Small towns in Scotland
Mar 8th, 2015, 06:54 AM
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Small towns in Scotland
We will be spending the last two weeks of September in Scotland, and just starting to outline an itinerary. Flights into and out of Glasgow have already been booked. A few questions that we could use help with:
1. We will have 15 nights total in the country, and plan to finish the trip with 3 -4 nights in Glasgow. Realizing that Glasgow and Edinburgh are only a one hour train ride apart, we are undecided as to whether to tack on an extra night to Glasgow and day trip to Edinburgh, or to spend a couple of nights in the capital. Opinions on this?
2. We like to spend the majority of our time in smaller towns in the countryside, and will have a car for this portion of the trip. We'd like to limit the number of hotels to two, or three at the most, centrally located in regions where we would drive to other interesting small towns, sightsee in the mountains, and just relax. We prefer to base in a town rather than being remote in the country so that we can walk to dinner and have a few drinks without worrying about driving.
We are two couples in our early 60's, able to do a fair amount of walking but not strenuous hiking. We definitely want to spend some time in the Highlands, lakes and beautiful countryside, but we won't be doing any mountaineering. We like to see one or two sites a day - castles, museums, local events, etc...- with leisurely lunches and a moderate pace. We like small hotels and B&Bs, and we enjoy casual dinners at places serving local food - not high-end foodies.
Any help narrowing down the best areas to base in would be appreciated.
1. We will have 15 nights total in the country, and plan to finish the trip with 3 -4 nights in Glasgow. Realizing that Glasgow and Edinburgh are only a one hour train ride apart, we are undecided as to whether to tack on an extra night to Glasgow and day trip to Edinburgh, or to spend a couple of nights in the capital. Opinions on this?
2. We like to spend the majority of our time in smaller towns in the countryside, and will have a car for this portion of the trip. We'd like to limit the number of hotels to two, or three at the most, centrally located in regions where we would drive to other interesting small towns, sightsee in the mountains, and just relax. We prefer to base in a town rather than being remote in the country so that we can walk to dinner and have a few drinks without worrying about driving.
We are two couples in our early 60's, able to do a fair amount of walking but not strenuous hiking. We definitely want to spend some time in the Highlands, lakes and beautiful countryside, but we won't be doing any mountaineering. We like to see one or two sites a day - castles, museums, local events, etc...- with leisurely lunches and a moderate pace. We like small hotels and B&Bs, and we enjoy casual dinners at places serving local food - not high-end foodies.
Any help narrowing down the best areas to base in would be appreciated.
Mar 8th, 2015, 08:57 AM
#2
1) definitely stay at least 1 night, preferably 2 in Edinburgh. I'd do Edinburgh at the front end, collect a car when leaving, tour around, drop the car when you get to Glasgow, fly home.
2) any number of small towns would work as a 2 or 3 night base:
Callander or Aberfoyle for visiting Stirling, the Trossachs, Inchmahome, Loch Lomond, Killin/Falls of Dochart, Balquhidder, etc.
Beauly or Strathpeffer for Loch Ness/Urquhart, the Black Isle, Culloden, Ft George, Cawdor, etc.
Dunkeld or Aberfeldy for Blair Castle, Pitlochry, Loch Tay/Killin, Scone Palace etc.
2) any number of small towns would work as a 2 or 3 night base:
Callander or Aberfoyle for visiting Stirling, the Trossachs, Inchmahome, Loch Lomond, Killin/Falls of Dochart, Balquhidder, etc.
Beauly or Strathpeffer for Loch Ness/Urquhart, the Black Isle, Culloden, Ft George, Cawdor, etc.
Dunkeld or Aberfeldy for Blair Castle, Pitlochry, Loch Tay/Killin, Scone Palace etc.
Mar 8th, 2015, 09:26 AM
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Philly, I would suggest using Edinburgh as a base rather than Glasgow..but a day trip out of Edinburgh could suffice. I personally felt that Edinburgh has much more to offer.
On one of our Scotland visits, we found Braemar in the Highglands to be very attractive small town, the rushing River Dee and all that. We had lunch and walked through town and the surrounding countryside. Did not stay over. It's fairly close to the Queen's country castle at Balmoral which can be visited even when she's in town, I believe.(see pics)
Three other smallish towns to consider would be (1)Grantown-on-the-River Spey in central Scotland which could also serve as a base, had a fine lunch at Smifty's Fish and Chips featuring grilled wild salmon. (2) Drumnadrochit (near Loch Ness) where there's even a statue of Nessie the Monster in the town pond! Staying here offers a straight shot on the highway to Skye. Pub dinner at the Ben Leva Hotel..excellent choices. We stayed a few miles out of town at a beautiful guest house..."Borlum Farm House"..near the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the Loch.
...and then there is the town of (3)Dunoon, across the loch from the road into Glasgow (frequent ferry service). Stayed at a lovely place in the surrounding hills, walking/nature trails, etc. called "Abbot's Brae Hotel." Walked into town for a fine dinner at The Royal Marine Hotel, 19th century elegance and a pleasing menu.
So there are just a few three we have experienced ...of course there are hundreds of choices.
We also liked the mid-sized town of St. Andrews where I had visited back in 1980, near the picturesque seaside towns dotted through Fife County.
(Aberfeldy would be one other choice, and for sheer beauty, tiny Killin at the end of Loch Tay is very inviting. Photo ops!)
I'll post some of my pics, including some from the 80's as well as more recent in the late 90's. Have an enjoyable visit!!
On one of our Scotland visits, we found Braemar in the Highglands to be very attractive small town, the rushing River Dee and all that. We had lunch and walked through town and the surrounding countryside. Did not stay over. It's fairly close to the Queen's country castle at Balmoral which can be visited even when she's in town, I believe.(see pics)
Three other smallish towns to consider would be (1)Grantown-on-the-River Spey in central Scotland which could also serve as a base, had a fine lunch at Smifty's Fish and Chips featuring grilled wild salmon. (2) Drumnadrochit (near Loch Ness) where there's even a statue of Nessie the Monster in the town pond! Staying here offers a straight shot on the highway to Skye. Pub dinner at the Ben Leva Hotel..excellent choices. We stayed a few miles out of town at a beautiful guest house..."Borlum Farm House"..near the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the Loch.
...and then there is the town of (3)Dunoon, across the loch from the road into Glasgow (frequent ferry service). Stayed at a lovely place in the surrounding hills, walking/nature trails, etc. called "Abbot's Brae Hotel." Walked into town for a fine dinner at The Royal Marine Hotel, 19th century elegance and a pleasing menu.
So there are just a few three we have experienced ...of course there are hundreds of choices.
We also liked the mid-sized town of St. Andrews where I had visited back in 1980, near the picturesque seaside towns dotted through Fife County.
(Aberfeldy would be one other choice, and for sheer beauty, tiny Killin at the end of Loch Tay is very inviting. Photo ops!)
I'll post some of my pics, including some from the 80's as well as more recent in the late 90's. Have an enjoyable visit!!
Mar 8th, 2015, 09:46 AM
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Mar 8th, 2015, 12:47 PM
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There are so many nice small towns in Scotland. Start first on deciding what areas of Scotland you want to visit and then choose a small town to stay.
You've already been given lots of excellent suggestions.
If you are wanting a base near Inverness, there is also Nairn or Elgin a bit further to the east along the Moray Firth. Inland, Huntly would make a nice base. Both of these would get you into Grampian Region - that bulge on the east side of Scotland. This is an area traditionally ignored by the tourists which is a shame as it has a lot going for it with Castles, gardens, distilleries, lots of nice small towns and fishing villages and some very good scenery. We spent ten days exploring the area in Autumn 2013 and my detailed trip report is here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=2088
Another area often ignored by the tourists is the Borders and East Lothian. The scenery isn't as rugged as in the Highlands but never the less is very good. The walk up the Eildon Hills on a sunny day takes a lot of beating.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/borde...on-hills.shtml
There are lots of castles and stately homes as well as some splendid ruined abbeys. Traquair House is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. Good bases would be Peebles, or Melrose or if you want to be on the coast either North Berwick or Dunbar. We spent 5 days exploring part of Scotland linked in with Northumberland in Summer 2013 and again my trip report is here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=2064
For more pictures, check out here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=2064
Both Glasgow and Edinburgh have a lot to offer and are very different. They invoke strong loyalties. As they are so close it makes sense to tack on a couple of extra days to do day trips to dinbugh. It's not really worth the upheaval of moving accommodation.
And finally, have you come across the Undiscovered Scotland website?
This is a wealth of information once you have locateed an area you want to visit.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
You've already been given lots of excellent suggestions.
If you are wanting a base near Inverness, there is also Nairn or Elgin a bit further to the east along the Moray Firth. Inland, Huntly would make a nice base. Both of these would get you into Grampian Region - that bulge on the east side of Scotland. This is an area traditionally ignored by the tourists which is a shame as it has a lot going for it with Castles, gardens, distilleries, lots of nice small towns and fishing villages and some very good scenery. We spent ten days exploring the area in Autumn 2013 and my detailed trip report is here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=2088
Another area often ignored by the tourists is the Borders and East Lothian. The scenery isn't as rugged as in the Highlands but never the less is very good. The walk up the Eildon Hills on a sunny day takes a lot of beating.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/borde...on-hills.shtml
There are lots of castles and stately homes as well as some splendid ruined abbeys. Traquair House is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. Good bases would be Peebles, or Melrose or if you want to be on the coast either North Berwick or Dunbar. We spent 5 days exploring part of Scotland linked in with Northumberland in Summer 2013 and again my trip report is here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=2064
For more pictures, check out here:
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=2064
Both Glasgow and Edinburgh have a lot to offer and are very different. They invoke strong loyalties. As they are so close it makes sense to tack on a couple of extra days to do day trips to dinbugh. It's not really worth the upheaval of moving accommodation.
And finally, have you come across the Undiscovered Scotland website?
This is a wealth of information once you have locateed an area you want to visit.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
Mar 8th, 2015, 12:58 PM
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Edinburgh > Glasgow.
Query: which highlands - west or east? Or both?
We stayed in Maryculter, which isn't much of a town per se, but it DEFINITELY gave easy access to the various castles in Aberdeenshire and a quick run into Aberdeen too.
Query: which highlands - west or east? Or both?
We stayed in Maryculter, which isn't much of a town per se, but it DEFINITELY gave easy access to the various castles in Aberdeenshire and a quick run into Aberdeen too.
Mar 8th, 2015, 02:28 PM
#9
The reason I didn't recommend places in the Borders, East Lothian, Fife, Dumfries & Galloway, , , etc. (ALL are well worth touring) is because you said you don't want to move too often, want substantial time in Glasgow, and want to visit the Highlands.
I might consider something like renting one of these for 3 or 4 nights as a base for the Trossachs: http://resorts.macdonaldhotels.co.uk...accommodation/
Then maybe here in Ballater (the 'suites' are more like small condos) http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/uni...RGV/index.html
Or here (if they have a short break available) http://aigas-holidays.co.uk/aigas-ho...accommodation/
I might consider something like renting one of these for 3 or 4 nights as a base for the Trossachs: http://resorts.macdonaldhotels.co.uk...accommodation/
Then maybe here in Ballater (the 'suites' are more like small condos) http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/uni...RGV/index.html
Or here (if they have a short break available) http://aigas-holidays.co.uk/aigas-ho...accommodation/
Mar 8th, 2015, 02:35 PM
#10
oops -- I thought I had included this one too . . .
http://www.hiltondunkeld.com/dunkeld...pertshire.html
Any of the four would be great for two couples.
http://www.hiltondunkeld.com/dunkeld...pertshire.html
Any of the four would be great for two couples.
Mar 8th, 2015, 05:03 PM
#13
The last two weeks in September will definitely feel like autumn is approaching, often a time of great loveliness in the Highlands.
Starting in Glasgow, I'd probably head west right off the bat, and would look at either Inverary or Oban for the first couple of nights. Inverary is a lovely little town from which you could spend a day doing a loop that could include Kilmartin with its amazing prehistoric remnants and bits, Oban, Glen Coe and a return via Loch Awe. A couple of castles, lonely roads, a fascinating bit of Scotland somewhat off the main tourist routes. Map - http://goo.gl/maps/VgcA1
Then I’d head to Aberfeldy in the Perthshire highlands, and visit nearby Glen Lyon, one of the most (IMO) beautiful glens at that time of year. The little village of Fortingall in Glen Lyon is very picturesque (a few thatched buildings – very rare in Scotland) and the yew tree in the churchyard is reputedly over 2000 years old. Local legend has that Pontius Pilate either planted it or played under it as a child. Using Aberfeldy as a base, you can visit a couple of fine castles such as Menzies Castle near the village, or Blair Castle in Blair Atholl, or hit any number of distilleries in the area if interested. Map - http://goo.gl/maps/zpsLd
Glen Lyon in the autumn (old photo, doesn't do it full justice) - http://gardyloo.us/glenlyon1s.jpg
Then I’d move onto Fife, and spend a night (or two) in St. Andrews. More than just golf, St. Andrews has a very historic ruined abbey, the famous university, and a beach you can run along with Vangelis playing in the background. From St. Andrews you’re very close to the “East Neuk” – a string of very picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of Fife, such as Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St. Monans. Or, from St. Andrews, you can head briefly across the River Tay and through Dundee to Glamis Castle near the fine little town of Forfar. You might consider visiting Forfar and head out to historic Arbroath on the North Sea, then back to St. Andrews and hit the East Neuk villages on the way to Edinburgh. Map - http://goo.gl/maps/KRlt5
Look up all these villages and places on Undiscovered Scotland for more stories, accommodation recommendations, etc. - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
This would give you a good sampling of the western Highlands, the Perthshire Highlands, and a glimpse of the east coast, while staying in attractive and interesting smaller towns.
Starting in Glasgow, I'd probably head west right off the bat, and would look at either Inverary or Oban for the first couple of nights. Inverary is a lovely little town from which you could spend a day doing a loop that could include Kilmartin with its amazing prehistoric remnants and bits, Oban, Glen Coe and a return via Loch Awe. A couple of castles, lonely roads, a fascinating bit of Scotland somewhat off the main tourist routes. Map - http://goo.gl/maps/VgcA1
Then I’d head to Aberfeldy in the Perthshire highlands, and visit nearby Glen Lyon, one of the most (IMO) beautiful glens at that time of year. The little village of Fortingall in Glen Lyon is very picturesque (a few thatched buildings – very rare in Scotland) and the yew tree in the churchyard is reputedly over 2000 years old. Local legend has that Pontius Pilate either planted it or played under it as a child. Using Aberfeldy as a base, you can visit a couple of fine castles such as Menzies Castle near the village, or Blair Castle in Blair Atholl, or hit any number of distilleries in the area if interested. Map - http://goo.gl/maps/zpsLd
Glen Lyon in the autumn (old photo, doesn't do it full justice) - http://gardyloo.us/glenlyon1s.jpg
Then I’d move onto Fife, and spend a night (or two) in St. Andrews. More than just golf, St. Andrews has a very historic ruined abbey, the famous university, and a beach you can run along with Vangelis playing in the background. From St. Andrews you’re very close to the “East Neuk” – a string of very picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of Fife, such as Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St. Monans. Or, from St. Andrews, you can head briefly across the River Tay and through Dundee to Glamis Castle near the fine little town of Forfar. You might consider visiting Forfar and head out to historic Arbroath on the North Sea, then back to St. Andrews and hit the East Neuk villages on the way to Edinburgh. Map - http://goo.gl/maps/KRlt5
Look up all these villages and places on Undiscovered Scotland for more stories, accommodation recommendations, etc. - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
This would give you a good sampling of the western Highlands, the Perthshire Highlands, and a glimpse of the east coast, while staying in attractive and interesting smaller towns.
Mar 9th, 2015, 12:19 AM
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The fishing villages near St Andrews are very beautiful (as reported above)but that's if you are staying in or near Edinburgh.
Many people love Oban near Glasgow. No one has mentioned Applecross and surrounds ie Lake Torridon! I haven't been but it is certainly on my radar.
Many people love Oban near Glasgow. No one has mentioned Applecross and surrounds ie Lake Torridon! I haven't been but it is certainly on my radar.
Mar 12th, 2015, 04:03 AM
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Gardyloo wrote:
"The last two weeks in September will definitely feel like autumn is approaching, often a time of great loveliness in the Highlands. "
We stayed with friends in Aberdeenshire after our daughter's wedding. My son and our host went deer stalking. It snowed. October 2. It was lovely.
"The last two weeks in September will definitely feel like autumn is approaching, often a time of great loveliness in the Highlands. "
We stayed with friends in Aberdeenshire after our daughter's wedding. My son and our host went deer stalking. It snowed. October 2. It was lovely.
