Help with Scotland!
Jun 13th, 2003, 11:42 PM
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Help with Scotland!
Hi all
I need desperate help! Have just been tasked to organise a 9 day Scotland tour beginning 2 July, for a family of 5 adults. Scotland is a destination totally unfamiliar to me, can anybody help suggest an itinery?
We'll be arriving in London, should we rent a car from London or from Edinburgh or Glasgow? Is train or plane travel better?
Thinking of perhaps staying at max 2 accomodation, then driving around in Scotland to explore the sights, is this a feasible idea?
Would appreciate any help!
Thanks a million!!
I need desperate help! Have just been tasked to organise a 9 day Scotland tour beginning 2 July, for a family of 5 adults. Scotland is a destination totally unfamiliar to me, can anybody help suggest an itinery?
We'll be arriving in London, should we rent a car from London or from Edinburgh or Glasgow? Is train or plane travel better?
Thinking of perhaps staying at max 2 accomodation, then driving around in Scotland to explore the sights, is this a feasible idea?
Would appreciate any help!
Thanks a million!!
Jun 14th, 2003, 12:37 AM
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Hi Sheila
I'm thinking of mainly a scenery tour, to include as much of the "must-sees" as possible, maybe fit in a stay in a castle or something. Just as a rough guide to how big Scotland really is, do you know how long is takes to drive, say from the one tip in the south to the other tip in the north?
Tks so much for the help!!
I'm thinking of mainly a scenery tour, to include as much of the "must-sees" as possible, maybe fit in a stay in a castle or something. Just as a rough guide to how big Scotland really is, do you know how long is takes to drive, say from the one tip in the south to the other tip in the north?
Tks so much for the help!!
Jun 14th, 2003, 02:18 AM
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Just curious why you're flying into London, instead of Glasgow, or at least somewhere closer to Scotland? You'll only have 7 days for your Scotland tour, in all practicality, because you'll spend one day each way just getting to and from London.
Jun 14th, 2003, 02:32 AM
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And that's one day each way, WITHOUT any sightseeing along the way, I might add. Since your goal is to tour Scotland, it seems that it would much more practical to arrive at an airport that's wayyyy closer than London.
Jun 14th, 2003, 03:47 AM
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OK; scenery we can do.
The country is about 350 miles diagonally tip to tip and about 150 miles across at the widest point. You COULD dive from John o' Groats in the top right corner to Stranraer in the bottom left comfortably in a day. But you wouldn't want to. Believe me, you wouldn't want to.
Where the big roads are- the dual carriageways- you can easily drive at the speed limit of 70mph and eat up the distance; but all of the other raods, even the A roads can be quite challenging. One A road is till single track in places.
I think your plan is a good one, but I'd be inclined to suggest that you take 4 days in the central lowlands from which you can do three days Edinburgh and one Glasgow with Stirling in there too, then one somewhere in the Highlands ?Plockton? from which you can see a range of places, and one soemwhere diffeent. Options would include
a)the Northern Isles
b)Royal Deeside and the north east coast
c)The east Neuk of Fife
d)the Borders
Use trains for the central lowlands, and hire a car when you aim for the country.
how does that sound?
The country is about 350 miles diagonally tip to tip and about 150 miles across at the widest point. You COULD dive from John o' Groats in the top right corner to Stranraer in the bottom left comfortably in a day. But you wouldn't want to. Believe me, you wouldn't want to.
Where the big roads are- the dual carriageways- you can easily drive at the speed limit of 70mph and eat up the distance; but all of the other raods, even the A roads can be quite challenging. One A road is till single track in places.
I think your plan is a good one, but I'd be inclined to suggest that you take 4 days in the central lowlands from which you can do three days Edinburgh and one Glasgow with Stirling in there too, then one somewhere in the Highlands ?Plockton? from which you can see a range of places, and one soemwhere diffeent. Options would include
a)the Northern Isles
b)Royal Deeside and the north east coast
c)The east Neuk of Fife
d)the Borders
Use trains for the central lowlands, and hire a car when you aim for the country.
how does that sound?
Jun 14th, 2003, 01:07 PM
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Hi Shiela,
My family and I are leaving on Tuesday for Scotland. We have a 6 and 3 yr old and would geratly appreciate any suggestions. We are doing Glasgow, then driving through Fife to near Dundee for a night. Then up to Glengary for a night and on back to Edinburg for a few days. Any "must sees" on the drives?
Thanks
Scott
My family and I are leaving on Tuesday for Scotland. We have a 6 and 3 yr old and would geratly appreciate any suggestions. We are doing Glasgow, then driving through Fife to near Dundee for a night. Then up to Glengary for a night and on back to Edinburg for a few days. Any "must sees" on the drives?
Thanks
Scott
Jun 15th, 2003, 07:39 AM
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Tks so much for the info, now we know exactly how big Scotland is. We're flying to London coz there aren't any direct flight from where we are to Scotland, so we'll have to get a connecting flight. Thing is, we wanna see as much of the highlands as possible, instead of the cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow. Tentatively we've thought of something like this, can you let me know if this is do-able through self-drive, or should we take a guided tour instead?
2/7 - Arrive in London, transfer to Edinburgh, Overnight in Edinburgh
3/7 - Edinburgh
4/7 - Edinburgh to Highlands, Overnight in Highlands
5/7 - Highlands Day 2
6/7 - Highlands Day 3
7/7 - Highlands Day 4
8/7 - Highlands back to Edinburgh, Edinburgh transfer to London, Overnight in London
9/7 - London
10/7 - London, leave for home
Appreciate the help!!
Thanks
2/7 - Arrive in London, transfer to Edinburgh, Overnight in Edinburgh
3/7 - Edinburgh
4/7 - Edinburgh to Highlands, Overnight in Highlands
5/7 - Highlands Day 2
6/7 - Highlands Day 3
7/7 - Highlands Day 4
8/7 - Highlands back to Edinburgh, Edinburgh transfer to London, Overnight in London
9/7 - London
10/7 - London, leave for home
Appreciate the help!!
Thanks
Jun 15th, 2003, 10:37 AM
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OK. The first thing I would say, then, is fly and use Easyjet so you don?t have to take return flight. Fly from London Luton to Inverness. You can either fly back from the North or from the central belt. The big hire companies are all at Inverness airport.
DON?T take a guided tour. You can do much better on your ownJ. So
2/7 - Arrive in London, transfer to Inverness. Pick somewhere really snazzy in the country to see and stay there. Plockton is less than 2 hours drive. Or Lochcarron.
3/7 - Highlands Day 2
4/7 - Highlands Day 3
5/7- 7/7- Go as far south as you want, probably along the west coast, say to Crinan, and use that as a base for seeing some of Argyllshire.
8/7 ? 9/7 Highlands back to Edinburgh, Edinburgh transfer to London, Overnight in London
9/7 - London
10/7 - London, leave for home
Is that not better, given your preferences?
DON?T take a guided tour. You can do much better on your ownJ. So
2/7 - Arrive in London, transfer to Inverness. Pick somewhere really snazzy in the country to see and stay there. Plockton is less than 2 hours drive. Or Lochcarron.
3/7 - Highlands Day 2
4/7 - Highlands Day 3
5/7- 7/7- Go as far south as you want, probably along the west coast, say to Crinan, and use that as a base for seeing some of Argyllshire.
8/7 ? 9/7 Highlands back to Edinburgh, Edinburgh transfer to London, Overnight in London
9/7 - London
10/7 - London, leave for home
Is that not better, given your preferences?
Jun 16th, 2003, 08:45 AM
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Hello! I'll be in Scotland later in July so please post a trip report when you return!
I can't give you directions but I'll suggest some sightseeing things we are interested in.
Skye Island has Dunvegan Castle with the Fairy Flag on display. Apparently one of the chieftains of the MacCleod clan married a fairy who gave him the flag. Supposedly it assured victory in battle.
In the Inverness/Loch Ness area are Jacobite crusies-I'm still researching them but they sound lovely. You get a narrated water tour with beautiful scenery.
There are also whale/dolphin watching expeditions. I've done this in the US and it is fantastic- I would like to do it in Scotland but may not have time.
There is a train trip through the highlands that you can take, It takes a day or part of a day-something like that. Sounds lovely.
Plan for some hiking maybe in Skye or one of the other islands.
Hope this helps!
Michelle
I can't give you directions but I'll suggest some sightseeing things we are interested in.
Skye Island has Dunvegan Castle with the Fairy Flag on display. Apparently one of the chieftains of the MacCleod clan married a fairy who gave him the flag. Supposedly it assured victory in battle.
In the Inverness/Loch Ness area are Jacobite crusies-I'm still researching them but they sound lovely. You get a narrated water tour with beautiful scenery.
There are also whale/dolphin watching expeditions. I've done this in the US and it is fantastic- I would like to do it in Scotland but may not have time.
There is a train trip through the highlands that you can take, It takes a day or part of a day-something like that. Sounds lovely.
Plan for some hiking maybe in Skye or one of the other islands.
Hope this helps!
Michelle
Jun 17th, 2003, 10:29 PM
#12
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Sheila and Michelle, thanks so much for the suggestions. Michelle, I'm still in the middle of putting the itinery together, but I think we'll definitely be seeing the things you recommend! Sounds great, doesn't it 
Sheila, as this is our first trip to Scotland, we'd like to see Edinburgh as well, hence the 2 nights stay there. What about this itinery then, do you think it is feasible?
2/7 - Arrive in London, transfer to Inverness. Overnight in Inverness or somewhere not further than 1 hr drive away (we're thinking of a castle for under 100 pounds per person, do you think it's possible?)
3/7 - 8/7 Highlands
8/7 - Back to Inverness, transfer to London, Overnight in London
The thing is, we need to drop the car off at where we pick it up, so if it's Inverness, then we need to get back to Inverness airport.
Also, do you think we should stay over in Edinburgh 1 or 2 days, or can we do it as a day trip from one of the highland locations?
Also, I'm planning to stay at not more than 2 locations throughout our highland tour, one of them being 2 nights in a castle. Which 2 locations would be good as a base to see Loch Ness, Fort William, Isle of Skye, a whisky distillery and any other gorgeous scenery?
Sorry for asking sooo many questions, and THANKS SO MUCH for the help!!
Sheila, as this is our first trip to Scotland, we'd like to see Edinburgh as well, hence the 2 nights stay there. What about this itinery then, do you think it is feasible?
2/7 - Arrive in London, transfer to Inverness. Overnight in Inverness or somewhere not further than 1 hr drive away (we're thinking of a castle for under 100 pounds per person, do you think it's possible?)
3/7 - 8/7 Highlands
8/7 - Back to Inverness, transfer to London, Overnight in London
The thing is, we need to drop the car off at where we pick it up, so if it's Inverness, then we need to get back to Inverness airport.
Also, do you think we should stay over in Edinburgh 1 or 2 days, or can we do it as a day trip from one of the highland locations?
Also, I'm planning to stay at not more than 2 locations throughout our highland tour, one of them being 2 nights in a castle. Which 2 locations would be good as a base to see Loch Ness, Fort William, Isle of Skye, a whisky distillery and any other gorgeous scenery?
Sorry for asking sooo many questions, and THANKS SO MUCH for the help!!
Jun 17th, 2003, 10:37 PM
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Why do you need to drop the car off where you pick it up? Most of the large companies allow one way rentals.
If you go to the Southern Highlands- Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy.. you can do Edinburgh on a day trip. I'd be inclined to suggest you do it by train.
I think you're looking at somewhere on the mainland towards the bottom of Loch Ness; and then somewhere in the Southern Highlands.
castle hotels, I'm less sure of. I think they're more hype than substance.
If you go to the Southern Highlands- Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy.. you can do Edinburgh on a day trip. I'd be inclined to suggest you do it by train.
I think you're looking at somewhere on the mainland towards the bottom of Loch Ness; and then somewhere in the Southern Highlands.
castle hotels, I'm less sure of. I think they're more hype than substance.
Jun 17th, 2003, 10:55 PM
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Hi Sheila
Tks for the fast response. I'm told that if we get a car and drop it off at another point, we'll incur drop-off charges and will also not be entitled to unlimited mileage...has that changed?
Actually I'm thinking more of the north and west, rather than east and south, with the exception of Edinburgh. I would love to do as far as Ullapool if possible, but the I don't know where I should use as a base, and how to fit in Edinburgh.
I'm also looking at Glengarry Castle, which is near Loch Ness. Supposing we stay there for the 1st 2 nights, where would you recommend we stay for the rest of our highland journey?
Thanks again!!
(btw, do you run a tour company?)
Tks for the fast response. I'm told that if we get a car and drop it off at another point, we'll incur drop-off charges and will also not be entitled to unlimited mileage...has that changed?
Actually I'm thinking more of the north and west, rather than east and south, with the exception of Edinburgh. I would love to do as far as Ullapool if possible, but the I don't know where I should use as a base, and how to fit in Edinburgh.
I'm also looking at Glengarry Castle, which is near Loch Ness. Supposing we stay there for the 1st 2 nights, where would you recommend we stay for the rest of our highland journey?
Thanks again!!
(btw, do you run a tour company?)
Jun 17th, 2003, 11:52 PM
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Just out of interest, where are you?
I'm no expert on car rental other than as a user, and I would expect there to be drop off charges but not more tahn a few pounds. I'm unaware of tehre being any change to unlimited mileage provisions. My car hire company of choice is Avis.
I think you could do Ullapool from Glengarry; tho' it might be quite a long day. You could do Ullapool and the north one day, Skye a second (there's a visitable distillery there), and take in Fort William (nothing to see there, but it's a pretty location) and Glencoe and/or Oban on your way south.
The more I think about this, the more I think that Aberfeldy might be a good location for the second part of your stay. I'm not sure of your budget, but if you weren't determind on a castle, I'd be inclined to suggest somewhere a little more down market than Glengarry on the first leg, but still in that general vicinity, and maybe do your splurge at the Monachyle Mhor at Balquhidder. The benefit is you can reach the west coast OR Edinburgh easily in a day.
I'm a lwayer
I just wish i ran a tour company
I'm no expert on car rental other than as a user, and I would expect there to be drop off charges but not more tahn a few pounds. I'm unaware of tehre being any change to unlimited mileage provisions. My car hire company of choice is Avis.
I think you could do Ullapool from Glengarry; tho' it might be quite a long day. You could do Ullapool and the north one day, Skye a second (there's a visitable distillery there), and take in Fort William (nothing to see there, but it's a pretty location) and Glencoe and/or Oban on your way south.
The more I think about this, the more I think that Aberfeldy might be a good location for the second part of your stay. I'm not sure of your budget, but if you weren't determind on a castle, I'd be inclined to suggest somewhere a little more down market than Glengarry on the first leg, but still in that general vicinity, and maybe do your splurge at the Monachyle Mhor at Balquhidder. The benefit is you can reach the west coast OR Edinburgh easily in a day.
I'm a lwayer
I just wish i ran a tour company
Jun 18th, 2003, 12:25 AM
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Hi Sheila
I'm from Singapore, 4 of us are flying in to London from here, while a sister is flying in from the US. So u can imagine what a logistical nightmare this trip is!!
Well, as for Glengarry, they've just informed me that they're not available for the dates I'm thinking of. Would appreciate if you could let me know what are the alternatives you're talking about!
Thanks!
I'm from Singapore, 4 of us are flying in to London from here, while a sister is flying in from the US. So u can imagine what a logistical nightmare this trip is!!
Well, as for Glengarry, they've just informed me that they're not available for the dates I'm thinking of. Would appreciate if you could let me know what are the alternatives you're talking about!
Thanks!
Jun 18th, 2003, 01:13 AM
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Hi again
Plockton looks cute, but is it difficult to drive there from Inverness airport? We're thinking only 1 splurge in the highlands, and B&Bs for the rest, probably ard 25 pounds per nite. If we stay at Plockton, which other base would you recommend?
Plockton looks cute, but is it difficult to drive there from Inverness airport? We're thinking only 1 splurge in the highlands, and B&Bs for the rest, probably ard 25 pounds per nite. If we stay at Plockton, which other base would you recommend?
