FROM COBBLESTONES TO HIGHLANDS; LONDON & SCOTLAND WITH KIDS

After a couple of wonderful (and well-fed) trips to Europe, we felt it was time to share some of that magic with our kids. Our mission? Show them castles, cobbled streets, red buses, and misty highlands – all while pretending we’re calm and organized parents.

We picked London and Scotland for this adventure – a perfect mix of iconic landmarks and raw natural beauty. In our earlier trips, we happily handed over bookings to travel agents while we focused on daydreaming and packing. But this time, we decided to take the plunge and book everything ourselves. Risky? Yes. Rewarding? Also yes. Saving some money while showing off our Excel skills? Triple yes.

That said, we were a bit skeptical at first about going fully DIY. But the internet came to the rescue — blogs, YouTube videos, and yes, even AI (thanks, ChatGPT!) helped us put together an itinerary that turned out to be surprisingly smooth.

📅 The Plan:
– London – 2 nights to kick things off
– Train to Edinburgh – beautiful and fast
– Car rental at Edinburgh Waverley Station
– Drive through stunning Glencoe Valley to Fort William (1 night)
– Continue to Portree, Isle of Skye – 2 nights
– Return to Edinburgh – 2 nights
– Final night in London, close to the airport
– Fly home 🛫

We originally considered the iconic North Coast 500, but time was tight (and kids are not fans of 5-day road trips). So we chose the Isle of Skye – which honestly deserves its own postcard series. It gave us a true taste of the Highlands without the extended driving marathon.

🚗 Scotland & Self-Drive
Public transport in the Highlands is… let’s say polite but patchy. So we went with a rental car and hit the road from Edinburgh. Being from India, we’re already used to right-hand drive, so driving in the UK felt perfectly natural. In fact, that was one of the reasons we confidently planned a 4-day self-drive through the Highlands.

And yes, we weren’t doing it alone — we were five couples traveling together, all with a history of epic trips. The company, the jokes, and the shared playlists made the journey even more memorable.

✈️ Flights
We booked our Air India direct flights to London nearly 6 months in advance — got a sweet deal for under ₹60,000 per person. Booking early = less stress + more money for fish and chips.

For the UK Visa, hotel and flight bookings are a must, so we got those locked in early. Train tickets and local stuff? You can handle those once the visa arrives. (Train bookings usually open 90 days in advance, so there’s time.)

So with a mix of travel blogs, AI tools, and late-night planning marathons, we built our very own London–Scotland family adventure — one that turned out to be scenic, smooth, and surprisingly doable.

“Premier Planning, Phew!”

Booking flights? Easy peasy. We’re old hands at that now. A direct flight to London via Air India – no frills, no stress, no kids running to catch a connection.

But then came the real boss level: hotel bookings.

Now, booking for two adults is simple. Booking for two adults and two kids? That’s where things get interesting. Either we go for two rooms (read: double the cost) or hope to find a magical unicorn: a family room that fits all four of us.

Enter: Premier Inn. A shout-out to my cousin who tipped us off, we discovered that Premier Inn has hotels at pretty much every major UK location, and they offer family rooms at very decent prices. Major win for traveling parents.

🏨 Where We Booked:
– London: Premier Inn King’s Cross – just steps away from King’s Cross train station, which has direct trains to Edinburgh. Plus, multiple tube lines meet here, so super convenient.
– Edinburgh: Premier Inn Royal Mile – right beside the famous Royal Mile street. Beautiful location, and a cozy property.
– Fort William: Premier Inn again! Great location for our first night in the Scottish Highlands.

Now the tricky bit? Isle of Skye. Premier Inn doesn’t exist there (yet?), and finding accommodation for a big group with family rooms was a real challenge. After scanning every possible booking site we struck gold with a small, charming property – Hotel Pier, just beside the harbour in Portree. Cute, well-located, and surprisingly available. Booked in a flash.

🚗 Rental Cars – Arnold Clark for the Win!
When it came to car rentals, we did our research – and eventually zeroed in on Arnold Clark. Their glowing reviews and wide selection stood out compared to the usual big names like Avis, Enterprise, or Sixt. And boy, were we right!

We booked four cars for our group of five families, and the whole experience – from pickup to drop-off – was smooth and efficient. Definitely one of the better decisions of our trip.

🛂 Visa-Ready & Travel-Safe
All these bookings – flights, hotels, and rental cars – were more than enough for our UK visa application. Just to be on the safer side, we also took out travel insurance for everyone in the group before proceeding with the visa process.

UK Visa & Pre-Trip Essentials

“Paperwork, Perks & Prepaid SIMs”

Now came the big one: the UK visa. Unlike the Schengen visa where you carry a mountain of documents to the appointment, the UK visa process is refreshingly digital. You upload all your documents online, and when you show up for the appointment, all you really need are:
– Your passport
– Your appointment confirmation
– Maybe a couple of supporting papers (just in case you’re feeling traditional)

Honestly, this made the process feel a lot less chaotic. No bulky folders. No stress about misplacing page 7 of your bank statement while digging out your kid’s passport photo.

The visa appointment itself was smooth and efficient. And to our delight, we received our visas in just 10–15 days. That’s quicker than expected — especially when traveling as a group.

Bonus Find: Zero Markup Debit Card
Now here’s a bonus tip for travelers: Right opposite the visa office, we found a counter offering the Niyo Global debit card with zero markup charges on international purchases. Naturally, we grabbed it. Smooth process, no fees, and worked like a charm in the UK. Definitely a small win that made a big difference.

Even Better: Free UK SIMs
As if the universe was cheering us on, the visa center was also handing out free prepaid SIM cards, one per person. Perfect for staying connected the moment we landed. No scrambling for airport Wi-Fi or buying overpriced tourist SIMs.

So with the visa granted, Niyo Global card in hand, and SIMs ready, we were all set for the real adventure to begin!

Final Bookings – “Rails, Deals & Big Wheels”

With visas in hand and smiles on our faces, it was time for the final round of bookings — trains and local activities.

Train Bookings: Railcard = Real Savings
One very useful tip for anyone planning train travel in the UK: Get a Railcard! They’re cheap, and if you’re traveling with kids, the Friends & Family Railcard is a total steal. It gives you up to 1/3rd off on train fares — and trust us, that adds up quickly when you’re booking for multiple people.

We booked our train journeys using apps like Trainline and LNER, which are super user-friendly. With the railcard discounts applied, the deals got even better — almost made us feel like expert commuters!

Pro tip : Book early, use Railcard.

Attractions & Activities: Click, Book, Done
Once the trains were sorted, we moved on to booking activities in advance — again, highly recommended to avoid last-minute hassles or long queues.

– London Eye + River Cruise – iconic and always a hit with the kids

– Warner Bros Studio (Harry Potter World)
– Tower of London – history, crowns, and Yeoman Warders
– Edinburgh Castle – we opted for a guided tour, which gave much deeper insight and made the visit way more interesting

All these bookings were fairly straightforward through their official websites or verified apps. A few clicks, online payment, and done!

So with all the transport and attractions neatly booked, we were finally ready to stop planning… and start packing!

London Diaries Begin

London Diaries Begin

After weeks of planning and booking, the day finally arrived – we landed at Heathrow Airport, which, true to reputation, was quite crowded. But soon, we had our first taste of the London Underground (Tube) – surprisingly efficient and easy to navigate, even with kids and luggage in tow.

Check-in and a Magical Evening

We reached our hotel and settled in. For the kids, just checking in felt like an adventure!

That evening, we headed to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio, which we had booked directly through the official website. As a longtime Harry Potter fan, it was a personal highlight – walking through the sets, seeing the props, and sipping Butterbeer. The kids loved it too.
Thanks to the long summer daylight, we could still explore nearby streets and enjoy a relaxed dinner before resting up for a full sightseeing day.

Day 2: London’s Classic Tourist Trail

Getting Around London – The Tube Experience

Navigating the Tube was much easier than expected. We relied on Citymapper, which turned out to be more reliable than Google Maps – showing estimated fares, platform directions, and real-time updates on closed lines.

We used contactless debit cards (one per person) – simple tap in, tap out. The system auto-calculated fares and applied daily caps, making it both cheaper and quicker than buses or taxis. Even for first-timers, the experience was smooth and intuitive.

We did lose our way a couple of times, but it only resulted in short 5–10 minute delays. Overall, the Tube turned out to be an essential and memorable part of our London experience. The Tube wasn’t just a mode of transport – it became part of the adventure.

Our day began at Big Ben and The Westminister Abbey.

The next was Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. However, the crowd was overwhelming – more like being in the back row of a packed stadium. We could barely see anything. A bit disappointing, but still an iconic stop.

Next, we made our way to the Natural History Museum – a wonderland for kids and anyone with an interest in science. We couldn’t do full justice to the exhibits in the limited time, but we thoroughly enjoyed the Dinosaur Gallery and the Underwater World of Whales.

Later in the afternoon, we queued up for the London Eye – and luckily, only had to wait 15–20 minutes. The 30-minute rotation gave us a spectacular view of the city, especially as the sun began to dip.

Just nearby, we hopped on the Thames River Cruise. Our guide kept us entertained with witty British humour while pointing out landmarks along both banks. It was a smooth and charming experience.

We ended our evening at Piccadilly Circus, enjoying the indie street music scene, followed by a delicious dinner in Chinatown.

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye – A Drive Through Dreamscapes

We began our Scottish chapter with an early morning train to Edinburgh. Though usually spot-on with punctuality, the train was delayed by an hour due to technical issues—an exception in the UK but a daily occurrence back home! Surprisingly, even a delay of just over an hour entitled us to a 50% refund. Imagine that happening in India—railways might never collect a fare again!

At Edinburgh, we picked up our self-drive cars from Arnold Clark—1 sleek Volvo and 3 brand-new BMWs. Being used to right-hand drive, adjusting to Scottish roads was fairly seamless. The weather, however, was less cooperative—cloudy skies, intermittent showers, and a distinct chill in the air greeted us as we began our journey.

Due to the morning delays, we had to trim our photo stops, but the scenery demanded admiration even through the car windows. One by one, the “lochs”—Scotland’s iconic lakes—started to appear, their still waters flanked by brooding forests and hanging clouds. It was like driving through a painting.

Then came Glencoe Valley—a drive that simply cannot be described in words. Hundreds of waterfalls cascaded down the mist-laced mountains, with a narrow winding road slicing through them. Just as the rain paused, we were able to step out and capture some unforgettable memories from the observation point. That moment will remain etched in our minds.

We reached Fort William as the last rays of sunlight melted into the horizon. A vast lake beside our hotel was so inviting, it lured us out of bed the next morning for a peaceful walk and drive.

To our delight, the next day was crystal clear—a rare gift in the Highlands. The rain gods held off, and the sun gods made a rare appearance!

Our first stop: Loch Ness in Fort Augustus. Despite all our effort, we couldn’t catch a glimpse of the elusive “Nessie”, but the serenity of the place made up for it.

On the way, we stopped at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, a historic fortress beautifully situated at the confluence of three lochs. It has starred in many Hollywood and even a few Bollywood films.

By evening, we reached Portree, a quaint harbour town where our charming hotel stood right across from the water.

After settling in, we drove to the Fairy Pools—a string of small waterfalls and crystal-clear pools nestled in the Cuillin Mountains. The long summer daylight allowed us ample time to enjoy this magical spot.

Next morning, we set off early for the Old Man of Storr hike. Though relatively easy, it offered sweeping views of the rugged landscape—a rewarding effort indeed.

We made brief stops at nearby waterfalls and then continued to Quirang.

While stunning, its views mirrored those of the Storr, so we saved our energy for what came next: Neist Point.

Neist Point – A Photographer’s Paradise

Perched on the westernmost tip of Skye, Neist Point Lighthouse stands dramatically against towering cliffs, crashing waves, and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The short hike to the lighthouse was exhilarating—with sheep dotting the fields and seabirds gliding overhead.

As we reached the edge, the golden hour cast a warm glow over the land and sea. It was nothing short of breathtaking—a place that whispers to your soul and screams for a photograph. Truly the highlight of the entire Isle of Skye.

After soaking in every bit of this dramatic coastal vista, we returned to Portree to rest.

Edinburgh Return – Laughter, Long Drives, and Life Lessons

The next day began early with a long drive back to Edinburgh. My Indian driving instincts were on full display—navigating bends with flair and overtaking with confidence. At one of the scenic pullouts, a couple in a camper van pulled in next to us. The gentleman leaned out with a chuckle and said,
“You’re a very dangerous man on the road!”
I smiled and replied, “Thank you!” thinking it was praise for my skill. They looked slightly baffled and drove off. Only later did I realise… it wasn’t exactly a compliment!

We reached our hotel on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, still chuckling over the exchange, ready to wrap up our Highland adventure with a touch of city charm.

Edinburgh – A City That Casts a Spell

Edinburgh is a city of dreams. Having already visited Paris, Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, and London, I had my doubts. On paper, it seemed like just another historic European capital. But how wrong I was. It turned out to be one of the most enchanting cities I’ve ever set foot in.

From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a time machine—transported a couple of centuries back. The old-world charm was evident in every cobbled street, every stone building, and every cozy pub that lined the roads. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s historic heart, runs from the majestic Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Surrounded by narrow alleys, quirky shops, street musicians, and gas-lit lanterns, it was pure magic.

As dusk settled, we took a leisurely evening stroll. It wasn’t just a walk—it was a reset for the soul. The soft amber glow from the lanterns, the echo of footsteps on ancient stone, and the occasional laughter spilling out from the pubs made it feel timeless. It was as if Edinburgh was whispering her secrets through the wind.

A Photographer’s Morning Meditation

The next morning, I stepped out early, camera in hand, determined to capture the soul of the city before the rush began. Walking down the Royal Mile in the golden morning light was like meditation. Quiet. Peaceful. Perfect.

I then made my way to the famed Victoria Street, said to be J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. Its vibrant facades and curving path were mesmerizing, and without the tourist crowds, it felt like a scene straight out of a fantasy novel.

After sneaking in some incredible shots, I treated myself to a sumptuous breakfast before continuing the day.

Dean Village & Leith Walk – The Local Soul

Our first stop was Dean Village, a tranquil little hamlet just a 20–25-minute walk from the city centre. Tucked away along the Water of Leith, it’s the kind of place you dream of retiring to—peaceful, picturesque, and brimming with storybook charm.

Nearby lies the Leith Walk, a famous stretch connecting the city centre with the waterfront district of Leith. It’s lined with quirky shops, indie cafes, and art galleries—a paradise for culture lovers and foodies alike. I’ve already marked it as a must-do for my next visit.

Castles, Ghosts & Sunset Farewells

Later, we joined a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle. Towering over the city from its volcanic rock perch, the castle unraveled stories of power, betrayal, tragedy, and bravery. Every stone echoed the footsteps of royalty, soldiers, and prisoners.

We also dared to explore Edinburgh’s eerie underbelly through a ghost tour—a peek into the city’s underground vaults and haunted past. It added an element of dark mystique to the day.

As the day wound down, we made our way to Calton Hill—the city’s crown jewel for sunset views. From up there, Edinburgh glowed. The skyline of spires and domes, silhouetted against the soft pink and orange hues, left us speechless. It was platonic, pure, and utterly unforgettable.

With heavy hearts, we bid adieu to this magical city. But as the morning train pulled out towards London for our final day, we all knew—we weren’t saying goodbye, just “see you again.”

Farewell London – A Grand Finale

For our final day in the UK, we had reserved two of London’s most iconic landmarks—the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Visiting the Crown Jewels, including the legendary Kohinoor diamond and other royal gems, was an experience of a lifetime. The aura of monarchy, history, and timeless treasures left us in awe.

As we stepped out, we were fortunate to witness Tower Bridge opening up—a rare and majestic sight—as a large vessel passed underneath. It felt like the city was giving us one final show before we left.

We had hoped to cap the day with a visit to Borough Market, but to our surprise, it had already closed. Who would’ve thought that one of the most popular food markets in London shuts by 6 PM on a Sunday?

Until We Return…

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we found ourselves lost in thought—summarizing the trip in our minds, replaying the best moments:
The excitement of our first Tube ride, the breathless beauty of the Glencoe Valley, the moody lochs, and winding roads of the Highlands. The surreal Isle of Skye. The spell of Edinburgh’s timeless charm. The thrill of the Tower and the elegance of London.

With heavy hearts, we bid adieu to the places that gifted us stories for a lifetime. But as always, we left behind not just footprints, but a promise—

A promise to return.