We are heading to Edinburgh in Sept. and will be heading up the coast to St Andrews, Aberdeen, and Inverness. We only have 8 nights and don't want to do what we ended up doing in Ireland, putting 1200 miles on the car seeing more of the highways than people. Should we go strait to Inverness and work our way down the coast or work it up the coast and maybe catch Glasgow for the final day? My wife heard about the Barros(?) Is the open air market worth shaving time for? Thanks

Well there is a bit of a difference. It's only about 300 mils taking all the side routes to go from Edinurgh to Inverness. I have aroute I di for someone a while ago, with things to stop and see on it. If you email me, I'll send it to you.<BR><BR>I'd not waste time on Inverness and the Barras is NOT a tourist attraction. There was a comment to that effect on here a couple of months ago.<BR><BR>on the other hand there are lots of things worth seing in Glasgow other than the Barras

Sheila hates Inversneekie for some reason, don't you, S? I'd spend some time there, Tom, it's worth a look. Ditch Aberdeen if you're going to ditch one place.

The barras (the barrows) is a really huge fleamarket selling secondhand goods (anything from retro clothes to antique furniture & factory machinery) and copied software, music cds, DVDs, designer label clothes etc.It gets raided regularly by microsoft.<BR> It is a bit down-at-heel but if you like that you will find it OK.I've bought lots there - eg the fireplace beside me right now.It can be great fun if you don't mind lowlife.I don't & I like to visit fleamarkets in other cities - you see the other side of the place.Its 5 mins walk from the eastern edge of the city centre between london road & gallowgate, Sat & Sun only.There are usually a few tourists there especially germans buying antiques.<BR> Don't get it confused with "Paddy's Market" near the high court in the SE of the city centre.You really don't want to go there.Nonono.<BR> Regular shopping is in Buchanan Street & environs - best shopping in Scotland, designer shops etc.King St. has a few good galleries.<BR> Inverness isn't worth the trip.Also try to see some of the Highlands - doesn't seem to be on your route.Try heading to glasgow via loch lomond.<BR> <BR>

Tom, depending on your holiday interests you could try Edinburgh, St Andrews, Aberdeen, then across the Buchan countryside to Fraserburgh and west along the coast road to Elgin. From there to Inverness via Nairn.<BR>Again, west from Inverness along the Great Glen (past Urquhart Castle, possibly Nessie)towards Fort William, but before getting to the town, take the Mallaig road (the Road to the Isles)past Glenfinnan, with its famous view down Loch Sheil, until you get to Lochailort, and then south on the Kinlochmoidart road to Salen on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. From here east to Strontian and the Ardgour Ferry, south of Fort William. Travelling south you will reach the Ballachulish Bridge and a choice as to whether you go through Glencoe to Crianlarich, or south through the Appin area to Oban and from there east to Crianlarich. Again you have a choice of routes, east and south to the Trossachs, Stirling and Glasgow or Edinburgh, or south past Loch Lomond and then east to Glasgow.<BR>In late September, the autumn colours should be showing.<BR>At no point on the journey are you more than a six hour drive from the Central Belt of Scotland.<BR>I would think that you would find a day in Glasgow agreeable, but I wouldn't break my neck to visit the "Barras".<BR>Have a great and memorable trip.

tom: Jay has given you a good itinerary. Near Elgin, be sure to see Pluscarden Abbey, an awesome Scottish Treasure. I too, would skip Inverness. Stirling deserves your attention. The Castle is outstanding and the town below fun. I wouldn't spend more than a day in Glasgow if that. There are some very good museums, but it lacks charm.

Two great things to do in the north-east around Aberdeen is the Castle Trail and Whisky Trial (you'll need a nominated driver for the latter!). Fyvie Castle is recommended (25 mi N of Aberdeen). On the North East coast between Banff and Fraserburgh is a small village called Pennan where the film Local Hero was filmed - take a photo next to the phone box which was made famous in the film.

It's not a trial to drink the whisky, just a trail to get round the distilleries