Yelpir

Some pictures to wet your appetite
http://picasaweb.google.com/yelpir38

Sue_xx_yy

We had 7 nights - I'm still getting around to finishing our trip report she said sheepishly.

3 for Edinburgh, and 4 for a whirl round the Highlands - you might be able to time it so that you see the Harry Potter train crossing the bridge at Glenfinnan - returning to drop the car at Edinburgh airport. Exact itinerary would depend on your flight schedule.

When we did this, we had time only for a few casual strolls, but no serious hiking (which in any case would require proper footwear which we didn't have with us). We toured Culloden (you might want to substitute one of the Nessie monster places not far from Inverness though I can't speak to the quality of those sites as we didn't visit).

LibbyLuv

Thank you, Yelpir, for such inspirational photos. I do not even want to be tempted to look at your photos of Egypt or I will want to go there - but I know I will look at them. . Sue_xx_yy, thank you for making me think this just might be doable. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but the planning is part of the fun! I will be waiting to read your report! Ha!

justineparis

Is there anyway at all you could squeeze in another day or two.. airfare is so expensive. and it costs the same no matter how long you are there,, plus travel time and jet lag..i always feel sorry those those who have to come so far for such a short visit.. beg your boss.. bribe your house sitter..etc.. Eat sandwiches for lunch to save a tad more cash..

Sue_xx_yy

Hi Libby. I'm stirring the ink pot on my report....

It's doable provided you can accept you're going for a 'glass' of Scotland and not the whole bottle or even a half bottle. You have to enjoy 'car hiking' if you go this route (drive, stop and snap a photo and stroll; back in car;, drive a bit, stop for a coffee or a small museum, drive on...) i.e. it will be like a 'rally drive with benefits'. Some people hate this, us, we have learned to roll with it. One thing's for sure, if it pours you won't be stuck in any one place very long.

Personally my main concern is the flight in and out - I don't mind a 'whirl' if that's all I have time for, and provided I have time to decompress from the flight in, and enough time to collect myself before the flight out.

On that note: Flying nonstop from Edinburgh to home isn't possible for us - we have to fly via London, and the direct route would have seen us getting up at an ungodly hour to catch a connecting flight - ugh. No way to finish a holiday! So at the end of our 'whirl' we flew to London a couple of days prior to our translatlantic flight for a couple of nights at a Heathrow hotel - that gave us a full day in London to nicely finish off the holiday before heading home...we've seen London before but there's always something to do... and staying at Heathrow gave us a leisurely departure for our morning transatlantic flight. If you have the same flight dilemma as we do then should you get any more time, that's where I'd put it.

seanburns

I know it's been a while since the last post, but what a lot of nonsense posted here. I am Irish but have lived in Edinburgh for the last 9 years and Glasgow for 3 years before that. To say that Ireland can be enjoyed in a much shorter time than Scotland is completely wrong. We have travelled each and every corner of both countries. Both have amazing scenery, culture, and history. In our opinion Ireland has more to offer. The county of Donegal alone would take four days to explore, Belfast two days and then the rest. Yes Scotland is stunning also, in particular the West Coast and a few of the outer hebrides and indeed my home city of Edinburgh. The commenters on this site have really failed to do any research at all and have done Ireland a real injustice. Have you heard of Slieve League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe, the Giants Causeway, Mallin Head, Buncranna Beach, Belfasts Titanic Quarter, Europe's Best sea fishing, before mentioning the rest. The list is endless. If you would prefer the 'Harry Potter Train' or a fake dungeon in Edinburgh then enjoy.

janisj

>>I know it's been a while since the last post, but what a lot of nonsense posted here<<

Welcome to Fodors:

>>The commenters on this site have really failed to do any research at all and have done Ireland a real injustice. <<

You obviously haven't read any of the (thousands) of threads lauding Ireland on here as well as the thousands praising Scotland. You dig up one thread a year old and decide all Fodorites are pants.

Give us a chance.

Just because one prefers one or the other doesn't make them 'wrong'. Just like you aren't 'right'.

>>If you would prefer the 'Harry Potter Train' or a fake dungeon in Edinburgh then enjoy.<<

Did anyone on this thread mention the dungeon???? Guess I missed it.

>>We have travelled each and every corner of both countries. <<

>>Have you heard of Slieve League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe, the Giants Causeway, Mallin Head, Buncranna Beach, Belfasts Titanic Quarter<<

Yes. You will find there are many contributors on here have also taken MANY trips to both countries as well as several living in each one.

Do join in -- but . . .

justineparis

Janisj.. good post.

sfbay

Yelpir, I checked your photos in Egypt, Amazing!!! and Inspiring.
I am planning on a trip there but it astounded me how your trip was nicely planned.
Could you please share how did you know where are the highlights (the temples you visited for example), how to move around in a big country? How did you know the highlights in Cairo and how you moved around to get their? How many days it took you? Did you reserve all your stays before hand?

janisj

sfbay: It might be better to ask your question on Yelpir's thread that links the photos of Egypt thus on the Africa/Middle East board.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...rip-report.cfm

sfbay

Thanks janisj, I just did.