Just returned from a 12 day trip. Marvelous! Getting around by bus and train couldn't have been easier and more pleasant. Could speak volumes but for the purposes of this post, I'll be brief. Aside from the actual experience of "being there," here are some places we stayed and the restaurants serving Scottish food I can recommend without qualifications. Highlights included too. Glasgow...Argyll Hotel and their restaurant. The Art School (Rennie McIntosh), the Burrell Collection. Inverness...Ballifeary House Hotel (wonderful b&b), Peter Forbes' tour of Loch Ness, Nico's Old Oak Tavern in the Glenmhor Hotel. Inveraray...Argyll Hotel, the castle. Edinburgh...Elmview (excellent b&b), Bennet's pub in the immediate neighborhood, Writers Museum, National Gallery, Scotland Museum, Orkney...West End Hotel, World Heritage sites, (see posting under "Orkney"). More information on these available on the 'net. You are welcome to e-mail me for more information. Reading...Edwin Muir's autobiography and his "Scottish Journey," Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus mysteries, James Kelman and Irvine Welsh, contemporary fiction. PS for Sheila...Tried many single malts, including your favorite, Glenmorangie. Found that I really liked the "peaty" tasting ones, especially Highland Park and Laphroiag. Saw great oystercatchers all over the place en route from Inverness to Orkney. All just wonderful. Planning to return to Scotland next spring. <BR>

Scotland is truly a special place. And, if you are a drama freak, there is no better place to be than Edinburgh in August for the Festivals.

I am seriously considering that. I notice that several theater-oriented groups do that from here in NY. Did you do it on your own? How hard is it to get tickets to some of the scheduled plays if you do it that way?

We will be in Edinburgh June 12-13 on a tour.With only one day on our own we are wondering how easy it is to get from out hotel "Point" to the Royal mile. Also, we have been told to wear shoes that can take the rain, any ideas on this?

It was my impression that taxis are plentiful and the Royal Mile is centrally located. It's a good idea to take shoes that can be worn in the rain as per their suggestion. (We had over 8 days of sunny warm weather which is quite unusual.)

Just to prove to Lin that I DID see her post...... <BR> <BR>And Bob and Peg, the POint is a good 4 minutes walk from the top of the Mile (well, if you're fit:- maybe 10 if you're me). The hint about the shoes is right, although it shouldn't be too big a problem in June. There are dozens of threads about shoes here. Search on "shoes" and sit back and wait for the thousands of answers <BR> <BR>

I'll be in Edinburgh for 4 days & have two days (one night) to go away from the city. Where would you reccommend that we have time for so it wont all be spent in travel?