dumb aussie tourist

i have a small window in time to see something of scotland in mid Sept. I have a reason to stop in Glasgow but what else can I fit in? (is going to the loch ness worth it since i won't see the monster?)<BR><BR>Also, if i don't see anything of England north of manchester will I kick myself... assuming that i plan on another trip in a few years time?<BR><BR>ta

Sheila

Who says you won't see the monster??<BR><BR>Some suggestions:-catch the sleeper from London to Fort William as it goes through Glasgow. See rugged Rannoch Moor in the early morning, and come down to the west coast through Glen Coe where the Macdonalds were slaughtered by the Campbells after the 'forty five. <BR><BR>Then take the train to Mallaig right out on the far west of Scotland's mainland. Then take the ferry to Skye, and using public transport, which is OK but not great (or hitching which is not a problem) stay on Skye as long as the following makes possible. You should have time to climb at least one of the island's staggeringly beautiful mountains. <BR><BR>Then get back to Kyleakin and cross the bridge (boo!) to Kyle of Lochalsh, and get the train to Inverness. Another stunning piece of scenery crossing from the west to the east coast. Then get the sleeper back to Glasgow Voila! <BR><BR>You could do something similar but more flexible by car.<BR><BR>You could spend a great two days in Glasgow; or in Edinburgh; or one day in each.<BR><BR>Or you could just pick somewhere beautiful and go there for two days.<BR>

dumb aussie

thanx, that does help a bit.. i am driving by car and i wanted to stay o/night in a ridgey didge castle. Any suggestions?

Sheila

Sorry to ask dumb questions back; but what do you want? Town or country? history or scenery?<BR><BR>If country and scenery, why not try, Glasgow to Dunbarton, up the side of Loch Lomond to Arrochar, over the Rest and Be Thankful, past Inverary and down to Lochgilphead. Lunch at the Crinan Hotel; up through Kilmartin Glen to Oban, on past Ballachulish and Fort William to Inverlochy Castle Hotel.<BR><BR>Back south to Ballachulish and through Glencoe to Dalmally then Crianlarich then Killin and down Loch Tay to Kenmore; lunch at the Kenmore Hotel.<BR><BR>East along the Tay, past Aberfeldy, Dunkeld and Perth, then on to Dundee, cross the river and go to st Andrews and any one additional village in the East Neuk of Fife. Have dinner at the Peat Inn.<BR><BR>Drive via Kincardine Bridge back to Glasgow, arriving late, tired and happy.<BR><BR>I can do a variation including Loch Ness, but whilst it's fine enough, oit's not better than Loch Tay and it's ahell of a lot further north.<BR><BR>Personally, I'd not bother with the castle. I'd stay in Port Appin at the Pierhouse or the Aird's Hotel instead.

dumb aussie

Interesting about your idea of not doing the castle thingy sheila. re: your question, I sort of thort that history and scenic was about the same thing in Scotland but i guess not so i guess mostly scenic and from what you wrote you have given me some finite things to start researching.<BR><BR>But i'm still curious about the castle comment. Any other views on that?

Sheila

I think they're expensive for what you get; I'm struggling to think of one with a good reputation for food. I'd rather stay somewhere classy, but not pretentious.<BR><BR>Maybe I'm just not a castle sort of person<BR><BR>As to the history/scenery thing, this place reeks of history in every step, but most people think of old towns of villages or Edinburgh and Stirling castles, and lowland stuff.<BR><BR>In Kilmartin Glen, for example you are surrounded by prehistoric sites of the most amazing kind; but most tourists don't even know about it<BR><BR>It helps that it's beautiful there too

Pat

How far is Loch Ness from Edinborough?

Sheila

By the most direct route it's 174 miles from Edinburgh to Castle Urquhart