Scotland driving distance Edinburgh Crieff/Peebles Hydro

[Serenitespring]

Hi I’ve got to be in Edinburgh over the last weekend in May - when this was agreed I didn’t realise it was a bank holiday. My mistake, just never thought!
Its Saturday 27th to Wednesday 31st.
I’ve never really spent any time in Scotland, will be bringing the kids.
I am really struggling to find accommodation that is reasonable in price, would consider anything but as we live very rurally it would be nice to be in a city/busy town where we could walk to cafes/things even if we had to drive to get to Edinburgh. Think we are priced out of Edinburgh that weekend!
I’ve seen Crieff Hydro snd Peebles Hydro hotels.
They are expensive but if they were worth it I’d consider it - anyone got an opinion?
Any ideas at all welcome.

Crieff is probably better than Peebles for younger kids (although Glentress is nearby the latter which might appeal more).

Maybe take a look at South Queensferry as it has easy transport to Edinburgh & can be cheaper for accommodation.

There's also Auchrannie in Arran, Morton's of Pitmilly or Stewarts of St Andrew's as alternatives.

Glasgow is pretty good, the science museum is excellent & Kelvingrove.

Crieff is very rural, it's a couple of years since I've been there but I used to live in the area and there isn't an awful lot to do apart from walking. I don't know Peebles well but from what I remember it's pretty rural too.

Both are a fair drive from Edinburgh, if I were you I'd look more around Fife/Kinross/SE Perthshire.

Stirling would be a good option too, nearer Edinburgh than Crieff and is now a city, with a lot more to do e.g Castle or a trip to the Falkirk Wheel if you have time.

How much time are you committed to Edingburgh itself for the specific obligation you have to go there for?

Just Tuesday 30th July in Edinburgh itself.
Coming over on ferry in to Cairnryan on Saturday 27th.
Am totally confused about this, I didn’t think it through when I committed to go 🤯
Would like it to be a nice family weekend now we have to go. I just don’t know where to go, need a nice hotel or air b&b.
I am usually really good at researching holidays but this has me stumped.

Crieff Hydro is fantastic with children.

As well as a bank holiday weekend, although not for Scotland, it's the Edinburgh marathon to that weekend and Harry Styles at Murrayfield on the Saturday.
If you want city, you could stay in Glasgow. Usually cheaper than Edinburgh.
Driving in the centre of Edinburgh is shite and parking is expensive. Consider getting the train, or using one of the park and rides.

Falkirk Wheel and the Selkies
Stirling Castle
Glasgow museums

All good outings if you base yourself in/near Glasgow

Surely you can find decent accommodation in Edinburgh for cheaper than the hydro hotels. Crieff is a fair distance some on rural roads. Pebbles an easier drive but still a distance and rural

Peebles is anywhere between 45 mins to an hour. Crieff would be much longer, maybe 2 hours especially if you are not familiar with the roads.

Why not try Stirling? Easy direct trains to Glasgow or Edinburgh if you want a day in the city and plenty to do for a day in Stirling. Safari park just up the road too.

Crieff hydro is fantastic with kids. They have loads of activities and it's all geared towards families. It's the only place we've ever been where both our DC attended the kids club as they did such fun stuff (sessions used to be included in cost of stay but needed to pre-book). There are also loads of great outdoors activities for older kids/younger teens as well as evening entertainment/ceilidhs.

South queensferry, east bus into town. Parking is nigh on impossible in the town centre.

Crieff is lovely, perfect for small children, but not at all urban.

Not been to Crieff but went to Peebles Hydro last summer and my kids of 9,14 and 16 loved it. The family rooms are amazing. The pool is big and the grounds are safe. Lots of rabbits hopping around and Peebles is an easy walk with a few interesting shops and cafes my teenagers liked.

Another recommendation for Stirling and I'd use trains to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Safari park nearby and plenty to do for a day there too.

I’ve stayed at Crieff hydro a few times with the kids and loved it. Big family room, pool, large grounds, there’s also a cinema that does kids films. It’s also worth checking murraypark which is a smaller sister hotel to the hydro tends to be cheaper but same decent family rooms and you get access to all the hydros leisure facilities.

I used to stay just outside Crieff and it's a fair hike to Edinburgh plus there really isn't that much to do

You're better off in Glasgow or Stirling and train into Edinburgh

Awww man, that's a pricey as hell time to come.
What about somewhere in Fife, can get train into Edinburgh.
So Queensferry, Burntisland, Aberdour, Dunfermline, or further up toward east Neuk, Markinch, Cupar, St Andrews, wee bit more of a trek though.

Actually ignore that, Glasgow better plan, half an hour on train to Edinburgh. Hotels are about half the price of edinburgh for same dates on booking.com

I've stayed here before with the kids, decent, has a pool, right beside science centre, walkable into city centre.

Try East Lothian. You can get the train in to Edinburgh in 30 mins or less from Dunbar/ North Berwick.

For Peebles I’d allow an hour to drive into Edinburgh but you wouldn’t really want to take the car into the city centre so I’d use the park & ride from Straiton which would take a bit longer on the bus.
Crieff is about 90minutes, again you’d be best to park and ride from Ingliston and use the tram which takes about 30minutes into Princes street.
Its 45-50min from Glasgow to Edinburgh on the train but note that village hotel mentioned above is some way from the station.

Is driving in Edinburgh really that much worse than other cities?
I’m going to look at Glasgow and Stirling and see what comes up.
A central airb&b would be great although I love an eight course hotel breakfast 🥖🍳🥞
Thank you for all advice, I’ll be back later no doubt

OP, take a look at the village hotel Edinburgh- parking there too.

Some of the hotels a bit further out have parking eg holiday inn in Murrayfield, Blackhall, also check out Leith

Yes, driving in Edinburgh really is bad!! The city centre and several miles around are residents permit parking spaces on the street only, or short stay expensive pay and display. Being an old city it’s just not designed for cars.