Originally Posted by
corporate-wage-slave
If this really is your first trip to Scotland then burn your air tickets - I would strongly suggest you take the train, it's a much better experience and gives you a cultural footpath through the development of the UK. Either East Coast or West Coast. West Coast takes you through the Lake District then over Beattock as immortalised by WH Auden. East Cost via York and Newcastle past Lindisfarne, which is in my view is the birthplace of contemporary Britain. Both routes take you into the impressive Waverley station in Edinburgh, with Sir Walter Scott looming right over you.
The OP has already explained that they can't take the train but, for the sake of others who might find this thread, you can circumvent LNER's price gouging to Edinburgh by searching instead for tickets to Newcraighall, just beyond the Scottish capital. On 25 August, for example, LNER's lowest fare on the 10.00 service to Edinburgh is £204, whereas a ticket to Newcraighall
on the same train is £95. Just get off in Edinburgh and don't board the train to Newcraighall.
But that's a discussion for a different forum...