First time traveling to Scotland!
Jan 9th, 2012, 09:00 PM
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First time traveling to Scotland!
Hello! My name is Ashley.
My boyfriend and I are will be going to Scotland in March, we found tickets for $500.00. I know it will be chilly, I just visited Ireland in October with my best friend and this website helped me make my trip a success! So I am hoping for more help this time around
We will be flying in to Edinburgh. We are not renting a car this trip, and we will be staying for 7 days, I did a lot of driving and moving around in Ireland and want to do a lot less on this trip and a lot more relaxing. I am thinking we will stay in Edinburgh a couple days and then take a bus/train to Glasgow and stay a couple days then head back. I know nothing of Scotland, please give me ideas and suggestions. Thanks!
My boyfriend and I are will be going to Scotland in March, we found tickets for $500.00. I know it will be chilly, I just visited Ireland in October with my best friend and this website helped me make my trip a success! So I am hoping for more help this time around
We will be flying in to Edinburgh. We are not renting a car this trip, and we will be staying for 7 days, I did a lot of driving and moving around in Ireland and want to do a lot less on this trip and a lot more relaxing. I am thinking we will stay in Edinburgh a couple days and then take a bus/train to Glasgow and stay a couple days then head back. I know nothing of Scotland, please give me ideas and suggestions. Thanks!
Jan 10th, 2012, 01:58 AM
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www.eurocheapo.com/edinburgh
Congrats on your trip good tips above.When there last I trained cheaply around seat61.com/scotland to my ancestral clan home Blair Castle in theHighlandsand Inverness.Also enjoyed Butte nice island around Glasgow where my grandfather was born.Castle View Guest House was nice for me in EB at good pricepoint.Roselyn Chapel was amazing for templar history which I enjoy since I am one.
Have fun!
Congrats on your trip good tips above.When there last I trained cheaply around seat61.com/scotland to my ancestral clan home Blair Castle in theHighlandsand Inverness.Also enjoyed Butte nice island around Glasgow where my grandfather was born.Castle View Guest House was nice for me in EB at good pricepoint.Roselyn Chapel was amazing for templar history which I enjoy since I am one.
Have fun!
Jan 10th, 2012, 02:07 AM
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Notable stuff In Edinburgh:
1. Difference between Old Town (Royal Mile) and New Town (behind Princes Street)
2. The Castle
3. Museum of Scotland (history of the people of Scotland, not just the rich and famous)
4. National Gallery of Scotland (between the Old and New Towns)
5. Rose Street, in the New Town, is lined with pubs, literally lined with them. Many try to have a pint in each and still be able to walk.
Glasgow:
1. Anything associated with Charles Rennie MacIntosh
2. The Transportation Museum
3. The two art museums
4. The West End as a lively place
5. You have time for a trip to the Highlands on the West Highland Railway. If you can go all the way to Mallaig and back it will make a long day but be worth it. If not, spend the night and come back next day. This is the area where the Harry Potter train ran, and the scenery is absolutely spectacular.
1. Difference between Old Town (Royal Mile) and New Town (behind Princes Street)
2. The Castle
3. Museum of Scotland (history of the people of Scotland, not just the rich and famous)
4. National Gallery of Scotland (between the Old and New Towns)
5. Rose Street, in the New Town, is lined with pubs, literally lined with them. Many try to have a pint in each and still be able to walk.
Glasgow:
1. Anything associated with Charles Rennie MacIntosh
2. The Transportation Museum
3. The two art museums
4. The West End as a lively place
5. You have time for a trip to the Highlands on the West Highland Railway. If you can go all the way to Mallaig and back it will make a long day but be worth it. If not, spend the night and come back next day. This is the area where the Harry Potter train ran, and the scenery is absolutely spectacular.
Jan 10th, 2012, 05:00 AM
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You've anticipated the chill of a northern country, but be prepared also for misting rain.
If you happen to have good weather one day in Edinburgh, you might walk from Cramond to Queensferry along the shore of the Firth of Forth. It's scenic with views of the islands in the Forth and the famous railroad bridge.
Here's a change from the urban environment. Between Edinburgh and Glasgow on the train lies the town of Linlithgow. It's a pretty little place with the ruins of the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, the Union Canal port with long, narrow canal boats,and the activity of the High Street. The "Four Mary's" pub on the High Street has good food and ambiance.
The suggestion to visit an island in the Firth of Clyde is an excellent one. In addition to Bute, there's Aaran, which has a (relatively new) distillery that makes an excellent whiskey.
You've picked a great place to go!
If you happen to have good weather one day in Edinburgh, you might walk from Cramond to Queensferry along the shore of the Firth of Forth. It's scenic with views of the islands in the Forth and the famous railroad bridge.
Here's a change from the urban environment. Between Edinburgh and Glasgow on the train lies the town of Linlithgow. It's a pretty little place with the ruins of the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, the Union Canal port with long, narrow canal boats,and the activity of the High Street. The "Four Mary's" pub on the High Street has good food and ambiance.
The suggestion to visit an island in the Firth of Clyde is an excellent one. In addition to Bute, there's Aaran, which has a (relatively new) distillery that makes an excellent whiskey.
You've picked a great place to go!
Jan 10th, 2012, 06:02 AM
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You could actually just stay in either Edinburgh or Glasgow for the whole stay. The train journey betrween the two cities is only 45 minutes and trains run every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm. It's a 30 minute service outside these times. If you want to see some of the Highland scenery, which is mainly in the west of the country, you'd be better based in Glasgow. As the trip to Mallaig and back takes all day and Mallaig itself is tiny you should consider a day trip to Oban instead. You will see the same sort of scenery as further north and Oban is a reasonably sized town.
Incidentally the name of the island is Arran and the distillery produces whisky (no 'e'). Arran can be reached by train and ferry from Glasgow Central station (about 1 hour to Ardrossan harbour and another hour on the ferry to Brodick)
Incidentally the name of the island is Arran and the distillery produces whisky (no 'e'). Arran can be reached by train and ferry from Glasgow Central station (about 1 hour to Ardrossan harbour and another hour on the ferry to Brodick)
Jan 10th, 2012, 06:15 AM
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Don't feel inadequate if you cannot understand what people are saying for the first day or two, just ask them to repeat (and repeat.) It does take time to get your ear in. I always thought it was unfair that they understood me (American) perfectly.
Jan 10th, 2012, 09:36 AM
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"Roselyn Chapel was amazing for templar history which I enjoy since I am one"
I am a little particular with our history but...
The Templars were extinguished 600 years ago. ROSSLYN (no Roseline here thank you) has to be the most incredible small scale piece of architecture in the world. However, it was built by the St Clairs (now Sinclairs) around 150 years after the Templars were wiped out. The St Clairs actually testified in the Edinburgh trails which were orchestrated by the Pope which secured land in favour of that family ie they did the dirty on the Templars....
and finally last time I checked there was no chart in the crypt which depicted the blood line of Mary Magdalene.
Having said all that I accept your vagueness, they are a strange bunch on Bute. Small island with too many sheep, never a good combination.
Ashley
I agree with qwovadis, try to get to Rosslyn and be pateint with our accents. It is an easy bus journey from Edinburgh. I agree that the road system in Ireland can be anything but relaxing. Ours is far more developed and hiring a car makes a lot of sense.
Where did you find the tickets. IO have been trying to travel in the reverse direction and can't find them for less than £600 ($1000).
I am a little particular with our history but...
The Templars were extinguished 600 years ago. ROSSLYN (no Roseline here thank you) has to be the most incredible small scale piece of architecture in the world. However, it was built by the St Clairs (now Sinclairs) around 150 years after the Templars were wiped out. The St Clairs actually testified in the Edinburgh trails which were orchestrated by the Pope which secured land in favour of that family ie they did the dirty on the Templars....
and finally last time I checked there was no chart in the crypt which depicted the blood line of Mary Magdalene.
Having said all that I accept your vagueness, they are a strange bunch on Bute. Small island with too many sheep, never a good combination.
Ashley
I agree with qwovadis, try to get to Rosslyn and be pateint with our accents. It is an easy bus journey from Edinburgh. I agree that the road system in Ireland can be anything but relaxing. Ours is far more developed and hiring a car makes a lot of sense.
Where did you find the tickets. IO have been trying to travel in the reverse direction and can't find them for less than £600 ($1000).
Jan 10th, 2012, 09:46 AM
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The train trip from Glasgow to Mallaig is one of the best in the world - seems a huge shame to miss it as you are there and don't want to drive. You can stay at a great little B&B in Mallaig - the Seaview http://www.seaviewguesthousemallaig.com and sample the joys of small town Highland Scotland. It will be an excellent contrast to Edinburgh and Glasgow which will easily take up the rest of your trip. It is mainly the Glenfinnan viaduct they used in three of the Harry Potter films.
Jan 10th, 2012, 10:22 AM
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sorry should "be patient with our accents".
I would actually love to believe in the romantic notion that the Templars continued to exist. I would love to but in essence it isn't true.
Still don't know what to make of "that book". Badly written, scant regard to history and a story stolen from other sources.
Still love a good conspiracy, though.
I would actually love to believe in the romantic notion that the Templars continued to exist. I would love to but in essence it isn't true.
Still don't know what to make of "that book". Badly written, scant regard to history and a story stolen from other sources.
Still love a good conspiracy, though.
Jan 10th, 2012, 11:05 AM
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If the Templars still exisited they wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
Ashley, the lake you referred to for Nessie the Loch Ness monster, who no longer exists either, is Loch Ness. Off your chosen itineray path and in most opinions not the best option.
With your limited schedule, you really don't have time to do both Arran and the train from Glasgow to Mallaig. Arran really needs a car to see much of anything outside of Brodick although there is the distillery and castle. Not a bad choice for a day trip, and it'll certainly give you a feel for the Highlands.
The train from Glasgow to Mallaig is the West Highland Railway and between Fort Willaim and Mallaig is Glenfinnan viaduct famous from the Potter films. You will certainly pass through some of the most scenic areas of Scotland...mountains, moors, lochs and rivers. I believe there is an early train from Glasgow so it could be done as a day trip but a long one. Personally, I'd stop somewhere enroute for a night.
Ashley, the lake you referred to for Nessie the Loch Ness monster, who no longer exists either, is Loch Ness. Off your chosen itineray path and in most opinions not the best option.
With your limited schedule, you really don't have time to do both Arran and the train from Glasgow to Mallaig. Arran really needs a car to see much of anything outside of Brodick although there is the distillery and castle. Not a bad choice for a day trip, and it'll certainly give you a feel for the Highlands.
The train from Glasgow to Mallaig is the West Highland Railway and between Fort Willaim and Mallaig is Glenfinnan viaduct famous from the Potter films. You will certainly pass through some of the most scenic areas of Scotland...mountains, moors, lochs and rivers. I believe there is an early train from Glasgow so it could be done as a day trip but a long one. Personally, I'd stop somewhere enroute for a night.
Jan 10th, 2012, 11:06 AM
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thanks very much! The website I bought my tickets was www.cheapoair.com I love that site!
But can anyone tell me about the lake of the loch ness monster and how I get there? where is it?
And btw way I simply LOVE accents Irish and Scottish, the only one who might have a problem with it is my boyfriend when I start to look all dreamy eyed at the men, hehehe.
But can anyone tell me about the lake of the loch ness monster and how I get there? where is it?
And btw way I simply LOVE accents Irish and Scottish, the only one who might have a problem with it is my boyfriend when I start to look all dreamy eyed at the men, hehehe.
Jan 21st, 2012, 07:33 AM
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The "lake" is called Loch Ness (hence "Loch Ness Monster"). Rabbis, Timberbush and Mac's all do tours too.
What dates are you tehre? We are slap bang in the middle of the 6 Nations rugby championship
What dates are you tehre? We are slap bang in the middle of the 6 Nations rugby championship
Jan 24th, 2012, 07:18 AM
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Hi Ashley..you'll have a grand time in beautiful Scotland..how can one not? While there, keep a sharp eye out for this guy and follow him around the country, when you rent a bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v...G6tw&vq=medium
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v...G6tw&vq=medium
Mar 2nd, 2012, 12:57 AM
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>>The "lake" is called Loch Ness (hence "Loch Ness Monster").<<
And just so the OP doesn't fall into a tourist trap, 'Loch' is Scottish Gaelic for (salt water) lake, so don't go round calling it 'Lake Loch Ness'. It's just 'Loch Ness' ;-)
And just so the OP doesn't fall into a tourist trap, 'Loch' is Scottish Gaelic for (salt water) lake, so don't go round calling it 'Lake Loch Ness'. It's just 'Loch Ness' ;-)
