We are leaving for a three weeks vacation in England and Scotland this Sunday. I have gotten a lot of information reading posts about the area.
Has anyone been to the Beamish Open Air Museum? Thinking about spending some time there while driving from Newcastle to York. Is it worth stopping there or should we go straight to York and spend more time there? (We are staying in York two nights)
After staying in York we are going to Chipping Campden. I am wondering about the best route to take. We like scenic areas and like to stop in charming villages.
I also would like some advice on the route between Edinburgh and Kingussie. We are thinking about driving along the shores of Loch Lommond and via Glencoe.
The next day we are going to drive from Kingussie to Aberdeen. We are going to visit some Whisky distilleries, but I am not sure which ones to pick. Any recommendations?
We are staying in Edinburgh for three nights, and I would like some recommendations on restaurants that have a nice and not too formal atmosphere, and of course great food! I love Indian and Asian food.
I also like to shop, and we are probably going to Bicester Outlet Village or on of the McArthurglen Outlet shopping centres. Is it any good shopping there?

Kaja

Kaja
This all sounds rather a hectic schedule for 3 weeks. I have visited Beamish Open Air Museum which is interesting if you want to know more about a typical 19th century coal mining community. There's an old tram, you can peek inside the houses and there's an old fashioned grocery store. Its not far from Newcastle upon Tyne but, personally, I;d go straight to York and spend more time there- there's so much to see and do. The York to Chipping Campden stretch is difficult- the quickest route is by motorway M1 to Loughborough (Junction 23A) then A42/M42 to Junction 3A, then A3400 to Stratford upon Avon and then you can take minor roads to Chipping Campden. Depending on your time of travel (weekends will be very busy) this stretch will take 4- 5 hours plus any stops.
Restaurants in Edinburgh- 'An Purna' in St Patrick square, Newington serves southern Indian food,the area around Broughton St has lots ot lively trandy restaurants with emphasis on informal; 'Ortegas' in St Mary's St very interesting and unusual.
Shopping- Bicester Village is not really on your route unless you're travelling to London on the M40. The Outlet just on the edge of York is much more extensive.

I would disagree about Beamish, it is a wonderful recreation of life in a Northern town from the year 1903. All of the buildings are genuine reconstructions of old buildings "saved" from being demolished in local towns and villages. For fans of the Catherine Cookson novels and films, most of the outdoor shots are filmed there, and there is an attempt to let visitors feel what life was like in the years before the great war. More buildings are being added each year. It is a fascinating archive of local history.

I wouldn't necessarily suggest tha the route from Edinburgh to and Kingussie should go anywhere NEAR Loch Lomond or Glencoe. Are you trying to see Loch Lomond and Glencoe and this is the only time you can fit it in>?Because if so, that's one thing. If your motivation is other than that then don't do it. You're hundreds of miles off piste and there's a lot to see on the direct route.

Lots of the Speyside ditilleiries do tours, but whilst Glenfiddich is probably not the best whisky amongst them, it does have a great visitor experience. believe me, one tour is all you need. There's a good shop in Dufftown in the Square and another in Tomintou if you are looking for a good choice to buy from.


The Kalpna is another great Indian restaurant in Edinburgh (it's wholly veggy) and the Siam Erewan does very good Thai. I like Viva Mexico in Cockburn Street and Cafe Vittoria in Leith Walk. Indigo Yard is nice....

We enjoyed the Beamish Open Air Museum. If you go be sure to try to ride on all the available modes of old transport. We loved the old train, the tram, the cars - it was fun. My husband found the mine tour and the old garage fascinating.

Sheila, I was hoping you could give me some advices on which route to take to Kingussie from Edinburgh. I have done a lot of searches on Scotland and I like your suggestions.
Before staying in Edinburgh we are staying two nights in Callander, so that is wy we are thinking about driving via Loch Lommond and Glencoe instead of through the same area again. If you have better suggestions I would appriciate it!

Kaja, I'd be inclined to have you drive up the M90 to Perth, (could see Dunfermilne Abbey; Loch Leven) and pause there, maybe take in Scone Palace. Then take the A9, with options for stops in Birnam and Dunkeld, PItlochry, Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl, Bruar and Dalwhinnie. If you email me I'll send you some docs with fuller details.

Hi Sheila, I was thinking about taking that route. I have been reading a lot of information on that area. Don't have time to send you an e-mail because I have probably left when I get a reply....