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Scotland 10 Nights - Trying To Narrow Down Where To Go & Stay

Scotland 10 Nights - Trying To Narrow Down Where To Go & Stay

Old Dec 21st, 2016, 11:11 AM
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Scotland 10 Nights - Trying To Narrow Down Where To Go & Stay

For those that don't know, let me preface this by saying I just have started looking at Scotland because we recently got airfare we couldn't refuse to London. At least I'm fairly knowledgeable about other countries I have visited, but Scotland had not been on our radar...until now.

From York (after London...3/12 nights)...we will have ten nights to explore Scotland (with a car). How many of these places can we reasonably visit, and how many should we bag(pipes)? Sorry.

Here are the places I'd like to stop and see, but looking at times, it would be impossible, so would appreciate ideas/routes. Thanks to Gardyloo and others who mentioned some of these names on my other post.

On the way to Scotland, stop in Durham and Housesteads Roman Fort. Then up Northumbrian coast (Ainwick, Bamburg, Holy Island, St. Abbs). Then get over to Loch Lomond area, Oban, Glencoe. Then cut back through Dunkeld area yo St. Andrews. Finally down to Sterling Castle and Edinburgh (where we fly out on Day 11.

Other places to see would also be appreciated.

Let the cutting begin. Thanks. I owe you all a Scotch (or I guess, they love gin theses days...I'm already happy)!

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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 11:51 AM
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Castle Campbell, not far from Edinburgh.l The Isle of Skye. Inverness and Loch Ness; Fort William.
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 11:57 AM
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Where is it this Sterling Castle? The Scots didnae use silver as a building material.

The eponymous castle at Stirling is well-known. The Stone of Scone is at Scone Palace, which is in Perth . . . Scottish Perth, not Aussie. Glamis Castle is the one-time home of the Queen Mum and the current Queen.

Other places to see: Royal Mile Whiskies on the . . . Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Cadenhead's shop on same. Loch Fyne Whiskies since you're going to the western coast.

Inverness is not a tourist attraction; it is close to attractions like Cawdor Castle and Dunrobin and Urquhart and the Culloden battlefield and Clava Cairns.
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 12:14 PM
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I figured Stirling would be a sterling castle

How much of this itinerary is doable in our limited amount of time? And if not, what should be cut in your opinions? Maybe I'll just hang out at the Royal Mile of Whiskies.

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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 12:25 PM
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Have you come across this website? Have a look at the different itinerary suggestions for ideas
https://www.secret-scotland.com/

Once you have decided on a route, then go to this website for ideas of things to do and see.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
Begin with the maps and follow the links for teh text pages with information and photos.

There are so many wonderful places and things to do that it is difficult to know where to begin. I'd also second Castle Campbell - it is wonderful, especially its setting. Did you know it is was originally called Castle Gloom?
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...astlecampbell/

You will need to check on tide times for Holy Island as it is reached by a tidal causeway which is only safe to cross at certain times.
http://orawww.northumberland.gov.uk/...holyisland.asp
Stick rigidly to these crossing times as the tide comes in very quickly and cars and people regularly get caught out. There is a refuge for people on the causeway but the salt water won't do your car any good...
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 12:34 PM
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Do not skip Durham and Hadrian's Wall, and you could add the Beamish Open Air Museum. If you are doing southern Scotland I would include Glasgow, and I really enjoyed the train from Glasgow to Mallaig with a look at Skye.
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 12:39 PM
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Stone of Scone is in Edinburgh Castle not Perth.

(wiki)

In 1996,[20] in a symbolic response to growing dissatisfaction among Scots at the prevailing constitutional settlement, the British Conservative Government decided that the stone should be kept in Scotland when not in use at coronations. On 3 July 1996, it was announced in the House of Commons that the stone would be returned to Scotland, and on 15 November 1996, after a handover ceremony at the border between representatives of the Home Office and of the Scottish Office, it was transported to Edinburgh Castle. The stone arrived in the Castle on 30 November 1996 and it remains alongside the crown jewels of Scotland (the Honours of Scotland) in the Crown Room. The handover occurred on St Andrew's Day, a day in honour of the patron Saint of Scotland, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York was the Queen's representative.>

Just to clarify where the Stone of Scone is - Edinburgh Castle (wiki above) -historically before taken by the English to Westminster Abbey- it was in the castle at Perth - Russ rarely slips up and he is a great resource on Scotland per his many valuable contributions in the past to many.

Scottish Tourism says:

"It's been used for enthroning Scottish monarchs at Iona, Dunadd and Scone. It's on display at Edinburgh Castle, alongside the Honours of Scotland, and you can also see a replica stone in the grounds of Scone Palace in Perthshire (pictured)."

But Russ is right you can see the stone at Perth but a replica -the real gem is in Edinburgh Castle.
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 04:03 PM
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"Stick rigidly to these crossing times as the tide comes in very quickly and cars and people regularly get caught out. There is a refuge for people on the causeway but the salt water won't do your car any good..."

Knowing our luck with rental cars, we might skip this site.

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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 04:52 PM
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Think Dukey1 is also going there. He will have researched this well. Look for his posts.
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 07:27 PM
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Nope, sorry.
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 07:31 PM
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Meant that as not going necessarily to any of the specific locations (for the most part) mentioned in this thread. My own thread was, of course, boycotted by several but I expected nothing less.

I would recommend that Youtube might be a good resource since there are many videos which document various scenic driving routes if nothing else. I also used it to research preliminarily some of the various sights which were recommended on my own thread and I found it to be a good resource.
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Old Dec 21st, 2016, 07:45 PM
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We did a trip through Scotland a few years ago - 2 days in Edinburgh, drove to Braemar visiting Glamis Castle, St Andrews on way , 3 days in Braemar visiting Balmoral area. Loved the drive to Braemar- magnificent scenery.
Over to Inverness and visited the Aviemore osprey area. Drove down to Glasgow stopping off at Loch Lomond - 3 days in Glasgow then over to Stirling - stayed in a bnb in the castle wall for a few days.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2016, 06:12 AM
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"My own thread was, of course, boycotted by several but I expected nothing less."

Say what? Posters boycotted your thread? Thank Gawd for the rest of us. If you have any golf questions please ask. I can help e.g. stay left on the Old Course. I know you're comfortable on the left.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2016, 06:33 AM
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Okay, well I'm going to recommend an itinerary but must emphasize that this is a very rapid and rather high-energy plan. I'm basing this approach on a reading of your previous trip reports which suggest you don't mind a go-go pace. Since you're traveling in late May, and given Scotland's relatively high latitude (Edinburgh = Sitka Alaska) you'll have long daylight hours, so drives that might need to be shortened at other times of the year can be accomplished more easily.

I've done two maps since Google maps now doesn't allow more than 10 points per map. The first one - https://goo.gl/maps/VL9fPKFnJWp - covers York to Scotland, and the second one - https://goo.gl/maps/1wJzyVV25zQ2 - is all within Scotland. Note the second map shows a route that could be done in either direction.

Southern part: This goes from York to Durham and Houseteads, then out to the coast, with an overnight somewhere in the Alnwick/Bamburgh/Holy Isle area.

I'd then have you duck inland and cross the beautiful and infrequently-traveled Lammermuir Hills (stopping for a pint at the Black Bull in Etal, England's northernmost thatched pub) to Gifford, a pretty planned village in East Lothian. You'd then skirt the south side of Edinburgh and spend the night in Queensferry, a picturesque ancient port under the Forth road and rail bridges. (Robert Louis Stevenson allegedly started writing Kidnapped while staying at the Hawes Inn in Queensferry. Or, if you're ready for some 21st century accommodation, the Dakota Hotel just south of Queensferry is my preferred stopping point outside of - but easily reached from - Edinburgh.

From Queensferry (second map) I'd have you crossing the Forth then heading to the southeast coast of Fife (the "East Neuk" for visits of the string of picturesque fishing villages along the shore - St. Monans, Pittenweem, Crail. Then it's up to St. Andrews and across the Tay, through Dundee and past Glamis Castle to Dunkeld.

However, I'd suggest you not stay in Dunkeld, but instead continue to gorgeous Glen Lyon and spend the night in Fortingall. Fortingall is a beautiful place (thatched buildings, very unusual in Scotland) and the alleged birthplace of Pontius Pilate; the yew tree in the church yard is allegedly the oldest living thing in Britain, maybe Europe. The Fortingall Hotel is marvelous and worth a meal if not spending the night.

From Fortingall you'd head west to the Rannoch Moor, Glen Etive (a don't-miss dead end glen and one of the most scenic in Scotland) and Glen Coe, then down to Oban. You could stop in Glen Coe if you want to take more time exploring this area.

The route then goes to Oban, spends a day on Mull (ferry from Oban) and then takes a loop south to the village of Kilmartin with its impressive collection of prehistoric sites on the valley floor below the old church - standing stones and stone circles, burial cairns, etc. I'd then suggest spending the night in Inveraray, a pretty village on Loch Fyne with its impressive (if pompous) castle, home of the Campbells (and also home of Shrimpy in Downton Abbey.)

You'd then head past Loch Lomond and over to Stirling before ending in Edinburgh. I've included a night in Luss on Loch Lomond, but you could easily drive from Inveraray to Edinburgh on this route in one day should you choose.

Imaginary timetable -

Day 1 York - Durham - Housesteads - Alnwick/Bamburgh/Linsdisfarne
2 Alnwick/Bamburgh/Lindisfarne - Lammermuirs - Gifford - Queensferry
3 Queensferry - East Neuk - St. Andrews - Glamis - Dunkeld - Fortingall
4 Fortingall - Glen Etive - Glen Coe - Oban
5 Oban - day on Mull
6 Oban - Kilmartin - Inveraray
7 Inveraray - Loch Lomond
8 Loch Lomond - Stirling - Edinburgh
9 Edinburgh
10 Edinburgh
11 Lv EDI

Like I say, high speed stuff, but incredible variety, history, beauty, and interest.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2016, 08:31 AM
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Yo Tom and Trace...finally doing Scotland, eh...these pics may be of some help as you plan. I have some older pics (some are included herein and take in the 1980's) but most of these are newer. Most enjoyable driving through the highlands. Liquid refreshment every mile! Many narrow roads (some one -laners) just close your eyes.
Stu in Ojai


https://goo.gl/photos/cnXLdYBNGTm4Tjou9
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Old Dec 22nd, 2016, 11:12 AM
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Great shots Stu...you even saw the Lochness Monster. Thanks so much for sharing. We should have made it a longer trip, but our Corgis are getting a little ticked (not literally) off at all our time away. Happy holidays to you...Enjoy some "liquid refreshment!"

Gardyloo, thanks..that gives me an idea of a way to do this, which I dearly needed. Luckily Kim, Mary, Tracy and I are used to high speed stuff. We can rest when we die.

All other suggestions are greatly appreciated (Glamis Castle looks cool). I might have to budget more speeding tickets for this trip, but at least they'll be split.

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Old Dec 23rd, 2016, 06:32 AM
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Wonderful thread, thanks Maitai -- signing on since we will be there this Spring also.
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Old Dec 27th, 2016, 10:36 AM
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YT, Kim and I received guidebooks for Scotland for Christmas, so we are busily trying to figure this trip out. Stay in touch if you have good info. Gardyloo and others have been quite nice in helping us find our way. This might even make our past fast trips more like "Slow Travel." Not to worry, there's always a pint at the end of the rainbow. Now looking for lodging opportunities. Stay tuned.

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Old Dec 27th, 2016, 11:01 AM
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We're having dinner next week with our Scottish friend who has overloaded us with ideas! Its hard to figure out where to go. We only have 9 days in Scotland and we've decided on 2 in Edinburgh and 3 in Glasgow, so really only 4 to galivant around. And that's not very much...oh well.
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Old Dec 27th, 2016, 12:21 PM
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I'd do 3 in Edinburgh and 2 in Glasgow
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