Going to Scotland; need to study up. Help~!
 

What are the 'not to be missed' sights and sounds in Scotland, other than the Tattoo? Any info will be appreciated. We are taking a leisurely trip there next summer and have lots of time to plan an itinery..Been to Inverness, and to Edinburgh, I think I was in Glascow, but can't remember. When I was there before, it was cold and damp, worse than here, and folks were pretty remote. Had to buy a coat on the spot to keep from freezing.

If you use the search function there's the odd posting or two about Scotland - but you aren't exactly endearing yourself to the Scotland experts with your comments

Worse than where, I wonder? I'm not surprised (no-one goes to Scotland for the sunbathing), just curious.

Samting, I hate to name something a "not to be missed" as everyone's opinion is so different.

However, just some suggestions from my memories of trips there.

I loved the Isle of Mull. Spent several days there with two nephews (10 and 14). stayed in a B&B, which the wonderful staff at TI found for us when we came off the boat from Oban. We enjoyed just driving around and gawking at scenery, stopping for picnics along the way. Two castles there. One day we took a trip to Staffa Island. It was one of those aparkling clear days, but a bit choppy on the sea. The boat was open and the "captain" gave us a tarp which all the passengers held above our heads. When we arrived we jumped onto the landing paltform and then climbed steps carved into the rock to the top of the island. We felt as if we were on top of the world. Walked down to the end and watched the puffins returning to their burrows with fish in their mouths. We just sat quietly for an hour or more watching.

One day we went to Iona, a five minute ferry ride from Mull. Visited the old a abbey and the ruins of St. Columba's abbey. Several kings of Scotland were burried in this quiet place. Had lunch at a little cafeteria near the ferry landing.

Also visited Skye. Very wet,but vowed I would go back again some time. Stopped at Clan Donald Center right near Armadale and watched an archery display.

Spent several nights at Fort Augustus (edge of Loch Ness). We saw one of the highland games there. The MC was wonderful about explaining customs an some of the things we were seeing. Small enough so we could get close to the action. At one point they let kids participate in a scaled down event. The nephews loved it.
Drove over to the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie. They are working with endangered species and species which they would like to reintroduce into the highlands. There are also some of the more elusive species that one might not otherwise see. We walked around with a ranger who gave wonderful stories and then spent more time on our own.

Stirling was interesting itself, though parts are gritty. Saw the castle and went over and climbed the Wallace Monument (a few miles outside of town.)

Down near Ayr ( trip on my own) is Robbie Burns birthplace, Culzean Castle, and lots of little towns that are worth a short stop--or more (don't want to offend anyone from there!)

Also that trip stopped in Jedbugh on my way to Edinburgh. Wished I had had more time there. Ruined abbey, lots of historical associations with Mary Queen of Scots. Another trip in the area took me to Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey, Sir Walter Scot's home.

Spent some time in Northumberland, which is not Scotland, but just over the border. Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, drove down to Hadrian's Wall, Lindisfarne Island (worth a whole day.)

A trip out to the Farne Islands to see lots of birds.

Nothing but wonderful friendly people in the B&Bs and TI offices. (The only unnice people we saw were Americans; my nephews cringed and it gave us opportunity to discuss with eachother why manners are so important and that was only once, but they still talk about that ten years later).

Thank you teacher33 for your wonderful and thoughtful response. I was in Scotland twice; once in 1974 and in 1987...both differentl experiences. The first time, my companion and I were very poor and on a severe budget (train), got there on the train, ended up in a place called "Lairg" at the northern tip of the country, and all I can remember is being met at the station by a stony cab driver who took us into town and we then had to find lodgings late at night. Ended up staying at a farm house where I nearly froze to death, tried to ask someone about my ancestors, the McDougals, and he said, "oh no, we ran them off years ago!", so we got back on the train and headed back to England. Second time I visited my husband was very sick, so spent time just waiting for him to recover. We did get to the Isle of Skye and I remember it was very blustery and a driving rain. So I am looking forward to a better experience. and to the above poster, I am from Seattle, which has similar weather, although not so cold I think, and no, I am not going for the weather, altho when touring, it is nice to not get drenched, and to be able to see a few feet in the distance. anyway, thanks for the post...I'll file it and study it.

Samting, I suspect we might be able to help a bit, but a narrower remit might help.

Lairg? why? And I think you'll find the Macdougall comment was meant to be humourous:)

I am the booster of the SW of Scotland on Fodor's. We have visited the SW of Scotland and haven't even come close to seeing all that it offers. This is an area that is overlooked by many tourists, and so is the best chance to be amongst the Scots, which is why one visits Scotland.

Our not to be missed is Kirkcudbright, Masonic Arms pub in said Kircudbright, Logan Garden on the Coast and Castle Douglas the "Food Town."

Ah, Glasgow's art museum is on my list as well.

We visited Aberdeen, the granite city, and loved it. Again, not on the tourist tract, but very cool. I have not yet been able to go north of Aberdeen and see sea-life on the coast. On my list of "things to do before I die."

Scotland is a whole bunch more than Edinburgh and the Highlands.

How about a five-day cabin cruiser trip from Inverness to Port William on the Caledonian Canal. You get to go through all the lochs and locks!