Driving from Culzean Castle to Bamburgh
Sep 21st, 2017, 12:21 PM
#21
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The Islay ferry arrives on the Kintyre peninsula at Kennacraig from there there it is a 10 MINUTE drive to Claonaig get the ferry which takes about 20 minutes to Lochranza on Arran have a stunning 30 minute drive over Arran to the ferry terminal and the ferry is about 30 minutes to Ardrossan. From there you are virtually in Culzean.
Compare this to the alternative which is a haul over most of Argyll and Bute around the Trossachs and down Loch Lomond. On a good run in my very agile sports car with much overtaking, I could do this in 2 and a half hours, for a cautious visitor : well over 3 hours ...... if the traffic co operates.
If it is busy, you need to be aware that it has taken me 2 hours to drive the 15 miles down Loch Lomond on a bad day.
The choice is yours.
After many, many trips sailing and ferrying on the Clyde I have never had a trip without seeing dolphins, seals or porpoise. It's a lovely journey.
Compare this to the alternative which is a haul over most of Argyll and Bute around the Trossachs and down Loch Lomond. On a good run in my very agile sports car with much overtaking, I could do this in 2 and a half hours, for a cautious visitor : well over 3 hours ...... if the traffic co operates.
If it is busy, you need to be aware that it has taken me 2 hours to drive the 15 miles down Loch Lomond on a bad day.
The choice is yours.
After many, many trips sailing and ferrying on the Clyde I have never had a trip without seeing dolphins, seals or porpoise. It's a lovely journey.
Sep 21st, 2017, 12:28 PM
#22
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BritishCaicos, thanks! That makes me feel much better, I'lltake a closer look on making it happen.
When one is landlocked in the US, reading a Ferry schedule, and worrying about making all the connections is a little daunting!
When one is landlocked in the US, reading a Ferry schedule, and worrying about making all the connections is a little daunting!
Sep 25th, 2017, 09:00 AM
#24
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OK more questions about the ferries, than back to my original question
If I have a Hopscotch pass, and we make a reservation for a certain time and we miss that ferry, the Hopscotch pass still gets me on the next ferry assuming there is availability? In other words it is for 31 days unlimited?
And I assume the pass will be cheaper, even if only for 6 ferry rides (mainland to Arran, Arran to Kintyre, Kintyre to Islay and return trip)
There will be 3 of us, so from what I can tell on the website the cost for our roundtrip with a Hopscotch Pass would be 3x £19.55 for driver and 2 passengers, and £89.50 for the car cost, total about £150?
Since we will only be doing this roundtrip and we don't need a 31 day pass, but that's all I see offered, I can't tell if it would be cheaper just to book, as I can't find prices for booking w/o the Hopscotch pass since not all legs are operating at this time of year.
So on to our driving route after Islay. I made a little more time by re-arranging some things.
*When we come back from Islay, we'll stay around Ayr somewhere overnight for 1 night.
*The next day after breakfast leave for Culzean Castle (opens at 10) and hopefully leave by 1:00 to drive 1.5-2 hrs to Drumlanrig Castle (closes at 5:00)
**If we don't make it to Drumlanrig Castle after Culzean Castle, we will being staying overnight very close by, so we can go to to Drumlanrig Castle the next morning. We will then start driving towards Jedburgh Abbey which closes at 5:30
Note ~ I am opting out of Caerlaverock Castle as we will be visiting quite a few Castles (Scone, Lithlingow, Culzean, Drumlanrig, Bamburgh, Alnwick, Warkworth) Good idea or bad idea? Skipping Caerlaverock Castle will give us more time in Melrose area
Wow, there is so much to do in Jedburgh/Melrose area!
We will stay overnight 2 nights near Jedburgh/Melrose area, we will have
1/2 day upon arrival
full day after first night
1/2 day or more after second overnight as we can't check into our Bamburgh rental until 4:00, and later is OK
We also have 1-2 days unscheduled at Bamburgh so we could make another drive to the Melrose area if we wanted to as a day trip
I read that driving from south to north on the A68 through Northumberland National Park has a very pretty view of Scotland from the top, might be a nice way to go back to Melrose area if a nice day.
So, on my radar for that area is Melrose Abbey, Mellerstain House, Abbotsford, Floor Castle, Traquier House, Queen Mary House, Jedburgh Abbey, Thirlestane Castle, Scotts View, Dryburgh Abbey Let me know your favorites!
***So to recap itinerary***
Meikleour Arms 4 nights after arrival at EDI (Scone Palace, Game Fair, Linlithgow)
drive to Ardrossan to start 3 leg ferry trip to Islay
Stay 3 nights on Islay ( Single Malt distilleries and scenery, history)
Leave Islay, after getting off last Ferry stay 1 night near Ayr
Drive to Culzean Castle (opens at 10) and hopefully leave by 1:00 to drive 1.5-2 hrs to Drumlanrig Castle
Stay 1 night near Drumlanrig Castle, visit the next morning if not done the day before
2 nights near Jedburgh/Melrose
7 nights Bamburgh, using as a base
Bamburgh Castle
Alnwick and Warkworth Castle
Craigside House & Brinkburn Priory
Lindisfarne Castle and Priory
Boat trip to Farne Islands if weather is good
???????
After leaving Bamburgh rental (by 10:00AM) stay 1 night Melrose area if more to do or stay somewhere else?????
After the 1 night stay near Melrose area or somewhere else????? maybe stop at Lennoxlove or Rosslyn Chapel on the way to a Hotel near the Airport for 1 night before our departure the next day (our flight leaves around noon)
Thanks for great advice and suggestions!
If I have a Hopscotch pass, and we make a reservation for a certain time and we miss that ferry, the Hopscotch pass still gets me on the next ferry assuming there is availability? In other words it is for 31 days unlimited?
And I assume the pass will be cheaper, even if only for 6 ferry rides (mainland to Arran, Arran to Kintyre, Kintyre to Islay and return trip)
There will be 3 of us, so from what I can tell on the website the cost for our roundtrip with a Hopscotch Pass would be 3x £19.55 for driver and 2 passengers, and £89.50 for the car cost, total about £150?
Since we will only be doing this roundtrip and we don't need a 31 day pass, but that's all I see offered, I can't tell if it would be cheaper just to book, as I can't find prices for booking w/o the Hopscotch pass since not all legs are operating at this time of year.
So on to our driving route after Islay. I made a little more time by re-arranging some things.
*When we come back from Islay, we'll stay around Ayr somewhere overnight for 1 night.
*The next day after breakfast leave for Culzean Castle (opens at 10) and hopefully leave by 1:00 to drive 1.5-2 hrs to Drumlanrig Castle (closes at 5:00)
**If we don't make it to Drumlanrig Castle after Culzean Castle, we will being staying overnight very close by, so we can go to to Drumlanrig Castle the next morning. We will then start driving towards Jedburgh Abbey which closes at 5:30
Note ~ I am opting out of Caerlaverock Castle as we will be visiting quite a few Castles (Scone, Lithlingow, Culzean, Drumlanrig, Bamburgh, Alnwick, Warkworth) Good idea or bad idea? Skipping Caerlaverock Castle will give us more time in Melrose area
Wow, there is so much to do in Jedburgh/Melrose area!
We will stay overnight 2 nights near Jedburgh/Melrose area, we will have
1/2 day upon arrival
full day after first night
1/2 day or more after second overnight as we can't check into our Bamburgh rental until 4:00, and later is OK
We also have 1-2 days unscheduled at Bamburgh so we could make another drive to the Melrose area if we wanted to as a day trip
I read that driving from south to north on the A68 through Northumberland National Park has a very pretty view of Scotland from the top, might be a nice way to go back to Melrose area if a nice day.
So, on my radar for that area is Melrose Abbey, Mellerstain House, Abbotsford, Floor Castle, Traquier House, Queen Mary House, Jedburgh Abbey, Thirlestane Castle, Scotts View, Dryburgh Abbey Let me know your favorites!
***So to recap itinerary***
Meikleour Arms 4 nights after arrival at EDI (Scone Palace, Game Fair, Linlithgow)
drive to Ardrossan to start 3 leg ferry trip to Islay
Stay 3 nights on Islay ( Single Malt distilleries and scenery, history)
Leave Islay, after getting off last Ferry stay 1 night near Ayr
Drive to Culzean Castle (opens at 10) and hopefully leave by 1:00 to drive 1.5-2 hrs to Drumlanrig Castle
Stay 1 night near Drumlanrig Castle, visit the next morning if not done the day before
2 nights near Jedburgh/Melrose
7 nights Bamburgh, using as a base
Bamburgh Castle
Alnwick and Warkworth Castle
Craigside House & Brinkburn Priory
Lindisfarne Castle and Priory
Boat trip to Farne Islands if weather is good
???????
After leaving Bamburgh rental (by 10:00AM) stay 1 night Melrose area if more to do or stay somewhere else?????
After the 1 night stay near Melrose area or somewhere else????? maybe stop at Lennoxlove or Rosslyn Chapel on the way to a Hotel near the Airport for 1 night before our departure the next day (our flight leaves around noon)
Thanks for great advice and suggestions!
Sep 25th, 2017, 11:48 AM
#25
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All sounds great.
Thomas Tosh in Thornhill is a lovely interior shop with a great cafe for lunch.
I can't speak highly enough of Trigony House in Closeburn , down the road from Drumlanrig, the food is good, rooms are comforting and the staff warm.
Have you booked anything in Bamburgh?
http://www.ladythornehouse.co.uk/ind...s/page0001.htm
Is close by, it's the sort of place you only find in Britain.
Try CalMac's website again, it can be temperamental. If the price is return then it seems OK to high. Yes! Just roll on and off, very rarely do you have a problem with capacity unless it's very good weather and peak time.
Ayr's not my favourite place, there are some lovely small hotels on Arran.
Thomas Tosh in Thornhill is a lovely interior shop with a great cafe for lunch.
I can't speak highly enough of Trigony House in Closeburn , down the road from Drumlanrig, the food is good, rooms are comforting and the staff warm.
Have you booked anything in Bamburgh?
http://www.ladythornehouse.co.uk/ind...s/page0001.htm
Is close by, it's the sort of place you only find in Britain.
Try CalMac's website again, it can be temperamental. If the price is return then it seems OK to high. Yes! Just roll on and off, very rarely do you have a problem with capacity unless it's very good weather and peak time.
Ayr's not my favourite place, there are some lovely small hotels on Arran.
Sep 25th, 2017, 12:13 PM
#26
Just a very quick note . . . I would not stay IN Ayr. I'd either stay that night on Arran or down the coast or a bit inland like Maybole.. On your Culzean Day don't miss Crossraguel Abbey . . .
(My bucket list includes staying in the Eisenhower Suite)
(My bucket list includes staying in the Eisenhower Suite)
Sep 27th, 2017, 08:06 AM
#27
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BritishCaicos, yes we have a 7 night rental looking right at Bamburgh Castle 
I agree about Ayr, I was hoping to find something on the outskirts, but nothing was resonating with me. And I kept looking at pictures of Arran, it looks gorgeous, looking forward to driving from Brodick to Lochranza.
So Janisj, where would you stay in Arran, fairly close to the Ferry? Anyone else stayed on Arran, fairly near the ferry departure?
If we stayed that night on Arran, we would take the ferry back to the mainland after breakfast, it would then be about an hours drive to Culzean Castle
So OK for Culzean Catle, but doesn't give enough time to also do Drumlanrig Castle that day.
When looking for places near Ayr, I found Dumfries House Lodge, which looks great but complicates things
http://www.dumfrieshouselodge.co.uk/
Complicates things because the Dumfries House and Estate looks wonderful, would be a shame to stay there and not see it
https://dumfries-house.org.uk/
So........
*we could stay the 1 night on Arran instead of near Ayr (I do like this idea)
*after breakfast on Arran, take ferry to mainland, drive about 1 hr to Culzean Castle.
*after Culzean Castle drive about 45 min to Dumfries House Lodge, stay 1 night
*the next day visit Dumfries House Estate and Drumlanrig Castle (45 min apart)
*After Drumlanrig Castle drive 10 min to Trigony House
*stay 1 night at Trigony House near Thornhill
*leave Trigony House after breakfast, drive 2 hrs to Melrose/Jedburgh area, visit what we can for the afternoon, stay 1 night (instead of 2)
* the next day visit what we can in Melrose/Jedburgh area before leaving for our rental in Bamburgh by 5:00 or so (about an hour's drive)
Since we wouldn't have 2 nights in Jedburgh/Melrose area, we would definetely plan on 1 or 2 daytrips from Bamburgh
Might need some help prioritizing favorites to see in Melrose/jedburgh area.......
Oh man, just got this from Trigony House
Unfortunately we don't take 1 night Saturday bookings in the summer
I agree about Ayr, I was hoping to find something on the outskirts, but nothing was resonating with me. And I kept looking at pictures of Arran, it looks gorgeous, looking forward to driving from Brodick to Lochranza.
So Janisj, where would you stay in Arran, fairly close to the Ferry? Anyone else stayed on Arran, fairly near the ferry departure?
If we stayed that night on Arran, we would take the ferry back to the mainland after breakfast, it would then be about an hours drive to Culzean Castle
So OK for Culzean Catle, but doesn't give enough time to also do Drumlanrig Castle that day.
When looking for places near Ayr, I found Dumfries House Lodge, which looks great but complicates things
http://www.dumfrieshouselodge.co.uk/
Complicates things because the Dumfries House and Estate looks wonderful, would be a shame to stay there and not see it
https://dumfries-house.org.uk/
So........
*we could stay the 1 night on Arran instead of near Ayr (I do like this idea)
*after breakfast on Arran, take ferry to mainland, drive about 1 hr to Culzean Castle.
*after Culzean Castle drive about 45 min to Dumfries House Lodge, stay 1 night
*the next day visit Dumfries House Estate and Drumlanrig Castle (45 min apart)
*After Drumlanrig Castle drive 10 min to Trigony House
*stay 1 night at Trigony House near Thornhill
*leave Trigony House after breakfast, drive 2 hrs to Melrose/Jedburgh area, visit what we can for the afternoon, stay 1 night (instead of 2)
* the next day visit what we can in Melrose/Jedburgh area before leaving for our rental in Bamburgh by 5:00 or so (about an hour's drive)
Since we wouldn't have 2 nights in Jedburgh/Melrose area, we would definetely plan on 1 or 2 daytrips from Bamburgh
Might need some help prioritizing favorites to see in Melrose/jedburgh area.......
Oh man, just got this from Trigony House
Unfortunately we don't take 1 night Saturday bookings in the summer
Sep 27th, 2017, 08:17 AM
#28
>>Unfortunately we don't take 1 night Saturday bookings in the summer<<
You will likely find that with many of the nicer properties.
Can't help w/ accommodations on Arran -- the only time I've stayed over on the island (other than day trips) I rented a cottage for a week.
I'd probably spend a few hours exploring the island then take the ferry and head south for the night to be closer to Culzean.
Re things to see/do in the Borders. I LOVE the Northumberland coast and around Bamburgh. But IME there is much more to see/do/visit in the general Melrose/Galashiels/Dryburgh/Jedburgh area. You may find yourselves doing several day trips.
You will likely find that with many of the nicer properties.
Can't help w/ accommodations on Arran -- the only time I've stayed over on the island (other than day trips) I rented a cottage for a week.
I'd probably spend a few hours exploring the island then take the ferry and head south for the night to be closer to Culzean.
Re things to see/do in the Borders. I LOVE the Northumberland coast and around Bamburgh. But IME there is much more to see/do/visit in the general Melrose/Galashiels/Dryburgh/Jedburgh area. You may find yourselves doing several day trips.
Sep 27th, 2017, 08:22 AM
#29
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Wrenwood, I'm so sorry.
At the back of my mind I knew that and had forgotten. I'm getting old.
I have to go out but will be pleased to help with the other points. There's a lovely farmhouse B&B in Thornhill, I'll dig up the name and a link.
I'm really pleased for you, the trip looks great and takes in many spots that people pass by,
For me, there's three beaches in Britain which have a certain spirit to them, they are ( in no particular order) : Iona, St Ives and Bamburgh.
On a calm day at sunrise on Bamburgh beach, the water is eerie.
At the back of my mind I knew that and had forgotten. I'm getting old.
I have to go out but will be pleased to help with the other points. There's a lovely farmhouse B&B in Thornhill, I'll dig up the name and a link.
I'm really pleased for you, the trip looks great and takes in many spots that people pass by,
For me, there's three beaches in Britain which have a certain spirit to them, they are ( in no particular order) : Iona, St Ives and Bamburgh.
On a calm day at sunrise on Bamburgh beach, the water is eerie.
Sep 27th, 2017, 09:34 AM
#30
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BritishCaicos, no problem, old brains have SO much information in them, it's hard to find the right "files" at times! ~ is it Holmhill Country House ?
Scaurbridge House looked nice except the rooms didn't look wonderful, and very few pictures of the rooms, her video has a lot of garden and goldfish footage.
Moffat looks like cute town but 45 min from Drumlanrig
Scaurbridge House looked nice except the rooms didn't look wonderful, and very few pictures of the rooms, her video has a lot of garden and goldfish footage.
Moffat looks like cute town but 45 min from Drumlanrig
Sep 27th, 2017, 11:24 AM
#34
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I've never been to Islay and had missed the fact that the ferry at both ends weaves its way up the coast, leaving the crossing timed at 2 hours which is long!
The journey from Islay to The Border is very much dependent on the pace you prefer.
You seem tied into the 7.00am departure from Islay which gets into Kintyre at 9am. It's a short drive over the Kintyre peninsula to Cloanaig, there's a ferry at 10am which arrives at Arran at 10:30am. From then it's time to decide !
The crossing to Ardrossan takes an hour they leave every 90 minutes.
Going straight over to Brodick from Lochranza you'd be in Ardrossan for about 1pm.
Drive down to Culzean for the afternoon.
Then.......it's how long you want the day to be.
It's 90 minutes to Thornhill to stay at ...yes Holmhill is lovely. Or an hour to Dumfries House.
Or stay near Culzean and go to Drumlanrig or Dumfries House the following morning before going to The Borders.
Which house?
Very differemt.
In line with most of Dumfries and Galloway, Drumlanrig is very quiet, undiscovered and off the tourist path. You'll think you have found a special place.
Dumfries House is very impressive, very corporate and well and truly on the beaten path.
Personally, I think trying to from Islay to either DH or Drumlanrig in a day and then driving over to The Borders a day later is a large ask.
Yes, BTW Moffat is a posh little place with good shops and eateries maybe for another trip!
The journey from Islay to The Border is very much dependent on the pace you prefer.
You seem tied into the 7.00am departure from Islay which gets into Kintyre at 9am. It's a short drive over the Kintyre peninsula to Cloanaig, there's a ferry at 10am which arrives at Arran at 10:30am. From then it's time to decide !
The crossing to Ardrossan takes an hour they leave every 90 minutes.
Going straight over to Brodick from Lochranza you'd be in Ardrossan for about 1pm.
Drive down to Culzean for the afternoon.
Then.......it's how long you want the day to be.
It's 90 minutes to Thornhill to stay at ...yes Holmhill is lovely. Or an hour to Dumfries House.
Or stay near Culzean and go to Drumlanrig or Dumfries House the following morning before going to The Borders.
Which house?
Very differemt.
In line with most of Dumfries and Galloway, Drumlanrig is very quiet, undiscovered and off the tourist path. You'll think you have found a special place.
Dumfries House is very impressive, very corporate and well and truly on the beaten path.
Personally, I think trying to from Islay to either DH or Drumlanrig in a day and then driving over to The Borders a day later is a large ask.
Yes, BTW Moffat is a posh little place with good shops and eateries maybe for another trip!
Sep 27th, 2017, 11:39 AM
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When you are in Northumbria visit Chillingham castle, the owners are a scream : totally batty and leave all the wide ranging and deep family memorabilia from the past 300 years around the place for you to nose around.
One of the more bizarre house tours we have enjoyed.
Comes a close second to :
We once knocked on the door of a huge Georgian House in deepest Ireland as it advertised house tours. The lovely 122 year old owner came to the door and showed us round, there were stains on the walls where paintings had hung. I asked where they were - she replied that the "naughty IRA boys from the north had stolen them some years back". We looked up the news story afterwards, two Titians and a Rubens - she had no alarm system!
One of the more bizarre house tours we have enjoyed.
Comes a close second to :
We once knocked on the door of a huge Georgian House in deepest Ireland as it advertised house tours. The lovely 122 year old owner came to the door and showed us round, there were stains on the walls where paintings had hung. I asked where they were - she replied that the "naughty IRA boys from the north had stolen them some years back". We looked up the news story afterwards, two Titians and a Rubens - she had no alarm system!
Sep 27th, 2017, 11:48 AM
#36
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Sorry this really is going off the subject but I love stories like this. It's an age since I looked up this story, we visited Ireland in 1989!
The family have been broken into 3 times, it appears that the IRA were using them as a local bank.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ngs-theft.html
The family have been broken into 3 times, it appears that the IRA were using them as a local bank.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ngs-theft.html
Sep 28th, 2017, 10:51 AM
#38
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Wrenwood - I spent 2 weeks in Northumberland and the Borders area in June and visited a number of the castles/stately homes you listed. My report is long, but contains detailed impressions of the homes, which might help you decide which ones to visit.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...sheep-cows.cfm
For example, I was not impressed with Mellerstain at all - not many rooms open to the public when compared to Manderston, Chillingham, etc. Melrose Abbey I loved - very evocative and the audio guide (included in admission) is great, lots of historical context. I stayed at Traquair House for 3 nights since it was a good base for sightseeing. As BritishCaicos says, Chillingham is a blast! Very different approach to stately homes (sort of like someone emptied their attics haphazardly) but that what made it fascinating to me.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...sheep-cows.cfm
For example, I was not impressed with Mellerstain at all - not many rooms open to the public when compared to Manderston, Chillingham, etc. Melrose Abbey I loved - very evocative and the audio guide (included in admission) is great, lots of historical context. I stayed at Traquair House for 3 nights since it was a good base for sightseeing. As BritishCaicos says, Chillingham is a blast! Very different approach to stately homes (sort of like someone emptied their attics haphazardly) but that what made it fascinating to me.
Sep 30th, 2017, 08:07 AM
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Vickibypass, glad to see you went to Brinkburn Priory, I have it down to visit the same day as Craigside
hmmmmm...... Herterton House & Gardens looks interesting
And the drive through Northumberland Park is planned,we will stop in Elsdon so we can find the huge copper beech tree
And thanks for the comments on all the gardens, Garden and Landscape design is my business so I'm always searching out places with good gardens and big old trees!
Couldn't find your comments on Mellerstain, which day were you there?
hmmmmm...... Herterton House & Gardens looks interesting
And the drive through Northumberland Park is planned,we will stop in Elsdon so we can find the huge copper beech tree
And thanks for the comments on all the gardens, Garden and Landscape design is my business so I'm always searching out places with good gardens and big old trees!
Couldn't find your comments on Mellerstain, which day were you there?
