Hello OP,

Take the train. It's quicker and easier than the plane and much more scenic too.

I took the Flying Scotsman several years ago from downtown London to downtown Edinburgh and absolutely loved it.

Be sure to pay the extra -- it's not much -- for first class and be sure to get reserved seat. Sometimes it's standing room only on the train and I'm sure you don't want to stand for four hours and twenty minutes.

Take train.... I'm not sure how often you will have opportunity to go from Birmingham to Edinburgh in the future.

You didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway... there's a bar there called "The Last Drop" because that's where the guillotine was -- so "the last drop" of blood.

Do NOT under any circumstances order an IRISH coffee in a SCOTTISH bar! "What's wrong with SCOTCH whiskey?" "is there a difference?" Wrong question to ask. You can ask for a Gaellic flavored coffee. There's WHISKEY and there's WHISKY -- I have no idea what the difference is.

I hope you have fun either way you get to Edinburgh.

David