Dad Visit 2025 Trip Info

Train Travel Stuff

Outbound Journey Summary:

Return Journey Summary:

Details of Tickets

Traveling by train means a little more complexity. To make that easier, here's the explanation of the various tickets we have to get from place to place. Each person has the below tickets. They are also emailed to each person individually with a clear subject line.^

1. NS ticket from Amersfoort to Rotterdam.
2. Eurostar ticket from Rotterdam to London.
3. Caledonian Sleeper ticket from London to Fort William.
4. BritRail ticket from Fort William to Edinburgh.^
5. BritRail ticket from Edinburgh to London.^
6. Eurostar ticket from London to Rotterdam.
7. NS ticket from Rotterdam to Amersfoort.

^ The exception are the BritRail tickets. This is a pass which is good for unlimited travel on the BritRail network for a certain number of days. We will use it to travel from Fort William to Edinburgh, then Edinburgh to London. We will activate the pass on the first day we use it, which is the day we travel from Fort William to Edinburgh. We will do that together in the hotel.

Resources

• The Scotland 2025 Trip spreadsheet has detailed information about the trip, including links to restaurant menus, etc.

• Fodor's Guide to Scotland has a lot of good information about Scotland, including Fort William and Edinburgh as well as general information that can be useful. Emergency services and other information is also included. We have a physical copy of this book and will bring it with us.

• The Man in Seat 61 - The West Highland Line

• Midges are a common nuisance in Scotland, especially in the Highlands. They are most active in the summer months, particularly from May to September. The Scottish Midge Forecast is a useful resource to check the midge activity in the area we will be visiting. The best repellant is apparently Smidge. It's hard to buy online outside of the UK, but we can buy it before going out into nature in Fort William at Nevisport

Fort William

• Logan definitely wants to visit the West Highland Museum in Fort William. It has a lot of information about the history of the area, including the Jacobite risings and the Highland Clearances. The museum is located at Cameron Square, Fort William PH33 6AJ.

• Logan is interested in the Seal Island Wildlife Cruise which departs from Fort William. We have three days in Fort William, so we can perhaps make a decision about this based on the weather and our energy levels: Cruise Loch Linhe

• The other main reason for going to Fort William is to visit Glen Coe, the Glen Coe Visitor Centre, the monument to the Glencoe Massacre, and the area.

• Logan would still enjoy hiking some portion of the Ben Nevis tourist path, but we will not necessarily hike to the summit. The weather will be a big factor in this decision, as well as our energy levels.

• The Alexandra Hotel wasn't available for three days, so we will stay there for two nights then move to a nearby B&B.

Lodging Addresses

Alexandra Hotel - August 6th and 7th
The Parade, Fort William, PH33 6AZ, United Kingdom

Fassifern B&B - August 8th
2 Caberfeidh, Fort William, PH33 6BE, United Kingdom

Edinburgh Apartment - August 9th and 10th
1/15 Tytler Gardens, Old Town, Edinburgh, EH8 8HQ, United Kingdom

Edinburgh

We will be in Edinburgh for 2 days and have booked 2 dinners and 2 shows. The various festivals will also be happening. So the city will be very busy.

Logan is interested in visiting:

• National Museum of Scotland
• National Gallery
• Royal Botanic Garden
• Edinburgh Castle
• Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
• Scott Monument

Probably not all of these will be possible, so we will have to prioritize based on our energy levels and interests.

High-level Itinerary

Thursday July 31

Dad flies out of the USA

Friday August 1

Dad arrives at Schipol very early morning. Either Logan or Jordan (TBD) will meet Dad at Schipol and bring him to Amersfoort. Logan may have to do some remote work on this day.

Dinner @ Takmastraat Pasta noodles with meatballs, tomatoes, onion, garlic, butter. Side salad and vegetables.

Saturday August 2

No specifics planned. Logan has a 10am haircut. We look forward to hanging out, relaxing, maybe putting together a Lego or two, and generally enjoying each other's company. We will also be getting ready for the trip to Scotland.

Dinner @ Takmastraat Pan seared salmon, vegetables, baguette.

Sunday August 3

No specifics planned. We look forward to hanging out, relaxing, maybe putting together a Lego or two, and generally enjoying each other's company. We will also be getting ready for the trip to Scotland.

Dinner @ Takmastraat Veggie hard shell tacos with black bean, mushroom, diced tomato and onion, avocado, shredded cheese, lime. Side salad and vegetables.

Monday August 4

No specifics planned. We look forward to hanging out, relaxing, maybe putting together a Lego or two, and generally enjoying each other's company. We will also be getting ready for the trip to Scotland.

Dinner @ Takmastraat Beet hummus and halloumi wraps with vegetables.

Tuesday August 5

We will travel from Amersfoort to London, then London to Fort William overnight via train.

Dinner On The Road TBD, probably at the train station lounge. We will also have snacks and whatnot for the long train journeys on this day.

Wednesday August 6

Fort William explore and chill.

Restaurant Dinner See Scotland 2025 Trip spreadsheet.

Thursday August 7

Glen Coe explore and chill.

Restaurant Dinner See Scotland 2025 Trip spreadsheet.

Friday August 8

Fort William - Seal Island Wildlife cruise is a good option if we are tired of hiking.

Restaurant Dinner See Scotland 2025 Trip spreadsheet.

Saturday August 9

Fort William to Edinburgh in the morning, then Edinburgh exploration, dinner, and show in the evening.

Restaurant Dinner See Scotland 2025 Trip spreadsheet.

Sunday August 10

Edinburgh exploration, dinner, and show in the evening.

Restaurant Dinner See Scotland 2025 Trip spreadsheet.

Monday August 11

Edinburgh to London, then London to Amersfoort. We will return to Amersfoort fairly late.

Dinner On The Road TBD, probably at the train station lounge. We will also have snacks and whatnot for the long train journeys on this day.

Tuesday August 12

Dad's birthday! Pick up duobike in Amersfoort, then explore the area via bike.

Dad Birthday Dinner -- TBD depending on Dad preference. We can go out, or have cold-seared chicken thighs at home.

Wednesday August 13

Logan has a 9am medical appointment that shouldn't take long. Explore Amersfoort area via duobike. Return duobike in the late afternoon.

Dinner @ Takmastraat Japanese vegetable ramen with mushroom, 6 minute egg, vegetables.

Thursday August 14

Dad flies out of Schiplol in the morning. Logan and/or Jordan (TBD) will take Dad to Schipol.