griz_fan

My wife and I, with our 4 kids (ages 11, 13, 15 and 18) are considering a trip to Scotland and England this summer, in the early to mid August timeframe. We are still in the early stages of planning, and I still need to confirm a few things for my work schedule in order for this to work out. Unfortunately, this will be the only time for us to travel due to work and school considerations. We're looking at 12-14 days, not counting travel days, evenly split between Scotland and London. We have a pretty good idea for London, but I'm looking for suggestions for Scotland. My company has an office outside Glasgow, and I've been there once before on business, but this will be the first time outside the US for my wife and three of our kids.
I'd like to keep things pretty flexible. If possible, I'd like to take in a Rangers game in Glasgow, but for the rest of our time in Scotland, I'd like to be based in or near Edinburgh. I know August is festival season, so we'd want to take in some of the more family friendly aspects of that, and I'd like to also see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo one night. Beyond that, I wouldn't mind renting a car for a day or two up north.
So, based on that, any ideas on what we might do? also, any thoughts on transportation or accommodations would also be most welcome. I'd like to keep our nightly rate for accommodations under £300/night for the 6 of us. While in the Edinburgh/Glasgow area, I would definitely prefer public transport over having a rental car, though I would prefer our a rental car if we head north (unless there's a good alternative).

Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

janisj

Only time for a quick comment right now:

You need to book your Edinburgh accommodations AND Tattoo tickets absolutely ASAP! Once those are nailed down . . . then you can plan the rest of the itinerary around your Edinburgh dates.

michele_d

What janisj said.

Here is the site for booking the tickets for the Tattoo Festival. It is definitely one of the most spectacular events I have ever been to. It takes place in front of the castle and while the military bands are playing, film projections are cast upon the castle walls. Just beautiful.

But order now as they WILL sell out.

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets/...lan-and-prices

And if you cannot stay in the city there are plenty of B&Bs on the outskirts, just a couple miles from the center. Great bus system we used every day. Probably about a 10 minute ride. Very easy.

michele_d

Oh, and just for your knowledge: the seats in section 8 & 9 are the best for the performance from the perspective that the bands are facing that direction. I think we spent $75 pp for the performance. If you let them pick the best seats for you they will give you the best available for your date so don't worry. If you have a few dates you might have a better chance of getting good seats.

griz_fan

Unfortunately - my dates might be at risk due to a project at work that may run long. If I were to book Tattoo tickets now, how hard would it be for me to sell them if my plans were disrupted?

BigRuss

Rangers tickets won't be easy - even though they've been dropped into the pit of despair of Scottish Football, they only play a couple of home matches in August.

Don't dawdle on Edinburgh - between the eponymous Festival, the Tattoo and about 700 other festivals it hosts in August, the city swells to about 3x its normal size.

griz_fan

Can I get a refund on the Tattoo tickets or sell them easily if we're not able to travel as planned? If so, I will book my tickets now...

BigRuss

The Scotland experts know better, but secondary markets exist in the UK for nearly everything that requires a temporary attendance license.

janisj

>>Can I get a refund on the Tattoo tickets or sell them easily if we're not able to travel as planned? If so, I will book my tickets now...<<

That is what travel insurance is for . . .

michele_d

Here is what it says under the Terms and Conditions page for the Tattoo:

Save material alteration of content/cancellation or as aftermentioned tickets may not be exchanged nor money refunded after purchase. If tickets are returned to the Tattoo Office prior to the date of performance we will attempt to resell such tickets on your behalf subject to the deduction of an administration fee. Such re-sale is not guaranteed and we shall not be liable for any refund if tickets remain unsold. Tickets will be offered for resale only when all Tattoo tickets have been sold.

Gordon_R

I don't see how travel insurance would help at all in this scenario. No policy I know of will pay out due to cancellation or postponement of trip due to conflicting work commitments (only for illness, bereavement, jury service etc...). I speak from some recent experience as I've just had to cancel my pre-booked Easter weekend away due to an urgent project requirement to work over the holidays - but my employer has agreed to fully compensate me for this.

griz_fan

There is travel insurance that offers cancel for any reason protection, for a premium price. But, based on my limited experience, you need to purchase the policy for the entire trip once the majority of arrangements have been booked, so it probably wouldn't work for a single event like this.

Michele D - thanks for tracking that down from the Ts&Cs. I looked earlier, but must have missed that. Given the popularity of this event, I think this might be a pretty good way to go.

BigRuss

The T&Cs of the tickets are irrelevant to whether there is a secondary market. Scalping is illegal in New York and ticket licensing provisions are strict. Now guess whether there are scalpers . . .

Vpicks

Not sure where you mean by "up north" but if it's only going to be for a day or two your best bet is to head to Fife. You can find out about the Fife coast here:

http://postcards-pfte.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Fife