leonberger

By chance, my parents, my husband and I will be staying near Edinburgh on the day of Braemar Gathering (September 4th).

We've rented a place for a week, beginning that day, just east of Edinburgh.

We arrive in London (from the US) on Thursday morning and will stay one night in London, heading north on Friday morning in a rental vehicle.

Our original plan was to take a leisurely 2 days (Friday and Saturday) to drive up to Edinburgh, arriving at our "home" early Saturday evening.

However, I've just figured out that the Braemar Gathering is that day.

Would you recommend that we hurry our travel north and plan to attend the Gathering? We could certainly do the drive from London to Edinburgh (or north) in one day, but couldn't sightsee along the way.

I guess what I'm really asking is whether the Gathering is "worth it"? What about it is spectacular and not to be missed? Or, alternatively, what makes it an event to be avoided?

Any info would be appreciated!

(I don't have my map here at work today - approximately how long of a drive is it from Braemar back to Edinburgh? Distance and/or time would be appreciated.)

Thanks.

Gayle

sheila

It's a very difficult call, Gayle. It's really interesting if it's your only option for Highland Games, and, of course, you have the added cachet of Royal attendance.
Personally I wouldn't do it unless I was staying in the village both before and after, because of the crowds and the traffic. And BTW, if you ain't booked accommodation by now, forget it!

If your interest is the Royals, it's your only option. If your interest is a Highland Games, go to Blairgowrie at the other end of Glenshee, the next day.

Blairgowrie Highland Games

Event Summary: Type: Full Games, First Come, Athletics: Am Comp , Piping: Compete , Dancing: Compete ,
Location: Site: Bogle's Field , City/Town: Blairgowrie , Ta ( Near Blairgowrie, Rattray, Perth )

It takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive from Braemar to Edinburgh WITHOUT the games traffic

janis

Sheila has given you good advice - Braemar Games is a great event but the traffic must be seen to be believed. Road access to Braemar is pretty limited (really just the A93 from the south or the east) so the roads are really crowded.

Going to Blairgowrie makes it possible to both take the two days to drove up and see a games. Plus it is a shorter drive from where you'll be staying.

leonberger

Thanks, again, Sheila and Janis. You two are not only knowledgeable, but are very generous in sharing your expertise. I really appreciate it.

I didn't know about the Games in Blairgowrie, but that sounds like a great alternative!

We'll be staying at Peffermill House (east of Edinburgh) for a week, then have another week to "wander" other parts of Scotland. Your numerous posts and specific information have already given me great ideas and tips.

Many thanks.

Gayle

[And, yes, like many Americans - and others - we would *love* to see the Royals somewhere, sometime, but I'm not willing to go to too much effort to do so! We did catch a glimpse of Prince Charles at the opening of the Jorvik Viking Center in York years ago (an accident, we just happened to be there that day and saw his motorcade go by), but have never been "in the right place at the right time" otherwise. Since I'm pretty sure that none of them intend to invite me to tea or to spend the night at the Palace (or Balmoral or wherever), I'm just as happy to do my wandering and think maybe I'll catch another accidental glimpse someday.]

LaurenSKahn

I have been to Braemar twice. The second time, I went up overnight the night before and it was much better doing it that way.

It is a royals gawk event. I have concluded the whole deal with Braemar is somewhat silly. The stands are empty until the royals arrive at precisely 3:00pm. They stay precisely one hour. If you go and want a photo, you must be on the route where the motorcade passes (there is only one way in and out) unless you have a huge telephoto as you will not be able to siddle up in Prince Charles face to take your photo from where you will be in the stands or just on the grounds.

I would not advise going unless you get a seat in the stands. It may be too late for that this year.

You probably would want to go to the fireworks ending the Festival on the night of September 5th. That is very spectacular. You should enter the lottery for tickets NOW. The website is eif.co.uk for the International Festival. You might want to get tickets to something on the 4th or 5th.

All and all, I would pass up Braemar--as I should have the second time I went. To experience Scottish games for the games instead of gawking at royals, you could also consider the Blairgowerie games.

I also join with those recommending against driving back and forth the same day to Braemar. Roads in Scotland take more time than they do in North America because they are often not multilaned highways.