MillieMac

Hi-I have a business meeting in Paris that will allow me to depart on May 5th. I only have a few days because my flight leaves Edinburgh on May 8th. So, how should I spend the very little amount of time that I have in Scotland? I have booked a hotel in Edinburgh for the night of May 7th. So, the plan was to spend the 7th in Edinburgh. I saw that I could fly into Aberdeen, very quickly and inexpensively from Paris, and was wondering if that is a good starting point. I am more interested in landscape than in tourist type attractions, although I would love to see historic points of interest. Any advice and itinerary assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

sheila

I would be very interested in your inexpensive flight from Paris to Aberdeen. (I see BA are flying from Orly- interesting)

Your time is clearly very limited. It depends when you get here on the 5th. If I assume it's in the evening, then, if I were you, I'd pick up a car and drive west along Deeside- maybe as far as Ballater; and stay the night.

Then on the 6th, I'd meander over Glen Shee and through Kirkmichael to Pitlochry; then on to Loch Tay. It depends how much driving you want to do, but the whole area's glorious and at this time of the year especially. Glen Lyon, Loch Tummel, Loch Rannoch. Lots of nice places to walk and eat and stay.

I'd probably suggest you stay near the A9.

Then on the 7th timed to arrive after the rush hour, I'd drive into Edinburgh, and drop off bags and car, and spend the rest of your time there.

If that appeals, confirm arrival time in Aberdeen, and I'll try and fill in the gaps.

MillieMac

Shelia-Thanks for your reply. Actually, I think we would get into Aberdeen around 10:30am. So, we would have most of the 5th, and all day on the 6th & 7th. Would there still be rush hour on a Saturday? The 7th falls on a Saturday. We are definitely going to rent a car. We don't mind driving at all. Several years ago, we spent 3 weeks in New Zealand and Australia. We landed in Auckland and drove from the North Island south, to take the ferry over to the South Island and made our way over to Christchurch to fly out to Sydney. We loved the drive and the the countryside.

Thanks again, this is my first time to Europe. Since our time is so limited, advice from someone who knows the area is especially valuable.

M

Ackislander

I just flew from Paris to Edinburgh for three nights.

You really don't have time to do anything except drive through scenery, but the scenery is glorious. Shiela's plan is a good one, given the time you have, so I won't dwell on all you will miss.

MillieMac

Ackislander-thanks for your response. Although we don't have much time, we are looking forward to a preview of Scotland.

Thanks

sheila

OK. Slightly varied suggestion.

Fly into Aberdeen- by the time you've sorted out your bags and everything it'll be 11.30am. Drive north on the A96 as far as Kintore, then turn west towards Kemnay, Monymusk, Alford, Mossat and Strathdon. Stop somewhere after an hour or so for lunch.

Continue on up Strathdon as far as Corgarff, drive over the Lecht to Tomintoul, and on north to Nethy Bridge; west again to Aviemore and the A9

Pretty much all of this is gorgeous; and there are masses of places to stop and look around with visitor attractions, distilleries, nice shops, wildlife...

If you are still fresh enough to keep driving, go south on the A9 and stop to spend the night somewhere between Blair Atholl and Dunkeld.

Day 2- strike west again. Loch Tummel, Glen Lyon, Loch Tay. Just wander. If it were me, I'd be wanting to closer to Dunkeld than Blair Atholl, and I'd use the same place both nights.

Day 3- early start, car into Edinburgh; dump bags at hotel and car where ever you can. Use public transport. Try to find something a bit special to do at night. Use public transport or a taxi to get to airport in the morning