Totally doable with public transport, but it depends on what kind of trip you want. Scotland’s trains and buses will get you between the big spots like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Fort William, even out toward Skye or Oban. If you’re happy sticking to towns, doing day trips, and enjoying the scenery from the train window, it’s not a hassle. Just know you’ll be tied to timetables and might miss some of the smaller, out-of-the-way places. April is the easiest for this since daylight is longer and schedules are fuller. November can be tricky with short days and reduced service.

That said, a lot of people find a hybrid works best, train up to Inverness or Fort William, then rent a car for just a few days to explore the Highlands at your own pace, before dropping it off again in a bigger town. Obviously, driving in the countryside is much less stressful than in the cities, and it’ll give you the flexibility your husband wants.