Suggestions for what to see/do on first trip to Scotland
Apr 3rd, 2015, 09:38 PM
#1
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Suggestions for what to see/do on first trip to Scotland
I very much enjoyed reading the trip details for various sojourns in Scotland.
My wife and I have never been to Europe, and are planning to spend two full weeks in Scotland this September. We prefer to stay put when on vacation, and are thinking about one week in and around Edinburgh, and another week in another part of the country. I definitely want to tour distilleries, as I am fond of whisky. My wife is an accomplished potter, and is looking to take an advanced ceramics course if she can find one.
We both are interested in castles. We are planning to rent a car. Thank you for any and all suggestions!
My wife and I have never been to Europe, and are planning to spend two full weeks in Scotland this September. We prefer to stay put when on vacation, and are thinking about one week in and around Edinburgh, and another week in another part of the country. I definitely want to tour distilleries, as I am fond of whisky. My wife is an accomplished potter, and is looking to take an advanced ceramics course if she can find one.
We both are interested in castles. We are planning to rent a car. Thank you for any and all suggestions!
Apr 4th, 2015, 07:57 AM
#3
Do get s guidebook(s) - but w/ just two weeks I <i>might</i> recommend 1 week somewhere (loads of options) and another couple of 3 or 4 days stops. Simply because it would let you see three distinct parts of the country and still not rush.
If it was me -- just throwing out a potential plan -- I'd stay 3 or 4 days in Edinburgh, a week somewhere maybe on the Castle trail in Aberdeenshire, or somewhere in the general Inverness area (not IN Inverness but w/i maybe 15 miles on either side of it) or in the Trossachs (general Callander area) and another 3 or 4 days someplace else (where would depend on which of the week stays you chose)
Some good options for the 3 to 4 day stay include the Borders; Ayrshire/the southwest; Skye; Fife/St Andrews; (or the Castle Trail or Trossachs area)
You could easily visit several whisky Speyside and northern distilleries from a base near Inverness.
Or -- if you really want to explore whiskies -- you could spend 3-ish days on Islay
If it was me -- just throwing out a potential plan -- I'd stay 3 or 4 days in Edinburgh, a week somewhere maybe on the Castle trail in Aberdeenshire, or somewhere in the general Inverness area (not IN Inverness but w/i maybe 15 miles on either side of it) or in the Trossachs (general Callander area) and another 3 or 4 days someplace else (where would depend on which of the week stays you chose)
Some good options for the 3 to 4 day stay include the Borders; Ayrshire/the southwest; Skye; Fife/St Andrews; (or the Castle Trail or Trossachs area)
You could easily visit several whisky Speyside and northern distilleries from a base near Inverness.
Or -- if you really want to explore whiskies -- you could spend 3-ish days on Islay
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Apr 5th, 2015, 05:40 AM
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My first suggestion would be to book your Edinburgh hotel as soon as possible. September is a popular month and good places book quickly.
I have been to Scotland three times and have another trip planned for this coming September also. We booked our hotel about a month ago and found many hotels we looked at were already filled.
Skye is my favorite location in Scotland and the drive from Edinburgh is lovely especially going through the Glencoe valley. This can be done on a three to four day trip leaving you plenty of time to explore the whisky trail. You can also visit the Talisker distillery on Skye. However, if the whisky trail is your main focus the advice to concentrate on the Speyside area is probably the best.
I have been to Scotland three times and have another trip planned for this coming September also. We booked our hotel about a month ago and found many hotels we looked at were already filled.
Skye is my favorite location in Scotland and the drive from Edinburgh is lovely especially going through the Glencoe valley. This can be done on a three to four day trip leaving you plenty of time to explore the whisky trail. You can also visit the Talisker distillery on Skye. However, if the whisky trail is your main focus the advice to concentrate on the Speyside area is probably the best.
Apr 5th, 2015, 08:45 AM
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So much to see and do..so little time. Thanks very much, folks for the great ideas. There is too much history and culture in Scotland to get to in one short trip, so we may need to go back for more next time.
I need to get cracking on my research/reservations, and will definitely give a trip report on our return.
I need to get cracking on my research/reservations, and will definitely give a trip report on our return.
Apr 5th, 2015, 09:07 AM
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