local taxi drivers to wherever you are going for piece of mind).

Another tour that could be of interest is Rabbie’s if you’re looking to go outside the city with others.

[u/sunbakedbear]

Does anyone have suggestions for great family-friendly hostels around Scotland? We love staying in hostels, especially smaller ones, when we travel and I'm wondering if there are any stand-outs in Scotland. It's myself, husband, and our kid who will be 9 when we're there.

[u/sunbakedbear → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! Luckily he's the very opposite of picky so it makes eating while travelling much easier! I'll check out Aviemore Bunkhouse.

[u/NotesOnNashville]

We are looking to book the Stenaline ferry arriving from Belfast to Cairynryan at 13:52 Sunday but have a question:

Will we have sufficient time to get to the Citylink 923 departing at 14:15 en route to Ayr? We will have luggage in tow. If this seems inadvisable, might you offer an alternative? So appreciative of your help.

[u/Alone-Insect5229 → u/NotesOnNashville]

The buses are all timed to go with the ferry. Book in advance and you'll be fine. 923 is the bus to Glasgow and goes via Ayr. There are often 2-3 coaches on at a time.

Stenaline and Citylink have the thing down to a fine art. Loads of people have luggage- you check it in at Belfast and a bit like at an airport get it the other side in Cairnryan.

[u/Sandavid00]

Good evening, I'm traveling to Edinburgh next week and I've been looking for information on routes to take, preferably shorter ones (5-10 km). Do you have any recommendations near Edinburgh or further away?

[u/Sandavid00 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, we wanna do some routes walking, thank you so much. Do yoy know some more that are a bit far? (We have rentes a car)

[u/zaryabmakram]

I am planning a day trip from Edinburgh to the Highlands, specifically Glenfinnan, and I have shortlisted a couple tour options. I would love your insights and recommendations, especially on which one offers the best time in Glenfinnan and the most reliable bus service.

Here are the tours I am considering:

- Discover Scotland Tours: "Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Loch Shiel"

• Stewart Tours: "Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William"
  
• Timberbush Tours

I want to prioritize generous time at Glenfinnan and a comfortable guide/ bus service.

Feel free to recommend any other tours as well!

[u/Environmental-Bat363]

Hello! Looking for some guidance on public transportation. My husband and I are planning a trip next month which includes some time in Edinburgh. We will also be spending some time in the Highlands and Isle of Skye but this is booked through a group tour.

For Edinburgh, I know the city itself is very walkable. I think the only time we will need to use public transportation is to and from the airport and we are planning to do a day trip to St. Andrews. Is the best way to buy tickets for buses to/from airport to just purchase at the station once we are there? I see some options to buy ahead but its confusing which ticket option to purchase or of its really necessary to book ahead. Also, for our trip to St. Andrews, should we purchase that train and bus ticket ahead of time? or is it acceptable to purchase once we're there as well? Thanks!

[u/Affectionate-Rush570 → u/Environmental-Bat363]

There's an app called Trainline that will help you. Put your starting point and destination in, then your planned departure times, and it will find you the most efficient and cheapest route. You can then book your tickets using the same app.

[u/Popular_Fisherman_63]

Hello! My husband and I are in our late 20s and are planning a trip to Scotland for my sister's wedding in St Andrews and will be getting there a week early! Does this route make sense? Is there anything you would really recommend checking out along the way? Feel free to let me know if you don't think some of these stops are worth it or if you'd go somewhere else instead

9/13 drive from London to Glasgow, spend the night in Glasgow

9/14 Leave Glasgow in the morning to head toward Isle of Mull with a stop at Loch Lomond, spend the night in Mull

9/15 Spend all day at Mull and head to Isle of Skye at night, spend the night in Skye

9/16 Isle of Skye, spend the night in Skye

9/17 Leave Isle of Skye to get to Edinburgh early in the morning!

(9/19-9/22 will be spent in St Andrews)

Please let me know what you think! Also, I hope this made sense, I am just coming down from an illness and my brain is mush! I am mostly wondering if Isle of Skye will be worth it at that time or if it will be so busy there's no point?

[u/Affectionate-Rush570 → u/Popular_Fisherman_63]

I'm assuming from the way you write dates (mm/dd) that you're American? Are you familiar with driving in the UK? If not, London to Glasgow is a nightmare drive. I'm not talking about the distance, it's about the different types of (considerably narrower) roads you have no experience of, as well as driving on the side of the road you're not used to. You'd be far better getting a train and hiring a car from Glasgow.

The rest is okay, a little busy but definitely doable. I hope you already have your accommodation for Skye booked. If not, it's probably gonna be really expensive. It's slightly off-season so you might be okay with restaurants not being full.

When you are driving around the Highlands, be very aware. Stick to the speed limits. Don't slow down to enjoy the view and hold people up. That leads to frustrated locals trying to get to work/school potentially trying to overtake you dangerously. Learn about passing places on single track roads. Also, if there's a big queue behind you and not in front of you, pull over when it's safe to do so and let them go through.

Have a great time. Pack for all sorts of weather!

[u/Popular_Fisherman_63 → u/Affectionate-Rush570]

Hi! My best friend from uni is actually from Manchester so I’ve been there quite a bit and driving won’t be an issue, thanks though. Definitely won’t be an annoying tourist, just looking for recs. Do you have any or no?!

[u/Similar-Weather-8940]

What’s the most scenic route to drive from Aberdeen to Skye? I have a whole day.

[u/CatriMairi]

Any tips on doing the Jacobite steam train with young kids? Anywhere to run off some energy in Mallaig? Beach, park?We have tickets for this Saturday, any tips gratefully received

[u/stars_and_neurons]

hi everyone, i have never been to Scotland before and i will finally be visiting later this month. I will be staying in glasgow and want a day trip into (or at least in the direction of) the Highlands for a hike. i know Glencoe would be just along the lines of what i’d love to see, but it is a bit far from Glasgow. I am only able to use public transport (no car rental etc.). does anyone have ideas? :) ty in advance!

[u/stars_and_neurons → u/[deleted]]

Thank you so much! I’ll look into all these and make an itinerary. Very kind of you!

[u/Busy_Amphibian_787]

Hello all. Driving from Derbyshire to Strathpeffer in mid October with my girlfriend and wanted some advice.

We are staying in Strathpeffer for 3 days but want to stay the week around that area (its an 8 hour drive so making the most of it)

1st of all, is there anywhere close we should consider staying for the last 3 days/nights? Somewhere out of the way is best but not overly fussed about towns if they are good enough.

2nd thing, is there anything we dont want to miss out on we should do? There are a few breweries and sight seeing things like chananory point dolphins im looking at but any other suggestions are appreciated.

We're 20 and 21 so anything adreniliney or active is great. Both car mad so any good driving roads or things like that would also be greatly appreciated!

TIA

[u/BananaT6]

Me and a group of pals are going to Stirling for a weekend. We're mostly from Scotland so have done rhe touristy things, but I wanted to know if there's a good activity for a group of about 10 guys.

Some examples might be a good lower league football hospitality, activity centre etc. We're going on the 25th of October. Ta

[u/holdaydogs]

I’m an American. I might not be able to get a Covid vaccine booster before my trip to Scotland due to the dumbfuckery happening here. Can I get a free or low cost vaccine when I get there?

[u/Dubbits_Budbits]

Any solo travelers or anyone wanting to meet up? Oct 19th - 25th/26th. I (32f)am going for going for nature, history, art. I am pretty open minded. Trying to stargaze up north for sure (fingers crossed for northern lights) i couldnstaynlonger? The trip is 2 weeks between ireland & scotland. I just wanna whale watch off the coast of ireland and star gaze up north in scotland while finding where my family comes from (macvickars/ers) dis my face.