Scotland in Early September
Aug 10th, 2004, 05:22 PM
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Scotland in Early September
We are planning a 10-day trip to Scotland in early September. We'll be flying in to LHR on 9/4, stay overnight (to get our sea legs) and then heading to Edinburgh and points north on 9/5.
My husband wants to drive, stopping in Cambridge and York on the way to Edinburgh. We both want to see "Monarch of the Glen" country (the Cairngorms), Stirling Castle, and I'd really like to get to the Orkneys.
However, I have no idea if this is at all possible. I don't have any sense of distances and driving times. We need to be back in London on 9/15 for a 9/16 return flight.
Any suggestions regarding an itinerary that would allow us some time to explore (especially walking/hiking) would be appreciated. We've gotten some wonderful recommendations regarding places to stay (B&Bs) but haven't made any reservations yet...
My husband wants to drive, stopping in Cambridge and York on the way to Edinburgh. We both want to see "Monarch of the Glen" country (the Cairngorms), Stirling Castle, and I'd really like to get to the Orkneys.
However, I have no idea if this is at all possible. I don't have any sense of distances and driving times. We need to be back in London on 9/15 for a 9/16 return flight.
Any suggestions regarding an itinerary that would allow us some time to explore (especially walking/hiking) would be appreciated. We've gotten some wonderful recommendations regarding places to stay (B&Bs) but haven't made any reservations yet...
Aug 10th, 2004, 09:10 PM
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You are wanting to bite off an awful lot in just 10+ days. Think of London to Northern Scotland as the length of California (San Diego to Crescent City) with a LOT slower driving. And then you want to tack on the Orkneys.
You do have enough time to see a fair bit of Scotland - but driving up and back would basically take 3 full days of your limited time.
York and Cambridge are terrific - but you really should decide if this is a trip to Scotland or a trip to England with a bit of Scotland.
What I would do is -- arrive at LHR and fly directly up to Edinburgh. Get your sea legs in Edinburgh -- a lot easier than rushing around London. After 2 days/nights in Edinburgh, pick up your rental car and head north. You will have time to get to many of the places you want in the 7 or 8 days you'll have before needing to fly back to LHR. You can take a day tour out to the Orkneys from Inverness.
After a loop around north central Scotland drop the car back at Edinburgh airport (or Glasgow) and fly back to LHR in time to catch your flight home.
If you insist on driving up/back you will have one wasted day in London, 2 days enroute north (you could drive to Edinburgh in a day - but not if you want to visit Cambridge and York), 2 days in Edinburgh, 4 days for rural Scotland (not NEARLY enough) and a full day's drive back to LHR (or you could squeeze in another day by flying back to LHR).
You do have enough time to see a fair bit of Scotland - but driving up and back would basically take 3 full days of your limited time.
York and Cambridge are terrific - but you really should decide if this is a trip to Scotland or a trip to England with a bit of Scotland.
What I would do is -- arrive at LHR and fly directly up to Edinburgh. Get your sea legs in Edinburgh -- a lot easier than rushing around London. After 2 days/nights in Edinburgh, pick up your rental car and head north. You will have time to get to many of the places you want in the 7 or 8 days you'll have before needing to fly back to LHR. You can take a day tour out to the Orkneys from Inverness.
After a loop around north central Scotland drop the car back at Edinburgh airport (or Glasgow) and fly back to LHR in time to catch your flight home.
If you insist on driving up/back you will have one wasted day in London, 2 days enroute north (you could drive to Edinburgh in a day - but not if you want to visit Cambridge and York), 2 days in Edinburgh, 4 days for rural Scotland (not NEARLY enough) and a full day's drive back to LHR (or you could squeeze in another day by flying back to LHR).
Aug 11th, 2004, 02:33 AM
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Janis, thanks for your thoughts. I guess I'll have to save the Orkneys for another time...
We're arriving 9/4 in the evening on British Air. They've got a couple of good deals with hotels at the airport so we'd stay overnight.
Should we rent a car through British Air or use AutoEurope? BA has a good rate, but AutoEurope has a better car...
9/5: Pick up car, drive to Cambridge (lunch) and York (overnight).
9/6: York to Edinburgh (would like to stay at the Turret Guest House).
9/6 - 9/7 Edinburgh.
9/8 - 9/13: Cairngorms?? (what would be a good base -- Kingussie or Aviemore or something else?)
9/13 head south to London (two days) Could we take another route back along the western side?
9/16 fly home
or 9/14 or 9/15 drop the car in Edinburgh, fly to London (late afternoon). Stay in London (for a day to do some pre-Christmas shopping or catch a show) until 9/16 morning flight...
We're arriving 9/4 in the evening on British Air. They've got a couple of good deals with hotels at the airport so we'd stay overnight.
Should we rent a car through British Air or use AutoEurope? BA has a good rate, but AutoEurope has a better car...
9/5: Pick up car, drive to Cambridge (lunch) and York (overnight).
9/6: York to Edinburgh (would like to stay at the Turret Guest House).
9/6 - 9/7 Edinburgh.
9/8 - 9/13: Cairngorms?? (what would be a good base -- Kingussie or Aviemore or something else?)
9/13 head south to London (two days) Could we take another route back along the western side?
9/16 fly home
or 9/14 or 9/15 drop the car in Edinburgh, fly to London (late afternoon). Stay in London (for a day to do some pre-Christmas shopping or catch a show) until 9/16 morning flight...
Aug 11th, 2004, 05:23 AM
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It is good to stay in one place for several days or week and use it as a base to see things w/i about a 75 mile radius. Why did you choose the Kingussie/Aviemore area? The Cairngorms isn't a place I'd choose to base for 6 days.
It is not a terrible area -- at all. And from there you could get to the Spey, the Dee, Braemar, Blair Atholl, Loch Ness, Culloden, Cawdor, Brodie, Elgin etc. But some of these would be quite a drive. If I wanted to stay near Kingussie it would only be for a day or 2.
I'd prefer to base near Spean Bridge/Invergarry or maybe somewhere on the west of Loch Ness. From there you could see the glorious country between the Great Glen and the islands, maybe a day on Skye, things around Inverness, Glencoe and a day over in the Cairngorms.
But if you opt for the east side -- then near Kingussie would probably be my choice.
And you really don't have to give up your visit to the Orkneys -- whichever area you stay in. The day trips from Inverness are very good and give you a pretty full day on the main island.
For car rental - be sure to check what all is included (insurance differences can add a lot) and that you are comparing the same classes of car and then I'd go w/ the best rate. The differences in car models is not usually all that much -- they all carry the same types of cars.
As for your overall itinerary, I'd probably do it a little differently. I'd fly up to Edinburgh in the early morning, see the city all that day and the next, then in the late afternoon I'd pick up the car and head north. After touring around 6 or 7 days I'd drive back to Edinburgh and drop the car (you could stay one night near Stirling if you wanted to visit the castle - it is a fast drive from Stirling to Edinburgh). Take the train to York - it is only 2 hours and twice as fast as driving. You'd have most of that day and part of the next in York. Then the train to Cambridge for the afternoon and that evening a train into central London.
The train would be more expensive than flying but a lot more convenient because the stations in York, Cambridge and London are in the city centers. Well Cambridge station is maybe 3/4 of a mile from the very center of town but a reasonable walk or a very short bus or cab ride.
so it would look like this:
9-4 LHR hotel
9-5 Edinburgh
9-6 / 9-11 In the Cairngorms, west of Loch Ness, or somewhere else in the north
(9-12 near Stirling option)
train to York
9-13 York
9-14 / 9-15 London
9-16 Fly home
If you opted for just one night in London at the end, you could add a day anywhere along your route.
It is not a terrible area -- at all. And from there you could get to the Spey, the Dee, Braemar, Blair Atholl, Loch Ness, Culloden, Cawdor, Brodie, Elgin etc. But some of these would be quite a drive. If I wanted to stay near Kingussie it would only be for a day or 2.
I'd prefer to base near Spean Bridge/Invergarry or maybe somewhere on the west of Loch Ness. From there you could see the glorious country between the Great Glen and the islands, maybe a day on Skye, things around Inverness, Glencoe and a day over in the Cairngorms.
But if you opt for the east side -- then near Kingussie would probably be my choice.
And you really don't have to give up your visit to the Orkneys -- whichever area you stay in. The day trips from Inverness are very good and give you a pretty full day on the main island.
For car rental - be sure to check what all is included (insurance differences can add a lot) and that you are comparing the same classes of car and then I'd go w/ the best rate. The differences in car models is not usually all that much -- they all carry the same types of cars.
As for your overall itinerary, I'd probably do it a little differently. I'd fly up to Edinburgh in the early morning, see the city all that day and the next, then in the late afternoon I'd pick up the car and head north. After touring around 6 or 7 days I'd drive back to Edinburgh and drop the car (you could stay one night near Stirling if you wanted to visit the castle - it is a fast drive from Stirling to Edinburgh). Take the train to York - it is only 2 hours and twice as fast as driving. You'd have most of that day and part of the next in York. Then the train to Cambridge for the afternoon and that evening a train into central London.
The train would be more expensive than flying but a lot more convenient because the stations in York, Cambridge and London are in the city centers. Well Cambridge station is maybe 3/4 of a mile from the very center of town but a reasonable walk or a very short bus or cab ride.
so it would look like this:
9-4 LHR hotel
9-5 Edinburgh
9-6 / 9-11 In the Cairngorms, west of Loch Ness, or somewhere else in the north
(9-12 near Stirling option)
train to York
9-13 York
9-14 / 9-15 London
9-16 Fly home
If you opted for just one night in London at the end, you could add a day anywhere along your route.
Aug 11th, 2004, 07:51 AM
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In May, we stayed at the Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel, just outside Aviemore and inside the Cairngorm National Park. It's a little "worn" looking, but the hotel sits on 65 acres and was a great value. I checked your dates and you could get Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for 91 GBP per night. It's also conveniently located to the Glenlivet distillery which we loved. I don't think I'd want to spend 6 days there, but it would make a good base for a couple of days anyway.
Aug 11th, 2004, 01:44 PM
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I'm sorry you've decided to ditch Orkney. It's so hard getting you chaps off the beaten track
On the basis that you want to be in Monarch country, Kingussie is the place to be. personally I like the Osprey- http://www.ospreyhotel.co.uk/
Friends of mine spent time in the Coig Na Shee in Newtonmore and said it was superb. http://www.coignashee.co.uk/
It's a very good touring centre, below spectacular mountains on both sides of the glen.
Go west when you're done, to Oban, Kilmartin, Inverary, Loch Lomond, Glasgow and take th M74 and M6 south to where-ever.
I wouldn't go to Orkney for the day from Baednoch. It's just too far. You could just about do it from Inverness.
Oh; and do your pre Christmas shopping in Edinburgh or Glasgow- much more cachet, dahling
On the basis that you want to be in Monarch country, Kingussie is the place to be. personally I like the Osprey- http://www.ospreyhotel.co.uk/
Friends of mine spent time in the Coig Na Shee in Newtonmore and said it was superb. http://www.coignashee.co.uk/
It's a very good touring centre, below spectacular mountains on both sides of the glen.
Go west when you're done, to Oban, Kilmartin, Inverary, Loch Lomond, Glasgow and take th M74 and M6 south to where-ever.
I wouldn't go to Orkney for the day from Baednoch. It's just too far. You could just about do it from Inverness.
Oh; and do your pre Christmas shopping in Edinburgh or Glasgow- much more cachet, dahling
Aug 11th, 2004, 02:19 PM
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Well, I really DON'T want to ditch the Orkneys -- if it's at all possible, even for a day-trip, I'd love to make it work. The antiquity is something in which I'm very interested.
From Edinburgh, we could head up that way, then circle back through Monarch country, etc.
And I really appreciate the advice about shopping in Edinburgh -- what a great idea!
PS, I think we should swing through St. Andrew's -- I'm trying to consider doing/seeing things with the idea of "who knows when we'll be back"...
From Edinburgh, we could head up that way, then circle back through Monarch country, etc.
And I really appreciate the advice about shopping in Edinburgh -- what a great idea!
PS, I think we should swing through St. Andrew's -- I'm trying to consider doing/seeing things with the idea of "who knows when we'll be back"...
Aug 11th, 2004, 02:36 PM
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debe: Adding St Andrews just makes the York/Cambridge visits and driving from London to Scotland even more problematic.
St Andrews is terrific - but you and your husband really have to decide how important York and Cambridge are. If you drop London entirely (except for transiting through and maybe one overnight) you could see Edinburgh, St Andrews, Stirling, Orkney (even a full day/overnight), the other places you want, and do some wonderful shopping in Scotland.
St Andrews is terrific - but you and your husband really have to decide how important York and Cambridge are. If you drop London entirely (except for transiting through and maybe one overnight) you could see Edinburgh, St Andrews, Stirling, Orkney (even a full day/overnight), the other places you want, and do some wonderful shopping in Scotland.
Aug 12th, 2004, 04:36 AM
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Okay, what are the three best castles to visit? I everyone recommends Stirling, so that's a given.
How about another two in Scotland?
Not saying we can hit all of them, but DH wants to see castles, so I need to factor them into the mix...
How about another two in Scotland?
Not saying we can hit all of them, but DH wants to see castles, so I need to factor them into the mix...
Aug 12th, 2004, 05:01 AM
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If you're going to be in Edinburgh, then of course you will see Edinburgh Castle. If you will be near Loch Ness, consider Urquhart Castle. Of course, there are many other castles that would be worthwhile too.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...chit/urquhart/
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...chit/urquhart/
Aug 12th, 2004, 05:43 AM
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There is no shortage of interesting castles in Scotland. I really liked Linlithgow Palace (not too far from Stirling & Edinburgh). It's a ruin...but not <i>too</i> ruined. And there are lots of rooms and nooks and crannies to explore.
For non-ruined castles/palaces, we liked Edinburgh, Scone Palace, Cawdor, and others. Click on my name and search for our trip report if you'd like to know more.
For non-ruined castles/palaces, we liked Edinburgh, Scone Palace, Cawdor, and others. Click on my name and search for our trip report if you'd like to know more.
Aug 12th, 2004, 11:49 AM
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Thanks, mr_go, I did, and there's great information!
Monarch of the Glen Country is Badenoch and Strathspey -- towns of Grantown, Aviemore, Carrbridge, Dalwhinnie, looks like an area around the A9.
I *think* there are some good walks and hiking in the area --
a) is this true?
b) if so, what would be a good place to base ourselves for a couple of days?
Sheila, it appears we'll have to leave the Orkneys for next time -- always good to have a reason to come back!
Monarch of the Glen Country is Badenoch and Strathspey -- towns of Grantown, Aviemore, Carrbridge, Dalwhinnie, looks like an area around the A9.
I *think* there are some good walks and hiking in the area --
a) is this true?
b) if so, what would be a good place to base ourselves for a couple of days?
Sheila, it appears we'll have to leave the Orkneys for next time -- always good to have a reason to come back!
Aug 12th, 2004, 02:31 PM
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It is true.
Anywhere. We're like that. If you want high mountains stay nearer the Kingussie area. If lowlevel, anywhere will do. When you've decided let me know and I'll recommend some walks.
Book your tickets for next year, now
BTW, I have a map at my elbow called "Castles of Scotland" which lists 1359 castles. So choose your pick, really
Anywhere. We're like that. If you want high mountains stay nearer the Kingussie area. If lowlevel, anywhere will do. When you've decided let me know and I'll recommend some walks.
Book your tickets for next year, now
BTW, I have a map at my elbow called "Castles of Scotland" which lists 1359 castles. So choose your pick, really
)
Aug 16th, 2004, 05:38 AM
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Would appreciate help and rational critique of this itinerary ? this is our first trip to Scotland, and am trying to finalize a general route. Any thoughts and/ore recommendations, especially regarding distances, road conditions, scenic routes, and time would be very, very welcomed!
Day 1: Flight to LHR, arriving 7:30 p.m., overnight near Heathrow
Day 2: Pick up rental car in early am, drive to York, via Cambridge (note: am having trouble getting one night in York)
Day 3: York to Edinburgh, via Rosslyn Chapel, but plan to arrive by mid-afternoon so can begin to explore Edinburgh
Day 4: Edinburgh
Day 5: Edinburgh to Kingussie
Day 6: Kingussie
Day 7: Either another night in Kingussie or move to Aberdeen (although it?s been recommended to avoid the road from Kingussie to the coast via Braemar, which would argue against another night in Kingussie)
Day 8: Arrive St. Andrew?s, stay overnight either in St. Andrew?s or close by
Day 9: Play Eden or Jubilee course at St. Andrew?s (gift from my dad)
Day 10: St. Andrew?s to Lake District?
Day 11: Overnight near Stratford
Day 12: Arrive near LHR, outside city, after having seen Stratford-on-Avon
Day 13: Fly home from London in a.m.
The idea on the return is to avoid backtracking through areas already seen ? hence the thought re Lakes District.
I know this is a lot, but we want to sample some areas (northern England) and spend time in others (Highlands)?
Day 1: Flight to LHR, arriving 7:30 p.m., overnight near Heathrow
Day 2: Pick up rental car in early am, drive to York, via Cambridge (note: am having trouble getting one night in York)
Day 3: York to Edinburgh, via Rosslyn Chapel, but plan to arrive by mid-afternoon so can begin to explore Edinburgh
Day 4: Edinburgh
Day 5: Edinburgh to Kingussie
Day 6: Kingussie
Day 7: Either another night in Kingussie or move to Aberdeen (although it?s been recommended to avoid the road from Kingussie to the coast via Braemar, which would argue against another night in Kingussie)
Day 8: Arrive St. Andrew?s, stay overnight either in St. Andrew?s or close by
Day 9: Play Eden or Jubilee course at St. Andrew?s (gift from my dad)
Day 10: St. Andrew?s to Lake District?
Day 11: Overnight near Stratford
Day 12: Arrive near LHR, outside city, after having seen Stratford-on-Avon
Day 13: Fly home from London in a.m.
The idea on the return is to avoid backtracking through areas already seen ? hence the thought re Lakes District.
I know this is a lot, but we want to sample some areas (northern England) and spend time in others (Highlands)?
Aug 16th, 2004, 03:30 PM
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We are scheduled to be in Edinburgh from 9/3 to 9/7, four days in the Highlands and back to Edinburgh, but we're doing a lot LESS driving for three reasons: (1) much to do/see in Edinburgh; (2) too little time to see what we want if we have to keep getting in the car to go to the next place, (3) lack of motorways in Scotland makes it much larger than a small country because you cannot do 70 mph for any sustained length of time north of Stirling.
Aug 16th, 2004, 06:14 PM
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I have a "thing" about Aviemore. It's what somebody thought would be a nice change from anything even remotely resembling a genuine Scottish experience -- a faux, fern-bar, ski lodge of concrete stuck in the middle of nowhere. I would avoid it like the plague.
Aug 17th, 2004, 06:15 AM
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Janis and USNR, I've heard from others to avoid Aviemore, and hadn't planned to spend any time there. I'm interested in Loch Laggan, some of the walks in the area, and the Spey in general, especially the smaller villages...
Sheila, I was advised by someone that the road between St. Andrew's and Braemar is to be avoided (the A93?)but that's one person's opinion. I would love to see part of the coast after leaving, say, Culloden, but don't want to try too much driving to get to St. Andrew's...
Sheila, I was advised by someone that the road between St. Andrew's and Braemar is to be avoided (the A93?)but that's one person's opinion. I would love to see part of the coast after leaving, say, Culloden, but don't want to try too much driving to get to St. Andrew's...
