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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

First time in Scotland

37 replies

patsypam · 06/11/2025 20:17

Hello All !

We are travelling up to Scotland on Saturday from Devon, first time I’ve been to Scotland and we’ve rented a beautiful home on Loch Lomond. Me and DH are wanting to do a day trip into Edinburgh, we have a car but would like to do a park and ride to avoid having to drive into the city. (Both for expense and the chaos that city driving brings)

can anyone recommend a good park and ride easily accessible from the direction we will be coming from?With any added info will be greatly appreciated. (Pricing, travel time, etc)

We are both also Harry Potter mad - so would love any must dos Harry Potter wise while in the city! We’ve of course googled a few.

Any great spots for lunch? We don’t want fine dining, but good food with decent portions. (No dietary requirement's)
Any fantastic bakery’s?

and outside of Edinburgh … with us staying in Loch Lomond - and must dos? Great places to eat? Worth noting our travel group varies massively, from 11 months old to 82! (However Edinburgh will just be me and DH).

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
EnchantingDecoration · 07/11/2025 21:13

I love Edinburgh, there is masses to do there and a lot of it is very close together in the city centre, the public transport is very good too. We've done day trips from Balloch easily using the P&R.

Original poster
patsypam · 07/11/2025 21:13

EnchantingDecoration · 07/11/2025 12:52

I'd wait and see about the weather re the Glenfinnan drive, if it's pouring with rain or foggy you won't see much and it does get dark early at this time of year. It is a long way and there is lots to do and see closer to Balloch. Also if you are driving from Devon and back you might not feel like it. We have stayed in Balloch a few times and tend to stick to about a 90 min drive radius most of the time or you are in the car all week.

We like Stirling Castle (agree it's much better than Edinburgh), Stirling is nice for a wander round and getting the train into Glasgow is quick and easy. We also like to drive round to the Trossachs and maybe go to Callender which is a pretty little town. Drive up to Killin which is another nice little town with waterfalls in the middle. On the west side Luss is a pretty village with nice cafes and a beach. There are walks of all levels of difficulty all
over the place. Inverary is also nice for a wander round and bite to eat. Oban is further but a very scenic route, Ben Cruachan hydro electric power station on that road has a visitor centre and underground tour which is interesting.

At Balloch you can go on a boat trip out onto Loch Lomond. When we visit the area we always go for a family meal at Duck Bay Marina which has stunning views.

This is a great post - I’ve saved several of your recommendations. Thank you xxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
patsypam · 07/11/2025 21:14

EnchantingDecoration · 07/11/2025 21:13

I love Edinburgh, there is masses to do there and a lot of it is very close together in the city centre, the public transport is very good too. We've done day trips from Balloch easily using the P&R.

That’s great, thank you. Which Park and ride did you use? Xxxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
patsypam · 07/11/2025 21:17

Arran2024 · 06/11/2025 21:28

I would take a trip up to Glenfinnan. You can see the Harry Potter viaduct there, though I don't think the train is running atm. But the scenery is amazing en route and Glenfinnan is lovely.

It isn’t - sadly. We were gutted to find that out - but would still very much like to see it, will make it a day trip with some additional stops along the route! X

OP posts:
MannersAreAll · 07/11/2025 21:18

Although the steam train over Glenfinnan isn't running you can get a normal train from Fort William to Mallaig that goes over the viaduct.

Obviously not as scenic as the steam train but it's still a very pretty journey, and it does stop at Glenfinnan.

Appin · 07/11/2025 21:27

If you find yourself in need of a quieter day during the week, drive across the hill to Helensburgh and go for a walk round Hill House, designed by CharlesRennie Mackintosh. Its very beautiful and the tearoom is lovely too.There are lovely restaurants in Helensburgh and a walk along the front will be nice on a dryish day.

Arran2024 · 07/11/2025 21:33

patsypam · 07/11/2025 21:17

It isn’t - sadly. We were gutted to find that out - but would still very much like to see it, will make it a day trip with some additional stops along the route! X

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Glenfinnan is more than Harry Potter. It is exceptionally beautiful and there is a statue to commemorate the Jacobite rising.

Maybeishouldcrochet · 07/11/2025 21:40

I love Luss. There is a lovely coffee shop- with fab cake- and often make fresh scones even out of season!! stunning views and great walks!!! And we love going to look at the pier over the Loch Lomond.... And it's about 15 minutes from balloch.

SugarRevolution · 07/11/2025 21:54

Or a drive to Inveraray. Scenic route around Loch Fyne, including Loch Fyne Brewery and Taproom and Loch Fyne Seafood Restaurant.

Inveraray is a small place, but the castle is beautiful.

In Edinburgh, Makars Gourmet Mash, on The Mound is independently owned and provides some great comfort food!

The Dome is also stunning.

We love some of the ‘areas’, Stockbridge, Marchmont & Leith but you may only have time for the centre.

SugarRevolution · 07/11/2025 22:00

You could also drive to The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel. Linlithgow is lovely too.

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 07/11/2025 22:05

patsypam · 07/11/2025 21:06

A early start with several stops but yes, one day. But then there for 7 days.

Thank you, we had planned to do glenfinnan, was gutted to see the train doesn’t run this time of year though! Would have loved that. X

Show quote history

Not sure which direction you are coming from, but we stopped at Neptunes Staircase whilst we were in the area (it was about 20 mins away from the viaduct) and that was really quite cool to see, so if you do pass it’s worth getting out I’d say.

good luck with the drive - we did Inverness to North Devon in a day once!

EnchantingDecoration · 07/11/2025 22:21

SugarRevolution · 07/11/2025 22:00

You could also drive to The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel. Linlithgow is lovely too.

We always stop at the Kelpies if we are over in that direction, they are magical and right by the motorway.

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