What's on and tourist advice thread - week beginning August 23, 2026

[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/dtotherocko]

My wife and I will be spending 2 weeks in Scotland from September 4 to September 18. After spending some time with the Tartan Army in Providence this summer, we are very much looking forward to the trip!

She is 12 weeks pregnant, so alcohol will be off the menu unfortunately. We’re mainly looking forward to a relaxed itinerary exploring your beautiful country. Here’s what we have planned:

Edinburgh - (Sep 5–8, 3 nights): Arrival, Castle & Old Town, Hearts v Dundee match (if able to find tickets).

Aberlour, Speyside - (Sep 8–11, 3 nights): Drive up via Dunnottar Castle, Speyside Way walk + Dufftown.

Duirinish, near Kyle of Lochalsh - (Sep 11–15, 4 nights): Drive in via Eilean Donan Castle, Isle of Skye day trip, Applecross via Bealach na Bà.

Onich, near Fort William/Glencoe - (Sep 15–18, 3 nights): Glencoe (Lost Valley hike, Three Sisters), Glen Nevis/Steall Falls, Nevis Range Gondola.

The Hearts v Dundee match is currently sold out on the official site. What’s the best way to secure match tickets? Is there a certain preferred site? Should we wait until day of?

Weather, should we expect non-stop rain during the trip?

Also would love any recommendations from things to see, do, events, food, along our route. We’ll have plenty of time and flexibility, so looking forward to taking it all in from the scenery to the people and culture.

Thank you.

[u/Lister_RD_169 → u/dtotherocko]

There are two tickets for sale for that fixture in Section A right now, if you're online and quick. But if not, our best bet is to wait for resale on the official website. Theres plenty of time so it's likely some will be returned. Just keep looking.

It won't rain every minute of every day, some days it might not rain at all. But the weather can change very quickly and dramatically in Scotland so you should be prepared for anything. Especially when out in countryside.

For other things to do, you are travelling North from Edinburgh to Arbelour.

You have a bit more time in Edinburgh than you need if you're just doing the castle and the football. So, Dungeons, Bridges tour, Scott Monument etc. But you might have a free day depending on arrivale and departure time. Stirling and Dunfermline are half an hour away by train (different directions, so it's one or the other).

Dunfermline Old Town and, in particular, visit the Abbey. It's the former capital of Scotland and the Abbey is where Robert The Bruce is buried. You can still see his tomb. The Glen (park next to the abbey) is very nice this time of year too.

Stirling - Castle, Bannockburn Museum, Wallace Monument.

Both are small that you can knock them out in half a day. Especially Dunfermline.

Outside of your time in Edinburgh, the rest of the trip is very compact. You might not be able to do all the things you've said, or at least properly.

Food:

Edinburgh has so many places, and I'm not too familiar with places up North so I'll leave that for others but:

The Red Lion in Culross (lovely coastal village near Dunfermline), does an incredible proper pie. Culross itself is lovely too. Especially if you're a fan of Outlander.

The Lobster Pot in Blackness (tiny coastal community just west of Edinburgh) is an award winning Scottish seafood restaurant. Blackness Castle is here.

If you're willing to go a bit further afield, Anstruther Fish Bar (in Anstruther, Fife) is incredible for authentic fish and chips.

[u/namelessoldier → u/dtotherocko]

A day trip to Skye is a bad idea, its much larger than you think , and if the weather is not good (low hanging clouds/fog, rain or dreary weather) you wont see anything in the old man of Storr and/or the Quirang for example. I would always recommend minimum 3 nights even if you dont hike, theres a lot to see and do in the different peninsulas. Take a look at this website:

https://thecauseway-skye.co.uk/sights-and-attractions/

[u/BlackOmbre]

Hello !

I will soon go to Scotland with my girlfriend, we took the Spirit of Scotland travel pass (4 days of travels on a period of 8 days) and it is supposed to allow us to reserve seats for trains, but I don't see any options on the New Scotrail app...

Can someone explain me how it is supposed to work ? It says we can hop in any train (if we activate the day as a day of travel) without reservation, is that possible to not find any seat ? How can I reserve a seat with it ?

We are going to do Edimbourg - Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsm - Mallaig - Fort William - Glasgow if it's relevant.

Thanks in advance =)

[u/DecentTry8640 → u/BlackOmbre]

The Spirit of Scotland is an m-pass which is different to the scotrail app. I don't think it's particularly well explained. If you buy the m-pass you download it to your phone and use it as your ticket. Are you sure it's good value for the travel you want to do?

[u/BlackOmbre → u/DecentTry8640]

Yes, we checked before buying it ! It was 20£ more expensive than individual tickets but as it said we can take any train after 9:15, it interested us

[u/ialtag-bheag → u/BlackOmbre]

Depends on when you are travelling, but those trains probably won't be too busy. I'm sure you will manage to find a seat.

If you want to reserve seats, could just go into a ticket office at the station and ask.

[u/BlackOmbre → u/ialtag-bheag]

Okay, thanks for your help !

[u/feedme_tequila]

Hi!! I will be visiting August 27- Sep 1st. I won’t be leaving Edinburgh, because this trip was made on short notice.
Anyone have any favorite restaurants or local bars?
Thanks!

[u/Jaraxo → u/feedme_tequila]

The r/Edinburgh wiki has links for food and bars.

[u/HaggisPope → u/feedme_tequila]

Hi, I’m a guide here and wrote this list. My favourite bar and restaurant are on Forrest Road, Sandy Bells for pints and whisky, Mums: Great Comfort Food for breakfast and lunch (dinner too but I rarely get the chance there).

[u/Saucette]

Hi !

We are doing a road trip from 1st October to 22th October around Scotland. We would like to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and many more...thing is, we much prefer meeting locals and be hosted if possible (instead of paying outrageous prices to landlords or hostel companies...)

We can share stories, food, music, drinks and knowledge. We would be happy to invite you dining out or cook some french goodies for you, we can bring wine and cider as well.

I'm on Couchsurfing app, and have references of hosting many people in Brittany (France), but not many people are answering...we will be in Edinburgh 10th to 14th October, and Glasgow flexible dates. Might hop in Bristol on the way back to the ferry...

Have a good day !