Travelling around the Lothian / Fife area

[Starmill]

The Lothian and Fife areas of Scotland appear to be lacking a Day Ranger - is this correct? I will be travelling to Edinburgh from Manchester via Glasgow on Monday arriving midday ish and leaving in the evening. I have a Plusbus and intend to have a wander around Edinbrugh and spend a while on the trams. But after that it seems I'm somewhat limited in what else I can do. I have already been to North Berwick and don't really have any interest in Dunbar (I'm leaving Scotland via the East Coast). So the only thing that springs to mind is the very short hop to Newcraighall and the Glenorthes loop. Are these worthwhile or interesting? And what might be the best ticket to buy to do them both? I suppose just a straightforward return from Edinburgh to Glenorthes with Thornton will have to do? Any other recommendations for railways in the area?

One more thing I can't quite seem to be sure of, I'm travelling in First Class from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh via Falkirk High - do you get anything complimentary, or does the trolley just come and sell you things like it does in Standard? Many thanks!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Tea coffe and Biscuit. Wouldnt bother with Newcraighall till you come back to scratch off borders rail. Take it your doing the loco hauled turn, 17:08x Edinburgh?

 

[Starmill]

Cheers! And aye that'll be the one if I've got it right, and I'm not sure I'll get enough to fill 8 hours without doing Newcraighall!

The Borders Railway is certainly something I'm excited about though!

 

[FQ]

Yesterday I traveled from Hinckley to Dundee via Peterborough and Edinburgh so I went from Edinburgh to Markinch and the route is very picturesque so maybe worth fitting that in if you have time, best on an East Coast HST.

 

[scotsman]

A bit late, but here goes...

Fife kind of lacks the attractions or destinations that would make a Day Ranger useful.

The Fife circle is scenic to a point: Dalmeny - Kirkcaldy is good, but there's little of note (perhaps Cowdenbeath - Glenrothes) in way of scenery on the Dunfermline side of the Fife circle. It seems you have the time, but perhaps aren't prepared to pay the fares involved - but Edinburgh - Dundee - Perth - Edinburgh (via Gleneagles) would be worthwhile. The Ladybank - Perth run offers good views of the Tay as well, if you want to do Edinburgh - Dundee - Perth - Edinburgh.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Will second the Edinburgh-Dundee-Perth-Edinburgh suggestion, was very pleasantly surprised by the run between Perth and Stirling, in both terms of speed and scenery. Of course going out via Fife you also get the Forth Bridge, Fife Coast and Tay Bridge in. An excellent way to kill a few hours.

 

[Starmill]

Thanks for the advice - I did the round trip on the loco haul (off-peak tickets valid, and the thing was deserted!) And some tram bashing. I have done Perth - Stirling non-stop before, Midnight Flyer, on the way back from Wick to our hotel in Stirling. I too was surprised highly by the speed and scenery! I had a similar moment leaving GCQ this morning, I didn't realise the Turbostar would be getting up to a sustained > 90mph between there and being held at Greenhill Upper Jn for 10 minutes (we were of course, then late, but I'm not going to let that spoil it!)