Scotland -- castles, cows and more
Jun 8th, 2013 | 11:17 PM
#21
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,289
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<b>Final Thoughts</b>
As mentioned above, we had a very enjoyable trip. Taking the good advice from this forum and combining it with some of my own research and interests yielded a trip that I wouldn't change, even in hindsight.
We were glad to have the opportunity to see a different part of Scotland. I'd still recommend the west/northwest as a first trip though as it has more of the wow factor and it is more of what people have in their minds for Scotland/Highlands.
Accommodations, food and weather are all important in how well a trip goes. I've got some control over the first two and was very satisfied there.
In terms of sites, we like the ones that have more of a historical connection. As a result, we liked Scone and Glamis the best. I'd put the Castle Trail (Crathes, Drum, Fraser) on a tier below.
Falkland didn't do much for me -- not sure why. Linlithgow was fun but not as "educational" as some of the others.
You've probably picked up that we like animals so the puffins on the Isle of May were great to see in the wild. Though cliche, we did really like seeing (and petting) the highland cows.
Our day in St. Andrews was fantastic -- historical and relaxing. Having a nice weather day certainly helped there. I'd recommend the Himalayas putting, walking the Old Course (Sunday) and West Sands if the weather is cooperative.
I did quite a bit of research on various walks. There were a couple of more I would have liked to have done if we'd had more time. Perhaps we could have done another and not seen as many castles, but it seemed a waste to not do one day on the Castle Trail.
I'll say again, you can't ask for a better walking site than:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/
The walk around Bennachie was refreshing and had good views. However, it doesn't quite compare to Ben A'an in the Trossachs or walking on Skye (or some we've done in the Peak and Lake Districts for that matter).
Our travel detours of Rosslyn Chapel on the way up and Hadrian's Wall on the way back were also highlights and glad we could fit them in.
I do hope this helps others who are looking into this area. Hopefully the pictures help with the visualization and the facts help with the planning. I won't say anyone should do the trip as we did because everyone is different, but at least now you might be better prepared to shape your own Scottish holiday.
Cheers.
As mentioned above, we had a very enjoyable trip. Taking the good advice from this forum and combining it with some of my own research and interests yielded a trip that I wouldn't change, even in hindsight.
We were glad to have the opportunity to see a different part of Scotland. I'd still recommend the west/northwest as a first trip though as it has more of the wow factor and it is more of what people have in their minds for Scotland/Highlands.
Accommodations, food and weather are all important in how well a trip goes. I've got some control over the first two and was very satisfied there.
In terms of sites, we like the ones that have more of a historical connection. As a result, we liked Scone and Glamis the best. I'd put the Castle Trail (Crathes, Drum, Fraser) on a tier below.
Falkland didn't do much for me -- not sure why. Linlithgow was fun but not as "educational" as some of the others.
You've probably picked up that we like animals so the puffins on the Isle of May were great to see in the wild. Though cliche, we did really like seeing (and petting) the highland cows.
Our day in St. Andrews was fantastic -- historical and relaxing. Having a nice weather day certainly helped there. I'd recommend the Himalayas putting, walking the Old Course (Sunday) and West Sands if the weather is cooperative.
I did quite a bit of research on various walks. There were a couple of more I would have liked to have done if we'd had more time. Perhaps we could have done another and not seen as many castles, but it seemed a waste to not do one day on the Castle Trail.
I'll say again, you can't ask for a better walking site than:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/
The walk around Bennachie was refreshing and had good views. However, it doesn't quite compare to Ben A'an in the Trossachs or walking on Skye (or some we've done in the Peak and Lake Districts for that matter).
Our travel detours of Rosslyn Chapel on the way up and Hadrian's Wall on the way back were also highlights and glad we could fit them in.
I do hope this helps others who are looking into this area. Hopefully the pictures help with the visualization and the facts help with the planning. I won't say anyone should do the trip as we did because everyone is different, but at least now you might be better prepared to shape your own Scottish holiday.
Cheers.
Jun 25th, 2013 | 08:14 AM
#24
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,036
Likes: 50
I've been there 3 times in late spring /early summer and it was only in bloom once. It so much depends on hor late/cool the spring has been.
It is very nice when not in bloom . . . It is absolutely stunning when the flowers are out.
Had a long talk once with the old gardener - this was probably 15 years ago and he was doing all that clipping of the mottos / country symbols / borders by hand. That was one of the non-blooming times and he painted a word picture of how it looks in bloom. Otherwise I might never have returned. - took me two more visits.
It is very nice when not in bloom . . . It is absolutely stunning when the flowers are out.
Had a long talk once with the old gardener - this was probably 15 years ago and he was doing all that clipping of the mottos / country symbols / borders by hand. That was one of the non-blooming times and he painted a word picture of how it looks in bloom. Otherwise I might never have returned. - took me two more visits.
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