Great news (for the midges looking for fresh blood!)

Actually, no, great news all round. Scotland's a great holiday destination regardless of the weather. Which is just as well!

Dr D

I am stopping at home. A week in Mull.

Sick to death of being kicked around like a football by the airline countries.

My next trip is in Scotland - Achiltibuie. Too early for the midgies I hope!

I just spent a week and a half there, and loved it. I went to Edinburgh, the Highlands, Skye, St Andrews, and Gleneagles. I can't wait to go back sometime!

That should have been "airline companies", this iPad seems to change everything I type!

I'm joining the throngs this spring too. Just Fife and Edinburgh this time.

Dickie_Gr: But >>airline countries<< sort of makes sense. (You ain't flying to Mull)

Janisj

No, god no.

Not a slur on the countries that I would use airlines to get to, ie the rest of the world.

The slur is on the airlines.

I have a already vented my anger on ridiculous situations encountered in our planning for this year. With the advent of long distance hubs, partnership deals, demand very variable and yield management systems the airlines have lost the plot this year.

£820 to Perth suddenly days later became £1100.

£650 to Atlanta but if I stop on the plane as it goes onto West Palm beach then drive back to Atlanta then only £348.

Ryanair £358 to Rome when I usually pay £50.

Fed up, had enough.

Staying at home.

I have got the money but can't be bothered with companies who treat their customers like numpties.

Booked this for a week.

http://www.mullcottage.com/

I am going to sit on the beach outside the house for a week, making paper aeroplanes.

Actually come to think of it, it was your fault we went to Oban last year for 3 days.

Had the best short break ever.

Did a road trip in Scotland. Great time. Edinburgh and Glasgow are a must c. Rent a car and you will see a lot. Do afternoon tea in Glen Eagles,

That looks like a great cottage in a lovely spot Dickie_G! Let us know how many paper airplanes you make.
Can I just say I love the word numpty?

It is a Scottish Borders term for affectionately insulting someone (thing).

Usually used in the context of speaking to a muddy Springer Spaniel walking on your new cream carpet.

As a Central Scotlander, I can confirm we use it too

Well Dickie and mebanana do you mind if this Canadian borrows it?

And here I have been believing that everyone is going to Ireland for the "Gathering." Tourist hype I suppose.

No;as you saw from booking b and bs...Please God so as we need a good tourist year here

Oooh - this must be after my trip report last summer!

Is it unrealistic to expect commission from the STB?

What I want to know is whether the Gore-Tex Scottish National Trail keeps you dry in the wonderful Scottish weather.

Question

Which island in The Bahamas is this ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Silver_Sands_of_Morar_-_geograph.org.uk_-_204112.jpg

Anybody who's seen Local Hero and checked out the filming locations knows the answer...
http://roadtotheisles.co.uk/arisaigandmorar.asp

Well, not everyone is coming. Had 3 week trip to the Outer Hebrides planned for July and have been run off by midges, or rather tales of midges from all of you here. We are usually there in May, so the notion of bugs did not occur to me. DH and I decided we COULD manage them, but why? Staying stateside, will try earlier in 2014.

there were no midges in the Outer Isles last year. It was too dry. Come to think of it, I don't think of them as an outer Isles problem. Too flat and sandy and too windy.

nice! I'm going this year, it's been four years!!

I'm heading to Scotland in July, 1st time back since I was on a study exchange there 35 years ago. I'll be splitting time between the Edinburgh area with my old host family and Arran with some highland games thrown in at the end before heading to Cambridge for the week of our son's graduation. So many places I'd love to return to but just picked 2 since we only have ~10 days in Scotland this time 'round. Happy trails, all!

I am planning to spend a few days in the Outer Hebrides in early-mid May. Time will tell if this will work out.

I thought everyone was going to Ireland this year for The Gathering.

http://www.thegatheringireland.com/About.aspx#.UPeThvJWKYQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gathering_Ireland_2013

Heading to Scotland this April - first time, can't wait!

I'll be there this summer as the planning began months ago. We will be in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders to show my immediate family members where our family came from.

Sheila; I lived on an outer Orkney island and there were almost always midges. Only the wind helped; and here in ireland is as bad.

bluestar; gatherings galore here... Met a man up at Torc Waterfall sticking big signs up to take photos of and even Sneem is having a Gathering of the O'Sullivans

My daughter is going to Scotland for her honeymoon.

I've been reading a disproportionate number of Scottish authors lately; Peter May, Ian Rankin, Ian Banks... Enjoying them very much.