15 Wonderful Days in Scotland/Wales
Jul 10th, 2016, 02:58 PM
#22
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Thanks docdan. Scotland and Wales have both been on our trip radar in recent years. It sounds great for those with an adventurous spirit and a good sense of humor. We have the former occasionally and the latter in spades daily. What do you think about these places for teens and non left side drivers? I'll bookmark your report for future reference.
Jul 10th, 2016, 06:12 PM
#23
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All very teen friendly. If your teens like mountain biking there is an abundance of businesses in Wales who do adventure tours for mountain biking, Canyoning, ropes courses, etc. If interested in the Jacobite . . there is a challenge getting to/from Ft. William without a major time sink if you are unwilling to drive. this was the primary reason I chose to obtain the rental van. WE elected not to do Inverness for various reasons not worth discussing here, but one idea for you would be to get to Inverness via rail or air, and then pre-plan a day trip down the Great Glen (Loch Ness) to Ft William and return. This can be done via bus, or hired transport service through your hotel. OR BY CAR. this is if your group is willing to wake up at a civil hour, which mine was unwilling to do. For us, any appearance out of the bathroom prior to 10 am, where hair and make-up were applied with great precision, was simply an unrealistic expectation. But I digress. Driving in the UK is quite doable. Do insist on automatic transmission, and budget plenty of time. It is actually not that terrifying.
If this does not answer your question, please be more specific.
If your budget allows, do consider the services of Mr Henderson.
If this does not answer your question, please be more specific.
If your budget allows, do consider the services of Mr Henderson.
Jul 11th, 2016, 08:25 AM
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"...going up what surely must be someone’s driveway, but is identified as a “B” highway..."
Oh, that made me laugh!
I really enjoyed your trip report - especially the Scotland portion as we were just there in May.
Great observation about the Jacobite train as we were wondering (while watching the train go past from the viewpoint in Glenfinnan
) what that experience would be like.
Also loved your account of the concert in Stirling Castle. Aside from the parking issue, it sounds wonderful.
Thank so much for sharing.
Oh, that made me laugh!
I really enjoyed your trip report - especially the Scotland portion as we were just there in May.
Great observation about the Jacobite train as we were wondering (while watching the train go past from the viewpoint in Glenfinnan
) what that experience would be like.Also loved your account of the concert in Stirling Castle. Aside from the parking issue, it sounds wonderful.
Thank so much for sharing.
Jul 13th, 2016, 07:19 PM
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Enjoyed reading your report. We are planning on touring western and northern Ireland in Sept. and then onto Glasgow and Edinburgh. After 8 days of driving in Ireland I was hoping to do without a car in Scotland.
We initially thought of taking the train along the Jacobite route by Scotrail from Glasgow as it was half the price. But a 12 hour train trip doesn't really appeal (last month it took us 10 hours by train from Montreal to NYC although it was very scenic as the tracks hugged Lakes Champlain, George and the Hudson River).
Instead we decided to take a train to Stirling and view the town and Castle on our own. We will look for Nawabs restaurant and say hello for you! Will also use Rabbies for a one way tour of the Highlands.
Thanks for giving us some insights!
We initially thought of taking the train along the Jacobite route by Scotrail from Glasgow as it was half the price. But a 12 hour train trip doesn't really appeal (last month it took us 10 hours by train from Montreal to NYC although it was very scenic as the tracks hugged Lakes Champlain, George and the Hudson River).
Instead we decided to take a train to Stirling and view the town and Castle on our own. We will look for Nawabs restaurant and say hello for you! Will also use Rabbies for a one way tour of the Highlands.
Thanks for giving us some insights!
Jul 14th, 2016, 12:55 AM
#30
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Welsh ponies have a warped sense of humour.
I remember a friend of mine went pony trekking and when they came to a path by a precipice the pony insisted in walking as close to the edge as it could get, giving the rider the impression that he was dangling over the void
The pony, of course was very sure footed and there was no actual danger.
I remember a friend of mine went pony trekking and when they came to a path by a precipice the pony insisted in walking as close to the edge as it could get, giving the rider the impression that he was dangling over the void
The pony, of course was very sure footed and there was no actual danger.
Jul 14th, 2016, 03:52 AM
#31
" This little town’s rail station is on a viaduct three stories above ground level, but when one makes the climb up to the platform, the vegetation on the viaduct has grown up so much, it makes it look like the platform is ground level. Very disorienting. Typically English, no?"
you should try Newcastle where the stations are all built on these elevated schemes. These tower above the docks.
you should try Newcastle where the stations are all built on these elevated schemes. These tower above the docks.
Jul 14th, 2016, 06:04 PM
#32
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All - thank you for your kind feedback
Bilbo - Indeed! Good insight.
Prism - Also correct - of course, my concerns were not with the horses/ponies themselves, only with the stables staff who could have demonstrated some of the traveler friendly attitude that we found to be common in Wales.
Giro - most travelers would completely understand your sentiment. After one hour on a train in Scotland . . . a train becomes a train, whether pulled by steam, diesel, or electric locomotion (unless one is as incorrigible a rail geek as yours truly)
Do note, there is a "916" bus from Glasgow to Glencoe and on to Ft. William in just 3 or so hours. I do not know anything about this particular line, only to say our experiences with city buses in Glasgow and Edinburgh were very favorable. Your alteration of plans to rail to Stirling, take your time in that city, then let Rabbies tour you around the Highlands would seem to be a good plan. You will be most grateful that a Yankee NASCAR reject is not doing the driving!
Bilbo - Indeed! Good insight.
Prism - Also correct - of course, my concerns were not with the horses/ponies themselves, only with the stables staff who could have demonstrated some of the traveler friendly attitude that we found to be common in Wales.
Giro - most travelers would completely understand your sentiment. After one hour on a train in Scotland . . . a train becomes a train, whether pulled by steam, diesel, or electric locomotion (unless one is as incorrigible a rail geek as yours truly)
Do note, there is a "916" bus from Glasgow to Glencoe and on to Ft. William in just 3 or so hours. I do not know anything about this particular line, only to say our experiences with city buses in Glasgow and Edinburgh were very favorable. Your alteration of plans to rail to Stirling, take your time in that city, then let Rabbies tour you around the Highlands would seem to be a good plan. You will be most grateful that a Yankee NASCAR reject is not doing the driving!
