drive from London to Central Scotland during Easter with DS for site visit and property viewing? or should I take train?

[graceandmercy]

as title above. not a skilful driver, worry if I can handle the whole drive by myself. it takes 7.5 hours one way non-stop. it takes 4.5 hours train one way but the fact that it would be less efficient when I go for property viewing. I can only take train from point to point. Is there any uber service in Scotland? I travel with my DS who has no dl. drive or train? thx for your sharing.

If you do decide to fly/train and hire then arrange your own excess waiver thorough an independent Co. I use insurance4u but other companies are available. It’s so much cheaper than the rip off prices at point of sale.

Uber isn't really a thing up here yet

Exactly. As far as I know uber only operate in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Certainly not where I live.
Trains and taxis only if you're going to places where there are frequent trains, but really a hire car will save you a lot of time and hassle.

If you're house hunting in an unfamiliar area you want to be able to properly explore the surroundings, see what it's like on Saturday night etc
Realistically you'll need a hire car to do this

thx so much for all the sharing above ! TBH I have never thought of taking flight before but found out its really very competitive price as compared to train. As I am closer to train station so I eventually decided to take train up. wanna ask if I want to hire car in Stirling, any idea that I can do on spot? cos I am still thinking how many days I will stay there. thx a lot for all of you lovely

hi all, just want to share my experience on this travel. After comparing flight, train and drive I eventually took train from London to Stirling. It was a very smooth one. During our stay in Stirling I did not hire car as I agreed with some OPs that I anticipate myself be too frightened in brand new area for driving. We took bus and surely it tested us physical strength but it worth it as we experienced the real need to drive as we later relocate here. When we returned to London we took the overnight sleeper.... I must say, PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS UNLESS U WANT TO TEST HOW GOOD YOUR BODY IS! I thought there was bed but turned out just seat, though bigger, but seat is seat and I just barely slept for that 7.5 hours! a real torture!

Hope my sharing helps smile

LOL I've never understood the appeal of the sleeper train, it seems like it would be a form of torture and you've just about confirmed it! I know people who've had a cabin and they still didn't sleep. I'm not one of those people who can sleep anywhere and everywhere, I'd rather sleep in my own bed and get up at 4:30am for the first flight of the day!

Yes totally agree. I've always thought you'd need to be one of those people who can sleep anywhere to take the "sleeper"

Glad you trip went well @graceandmercy and hopefully you've found somewhere you both like

@emmathedilemma completely agree with you its real torture, at least to me! but interesting to share that those sit in front of me in that train snoozed .... for whole 7.5 hours! LOL!

@CuddlyCactus thank you so much dear. The trip was fascinating as I found Stirling and Bridge of Allan very appealing to me, and Hillfoots very calm and peaceful. All we met were very nice, and helpful. We will settle in Hillfoots if things go smooth, as Stirling is out of my budget and so difficult to get a place to settle, even for rent!

I once took the sleeper with a 7 month and 2 year old. Never again

@TheCanyon

I once took the sleeper with a 7 month and 2 year old. Never again

Bonkers**

@TheCanyon u deserved trophy of bravery mom!

I also thought the train would ‘rock me to sleep’, but it definitely didn’t and I had a cabin. There were loads of stops/starts that woke me up. No way would I do that again.

I love the sleeper but I ALWAYS book a cabin with a bed. Even then it’s a bit “shoogly” as we say up here.