sugarmaple

Hi Jane,

Thanks for the accommodation information, it's always helpful to have recommendations.

Could you elaborate on what changes to your itinerary you would make? Was it a good idea to spend two nights in Callendar?

Other than Skye, would you spend three nights anywhere, not including Edinburgh?

Sorry to fire all these questions! I'm always overwhelmed when first starting to plan a trip, until I get the rough outline, and an understanding of the pace, you know, how long it actually takes to get from place to place.

BTW, how was WestJet? We usually go Air Canada from Toronto, never even considered WestJet.

jane1144

Hi sugarmaple We went Westjet because we got a terrific fare ($250 one way) as it was the inauguration of their Glasgow service. Since Westjet uses smaller planes we stopped in Halifax. On one hand I prefer to go non-stop to get the trip over with, however there was something to be said for a shorter haul over the Atlantic (about 5 hours). Apparently Westjet is buying larger planes for their expanded European destinations. You would want to be on one of those! I would have added a day to Mull and actually stayed on Mull (as janisj recommends). I thought three nights on Skye was about right. We curtailed our travelling around a bit because of weather, but I felt we would have had time to see most of what we wanted in two days. Having said that, I would go back again in a heartbeat because it was so beautiful. I would have stayed outside Inverness (which we did,sort of) We ended up in Holiday Inn just because of its proximity to Culloden.
Our accommodation in Callander was our favourite of the whole trip (Annfield house) and it is a very central location for many things (Inchmahome Priory, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Falkirk and the Kelpies among others. It is a pleasant little town. We did not go up towards Aberdeen and the castle trail this time as we have been before. I would not stop in Pitlochry again either as we have now been there several times, although it is a pleasant enough stop for lunch and a bit of shopping. People often don't think of going south to the borders, but it is really beautiful there as well. If we go back, we would probably try to go farther north and spend time on more of the Western Isles. I guess it depends if this is a first trip perhaps. We stayed in Glasgow for the first time this trip and enjoyed it. If I had to pick a city it would be Edinburgh hands down. I wouldn't however go back in festival season. We had to be there with t he band, but it is just too crowded to be pleasant downtown.
Would I spend three nights anywhere? It depends on how much time you have and how the sights you want to see are grouped. try the Ordnance survey map idea!
if you wan t to "talk" I'll get you my email. (I'm in Ontario)

Jane

irishface

Thanks for a wonderful report! Have you posted your pictures anywhere on line? I would love to see them!

jane1144

Thanks irishface. I haven't posted pics but I guess I could. Leave it with me

sugarmaple

Hi Jane
Thanks for such a detailed response!
I have only been to Scotland once, and that was, yikes, 38 or 39 years ago, and my daughters have never been.
Non stop begins with AC in June, and I found a price of $745, but we can only go in May, so we'll have to stop either in Newark or Hearhrow.
If you're comfortable with it, I'll take your email address, otherwise I'm happy to post here on your TR. I'll be posting on the UK forum once we get our dates firmed up.
I'm excited about taking our girls, actually young women, on this trip. It's been ages since we had a family vacation!

jane1144

[email protected]

Saraho

I enjoyed reading your report. My ancestors are from the lake of Menteith, so I really enjoyed going there. The scenery is beautiful and peaceful.

jane1144

Thanks Saraho...we loved it there too.

sugarmaple

Thanks, Jane. I'll be in touch once we're down the planning path.

Enjoy the November sunshine in Ontario today!