Scotland - Crieff to Tomintoul
Aug 2nd, 2005, 04:37 AM
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Scotland - Crieff to Tomintoul
We are arriving in Glasgow early on Sept. 1st and plan tour Stirling that morning, see Drummond Castle Gardens in the afternoon, and by early evening arrive in Crieff at our B&B. I am trying to figure out the best route to get from Crieff to Tomintoul. Is it possible to see Blair Castle, Donnottar Castle and Crathes Castle in one day and then head to Tomintoul for the night? Or should we skip Blair Castle and head east?
Also, we'll be staying in Tomintoul for 3 nights. We'll be going to the Braemar games on Saturday so that will leave us one day (Sunday) to explore the area. We would appreciate recommendations for interesting distillery tours and must see sights.
I've appreciated so much reading back through the old posts on travel to Scotland and the knowledgeable and concise replies posted by Sheila, Janis and others. You have helped so much in my planning by the answers you've given others. Thank you!
Also, we'll be staying in Tomintoul for 3 nights. We'll be going to the Braemar games on Saturday so that will leave us one day (Sunday) to explore the area. We would appreciate recommendations for interesting distillery tours and must see sights.
I've appreciated so much reading back through the old posts on travel to Scotland and the knowledgeable and concise replies posted by Sheila, Janis and others. You have helped so much in my planning by the answers you've given others. Thank you!
Aug 2nd, 2005, 06:15 AM
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Nope - that is way too much for one day. Even just Crieff to Dunnottar to Crathes to Tomintoul would be a pretty daunting itinerary. Crathes takes at least a couple of hours - more if you are at all a "gardens person". The walk out/back to Dunnottar and exploring it takes a at least an hour - more if you have the time (I usually have a hard time getting most folks I take there to leave). And Blair Atholl takes a fair amount of time too. Plus that is a VERY long drive.
You might consider this instead -- Crieff up to Blair Atholl and then on to Speyside to tour a distillery or jog over to Dufftown to tour Glenfiddich and Balvenie Castle and then down to Tomintoul. This would be a reasonable day.
Then on you Sunday get an early start and drive along the Dee to Crathes, and maybe Drum Castles and then to Dunnottar.
This would make more sense to me than driving from Crieff across to the coast and then back to Tomintoul.
You might consider this instead -- Crieff up to Blair Atholl and then on to Speyside to tour a distillery or jog over to Dufftown to tour Glenfiddich and Balvenie Castle and then down to Tomintoul. This would be a reasonable day.
Then on you Sunday get an early start and drive along the Dee to Crathes, and maybe Drum Castles and then to Dunnottar.
This would make more sense to me than driving from Crieff across to the coast and then back to Tomintoul.
Aug 2nd, 2005, 09:50 AM
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Thank you, Janis. This indeed makes much more sense! I think we'll have a much more relaxed trip going your way.
Crathes will be a special trip as my sister is married to a Burnett and we told them we were going to see "their" castle and would bring back photos. As a gardener, I'm looking forward to the gardens there. I've heard they are glorious.
Crathes will be a special trip as my sister is married to a Burnett and we told them we were going to see "their" castle and would bring back photos. As a gardener, I'm looking forward to the gardens there. I've heard they are glorious.
Aug 2nd, 2005, 11:12 AM
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This is teh Sheila Answer. Comments on later posts follow.
You cannot do Blair, Dunnottar (sp.) and Crathes Castle in one day end up in Tomintoul.
You COULD do Blair, and, (at a pinch) Crathes and end up at Tomintoul.
Given that you will be looking at Deeside on the way over, I'd do Spyside on your free day. I'll email you some pre-prepared suggestions if you like. Try to see Balvenie distillery. As I've said elsewhere, it has a malting floor.(But you have to book in advance.)
You can get to Blair within an easy hour. I can't see you taking less than 2 to see the castle, then you want lunch, then you will take 2 hours to get to Crathes- maybe 2 1/2. Then you want an hour or two at Crathes- castle first since the garden's open later, then an hour back to Tomintoul. Long day, but doable. OTOH, you are doubling back.
You COULD go up the A9 to Aviemore and in to Tomintoul from there, which would be a much more relaxed day. Mooch about the forest at Abernethy, then take your spare day to go to Crathes on Deeside and pick up Lochnagar distillery.
You cannot do Blair, Dunnottar (sp.) and Crathes Castle in one day end up in Tomintoul.
You COULD do Blair, and, (at a pinch) Crathes and end up at Tomintoul.
Given that you will be looking at Deeside on the way over, I'd do Spyside on your free day. I'll email you some pre-prepared suggestions if you like. Try to see Balvenie distillery. As I've said elsewhere, it has a malting floor.(But you have to book in advance.)
You can get to Blair within an easy hour. I can't see you taking less than 2 to see the castle, then you want lunch, then you will take 2 hours to get to Crathes- maybe 2 1/2. Then you want an hour or two at Crathes- castle first since the garden's open later, then an hour back to Tomintoul. Long day, but doable. OTOH, you are doubling back.
You COULD go up the A9 to Aviemore and in to Tomintoul from there, which would be a much more relaxed day. Mooch about the forest at Abernethy, then take your spare day to go to Crathes on Deeside and pick up Lochnagar distillery.
Aug 2nd, 2005, 12:12 PM
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Rachel: I think you will be much happier w/ the new plan. Especially since you are a garden person AND have Burnett connections. I've been to Crathes many times and always seem to spend 2 or 3 or even more hours there -- and I'm not even a Burnett. And Dunnottar is a must see. But you don't want to rush through everything.
This way you will have plenty of time to see Blair Atholl w/o rushing, a couple of distilleries, and Crathes/Dunnottar and maybe a couple more of the "Castle Trail" properties/Deeside.
See you CAN have it all
This way you will have plenty of time to see Blair Atholl w/o rushing, a couple of distilleries, and Crathes/Dunnottar and maybe a couple more of the "Castle Trail" properties/Deeside.
See you CAN have it all
Aug 2nd, 2005, 01:37 PM
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Janis and Sheila - You both are wonders! I knew between the two of you my dilemma would be solved! Thank you so much for your help. My husband adds his thanks as well as he's doing the driving.
We've already purchased the GBH pass and are looking forward to using it at as many properties as possible. This plan should allow us to get in at least a couple of additional castles and/or distilleries.
Sheila, I will be emailing you for your list of suggestions.
We've already purchased the GBH pass and are looking forward to using it at as many properties as possible. This plan should allow us to get in at least a couple of additional castles and/or distilleries.
Sheila, I will be emailing you for your list of suggestions.
