Scotland-2 weeks in April
Dec 14th, 2011, 06:31 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scotland-2 weeks in April
My wife & I will visit Scotland for 2 weeks beginning April 1. Our tentative plan is to spend 3 nights in Glasgow with day trip to Edinburgh; drive to Skye and spend 3 nights;drive to Northeast coast(Gardenstown?) and spend 7 nights in a self catering cottage;drive back to Glasgow and spend last night near airport.
We like to hike and do general sightseeing. Any suggestions/thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
We like to hike and do general sightseeing. Any suggestions/thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Dec 14th, 2011, 07:10 AM
#2
A couple of slightly unusual choices there (not 'wrong' - just not typical)
• 4 nights in Glasgow / none in Edinburgh
• A week near Fraserburgh
You may have important reasons for these - are they set in stone?
• Glasgow to Portree is a 5+ hour drive even w/o stops at places like Glencoe or Glenfinnan
• Portree to Gardenstown will easily take 5 full hours behind the wheel not counting any stops. There are tons of things to see enroute. So basically an ALL day drive and still not much time for places like Urquhart, Culloden, Cawdor, Elgin.
And Gardenstown to GLA is another 5+ hour drive.
• 4 nights in Glasgow / none in Edinburgh
• A week near Fraserburgh
You may have important reasons for these - are they set in stone?
• Glasgow to Portree is a 5+ hour drive even w/o stops at places like Glencoe or Glenfinnan
• Portree to Gardenstown will easily take 5 full hours behind the wheel not counting any stops. There are tons of things to see enroute. So basically an ALL day drive and still not much time for places like Urquhart, Culloden, Cawdor, Elgin.
And Gardenstown to GLA is another 5+ hour drive.
Dec 14th, 2011, 07:19 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A day trip to Edinburgh? Seriously?
Edinburgh is one of the great cities of Europe, Glasgow has the only football teams that matter in Scotland. If you're trying to get tickets to a match at Celtic Park or Ibrox, then basically skipping Edinburgh is understandable. Otherwise . . . quite curious.
Edinburgh is one of the great cities of Europe, Glasgow has the only football teams that matter in Scotland. If you're trying to get tickets to a match at Celtic Park or Ibrox, then basically skipping Edinburgh is understandable. Otherwise . . . quite curious.
Dec 14th, 2011, 07:27 AM
#4
Well, Glasgow does have just a <i>bit</i> more to recommend it. 
But I agree, for most visitors it ranks well below Edinburgh on the league table. Unless you have specific reasons . . . relatives, Charles Rennie Mackintosh fans, something like that.
But I agree, for most visitors it ranks well below Edinburgh on the league table. Unless you have specific reasons . . . relatives, Charles Rennie Mackintosh fans, something like that.
Dec 14th, 2011, 09:24 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am going to put my two cents in as well - I think Edinburgh is the most beautiful city I've ever been to (though my experience IS limited) with architecture to blow your mind, and all sorts of things to keep you busy and entertained. Glasgow is quite interesting, but I'd choose Edinburgh first, and do the day trip to Glasgow.
As long as you KNOW the long travel days will be long, start early, and plan your stops - they are doable. It's a good plan, and it doesn't look like you're trying to do the 'plaid blur' tour, seeing too much at once.
On Skye, I highly recommend the Lodge at Edinbane B&B - we stayed 4 nights on our 2008 trip, and it was delightful. Great food and pub on the premises. Family run, and very charming. Fairly central on the island.
It sounds like you've already got your accomodations set for the NE coast? We stayed in Grantown-on-Spey, which was a lovely town. We had a B&B, but I'm sure there are countless self catering places about. Sheilaritchie is a local to Aberdeen, and she may have some recommendations.
If you want some ideas, please feel free to peruse my trip report from 2008, and have a blast!
As long as you KNOW the long travel days will be long, start early, and plan your stops - they are doable. It's a good plan, and it doesn't look like you're trying to do the 'plaid blur' tour, seeing too much at once.
On Skye, I highly recommend the Lodge at Edinbane B&B - we stayed 4 nights on our 2008 trip, and it was delightful. Great food and pub on the premises. Family run, and very charming. Fairly central on the island.
It sounds like you've already got your accomodations set for the NE coast? We stayed in Grantown-on-Spey, which was a lovely town. We had a B&B, but I'm sure there are countless self catering places about. Sheilaritchie is a local to Aberdeen, and she may have some recommendations.
If you want some ideas, please feel free to peruse my trip report from 2008, and have a blast!
Dec 14th, 2011, 04:29 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the response. Sounds like I'm planning too much. Maybe I should skip Glasgow & Edinburgh and head for the countryside. Our week in a self catering is not set. We want to stay in a small village/town on the coast where we can hike and take interesting day trips. Thinking about Skye for the week? Any suggestions?
Dec 15th, 2011, 09:44 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi, no I don't get the impression that people think you are planning too much and if you have two weeks I'd definately include Glasgow/Edinburgh. I love Glasgow and prefer it to Edinburgh but 4 nights in Glasgow and none in Edinburgh is odd.
Skye was our most favourate place and is definately worth spending a good chunk of your time on.
The week near Gardentown is another odd choice. We did lots of research for our first trip to the Highlands and that area didn't even make the longlist, never mind the shortlist. Check out www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk which we found invaluable.
Tim
Skye was our most favourate place and is definately worth spending a good chunk of your time on.
The week near Gardentown is another odd choice. We did lots of research for our first trip to the Highlands and that area didn't even make the longlist, never mind the shortlist. Check out www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk which we found invaluable.
Tim
Dec 15th, 2011, 11:16 AM
#9
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless you have an opportunity to return, can't imagine skipping Edinburgh. It's a beautiful city with so much history. We put in a couple of long days sightseeing, and could have done more. I would give at least equal time to Edinburgh unless there is some particular draw for you in Glasgow.
We loved Skye, but it was a long drive. Another option is to spend 1-2 days in Glasgow, then do the shorter drive to Isle of Arran, as an alternative to Skye. (We stayed @ Kilmichael Country House) On Arran, make sure to allow time to visit Brodick Castle (beautiful gardens) & Machrie Moor standing stones. You could easily spent 2-3 days there before heading north east to the cottage for several days, and still allow 2-3 days for Edinburgh at the end.
Are you interested in a stop on the way to Gardenstown? The drive could be split with a stop along the way to allow for visits in the Stirling area: Stirling Castle, Bannockburn Heritage Center, Doune Castle (a must for Monty Python fans!). You could possibly stay in the Perth or Dundee area (we didn't stay so no recommendations). In the Dundee area, consider a visit to Glamis Castle, and in Dundee, we visited both Discovery (early 20th century Antarctic research ship)& Unicorn (18th cent royal warship)- both worthwhile.
Also, if you aren't familiar with it, the RAC route planner was useful alternative to Google in route planning: http://www.rac.co.uk/route-planner/
Hope you enjoy Scotland - we covered at lot of ground (in 2009) and along the way saw amazing scenery / natural beauty, fascinating history, and had some great meals!
We loved Skye, but it was a long drive. Another option is to spend 1-2 days in Glasgow, then do the shorter drive to Isle of Arran, as an alternative to Skye. (We stayed @ Kilmichael Country House) On Arran, make sure to allow time to visit Brodick Castle (beautiful gardens) & Machrie Moor standing stones. You could easily spent 2-3 days there before heading north east to the cottage for several days, and still allow 2-3 days for Edinburgh at the end.
Are you interested in a stop on the way to Gardenstown? The drive could be split with a stop along the way to allow for visits in the Stirling area: Stirling Castle, Bannockburn Heritage Center, Doune Castle (a must for Monty Python fans!). You could possibly stay in the Perth or Dundee area (we didn't stay so no recommendations). In the Dundee area, consider a visit to Glamis Castle, and in Dundee, we visited both Discovery (early 20th century Antarctic research ship)& Unicorn (18th cent royal warship)- both worthwhile.
Also, if you aren't familiar with it, the RAC route planner was useful alternative to Google in route planning: http://www.rac.co.uk/route-planner/
Hope you enjoy Scotland - we covered at lot of ground (in 2009) and along the way saw amazing scenery / natural beauty, fascinating history, and had some great meals!
Dec 15th, 2011, 11:17 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Undiscovered Scotland is a fantastic site - I used it extensively for my planning as well. A week in Skye and a couple days in the Gardentown area is a better mix, IMHO. There is still plenty to do out there - there is a great 'castle trail' and a 'Whisky trail' if you would like to see some working distilleries. The Cairngorm mountains are spectacular to walk through, lonely and desolate but beautiful. But, Skye has more varied terrain in a smaller, more accessible place, really.
Dec 17th, 2011, 08:31 AM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In 1998 as we were walking around Edinburgh in the evening, I recall looking at the skyline from one point and wondering why I'd felt like I had been there or seen it before. It turns out the old Walt Disney version of Peter Pan used the skyline of Edinburgh for those scenes where they were flying around the city before leaving, etc. I think Fodorites voted it right up there with Paris for beauty.
Dec 20th, 2011, 05:15 AM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm convinced-we'll spend our first 3 nights in Edinburgh rather than Glasgow. Is transportation from Glasgow airport to Edinburgh fairly simple?
Still not sure where we want to rent a self catering cottage for the week.After we leave Edinburgh, we'll have 3 nights before we arrive at the cottage.Any other suggestions?
Still not sure where we want to rent a self catering cottage for the week.After we leave Edinburgh, we'll have 3 nights before we arrive at the cottage.Any other suggestions?
Dec 20th, 2011, 09:01 AM
#14
"<i>We flew into Glasgow and imediately took the train to Edinburgh. Took about an hour.</i>"
To clarify a bit: There is no train from GLA to Edinburgh. You travel into central Glasgow Queen Street station (coach is easiest/cheapest) and then catch a train from there. Takes about 50 minutes from central Glasgow to central Edinburgh Waverly Station.
To clarify a bit: There is no train from GLA to Edinburgh. You travel into central Glasgow Queen Street station (coach is easiest/cheapest) and then catch a train from there. Takes about 50 minutes from central Glasgow to central Edinburgh Waverly Station.
Dec 24th, 2011, 04:31 AM
#16
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to live in Edinburgh but I do like Glasgow. It is not a bad place, it is just not Edinburgh. I understand you wanting to see more of the countryside. I do urge to to stay one night before you pick up a rental car and start driving. The mist covered narrow roads are hard enough to navigate without being jet lagged.
Be sure to pack for the cool weather. The west coast is usually warmer and can be great weather in April, but it will still be cool and possibly wet for days at a time. There isn't much to do on Skye or the other locations you have selected other than rambling.
Be sure to pack for the cool weather. The west coast is usually warmer and can be great weather in April, but it will still be cool and possibly wet for days at a time. There isn't much to do on Skye or the other locations you have selected other than rambling.
Dec 25th, 2011, 04:08 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks again for all the advice. We have rented a cottage in Portree on Skye for the week.
We arrive at GLA at 7 AM. We plan to take a bus into Glasgow and spend the night there. We will take the train to Edinburgh the next morning and spend 2 nights there. We will then pickup the car and drive to Skye.
We have 3 nights before we check into the cottage on Skye. Any advice on what route we should take and/or things we should see on our way to Skye?
We arrive at GLA at 7 AM. We plan to take a bus into Glasgow and spend the night there. We will take the train to Edinburgh the next morning and spend 2 nights there. We will then pickup the car and drive to Skye.
We have 3 nights before we check into the cottage on Skye. Any advice on what route we should take and/or things we should see on our way to Skye?
Dec 25th, 2011, 08:26 AM
#18
You won't need 3 nights between Edinburgh and Skye -- but taking the time to go slow would be great.
If you want to take 3 nights, then I'd stay 2 nights in/near Callander and 1 night in/near Glencoe.
Callander is an easy drive from Edinburgh and you will be close to Stirling, Doune, Inchmahome Priory/Lake o fMenteith, Loch Lomond, and all of the Trossachs. You can see the Falkirk Wheelon your way west to Callander.
Then from Callander to Glencoe you can see the Falls of Dochart/Killin, Balquhidder (where Rob Roy is buried) and Glencoe itself. Then early the next AM head out towards Skye via Mallaig, stopping at Glenfinnan on the way.
This will be a lovely/leisurely 3 days
If you want to take 3 nights, then I'd stay 2 nights in/near Callander and 1 night in/near Glencoe.
Callander is an easy drive from Edinburgh and you will be close to Stirling, Doune, Inchmahome Priory/Lake o fMenteith, Loch Lomond, and all of the Trossachs. You can see the Falkirk Wheelon your way west to Callander.
Then from Callander to Glencoe you can see the Falls of Dochart/Killin, Balquhidder (where Rob Roy is buried) and Glencoe itself. Then early the next AM head out towards Skye via Mallaig, stopping at Glenfinnan on the way.
This will be a lovely/leisurely 3 days
Dec 25th, 2011, 07:34 PM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I stayed three nights in the Killin area - the Falls of Dochart are lovely, a great place to picnic. Doune Castle is a must if you're a Monty Python/Holy Grail fan. Most of it was filmed there. There is a fantastic carvery nearby called the Old Flax Mill - pricy but very much worth it.
Dec 26th, 2011, 05:23 PM
#20
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm... 3 nights —I'd vote for Perthshire. Aberfeldy, Dunkeld, Pitlochry....Loch Tay. Skye is fabulous and well worth a week. It is an island of fingers, exploring up one and down another. You will find the fresh fish van in the car lot at the supermarket and Dunvegan Seal trips and Waternish Peninsula for sparkling history (clan vs clan) and the Stein Inn (fab pub) and Fairy Bridge. There is horseback riding nearby (my passion)and hand walks including the Qairaang farther along—mysterious and taxing. Flodigarry Inn a great end of walk.
