Gail_Scotland

A quick question!

Are castles usually "tour on your own", or are they narrated tours with a docent/tour guide? Not a big deal, but I was just wondering how that works. Since we are traveling on our own, I'm actually hoping the castles have someone telling us the history & showing us the highlights...so, we can get the most out of it & not have our nose in a book as we walk around.

Thanks for all the help.

janisj

Most are "on your own" but it varies how it is done. Some of the intact castles have audio guides, some have paddle boards in each room w/ info that you can read and then put back down, some have guides/volunteers in various rooms to answer questions, and many are just ruins that you clamber over and around.

You seldom will need to have your noses buried in guide books . . .

Gail_Scotland

Thanks.

The kids get tired of me as the tour guide!

janisj

The kids will love the castle ruins (Kilchurn, Dunnottar, Urquhart -- just tons of them) simply because they can explore and clamber and peek into secret places and not have to listen to 'Mom in tour guide mode'

Gail_Scotland

I can still remember car-traveling with my parents....

"look out the window!"
"are you looking?"
"why aren't you looking!"

And, it WAS beautiful (we were traveling through Norway); but, the pressure to look & appreciate at all moments was intense!

bigtyke

For a great castle, try Threave Castle. It is on an island in the middle of a river. You drive up a small lane and park in a small parking lot. Then you walk between the fence of a field to the river where there is a bell that you ring. A boat comes over to take you to the island.

Nearby is Caerverlock castle - another fun time.

Dr_DoGood

Caerlaverock Castle is indeed a treat and makes an excellent companion to Threave. What's that saying - "Every man's man had a man as made Threave Fall"? or similar - meaning don't employ someone to do your work on your behalf since if no one really cares it'll cost you dear. Apparently Threave fell when the steward entrusted his duty of care to somebody else.

Where will you be in Scotland? Maybe we can help with more top Scottish castles.

Dr D.

Gail_Scotland

Threave sounds amazing...just the type adventure we would enjoy. However, I don't think we'll be in that area. Our very basic outline is...land in Edinburgh, take in a rugby game, then head to Trossachs, Skye, and Cairgorms...then back to Edinburgh. I'm totally open to any ideas about scenic routes from one location to another or even how to spend a day or day & half in each area. I'm way behind on planning...we depart on August 5th from the U.S.! Various things have been shifting which was why I've held off on finalizing most plans. I think we are set on that basic schedule though. We may have a day (or two) to take a day's outing from Edinburgh. We will be there for almost a week.

anyegr

Edinburgh in August... I really hope you have already arranged a place to stay.

Gail_Scotland

Yes...that much I have done! My son is traveling with a high school theatre group & performing at the festival...so, I did have some idea of how crazy it is there!

travfirst

We loved Military Tattoo, it’s Aug 5-27 this year. The tickets are sold months in advance. Before our trip I purchased left over tickets but view was OK and everyone enjoyed the show.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio..._Scotland.html
http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/