Need help with Scotland Itinerary
 

I am planning my family's (husband, me, 14 yr. old son and 10 yr. old daughter) vacation for end of july/beginning of august 2006. Our vacation days are limited due to son starting highschool. I want to be in edinburgh August 4-6 to attend the military tattoo, but I have 2 nights available before then and need help on where we should go in Scotland for those 2 nights. I don't mind driving. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I should spend those days in Scotland?

We love to travel so our interests are varied and the kids are good sports about it and open to all ideas. So Shelia and other fodorites, can you please help?

Thanks, itsv

Well, your choices are almost limitless. But a couple of questions - how and where are you arriving in Scotland? It can make a difference which directions make more sense.

And by Aug 4 - 6 do you mean 3 days/2 nights, or do you mean the nights of Aug 4, 5 and 6? Because most places in Edinburgh require a 3 night minimum during Tattoo/Festival time. And since those days are over a weekend some might require 4 nights.

janisj,

I already have reservations in Edinburgh for 3 nights at the Knights Residence. I got a great rate of 150 pounds for a 2 bedroom. When I saw that it was military tattoo time, I thought might kids might enjoy that as well as myself. We will be coming from either Brussels or Amsterdam and can fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow. I basically have two nights, 2 1/2 days to fill before Edinburgh and would love everyone's recommendations as to where to spend them. After Edinburgh we are heading to Yorkshire for my husband to do the "roots" portion of the trip, it is where is family is from 200 years ago. Thanks for your help, itsv

That is great you have the 3 nights in Edinburgh.

if it were me these would be my 2 choices for the couple of days:

1) fly into Glasgow and spend one day/night going north and a bit west (along Loch Lomond, maybe Inveraray, Kilchurn Castle, Glencoe. Then spend the second night and 1.5 days heading back SE towards Edinburgh, visiting the Trossachs, Inchmahome Priory, Dounes Castle, Stirling Castle. I'd stay the first night in/near Oban or Glencoe/Ballachulish. The 2nd night near Callander/Stirling.

OR

2) Fly into Edinburgh and head up into Fife for your 2+ days. Visit St Andrews, Falkland Palace, the Fife fishing villages, maybe a boat trip to the Isle of May, Loch Leven Castle, maybe Culross. I'd look for a B&B in either Crail or maybe Anstruther.

Either route would be very doable w/o hours and hours in the car each day and w/ lots of variety.

The Tattoo takes up an evening, what about the daytimes of your stay in Edinburgh? If you're a city lover you'll find plenty in Edinburgh to keep you busy, or you could have a day trip to Fife from Edinbirgh one of your days. That way you could fly into Glasgow and follow Janis's tips for the first two days around Loch Lomond / Oban. For the trip down to York at the end of your stay I recommend the overland route (A68) rather than the faster east coast route (A1). It takes between half an hour and an hour longer but you get at least a look at real Borders scenery. The border crossing at Carter Bar is much better done travelling north (obviously!) but is still pretty spectacular heading south.

Thank you for your suggestions. That is exactly what I was looking for with our trip planning. I have one question about the military tattoo. Where is the best place for tickets and do you need to buy them the second they come out-if so I'll start checking everyday their website. I have been to Edinburgh before (20 years ago!!) but it is the kids first time. Thanks also for driving suggestions to York. Yorkshiredales is on husband's list since that is where is family came from. with much appreciation, itsv

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

Currently says "Ticket details available November 2005". I think tickets go on sale December or January. Yes, check throughout November until you get the date they go on sale, then do it immediately on that day.

A lot (especially at weekends) are taken up by tour packages before they go on sale to the public, it seems : I remember looking for someone else last winter, not long after the tickets went on sale, & while there were plenty of weekdays with tickets available there were hardly any for weekends.

The Fringe officially starts on 6th August next year but there will be lots of shows previewing from around the preceding Wednesday. See www.edfringe.com - the programme comes out in mid-June.

The one other area you might like to think about for your 2 days is Highland Perthshire- based round Dunkeld, or Aberfeldy or Killin. It's central for getting back to Edinburgh but lots of nice things to do and see in itself.

Thanks Sheila and sorry for originally misspelling your name. All of these ideas are great and I am working on them, now if only the airfares would go down a little, I'll buy our tickets.

Itsy,
I just returned one month ago from my second trip to Scotland. First thing I'd suggest is to check on the web for the schedule of Highland Games and see if any dates correspond to yours and their location. You and your boys will love watching the competitions of the old games as well as the massed pipe band competitions.
I also attended the Tattoo and enjoyed it but it was very windy and quite chilly. I came prepared for rain, it didn't, and was grateful to have the plastic rain poncho with which to cover my legs from the cold wind. Everyone was bundled with coats and hats or hoods. I was there Aug. 12 so same time approx. as you.
As for where else to go before that, I'll share a generalization from my experience. I spent two weeks five years ago in the borders, south of Edinburgh. LOVED the beauty and sights and it's only about 50 miles, or 1hr. 20 min to the city. Lots to see.This time I spent 11 days based just south of Perth, central area of Scotland directly north of E. Nice of course. But reminded me a great deal of England with lots of gold and orange fields as it's got lots of crop growing there. Along with the green countryside too. Found myself driving distances most days to go sightseeing. The trossachs area between Glasgow and E was great. A big national park. Terrific scenery, great easy hiking paths in it, lakes with a historic steamer boat and a bicyling path alongside the lake. Really enjoyed that day. Then I went up to the highlands.Not too far up, sort of just norht of Loch Ness. OMG, spectacular just like the Borders. Many of the lakes in the central and north of Scotland rent canoes or kayaks if your kids are old enough to do that.
I followed guide books' advice and went with another couple for a days drive along the coastal villages north of E. We all agreed it was boring with nothing to do or see in each village. Other than seeing St. Andrews University. That was quite a sight. So I'd give that East Neuks, they spell it that way I think, area a miss.
If you or your kids have read the Harry Potter books, you can take the Hogwarts Express train on a short trip through what is absolutely stunning scenery. It is out of Ft. William I think but just search under Scotland, H.P or Hogewarts Express train and you'll find it.Not far from Ft. Wm and heading slightly south and east is Glencoe, well worth driving through. It was jaw dropping and very historic.I love Scotland. But it cost a bundle as the GBP was about $1.95 in Aug.So a small pot of tea and a cream scone and jam cost $7! But they are so good I had it every day I could. Which was most days.:) You'll really enjoy Scotland.

Janisj suggested Culross as part of an itineray. I went there based on photos and tourist board info. I think yo might be bored. Tiny village, walk it 30 min. and really only big attaction was the castle only it was really only a "great house".
After I left E the day after the Tatto, I took the train to York. Nice way to see scenery and relax. AND, you'll see the Borders like Craigallachie said. I took my girls to York to see the Yorvik Center. Viking museum, underground. Viking remains unearthed during building excavation so building stopped. Great fun and educational for both kids and adults. This trip I took the double decker tour bus around town. Great way to see a city center. Did it in E too. The guides make it fun even for kids as they feed you history.

itsy, yes you need to buy tix, online, as soon as they go on sale. I think I bought mine in Nov. maybe sooner for Aug. and got good seats, not high up. I'd try for a center section on either side.Didn't seem to matter re view.
I also drive up the A90?, main highway, to Richmond, headed west and made a loop through Swaledale and down to Wensledale via Buttertubs pass and back east to the highway. Allow an entire day. I didn't expect anything in particular other than really pretty after reading all those James Herriott books, but it far exceeded my expectations. Friends who live near York outlined an exact drive itineray. If you want it, I can copy it here. Buy a road atlas of GB. Much more detail than maps. At least the map I had.

Bonbon5,
Just goes to show that it's all a matter of taste. The East Neuk of Fife from Largo all the way to St Andrews is one of my favourite places. It has the special magic of getting better every time I go there. Did you visit the Scottish Fisheries Museum, the Secret Bunker (formerly set aside for important people to hide in while the rest of us got nuked by the baddies), St Fillans Cave, the Chain Walk, St Andrews Cathedral and Castle, ...?

The East Neuk is one of my favourite areas too. (See, Craig, I do get out of Edinburgh occasionally !) I'll bet what bonbon did was just drive through the coastal villages on the main road, not detouring down to the lovely harbours.

The Secret Bunker is good, isn't it ?

I a'so think bonbon's posts show there are definitely "horses for courses". IMHO Fife is a fabulous place. The University bldgs in St Andrews "quite a sight"? Really not that much to see. Now St. Andrews Cathedral and Castle - those are definitely worth visiting. And Pittenweem/Anstruther/Crail are really lovely. Not exciting maybe - but really interesting seaside fishing villages?

And true, Culross is for sure a quiet little place - the thing about it is that it IS original w/o a lot of modern/touristy stuff. No castle there by the way.

But what really jumped out at me - $1.95 per £? Where/how did you get such a terrible exchange rate?

There is no doubt that Scotland has captured my heart and soul ... During the past three years, I have spent eight weeks of holiday time exploring the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, the Borders, Galloway and Dumfries, the Northwest coast to Ullapool, Skye, Mull, Iona, Islay, Jura, Gigha, Arran, and the East Neuk.

In April 2006, I will be returning to tour the Knoydart, Applecross, and Glenelg area with five additional days in a Bed & Breakfast somewhere, as yet to be decided ... the choices are endless.

From my perspective, as a savvy traveller to the Celtic Isles, the Kingdom of Fife/the East Neuk is indeed a special piece of God's country ~ the wild rugged beauty of the Firth of Forth and the North Sea with picturesque fishing villages and friendly local people ... it doesn't get much better than that.

The East Neuk is replete with beauty and offers a diversity of things to explore and savour ...
1]great coastal walks with windswept beauty, amidst the locals & their dogs The coastal villages are linked by the Fife Coastal Path ~ an easy walk from one village to the next amidst stunning seascapes and pastoral beauty [cows and even a windmill].
2]a fabulous 'blue sky' visit to the Isle of May replete with intriguing coastal birds ~ canoodling Puffins; preening Shags on the rocks; Kittiwakes and Fulmars clinging to the cliff edges; Guillemots bobbing on the choppy seas; Razorbills basking in the sun; Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns performing aerial aerobatics
3]St.Fillan's Cave, a beautiful, serene haven for quiet reflection
4]the lovely Gingerbread Horse giftshop in Pittenweem ~ a treasure trove of gifts and a respite from the elements ~ homemade soup and bread
4]the beautiful Christening ceremony of a wee Scottish babe at the Auld Kirk, in an idyllic seaside setting in St. Monan's
5]Anstruther's great yachting harbour and the best fish & chips
6]a friendly and warm welcome at the Grange B&B with stunning views over the Firth of Forth [lovely rooms, a guest sunroom overlooking the surging sea, a basketful of fruit, sherry for sipping, and great breakfasts]
6]the quaint oft-photographed harbour of Crail with great local pottery
7]the proximity to St Andrews with its East Sands, Cathedral & Castle ruins, St Rule's Tower [fabulous views in all directions]
8]The Doll's House [restaurant] offers a great luncheon for 6.95GBP ~ Asparagus soup, Scottish Lamb with red currant sauce/apples, and an array of tender veggies
... the list goes on and on ...

Excuse my ramblings, but this canny Canuck gives four paws-up for the East Neuk ... there is something for everone, my six day visit only barely scratched the surface. It is a fait accompli ... I shall return!

Not sure that I agree with "boring" as a description for Culross. Wouldn't recommend it either with so many other places that have been mentioned.

Bonbon5, maybe janisj will take care of money exchange for you next trip.

hmm, obviously the East Neuks are popular. Just didn't turn on either me or my British friends from near Exeter. We would drive from town to town. Park and wander about. Didn't have info on each town so didn't go looking for specific places. Perhaps it boils down to preferences. The 3 of us seemed to prefer countryside. But Culross was really disappointing.Re the exchange rate, when I looked it up online ummediately prior to depating, it was $1.95 ish, give or take a few cents. So I just assumed it stayed that way for the trip. I didn't do detailed figuring upon receiving my cc bill

saving for future reference

Memories as a small child. In a camper van on the side of Loch Ness. Tingling with fear. Wondering if the monster could eat the van whole.