Scotland 2016
 

I've been trying to decide where to go this year for my mid century birthday. I've decided on this being THE year I finally bite the bullet and go to Scotland (exchange is fairly tolerable).

Thoughts on the itinerary:

Arrive in Ediburgh. Stay for 3 days and explore the city.

Pick up rental car and drive to Inverness. 4 days in Inverness. My family name is Macintosh and exploring the Highlands is an absolute. Castles, hiking, a bit of genealogy research.

Not sure at this point if I want to go to Skye or Glasgow. My main points of interest are the sites, hiking, scenery. However, would I really be missing out by not going to Glasgow? 2 -3 days depending if I get a plane ticket to return from Glasgow. Will depend on flights. If not I'll return to Edinburgh for the return and it will be 2 days in either Skye or Glasgow.

Thank you and any input is appreciated. You guys have been my travel consultants for years.

Catherine

The distance between Glasgow and Edinburgh is not that great. If your return flight is in the afternoon, you probably could spend your final night in Glasgow and get to the Edinburgh airport on time.

We traveled for ten days in Scotland. You might want to read my trip report; click on my name to find it.

>>exchange is fairly tolerable<<

The exchange is almost historically good -- way better than tolerable.

>>4 days in Inverness<<

I would not stay IN Inverness -- but somewhere in the general vicinity.

If you want to see some of Glasgow (and end up flying home from Edinburgh) you can do a very easy day trip by train from Edinburgh.

You could do 4 days in Edinburgh w/ a day trip to Glasgow, 3 days near Inverness, 2 days on Skye, and finish up w/ one day in the Stirling/Trossachs/Callander area and be w/i an easy drive of EDI.

Thank you. Is Glasgow worth a trip?

Sure -- but only if <i>you</i> personally want to go there.

Maybe read up a bit and see if sites in Glasgow interest you (just a few things to get your research started: Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Burrell Collection, Kelvingrove)

One can have a great visit to Scotland w/ or w/o visiting Glasgow.

The exchange rate depends on where you are coming from, Janis. If you are from Canada, it is not at all good ($2.07). When I was last in Scotland, it was $1.63 No matter what the rate is, a cup of coffee is still ridiculous. Even at 1.63,I got no change from £5.00 for three coffees.

>>Even at 1.63,I got no change from £5.00 for three coffees.<<

What has that got to do with exchange rates? Three coffees for £5 costs £5 . . . no matter what the exchange rates are.

If you got 3 coffees for a fiver then it's happy days and it's got nothing to do with exchange rates.

Trying ordering a bottle of wine in Oslo for a reality check.

Catherine, trying not to let this go off at the usual tangent, do you know much about your Macintoshes? They cover a wide swathe of Scotland, and have little connection with Glasgow.

Glasgow is a big and bustling city, and probably has the best shopping, nightlife and food in Scotland (last one a wee bit controversial).

But scenery and hiking would not be its strong points! Sites- yes, if it's industrial sites, architectural sites, and a TINY bit of history.

Given the battle of the clans, you might want to see Perth, and the North Inch (not that there's a lot to see, but it's all Fair Maid of Perth stuff- read Sir Walter Scott's novel of that name.

The other big Macintosh area is around Loch Arkaig. Also good walking there (we call it walking, rather than hiking)

Skye is stunning. The Black Cuillins are a bit more technical for hill walking, but they are gorgeous to look at

Admittedly I haven't been to Glasgow, however we did go to Isle of Skye last year and I would highly recommend it. If hiking and scenery are something you're interested in then I think you would really enjoy it.

Alternatively the Loch Lomond area is close enough to do as a day trip from Glasgow if going there is important to you. So you could still get a bit of hiking in if you chose to go there.

Catherine...you will have a grand visit to beautiful Scotland. These pics may help you get a preliminary feel for it. https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...LakesAndWales# From my visits to Glasgow, I would say a day or two will do it.

Hi Catherine - Trip Report attached for Glasgow - might give you some ideas. I loved the architecture and food and bar scene especially. You can also click on my ID for more TR on other parts of Scotland

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-and-kilts.cfm