My husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland in May, 2012. Here is what we have planned so far: 5 nights in Callander (Stirling, The Trossachs and Loch Lomond); 3 nights Edinburgh; 2 nights Invergarry (Glencoe, The Great Clen, Glen Affric); 6 nights Grantown on Spey (in cottage-Whiskey distilleries, Inverness, Castle Leod, northern highlands)); 4 nights Orkney; 4 nights Skye.
We have 4 more nights in Scotland other than the one spent at the airport hotel for an early flight next day and want suggestions as to where we should spend these last 4 nights. We had considered the border country with a trip to Hadrian's Wall. We love history, just riding and sightseeing and castles. Would you suggest somewhere else in Scotland vs. the Borders? Thanks for all your help.
Scotland in 28 Days
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(Are you planning to do it in the order you've laid them out? That is quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing - - or are those just where you are planning to stay and not necessarily in that order?)
Anyway, I'd choose one of these - each would be equally good:
The Borders/Northumberland (Hadrian's Wall, the Border Abbeys,St Abbs Head)
Fife/Aberdeenshire (St Andrews,East Neuk fishing villages, Falkland Palace, Dunnottar Castle, Glamis)
The SW Dumfries/Galloway/Ayrshire (Culzean, Burns properties, Caerlaverock Castle, Threave, Sweetheart Abbey)
you mention riding are you looking for a horse back tour?
Sorry, Thanksgiving and Xmas prep has gotten in the way of responding. We are staying in the places I laid out but will take sides trips from there. Janis, I really like your suggestions and I'm leaning toward The Borders. I love the Abbeys and have always wanted to see Hadrian's Wall. Thanks so much.
The only other option would be the Central Highlands (I say "only", but there are lots, of course. Based in Dunkeld or Aberfeldy or somewhere like that.
One other option has just occurred based on the time of year, and that's to do the Outer Isles, off Skye and on at Ullapool en route for Orkney (you do have to reorder those option, guy). The machair will be fabulous at that time of year.
What is it you're coming for, in particular?
We did a trip in June 2008 (trip report is on Fodor's) where we spent 3 nights each in Edinburgh, Grantown-on-Spey, Orkney, Stornoway (Isle of Lewis), Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull and Killin (near Callender). It would probably give you a lot of great ideas and tips! I have pics as well on my website, which is in the report.
We made it one big circle - up the east coast, down the west coast and into the middle. I think it worked out well, without a lot of to-and-fro travel.