scotland itinerary
 

Planning on taking our son to london to college next sept. and would like to do a 10 day trip of scotland adn see the most we can as well as have my husband play golf for 2-3 days....any suggestions on an itinerary? Love outdoors, coastline, would like to see Loch Ness....thanks. marilee

Scotland is a biiiiig place. Your itinerary could be literally anything. I would start w/ searching and reading some of the many threads already on here. Then click on DESTINATIONS above to get even more info and an idea of which areas you want to visit.

By playing golf, do you mean playing some of the world famous courses like the Old Course, Carnoustie, Dornoch, Troon, Prestwick, etc. - or do you mean just picking up rounds at some of the glorious "little" courses that are in every corner of the country?

BTW - Loch Ness is no great shakes as far as Scottish scnery goes. There are a hundred nicer lochs . . . . .

Anyway - there are several of us who could design an itinerary for you - and each one would be different. And all would be terrific. Do a bit of research and narrow down which part(s) of the country you want to see and which courses your husband wants to play. Then we can help you refine the itinerary.

I have in mind something that comes into Glasgow, goes to Islay- golf at Machrie- goes to Oban, up through Glencoe, then north to Nairn- golf at Nairn West; day trip to Loch Ness, round the Moray coast and south to Stonehaven, on to the East Neuk of Fife- golf at St Andrews- and back to London.

Thanks..have been doing some research. We are working at having my husband play on the old course and carnoustie and perhaps one other. If we can get a reservation for the old course, will plan our trip around there. Thinking of three golf days,
and wives would take the train to shop in Glasgow while golf is going on and or tour around the area. Plan to take teh train from glasgow to mallaig.
The train ride to take is Glasgow to Mallaig. The loch boat trip is on Loch Katrine in The Trossachs, has been recommended from someone from scotland.

thinking of going from Inverness up to Duncansby Head then along the North coast, down the NW coast as far as Skye, then a day around Skye. Then to Armadale to catch the ferry to Mallaig, from there catch the train to Edinb. or Glasgow next morning.

Looking for quiet, moderate priced accomodations. My cousin is more picky and wants a very quiet area and good bed. ANy suggestions. Thanks. Marilee

just a couple of quick comments right now - will be back w/ more later.

Do I understand you want to shop in Glasgow while your husband is playing golf in St Andrews and Carnoustie?? They are on opposite sides of the country.

There is plenty to fill your time right in St Andrews while he plays the Old Course. And for the Carnoustie day - you could take the train into Edinburgh or Aberdeen.

Also - While Loch Katrine is lovely - it is not a "destination" to make a special trip to see. The boat ride on L. Katrine is a favorite of many holiday-makers but unless you are staying nearby in the Trossachs don't plan a day around it. If you stay in say Callander or nearby - for 2 or 3 days - then consider doing Loch Katrine. But don't go out of your way.

The majority of folks on the boat will either be on holiday in the area and have a whole week to fill - or are on coach trips that include the boat ride.

You are right...Glasgow is farther than I thought....Thanks. I had spoken to a guide who acdtually lives in Scotland and he had suggested the loch Katrine as it was prettier than some of the others. I told him I wanted to see coastal and pretty area's...and this had been his suggestion. Also planning on going to skye.....basically going north and north west.....any suggestions appreciated. Thanks. marilee

Definitely go to the Isle of Skye. It's an amazing place with the mountains coming right down to the sea.

I also recommend the Museum regarding the Loch Ness monster in the highlands.

I agree the Isle of Skye is amazing. We drove around the island and found it breathtaking. I was very jealous of the groups I saw taking a day hike into the hills, we just didn't have time for that. So I would recommend planning a full day of just wandering around the island.

I have read mixed reviews on inverness. Some say to stay outside of the city, and some say this is not an exciting palce...any suggestions? Thanks. also looking for nice accomodations which are quiet, very clean and neat.

&quot;<i>Some say to stay outside of the city, and some say this is not an exciting palce...</i>&quot;

These two are not contradictory statements. Inverness is not an exciting place. But staying outside of town in the general Inverness area is fine.

There is a LOT to see/do w/i a reasonable drive of Inverness but nothing of much interest in the town itself.

We stayed in Inverness during our time in the Highlands. It struck me as a regular city - if you want a small little picturesque town - that's not what your going to get. It's not set up as a tourist town, just a regular working class town.

But we stayed at a nice B&amp;B, there's a river that runs through town with a really nice walk along it. We got some great pictures from this walk through town.

We had some really good meals there as well. We joined a tour bus for a day and went up to the Orkney Islands - the bus left from the station within walking distance of our B&amp;B.

If you are thinking of staying here - the prettiest locale is along the river.

I forot to mention - we used Inverness as a base which worked out great.

But if you are looking for a destination - check out the area around Nairn - some friend of ours stayed there for several days and loved it.

Thanks for clarifying...that makes sense. Narirn looks charming. Marilee

Marilee:
My family and I stayed in Nairn earlier this year. We thought it was a great place to stay. Click on my screen name for a trip report. I hope this helps.
d1

d1carter - where do I find your report???

Burnhamski:

Click on my screen name and I think the post is entitled Scotland Trip Report, maybe #12 or #13.
Sorry, I tried to post a link to the report but link did not seem to work.

Here it is http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35014346

Janisj:
Thanks for the help.

marilee

are you looking for any more input?