Scotland 1 Week In May
Jan 20th, 2012, 10:50 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scotland 1 Week In May
My family and I are considering a trip to the UK this summer as I am finding some good fares. Last summer we were lucky enough to visit Devon and Cornwall. This will be our third trip in 3 years and my husband while understanding my passion to visit the UK yearly for the rest of my life would like to try something different. He hates driving, although he understands how driving affords us the ability to visit places not easily reached by public transport. He almost swore off ever driving again after the narrow road to Coleton Fishacre.
He would like to go to Italy; but frankly as I do all the planning, I'm not sure if I ready to put all the effort I know I will put into planning a trip to someplace I've never been. My DD, 15, loved Devon to bits and feels that London is her "spiritual home," and wants of course to go there again. Scotland is a place we would all like to explore more so for now that is the plan.
We would fly to London and either stay 6 days at the beginning of the trip or bookend the trip and fly home from London after taking the train back from Edinburgh. DH wants to see Cambridge, so sometime during our London time we will go there. We take the train to Edinburgh, spend a couple of days there, (I've been there before) and then spend 5 or 6 days exploring more of the country. I have persuaded DH to drive from Edinburgh. BTW this will be from the middle of May until the beginning of June.
I'm fascinated by Jacobite history and would love to visit Culloden. I love castles, lovely villages, ruins, and beautiful scenery; but I am not a hiker, short walks are fine. I would love to do a day trip to an island; but could do that another trip.
I've spent a few hours reading some great posts by Sheila and Janisj and now am ready to try and plan an itinerary. I like a cottage as a base, but if necessary would do B and Bs in a couple of different locations. Would like to see the castle at Stirling, my husband has an itch to do Crathes Castle, something about the ghost he read about as a child.
We weren't able to do the steam train in Yorkshire so the Jacobite train looks like fun.
Is Callander to far south to base ourselves? Are there any places to central enough to visit the places I've mentioned? Except for Culloden there are no real must sees for me. It all looks beautiful. Any help would be appreciated. In the meantime I will keep on reading! Thank you.
He would like to go to Italy; but frankly as I do all the planning, I'm not sure if I ready to put all the effort I know I will put into planning a trip to someplace I've never been. My DD, 15, loved Devon to bits and feels that London is her "spiritual home," and wants of course to go there again. Scotland is a place we would all like to explore more so for now that is the plan.
We would fly to London and either stay 6 days at the beginning of the trip or bookend the trip and fly home from London after taking the train back from Edinburgh. DH wants to see Cambridge, so sometime during our London time we will go there. We take the train to Edinburgh, spend a couple of days there, (I've been there before) and then spend 5 or 6 days exploring more of the country. I have persuaded DH to drive from Edinburgh. BTW this will be from the middle of May until the beginning of June.
I'm fascinated by Jacobite history and would love to visit Culloden. I love castles, lovely villages, ruins, and beautiful scenery; but I am not a hiker, short walks are fine. I would love to do a day trip to an island; but could do that another trip.
I've spent a few hours reading some great posts by Sheila and Janisj and now am ready to try and plan an itinerary. I like a cottage as a base, but if necessary would do B and Bs in a couple of different locations. Would like to see the castle at Stirling, my husband has an itch to do Crathes Castle, something about the ghost he read about as a child.
We weren't able to do the steam train in Yorkshire so the Jacobite train looks like fun.
Is Callander to far south to base ourselves? Are there any places to central enough to visit the places I've mentioned? Except for Culloden there are no real must sees for me. It all looks beautiful. Any help would be appreciated. In the meantime I will keep on reading! Thank you.
Jan 21st, 2012, 01:17 AM
#3
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scotland is a beautiful country to explore although I have only been once. We covered a lot of territory in the time we were there. Our itinerary was ambitious for 2 weeks-Edinburgh 3 nights to Bonar Bridge for 1 night then to Isle of Lewis 4 nites, Isle of Skye 2 nites, Glasgow 2 nites, Doune 3 nites. We traveled by Train. IMO Callander is too far south to base.
I am definitely not one of the experts however-I suggest-Driving from Edinburgh to Stirling-see the castle (plan a minimum of 4 hrs, you may be able to get a tour. Then drive to Fort William (2 hrs) stay the night.
Next Day would be the steam train ride (I did not take the steam train however would love to ..scenery is beautiful). Upon return to Fort William drive to Inverness area (1 hr. 20min) for Culloden. Plan on spending the night here or drive to Aberdeen spend the night for Crathes Castle. From Aberdeen to Edinburgh is 2 hr. 40 min drive. i suggest taking your time driving from Aberdeen..Stop at St. Andrew's (you can spend a few hours walking about the town of more time depending upon your need. I would then meander thru. the lovely seaside towns from St. Andrew's to Edinburgh. You can spend an extra night or two along the way to rest from the driving.
I am definitely not one of the experts however-I suggest-Driving from Edinburgh to Stirling-see the castle (plan a minimum of 4 hrs, you may be able to get a tour. Then drive to Fort William (2 hrs) stay the night.
Next Day would be the steam train ride (I did not take the steam train however would love to ..scenery is beautiful). Upon return to Fort William drive to Inverness area (1 hr. 20min) for Culloden. Plan on spending the night here or drive to Aberdeen spend the night for Crathes Castle. From Aberdeen to Edinburgh is 2 hr. 40 min drive. i suggest taking your time driving from Aberdeen..Stop at St. Andrew's (you can spend a few hours walking about the town of more time depending upon your need. I would then meander thru. the lovely seaside towns from St. Andrew's to Edinburgh. You can spend an extra night or two along the way to rest from the driving.
Jan 21st, 2012, 06:52 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed in Callender for a week at the Leny Lodge self catering (Sat. to Sat.) We had no problem exploring. You will have to look at what you want to see to determine if it will work for you.
I heartily recommend Threave Castle.
I heartily recommend Threave Castle.
Jan 21st, 2012, 08:50 AM
#5
Everyplace you want to see is terrific but you only have 5 or 6 days total so you'll want to optimize your route w/o a lot of backtracking. No single place is convenient for Stirling, Crathes, Culloden and the Jacobite train.
So first of all I'd either do an open jaw (into London and home from Edinburgh or Glasgow) - or - if an open jaw doesn't work out, into London then fly from Aberdeen or Edinburgh back down to LHR.
You could do a loop Edinburgh to Stirling, through the Trossachs/Glencoe to Ft William to catch the Jacobite out and back (though don't stay IN Ft William). Then up to Inverness for Culloden and much more (though don't stay IN Inverness - see a pattern here
). Then down through Aberdeenshire for lots of castles - especially Crathes and Dunnottar but many others too. Then drop the car at Aberdeen and fly to LHR, or drive back to EDI to fly home.
This would be doable in 5 or 6 days.
Be sure to check the Jacobite steam schedule first.
So first of all I'd either do an open jaw (into London and home from Edinburgh or Glasgow) - or - if an open jaw doesn't work out, into London then fly from Aberdeen or Edinburgh back down to LHR.
You could do a loop Edinburgh to Stirling, through the Trossachs/Glencoe to Ft William to catch the Jacobite out and back (though don't stay IN Ft William). Then up to Inverness for Culloden and much more (though don't stay IN Inverness - see a pattern here
). Then down through Aberdeenshire for lots of castles - especially Crathes and Dunnottar but many others too. Then drop the car at Aberdeen and fly to LHR, or drive back to EDI to fly home.This would be doable in 5 or 6 days.
Be sure to check the Jacobite steam schedule first.
Jan 21st, 2012, 09:41 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your responses, what great advice. That's what I needed, suggestions about what is close together, what routes, etc. I will investigate the open jaw flights. Never have booked one before so I'll play with that.
I will be looking for a new place to stay in London as our usual hotel the Morgan is booked. If we are staying as long as a week, perhaps this is the time to investigate a vacation rental. I'm checking out Coach House rentals and will read more on that subject on the forums.
Thanks again!
I will be looking for a new place to stay in London as our usual hotel the Morgan is booked. If we are staying as long as a week, perhaps this is the time to investigate a vacation rental. I'm checking out Coach House rentals and will read more on that subject on the forums.
Thanks again!
Jan 21st, 2012, 09:49 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed in a lovely house in Glen Coe (where lots of harry potter scenery filmed) in a place called Dalcraig house ( 1 double, 1 twin). I think it is one of less that 5 5* home rentals in scotland. It was very very nice!! - link below
http://www.self-catering-glencoe.co.uk/
http://www.self-catering-glencoe.co.uk/
Jan 22nd, 2012, 05:52 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you do the "open-jaw" thing, you will probably want to go round in reverse order; ie East coast first; there are more trans-Atlantic flights out of Glasgow than Edinburgh.
Crathes has a lot more to offer than just the ghosts. Please take time to see the gardens
"The ghost of Crathes was sighted by none other than Queen Victoria, giving Crathes' s haunt more than its fifteen minutes of fame!
The spirit is of a youthful woman and her infant and appears only in a fireplace in one tower, then hastily vanishes.
Who is she? The tale of Crathes tells us this; during renovations (present-day), the remains were revealed in this same tower, next to this same fireplace.
Also in this same lovely, peaceful room lives a second green lady; what self-respecting castle would choose to have only one when two would be ever more intriguing? Ahhh, but this handsome green lady comes accompanied by an actual name!
Alexander, heir to Crathes, fell in love with a beautiful young woman named Bertha. She was a guest of the family, but not of their social rank. He returned from a trip abroad eager to greet his ladylove. This was not to be as his beloved had died whilst he was on his long journey.
His glacial mother, Lady Agnes, made an effort at solace and offered a grand meal to ease her son's pain and welcome him home. Alexander, while reaching for a goblet, was shocked when the object was hurriedly snatched and tossed into the loch adjacent to the castle. His mother had made a grave error indeed in failing to remember to rid the castle of the poisoned chalice she'd used in Bertha's death.
The parents of the deceased Bertha came to retrieve their daughter's remains and were met with a gaunt, anxious Lady Agnes screaming 'She comes, she comes!' Within moments of their arrival Agnes was struck dead. Sightings of Bertha, the loved and wronged, are usually seen on the anniversary of her death, in keeping with all customary ghostly traditions."
Crathes has a lot more to offer than just the ghosts. Please take time to see the gardens
"The ghost of Crathes was sighted by none other than Queen Victoria, giving Crathes' s haunt more than its fifteen minutes of fame!
The spirit is of a youthful woman and her infant and appears only in a fireplace in one tower, then hastily vanishes.
Who is she? The tale of Crathes tells us this; during renovations (present-day), the remains were revealed in this same tower, next to this same fireplace.
Also in this same lovely, peaceful room lives a second green lady; what self-respecting castle would choose to have only one when two would be ever more intriguing? Ahhh, but this handsome green lady comes accompanied by an actual name!
Alexander, heir to Crathes, fell in love with a beautiful young woman named Bertha. She was a guest of the family, but not of their social rank. He returned from a trip abroad eager to greet his ladylove. This was not to be as his beloved had died whilst he was on his long journey.
His glacial mother, Lady Agnes, made an effort at solace and offered a grand meal to ease her son's pain and welcome him home. Alexander, while reaching for a goblet, was shocked when the object was hurriedly snatched and tossed into the loch adjacent to the castle. His mother had made a grave error indeed in failing to remember to rid the castle of the poisoned chalice she'd used in Bertha's death.
The parents of the deceased Bertha came to retrieve their daughter's remains and were met with a gaunt, anxious Lady Agnes screaming 'She comes, she comes!' Within moments of their arrival Agnes was struck dead. Sightings of Bertha, the loved and wronged, are usually seen on the anniversary of her death, in keeping with all customary ghostly traditions."
Jan 30th, 2012, 05:13 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to have let so much time go by before replying to new posts. Thank you Sheila for the Crathe's Castle story and the Glencoe suggestion, H..., we may revise our itinerary. I had a rude awakening when my daughter informed me that she was not even out of school by the May dates of our proposed trip. Talk about a senior moment! Of course for the June dates we are looking at the fares are much steeper.
We are still considering Scotland and will read some more before posting new questions.
Thanks again.
We are still considering Scotland and will read some more before posting new questions.
Thanks again.
