Month Eight: Travel
Getting to and around Scotland is easy, wherever your starting point. There
is the train - including the Caledonian Sleeper which can get you from
Euston to Fort William, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Gleneagles, Perth,
Dundee, Aberdeen, Aviemore and Inverness! There are also several flights
daily direct to Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee as well as Glasgow and
Edinburgh International airports from all the major regional UK airports.
Even the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Tiree, Islay and Shetland are readily
accessible by plane or boat within a day from anywhere in the British
Isles. Use our travel
section to assist you find the most direct route from your starting
point.
When traveling to Scotland for a wedding most venues are easily accessible
by plane, ferry, train, bus or coach and our road network is extensive,
well signed and scenic - not to mention quieter than you might be used to
elsewhere in the UK. If you have chosen an island venue your guests will
love a ferry trip - any of the west-coast or northern islands (Bute, Arran,
Mull, Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland) are within easy reach of
airports, are well-served by regular boat services and make a romantic
year-round destination (see our venue
search for details of suitable wedding venues on the islands).
Indeed Scotland has over sixty inhabited islands with nearly fifty of
them having scheduled ferry links - many of which can carry cars.
When thinking about transport for your Scottish wedding you do need to give
some thought to how you and your guests will travel to and from your
wedding - especially if you are all visitors and are unlikely to have your
own vehicles with you. How the bridal party arrive at your ceremony may
well be one of the factors contributing to the theme of your day. Even if
you've travelled hundreds of miles to get to Scotland, you might still want
some special mode of transport for the last mile to the ceremony. But do
not be tempted to leave it until you get here to arrange this last leg of
your wedding day journey (unless you simply want to book a cab, you are
likely to be disappointed if you fail to book in advance). First consider
how you want to arrive: on foot, in a vintage Roller, a stretch limousine,
a classic car, Cadillac, helicopter, boat, balloon, motorcycle and sidecar
(Russell Crowe travelled to his wedding on a motorcycle!) pony and trap,
tractor or a modern mean machine? Use our supplier
search for the plethora of options: it includes everything from the
unique Loch Lomond Seaplanes, horse drawn carriages, open top classic
cars and modern swish limousines. More than a dozen hotels in Scotland
(such as the Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Club in the Scottish Borders)
have helipads: if you or your guests want to arrive by this method it is
something to consider very early on in the planning process when
searching for your venue, as you cannot land a helicopter just anywhere!
Consider the distance you have to travel when choosing transport to the
ceremony. A slower vintage car, a horse and carriage or open-top sports
car might not be the best choice for a long, wet or cold journey. That
is not to say vintage cars are unreliable: all reputable hire companies
will have back-up plans in the event of one of their vehicles failing.
Other considerations in addition to budget include who else might need a
lift. If you and your groom each have short distances to travel to get to
the ceremony the same car could be used. Similarly if the bride has a short
journey, a car could return for her when it has dropped off her mother and
the bridesmaids. In addition, the groom's parents also need to get to the
ceremony and might appreciate being remembered when transport is being
booked. If the reception is at separate location, everyone who has been
provided with transport so far will require transport to the next venue. If
a significant number of guests need ferrying to and fro, if the budget will
stretch you could consider hiring a coach or bus (perhaps a red or white
double-decker bus suitably attired with ribbons, or a 1950s coach? Again
our supplier
search can help provide you with a few ideas). Guests will love this
gesture: especially if they have already traveled a significant distance
just to be there for your celebration.
Before hiring wedding transport ask if chauffeurs will be uniformed and if
they carry umbrellas. Get a detailed written quote with a full schedule of
pickup points and times: ensure these are accurate. Ask what the back-up
plan is in the event of a breakdown. It's also a good idea for you and your
guests to have access to telephone numbers of local taxi firms.
Next month we'll be giving hints and tips on providing your guests with
more information to turn the trip into a short break and how you let them
know both what you've arranged on their behalf and how they can get help in
organizing their trip. Meanwhile use the Travel Checklist below to ensure
that you don't forget the all-important wedding day travel requirements
once you are here.
Wedding
Day Transport Checklist
- Who needs transport to the ceremony from the following list?
Groom & Best Man
Bride's Mother and Bridesmaids (is one car enough?)
Groom's Parents
Bride & Bride's Father
- Does anyone else need transport?
- Do you need transport from the ceremony to the reception?
- Do you need transport from the reception to other locations at the end
of the wedding?
- Will bridal cars be decorated with ribbons and flowers?
- Locate taxi hire telephone numbers for guests.
VisitScotland's Wedding Planner
Wedding Top Tips
Month One: Getting Started
Month Two: Finding Your Dream Venue
Month Three: Bridal Wear
Month Four: Deciding Groomswear
Month Five: Wedding Day Food
Month Six: Wedding Day Flowers
Month Seven: Photography
Month Nine: Guests
Month Ten: Hair and Beauty
Month Eleven: The Big Day
Month Twelve: Honeymoon
