noellev13

I've have always been so impressed with the help, advice and opinions given on Fodor's. This community has helped me plan the vacations of a lifetime and I will always be grateful for that! I'm a part time photographer and my husband and I decided to take a trip to either Ireland or Scotland in late May to early June 2010..10 to 12 days, self driving. We are fit, mid thirties, love hiking, old towns and kind people We don’t mind driving good portions of the area to fit in a lot. I thought we made up our minds to go to Ireland but then made the mistake of looking at pictures of Scotland...at least for my taste; that was a bad idea.. I fell in love with both! I realize many would wish their only dilemma was trying to figure out which amazing place to plan their travel so I know in the end; I will have been so blessed just to be in either location.

Here is what I'm looking for when it comes to taking pictures:
nooks and crannies of old pub/bars
street views/old architecture/old towns/everyday life settings
beautiful gothic ruins that are well preserved (this is the biggest factor for me)
amazing scenery (I do love the foggy look of Scotland and was blown away by the scenic views but know Ireland is also so gorgeous.)

The abbeys I've stumbled across which are the most intriguing to me are:
Tintern Abbey (I realize this is in Wales and about 6 to 7 hour drive from Edinburgh.)
Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh (Scotland)
Melrose Abbey (Scotland)
Dunfermline Priory , Fife (Scotland)
Muckross Abbey (Ireland)
Rock of Cashel (Ireland)
Quin Abbey (Ireland)
Ross Errilly Friary (ireland)

I realize I have only touched the surface when it comes to the amazing architecture and beauty of ruins in both areas but I am hoping to make a final decision to only go to Ireland or only go to Scotland so we can make the most of our time. If you have other hidden gems or locations in either Ireland or Scotland where you think I'd get the most of everything; please let me know.

I want to include a site which has some of my work to give an idea of my taste (p.s. notice I have yet to get to the Gothic architecture part of my work; hence the purpose for the trip.)
http://www.ugallery.com/noelle-visconti

Any advice or opinions would be very appreciated. Obviously, I am happy to give more information if needed for the most detailed advice. Thank you so much for your help! 

Tony2phones

Considering that Christianity moved from Ireland to Scotland then Ireland would be a good starting point. Clonmacnoise is considered one of the earliest examples but Roscrea also has its own cross. I could probably reach 30+ Abbey's within an hours drive of our cottage above Lough Derg, some good some just ruins but definitely no shortage of worthy sites.

TPAYT

This may be a place you'd like to visit---Timoleague Abbey on the South coast of Ireland near Kinsale.

In the photo strip below, you'll find some photoas of it in the middle of the strip.

http://s708.photobucket.com/albums/w...view=slideshow

SeeDee

If Ireland gets your vote, don't miss Tintern Abbey in County Wexford.
Every region has a plentiful number of old monastic sites; neighbouring County Kilkenny has Jerpoint Abbey and Kilkenny city itself has many interesting places to see. Not a religious site but the ruins of Duckett's Grove in County Carlow should also interest you.
Don't get me started on the nooks and crannies in the pubs...

PalenQ

the Borders Abbeys like Melrose will fulfill your dreams - Melrose was not my favorite because it is surrounded by a town but Dryburgh (sp?) Abbey was much more romantic because it is out in the country on the River Tweed, with anglers angling for salmon I think right near it - nice ruins - when I was there there was a Scottish wedding with all the guests decked out in fancy kilts and traditional garb.

Jedburgh Abbey like Melrose is in a town - so these three abbeys all in a small area are all great. Just about an hour or so south of Edinburgh.

cambe

If you are looking for gothic I would suggest you go to Scotland and the North of England which would tie in with PalenQ.

York Minster and Beverly Minster, although not ruins are excellent examples of Gothic Architecture.

Durham Is Norman but looking at your pictures You might like it as well.

joto

In the Scottish Borders, Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, Kelso Abbey. Some ruins or semi-ruins are Smailholm Tower, Hume Castle, Hermitage Castle. Just over the Border into Northumberland are Norham Castle and Etal Castle and the Battle of Flodden memorial. There are also many lived in castles and mansion houses in the area that are open to the public. There are many pubs, small hotels and B&B's of variousgrades. The Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm is at the top end of the Pennine Way if you are interested in doing that hike or not).

noellev13

Everyone...thank you so much! Keep them coming. I think my decision has just gotten more difficult So Scotland and Wales may be easier than I thought?

Michael

The Tweed Valley has several abbey ruins.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...ith/4409225641

Cranachin

I really enjoyed my visit to the ruins of Elgin Cathedral (1 hr east of Inverness or 1:45 NW of Aberdeen). You can climb one of the towers, which adds to the experience.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...in%20Cathedral

lovs2travel

I can only speak to Ireland. You mentioned the Rock of Cashel. It is amazing.

In Northern Ireland, there is Dunluce Castle and The Dark Hedges. The ruins of the castle are on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

www.northantrim.com/dunlucecastle.htm

www.flickr.com/photos/christait/2870315192/

Close to Dublin is Glendalough and Monasterboice

http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dves...ndalough.shtml

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/i.../monasterboice

You can’t go wrong if you decide upon Ireland. You will happen upon many ruins and beautiful scenery just driving around the countryside.

TheBigMan

No-one's mentioned Sweetheart Abbey near Dumfries, Scotland.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...theart%20Abbey

Morgana

North Yorkshire has numerous Abbeys and Castles -
Fountains Abbey is a World Heritage Site.
www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
Some other places you may like to research (these are all in North Yorkshire) -
Rievaulx Abbey
Jervaulx Abbey (I live close to Jervaulx and when we visit we frequently have the place to ourselves - it's beautiful)www.jervaulxabbey.com
Byland Abbey
Mount Grace Priory
Whitby Abbey
Further north, off the Northumberland coast, is Holy Island (Lindisfarne) with the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory.
www.lindisfarne.org.uk

Tony2phones

http://www.squidoo.com/IrishAbbeys

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...d#County_Clare

noellev13

Wow! Many thanks again to all of you. I am so overwhelmed by the beauty of both areas. I am leaning more towards Scotland and parts of England and may now have to start a new topic on how the heck I get to all these amazing places in 12 days I seriously appreciate all your responses..people on this site have helped make many of my dreams a reality. Thanks for taking time out of your day to write to me.

GreenDragon

I was going to say what Morgana said - I spent a week in Yorkshire several years ago, and visited many of the places she suggested (she helped me on that trip immensely!) You really can't go wrong in either place. It will likely be an eenie-meenie-miney-mo type of decision

irishface

Flip a coin! Seriously, by the time I saw your question, there were many answers which covered most of the suggestions I was going to make. I have been lucky enough to make trips to both areas and loved them all.

Mellinfont Abbey is another suggestion for north of Dublin. Near Cashel (can be seen in the fields from the walls around the ruins on the rock) is Hore Abbey.

In Scotland Iona Island has abbey ruins, but those predate Gothic architecture. However, the wildflowers and gardens which grow among the ruins are lovely.

Good luck making the decision about which country to visit and then narrowing down the many choices within that country!

noellev13

thanks so much! We've been looking at so many amazing places in Scotland we feel we've made the final decision to travel in Scotland solely. I know 12 days will only allow us to touch the surface but what a journey it will be now, for the planning

ssander

Way back in 1970, my wife and I saw Elgin Cathedral and liked it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_Cathedral

SS

bilboburgler

I was thrown for a minute by the term "gothic". My simple education told me that Gothic does not exist in UK and that these are words only used on the continent. Foolishly I checked with Wiki who seems to suggest there is a difference between terms used for this period depending on where the writer comes from.

Ah well another step in my education. Enjoy