SCOTLAND ITINERARY HELP
Dec 6th, 2014, 07:14 AM
#1
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SCOTLAND ITINERARY HELP
HI
I had another topic posted but since my trip includes a large area I decided
to post a fresh topic.
I need help with a 10 day itinerary for Scotland that does NOT include Edinburgh.
I alreayd have that nailed down and we will be ther 3 days for this 10 day excursion.
I need helps with the itinerary as well as places to stay ..bed and breakfast or charming inns would be a bonus.
Since I am travelling alone with two boys ages 8 and 10 it would be ideal if we can stay
in a few locations for a few days each.
We love amazing landscapes - Castles and more casltes .. adorable villages ...
Any and all help wouild be really appreciated ,
many thanks
I had another topic posted but since my trip includes a large area I decided
to post a fresh topic.
I need help with a 10 day itinerary for Scotland that does NOT include Edinburgh.
I alreayd have that nailed down and we will be ther 3 days for this 10 day excursion.
I need helps with the itinerary as well as places to stay ..bed and breakfast or charming inns would be a bonus.
Since I am travelling alone with two boys ages 8 and 10 it would be ideal if we can stay
in a few locations for a few days each.
We love amazing landscapes - Castles and more casltes .. adorable villages ...
Any and all help wouild be really appreciated ,
many thanks
Dec 6th, 2014, 07:32 AM
#2
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Will you be driving? Because that makes the most sense for a tour of the Scottish countryside.
Castles: Stirling Castle, Eilean Donan from the outside.
Villages and towns: Plockton (palm trees!), St. Andrews, the East Neuk villages, Portree, Tobermory.
Countryside: the Isle of Skye, the Road to the Isles (and the ferry to Skye from Mallaig), Glencoe, in fact pretty much all of northwest Scotland.
All of this is from my experience; I'm sure others can tell you much more. But you need to do some research. Read up on the places suggested, look at them on Google Images, find them on the map.
Note: one can get castled out, especially if the castle is just a pile of stones. You might want to include some wildlife experiences for your boys. Here's one list: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...s-conservation
Castles: Stirling Castle, Eilean Donan from the outside.
Villages and towns: Plockton (palm trees!), St. Andrews, the East Neuk villages, Portree, Tobermory.
Countryside: the Isle of Skye, the Road to the Isles (and the ferry to Skye from Mallaig), Glencoe, in fact pretty much all of northwest Scotland.
All of this is from my experience; I'm sure others can tell you much more. But you need to do some research. Read up on the places suggested, look at them on Google Images, find them on the map.
Note: one can get castled out, especially if the castle is just a pile of stones. You might want to include some wildlife experiences for your boys. Here's one list: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...s-conservation
Dec 6th, 2014, 08:17 AM
#3
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Take a look at Stonehaven .. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ven/index.html
walk to Dunnottar Castle ( www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk/ ), swim in a heated salt water pool ( http://stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk/ .. assuming it opens 2015 - I hope it continues, I've not had my own chance, yet)
I stayed with Anne and Frank at http://www.gleniffer-stonehaven.co.uk/ .. their web site lists some activities
Food recommendations .. distinct "yum!" memories
The Bay Fish & Chips (menu as indicated, plus good mushy peas)
Robertson Bakers (I had a great egg salad sandwich and strawberry tart as good to eat as it looked)
As you schedule your Scotland days, perhaps you'll find dates/locations that fit attending some highland games .. Stonehaven is scheduled for July .. http://www.shga.co.uk/events.php
I think your other thread mentioned traveling in summer .. be sure to look for local foods in stores. I'm still remembering some Scottish raspberries .. heaven on earth.
ps: in your travel plans, would you be going by Duxford on the weekend of July 11/12? The Flying Legends air show is outstanding! http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/air-shows
Cheers, enjoy the research and then the trip!
walk to Dunnottar Castle ( www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk/ ), swim in a heated salt water pool ( http://stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk/ .. assuming it opens 2015 - I hope it continues, I've not had my own chance, yet)
I stayed with Anne and Frank at http://www.gleniffer-stonehaven.co.uk/ .. their web site lists some activities
Food recommendations .. distinct "yum!" memories
The Bay Fish & Chips (menu as indicated, plus good mushy peas)
Robertson Bakers (I had a great egg salad sandwich and strawberry tart as good to eat as it looked)
As you schedule your Scotland days, perhaps you'll find dates/locations that fit attending some highland games .. Stonehaven is scheduled for July .. http://www.shga.co.uk/events.php
I think your other thread mentioned traveling in summer .. be sure to look for local foods in stores. I'm still remembering some Scottish raspberries .. heaven on earth.
ps: in your travel plans, would you be going by Duxford on the weekend of July 11/12? The Flying Legends air show is outstanding! http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/air-shows
Cheers, enjoy the research and then the trip!
Dec 6th, 2014, 10:24 AM
#5
Now we are reinventing the wheel… Stonehaven/Dunnottar are great.. And IF you hadn't said you wanted to see Skye and such Dunnottar would have been the first castle I mentioned. It is amazing. But from your <i>other</i> thread you want to mainly visit Skye and the west side.
So it REALLY would be helpful if you'd give us an idea where your thoughts are at this point.
I was afraid all the info overload on the other thread would confuse things. Castles -- there are castles EVERYWHERE. But the actual 'Castle Trail' is in Aberdeenshire and near both Stonehaven/Dunnottar. However they are on the opposite side of the country from Skye.
If you ask 10 different Scotland experts where to go you will get 10 different itineraries (w/ a few duplicated spots along the routes) and all would be wonderful.
This thread will just pile on more options . . .
Why don't you lay out your current ideas and we can help you refine it.
So it REALLY would be helpful if you'd give us an idea where your thoughts are at this point.
I was afraid all the info overload on the other thread would confuse things. Castles -- there are castles EVERYWHERE. But the actual 'Castle Trail' is in Aberdeenshire and near both Stonehaven/Dunnottar. However they are on the opposite side of the country from Skye.
If you ask 10 different Scotland experts where to go you will get 10 different itineraries (w/ a few duplicated spots along the routes) and all would be wonderful.
This thread will just pile on more options . . .
Why don't you lay out your current ideas and we can help you refine it.
Dec 6th, 2014, 11:15 AM
#6
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Are you sure you want castles, castles and more castles? Having been to my fair share of castles, including in Scotland, some are interesting but many are not. Having traveled with children the age of yours, I've noticed they can often turn out to be not all that interested in actual real castles, especially the ones that are now mostly stone shells.
Maybe toss a few farms or lighthouses into the mix? They might enjoy hanging around animals or watching out for boats for a few days on end more than seeing more stones.
http://www.visitscotland.com/en-us/a...laces-to-stay/
Maybe toss a few farms or lighthouses into the mix? They might enjoy hanging around animals or watching out for boats for a few days on end more than seeing more stones.
http://www.visitscotland.com/en-us/a...laces-to-stay/
Dec 6th, 2014, 12:47 PM
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Have you thought about Fife for a couple of days after Edinburgh. There are some lovely small fishing villages. St Andrews is a delightful University town with a superb ruied castle (don't miss the mine and countermine) and ruined cathedral. You could do a boat trip to Isle of May. And don't miss Loch Leven Castle, in the middle of the loch and reached by boat from Kinross.
Afterwards head up to the Inverness area with a possible stop for Blair Atholl Castle on the way up. Think about Cawdor Castle, Fort George, Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield and also Glen Affric, one of the prettiest of the Scottish Glens. The Ploda Falls walk is and easy short walk to a splendid waterfall.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochn...ddafalls.shtml
For the laast few days plan on either Skye or Mull before heading back south, fitting in a stop at Glencoe. The Lochan walk is another short walk through superb scenery.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortw...oelochan.shtml
Don't forget the Undiscovered Scotland website for ideas and lots of photos of these places.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
Afterwards head up to the Inverness area with a possible stop for Blair Atholl Castle on the way up. Think about Cawdor Castle, Fort George, Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield and also Glen Affric, one of the prettiest of the Scottish Glens. The Ploda Falls walk is and easy short walk to a splendid waterfall.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochn...ddafalls.shtml
For the laast few days plan on either Skye or Mull before heading back south, fitting in a stop at Glencoe. The Lochan walk is another short walk through superb scenery.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortw...oelochan.shtml
Don't forget the Undiscovered Scotland website for ideas and lots of photos of these places.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
