I'm spending all next summer in Scotland, with no set itinerary so far - advice please! If you had plenty of money and no firm plans, what would YOU do there? What's the best way to travel - car, train, bus, or foot? How much luggage do I bring - several bags, or backpack? Stay in hotels or B&Bs? Any opinions, information, or advice is appreciated - feel free to email me.

We loved Scotland! The people were so friendly and helpful. Of course we loved Edinburgh, there is so much to see, such as the Castle, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile. We also loved St. Andrew's. My husband is a golfer, so playing at the Royal and Ancient was sort of a religious pilgrimmage for him. While he played, our daughters and I explored the ruins of a ruined castle and a 600 year old university. We also found great sweaters at a huge factory outlet near the links. We enjoyed staying at Band B's, and did not let our hosts talk us out of trying the local food. One lady said "Why would you want to punish yourselves? Eat Chinese!"

Lived in Edinburgh for a year. It's a beautiful city with the castle perched above the main street (Princes St). Don't miss it at night with lights. Most people go to Scotland, visit Glasgow and Edinburgh and head back to England. Big mistake. The north is the best ,full of snow capped mountains and Lochs a blue that is indescribable. Head north from Glasgow - don't miss Loch Lomand -and follow the coast up through Oban and take the ferry over to the Isle of Skye (great wool factories). From there head as far north as time allows and then back down the East side to Edinburgh. Lots of old castle and great sites to see. Contact the Scottish tourist bureau for details. B & B's are terrific and also lots of small inns along the way. The breakfasts are enormous and last all day. You won't find nicer people anywhere. Have a great time.

Having a car is a must to properly enjoy the country.Edinburgh is one of the world's most beautiful cities and comes alive during the festival in August/ September. The Military Tatoo concert there is one of the most thrilling things in my experience. All of the islands are worth visiting, especially Skye. The whiskey trail is a unique experience with many good places to stay. Especially recommend Minmoor House next to the Glenlivit Distillary. Hunting and fishing are wonderful, if you are so inclined. Best smoked fish anywhere. Don't fall for the Loch Ness hoax, it must be a scot's idea of humor.

Just returned from a visit in October. I envy you, having that much time to spend in heaven! It really is a wonderful place. I can recommend a couple of resources to help answer your questions. Brouse this bulletin board, you can learn alot from others advice, also there are several excellent Scottish web sites..find them through your brouser. In addition, the book, Lonely Planet Survival Travel Book on Britain has alot of helpful information. The Tourist Information Centers are everywhere and the personnel is very friendly and helpful. Lastly, do go to Loch Ness! A beautiful place. There are two exhibitions for Nessie the monster, they are a hoot...the far extreme of a Disney production. You will learn a little about Nessie and have a fun time with a good laugh.

You will love Scotland it is absolutey beautiful. Aberdeen and the area north is a very nice part of Scotland to visit the scenery is exquisite and the people are wonderful. Cruden Bay (Port Errol) is a lovely little village with a quaint harbour and a golf course running along the coastline. There are also a lot of beautiful old churches and castle ruins. Rail travel is quite comfortable and fast. You can save money by purchasing a BritRail Pass BEFORE you go. Your travel agent can get one for you. Price depends on the length of time you want to be able to use it. Have a great time!

Agree with all of the above. The Scots are some of the nicest people in all of Europe with a great sense of humor. Personally, I'd skip Glasgow but center yourself for a few days in Edinburgh. St. Andrews and Stirling are easy day trips by train or car. Also, even if you don't care about the monster, the Inverness/Loch Ness area is absolutely beautiful. A cruise on the Loch is well worth it. Another beautiful area, with a sordid history, is Glencoe in the West Central Highlands. THe Scottish Highlands is one of my favorite places on earth and you will be truly awed.

we also agree with all the above. we had only one week in scotland last jan. we thought the isle of skye was terrific!! if you could only see our pictures! we also spent most of the week driving around Tongue and the north coast.It was really desolate and dramatic. we would recommend at least a few days up there.next time we would spend time on the north east coast as well. the b
and b's were so warm , clean and friendly we can not imagine staying any where else. it was a great
experience.

Am going to Scotland in Late June or early July. Have been to Ayre, would like to go to Northeast. Could you advise me of quaint litle known towns, shires ets, which would be interesting to adults and child of 14 years old?

Am going to Scotland in Late June or early July. Have been to Ayre, would like to go to Northeast. Could you advise me of quaint litle known towns, shires ets, which would be interesting to adults and child of 14 years old?

Have been to Great Britian, and Eastern Scotland, now will visit Ireland. Any ideas on places to visit as a newcommer to the Irish lands?

Anyone know of cheap air fares or accomodations in either Ireland or Scotland?

Any tips on traveling abroad? Thanks & Merry Christmas.

I'm prejudiced because I was born and raised in Stirling (now living in Indianapolis). You must visit Stirling (Braveheart country), it is a beutiful town with a castle that equals Edinburgh, Stirling and the surrounding area is filled with history and interesting places to visit.(Bannockburn, Wallaces Monument,The Trossachs etc) Use Stirling as your base and travel out from there. Do a search on the Net for "Stirling", there is some good info to be found.
I will be going "home" myself for a vacation in Mar.
Enjoy!!!

Just across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh there's a stretch of picture-postcard little fishing villages, with Anstruther, Criel, etc, leading toward St Andrews. For hiking, there's the Fife Coastal path that runs along the entire coast. AND, for the most perfect B&B anyone could ask for, there's the Hermitage in Anstruther. Since you have plenty of time, you can spare some hours simply to spend with a book, under the bowers in the back garden. It really is the very essense of what we imagine the best Scottish B&B to be like.
Tel: 01333 310909, at Ladywalk, Anstruther, Fife, KY10. Hosts Margaret and Eric will make you feel an honored guest.

I'm planning a trip to Skye for a week. What do you think of seeing the Island by bike, camping, B & B's, hiking? Is it too big to go carless. What about small children? How did you get there? Will we be bored just visiting Skye? Should we plan to rent a car to see other parts of Scotland? We may never get there again. Can you name any particular not to be missed authentic, adorable, inn,restaurant or other? Thanks

Highly recommend four book (soon to be 6) historical fiction series by Diana Gabaldon for the Scottish romantic. Turned me on to the highlands. First book is "Outlander". Great website [email protected] for excerpts.

went scotland last year (97).i fell in love with the area around glencoe.in 99 i want to go back and take the trails and just hike around and just reflect on the beauty of it and just think.you can stay at the hostells sleep, do your laundry and eat.then take the bus to the next hiking place and do it all over again.enjoy and have a good trip.

i went last year by myself and got a freedom of scotland train pass. got me everywhere i needed to go except for one bus ride.
i would also highly recommend stirling. there's a great pub there from 1765. the "something" inn, up near the castle.

definitley check out glasgow ahead of edinburgh (it reminds me of boston). beautiful architecture. glasgow cathedral. the necropolis (a cemetery on a hill behind the cathedral filled with celtic crosses and moving sculpture). walk through the west end. lots of young people. in contrast, edinburgh felt like a disney them park. (am i the only person who actually prefers glasgow to edinburgh !) if you're feeling adventurous go up north to the orkney islands. well worth the trip !!! it's the kind of thing the vast majority of people would never do. spent a day on a "go orkney" tour and saw 6,000 year old villages and burial mounds, stone circles, wild life, brewery. i could have spent more time and would like to go further north to shetland some day. take the train up the west coast to mallaig for some beautiful scenery and stop in ft. william or glencoe for great hikes in the highlands. don't bother with inverness except as a way station ot the north. i plan on going back soon to see the hebrides and the border abbeys (as described by martha/john). you can book b&b's for $15-$25/night ($35 in glasgow and edinburgh). the tourist office in each place can find one for you. even in another town. have a great time !

For Timmy and Laney.