Recommended overnight stop in Scotland.

[les.]

I try and get up to The Scottish Highlands a couple of times a year and we usually stop off somewhere for an overnight stay on the way up from Grimsby. It could be done in a day but that would mean leaving at around 7am and not arrving at our destination until after 8pm making it rather a long day.

We have stayed over in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling on recent visits but was just wondering if anyone could recommend somewhere different on the rail network that would be good for an overnight stop as we are planning another trip in a few months time.

Ideally it would be somewhere with accommodation close to the station and with somewhere decent to get fed and watered in the evening. It doesn't have to be a major Town or City.

We're planning a slightly different trip this time as on the Friday we are going to go across from the West Coast to Aberdeen and then come back down the East Coast rather than coming back via Inverness and Edinburgh.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Yew]

Personally, I'd reccommend going via london, taking the sleeper up there, however this could be too expensive.

 

[les.]

Personally, I'd reccommend going via london, taking the sleeper up there, however this could be too expensive.

London is miles out of the way. We change at Doncaster for the EC Mainline.

That would mean going all the way down the EC Mainline to London, only to then have to come all the way back up.

I'm not that bothered of taking a sleeper so I'm really just looking for somewhere different for an overnight stay this time.

I could just pick a place at random from the Scotrail Network but it would be nice if anyone could recommend somewhere that is quite nice.

 

[Failed Unit]

Take a google around Dunblane. Many B&Bs close to the station and a nice town with pub / cafe options for food.

 

[les.]

Take a google around Dunblane. Many B&Bs close to the station and a nice town with pub / cafe options for food.

Thanks, that was one of the places that I was thinking about stopping over at.

Other places I was considering were Linlithgow and North or South Queensferry for the brilliant views of The Forth Bridge.

 

[Techniquest]

I was also going to suggest Dunblane too! I can't recall the name of the place I was looking at on last year's trip up there, The Dunblane Hotel it may have been, but it was £60 including breakfast.

 

[Failed Unit]

You may be thinking of Dunblane Hydro. It is a reasonable walk from the station but not impossible if you are. For Linlithgow take a look at Westport hotel on trip advisor.

 

[Techniquest]

The one in Dunblane I was thinking of is only across the road from the station, less than 30 seconds walk from the Edinburgh-bound platform.

 

[Bevan Price]

Not been for several years, but there used to be some acceptable B&Bs within a few minutes walk from Perth station.

Or, if you are in no hurry and can tolerate a bit of a diversion, you could try one of the coastal resorts such as Ayr, Largs, Helensburgh, or maybe Burntisland. Tourist office websites should be able to locate suitable B&Bs / hotels.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

"somewhere in Scotland" eh?

That's a whole nation covering a third of the UK's land mass and you don't care where!
But that's okay. My suggestion is a 15 minute walk from Dalmeny station (at the southern end of the Forth Bridge, my avatar) on the High Street of South Queensferry. Its a very basic pub, sells beer, has a fruit machine and with cheap bedrooms upstairs. But . . . the best room overlooks the Forth Bridge, floodlit at night and rumbling trains, including the sleepers, passing over at odd times. It's called the Stag's Head. Very basic but filling breakfasts too.

Or, just 2 doors down the road, is the Orinoco Pier. It's much more sophisticated with trouser press in the rooms, olives on the bar, waitresses serving cocktails and a range of gastro breakfasts costing 2 times as much. and with just the same view of the Forth Bridge from the prime bedrooms.

Many journey opportunities are available from Dalmeny. Or, you can just sit on the terrace and watch the constant rumble of trains going over the bridge while you enjoy a few more coffees and decide what to do in the afternoon (from whichever you spent the night).

 

[yorkie]

I recommend Balsporran Cottage. I was in a room facing north, and saw the Chieftain heading towards me in the morning - it was an impressive sight.

Nearest station is Dalwhinnie. It's not "close to the station" (4 miles away) but they will give you a lift, at no extra cost! Very friendly people and a very comfortable place to stay. The sleeper calls there along with selected Scotrail trains.

 

[High Dyke]

I've just booked a few nights at the 'Spoons' in Inverness, if that isn't to far up for the OP.

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/hotels/the-kings-highway

 

[David]

<snip> North Queensferry </snip>

Only a few miles away is Inverkeithing, with a number of quality B&B on Boreland Road (I've stayed at the Inglewood B&B for the last 2 years, and I'm going there again in about 3 months).

Ok, it's not the biggest or most exciting place in the country, but food wise in the evening, you have the chippy (complete with an area to sit down and eat your meal), a curry house (best curry I've had in a long while) or the usual pizza place, plus a couple of decent pubs to relax at. If you do stay at the Inglewood, make sure you have a large stomach, as the owner doesn't believe in small breakfasts!

 

[les.]

"somewhere in Scotland" eh?

That's a whole nation covering a third of the UK's land mass and you don't care where!
But that's okay. My suggestion is a 15 minute walk from Dalmeny station (at the southern end of the Forth Bridge, my avatar) on the High Street of South Queensferry. Its a very basic pub, sells beer, has a fruit machine and with cheap bedrooms upstairs. But . . . the best room overlooks the Forth Bridge, floodlit at night and rumbling trains, including the sleepers, passing over at odd times. It's called the Stag's Head. Very basic but filling breakfasts too.

Or, just 2 doors down the road, is the Orinoco Pier. It's much more sophisticated with trouser press in the rooms, olives on the bar, waitresses serving cocktails and a range of gastro breakfasts costing 2 times as much. and with just the same view of the Forth Bridge from the prime bedrooms.

Many journey opportunities are available from Dalmeny. Or, you can just sit on the terrace and watch the constant rumble of trains going over the bridge while you enjoy a few more coffees and decide what to do in the afternoon (from whichever you spent the night).

An overnight stop on the way to The Scottish Highlands from Grimsby and we've previously staying in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling, so I'd thought it was pretty obvious we'd be looking for somewhere in that rough area.

South Queensferry was 1 place I was thinking about so thanks for your recommendation.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Only a few miles away is Inverkeithing, with a number of quality B&B on Boreland Road (I've stayed at the Inglewood B&B for the last 2 years, and I'm going there again in about 3 months).

Ok, it's not the biggest or most exciting place in the country, but food wise in the evening, you have the chippy (complete with an area to sit down and eat your meal), a curry house (best curry I've had in a long while) or the usual pizza place, plus a couple of decent pubs to relax at. If you do stay at the Inglewood, make sure you have a large stomach, as the owner doesn't believe in small breakfasts!

I have just provisionally reserved us a room at The Inglewood. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[davetheguard]

I'd recommend staying at the Moulin Hotel on the outskirts of Pitlochry, which is on the Highland Main Line just north of Perth. Pitlochry station is served regular ScotRail trains; as well as by the Highland Chieftain HST from Kings Cross.

The big plus for me, is the fact that attached to the hotel is their own Good Beer Guide-listed pub, which does superior pub grub, and brews their own real ales: Moulin Light; Braveheart; Ale of Atholl; & Old Remedial.

The only down side is it's a bit of a walk from the station if it's raining, but you could always get a taxi from the station. I've stayed there twice, and we walked it pulling our cases both times - there's a pavement all the way.

Well worth discovering this place if you like real ale......

 

[David]

I have just provisionally reserved us a room at The Inglewood. Thanks for the recommendation.

Enjoy your stay, and say hello to Andrew (the owner) for me.

(He should know me as the BSB fan from Scunthorpe)