Scotland November 2015
 

Tickets to the U2 concert in Glasgow have been purchased. The 4 of us are 50/60 yo and have 10-14 days to spend in Scotland with a rental car if needed. We would like to spend some time in Edinburg but our goal is to see the countryside and visit distilleries, castles and pubs. We have a moderate budget and are looking for unusual lodging with personality.

Can you help us make this a memory filled holiday?

>>We have a moderate budget<<

That means nothing. What is your actual budget per night (either per person or per couple)?

>>looking for unusual lodging with personality. <<

What do you mean by 'unusual lodging'? What sort of things do you have in mind?

W/ 2 weeks or a bit less you could spend 2 or 3 days in Glasgow, about 3 days in Edinburgh -- you don't want/need a car in either city. An a week or so touring around the north/west coast. Get a couple of guide books to start your research . . .

unusual lodgings with personality... a couple of places i loved in edinborough...

ROC- royal overseas club - used to be a men's club, now a b&b. breakfast room looks out on castle, as did my little room. old and dingy but very clean rooms. very reasonable. watched the cannons go off from my room in the afternoons. perfect location.

Joppa Turrets - an easy 30ish minute bus ride from central tourist edinburgh. room overlooked the sea... could hear the gentle lapping of the water. a very 50's style old-school promenade along the water. lovely hosts and great breakfasts. really loved hopping in and out of the city to my little beach-side room.

November isn't the best time to be touring Scotland. The weather can be quite dodgy and day length is short. On a dull over cast morning it is going to take a long time to get light. Similarly you lose daylight quickly on overcast afternoons. Sunrise and sunst times are here:
http://uk.weather.com/climate/sunRis...:1:UK?month=11

You may also find that stately homes and castles are shut.

For distilleries you need to head to the NE. Details of the Malt whisky tour is here:
http://www.maltwhiskytrail.com/
Again you will need to check opening times for tours as many distilleries don't do tours in November. Carddu Distillery is the only one I have found that does.
http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/cardhu/

For distilleries in Aberdeenshire and times of tours have a look here:
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/visi...on-May2014.pdf
Lochnagar does tours in November and it sounds as if Glen Dronnach may too. Knockdhu will do tours if arranged in advance.

Dallas Dhu is no longer a working distillery but a restored C19th distillery. This is worth visiting as you can nose round the parts of a distillery not open to the public.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...?PropID=PL_085
My review with pictures is here:
http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/R...pProductReview

One of the best resources of places to visit and things to do is the Undiscovered Scotland website. We use this for planning all our holidays and rarely use a guide book now.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/
Once you have decided on an area to visit, use the map pages and follow the links for lots of information and photos. They also have ideas for driving tours which you may find helpful.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ustours/

Wonderful ideas. I will order undiscoveredscotland today.

I realize that 'moderate' budget is open ended. I would say that 250 is the high end of nightly lodging and would like to pay 100- 150 per night (as a couple) in most places.

November is a lousy time to be traveling, we plan to take our long undies and heavy coats.

"I would say that 250 is the high end of nightly lodging and would like to pay 100- 150 per night (as a couple) in most places." Is that £'s or $'s?

As well as the coat and undies you'll need waterproofs all round.

"I will order undiscoveredscotland today."

The good news is you don't need to order it. The website is freely available on the internet just by clicking the link I've given you.

Weather in November can be comletely unpredictable. You may have fine sunny days, maybe with a crisp frost, or you could have snow which is going to make travelling difficult. Bring plenty of layers with you!

Yes ESW, I just discovered that. Thank you for that wonderful resource.

Dollars, thank you for asking Rubicund.

Living in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest in WA State we are used to cold wintery days, in fact it's snowing out right now. Layers will not be a problem :)

kawh- both suggestions for edinborough are wonderful. Thank you.

Years ago in January after an overnight flight from the States we got stranded in Aberdeen after missing a bus connection and found a B&B by walking around. It was a huge upstairs room - - but it was unheated - - we could see our breath. But there was a radiator that accepted 10p pieces, so we put all we had into the radiator and huddled under the covers till the radiator ran out of money. It was still freezing, so we went downstairs where the owners lived and asked if they could make change for a pound so we could feed the radiator, but they said they had no change. So we went back upstairs, took the curtains off all the windows and piled them onto the bed, and huddled till early morning when we went back to the bus station, and I made it to Elgin just in time for my 9am dental appointment.

I would say, that was unusual lodging with personality.

Here's a vote for the tour at Aberlour (if it rhymes it must be good). The tasting is interesting because you not only try a full gamut of their expressions, but also a side-to-side of whisky poured straight out of a sherry cask compared to one poured straight from a bourbon cask. And if you know whiskies, well, the tour guide we had (and it was actually November) was highly opinionated and brutally, brutally honest about individual whiskies, distillers, where shortcuts are being made in the industry, and how techniques are changing in response to conditions. He answered any and every question during and after the tasting, and did not flinch nor pull any punches - - this was the straight dope, and top shelf product not just hype and then a dram (though it costs a few quid).

Here are some pictures of the tour (and the album has pix from daytrips along the Moray Firth up to Black Isle): https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougla...6851915/page3/

November is a terrible time to visit Scotland. Not only is the weather likely to be bad, but the hours of daylight are much less since Scotland is roughly the same latitude as Hudson Bay. You might want to take torch as well!

Always baffled by those who feel they must post about the timing of a travel itinerary. I'm sure everyone, including five09er, knows that November is not the best time to visit Scotland, but there is a reason ( U2 Concert ) for traveling at this time. And, once there, why not add some time to one's itinerary and see a bit of the countryside. Makes perfect sense to me. The OP seems well aware of weather conditions, daylight hours etc. but that certainly doesn't mean one can't enjoy visiting Scotland. For me, anytime spent in Scotland is well worth it and, yes, I have been there during the winter months.

BTW, Scotland may well be the same latitude as Hudson Bay, but it certainly is not the same climate. Not at all a good comparison.

>>November isn't the best time to be touring Scotland.<<

>>November is a terrible time to visit Scotland.<<

OH PSHAW!!! I have been in Scotland in every month of the year (except I <i>think</i> February) There is nothing 'wrong' w/ November. And the weather is likely to be acceptable. The days don't get really short til into december. If the concert is in early Nov, that is when you will be there . . .

$100-$150 is approx. £60 - £95 per couple per night. You might find something at the top end of that in Edinburgh but certainly not a 'character' property. Out in the countryside prices tend cheaper than in Edinburgh -- but at those sorts of rates you'll mainly be limited to regular, run-of-the-mill B&Bs , not high end or unusual/character places.

"OH PSHAW!!! I have been in Scotland in every month of the year (except I think February) There is nothing 'wrong' w/ November. And the weather is likely to be acceptable. The days don't get really short til into December."

I'm going to have to challenge this dogmatic assertion...

If you check the sunrise and sunset times for Glasgow for November, using the link I gave, sunset is 16.28 on the 1st November. By the middle of the month it is just turned 4pm. Sunrise is between 7.30-8am. Max daylight hours are just over 9 hours at the start of the month but only 8.5 by the middle of the month. "Usable hours' are likely to be shorter than this depending on what time they start the day. On a dull day they will seem shorter. True, days are even shorter in December.

Yes, you can get some glorious weather in November and you can get dull, damp and dark days, when you may not see much when touring, especially if there is mist or fog hanging. We have also holidayed in Scotland in November so I am talking from experience as well as you. It is important potential tourists are aware of the issue about daylight. It is also important to remember that these times will get less as the OP travels north.

It depends what you are doing - for a city break where you are likely in museums, galleries, theatresm shops and cafes there's no reason not to visit in winter. If you are wanting to get out into the countryside then summer is obviously better both for hours of daylight and not being frozen to death.

I am going to agree with Janis in that the worst of the weather in the UK, whether you are in the North or the South of the country, is usually Dec-Feb, with November generally being more autumnal than wintry.

I lived in Scotland for 27 years and my parents used to call November the " bronchitis month". I can vouch for the fact that they were right . "history traveller" might like to reread my note to see that I was not talking about Hudson Bay weather, only the latitude. Having lived in Canada for almost 50 years, I can confirm that temperatures of around -15C are much healthier than the +2C that one experiences in November in Scotland.

Their goal is to see the countryside and visit distilleries, castles and pubs.

>>Their goal is to see the countryside and visit distilleries, castles and pubs.<<

Which I have . . . in November . . . probably on 6 different trips. Nasty weather a few times but lovely/crisp weather more often. Dusting of snow a couple of times, bright sunshine just as often.

But WHY the debate??? They must go in November . . . <u>that is when the U2 concert is</u>.

The weather won't likely be so awful to prevent them from seeing/doing anything. Yes, <i>even</i> in the countryside . . .

There's no need to be so defensive (or do I mean aggressive?) Janis. I know they have to go in November and I did give plenty of ideas in my first post, which is more than you have done. You were the one who started the debate. I was just challenging your assertion about day length...

The U2 concert appears to be on the 7th. Summer time ends October 25.

Come two weeks before the concert. Use your first couple of days in Scotland when there is still some light to go north for scenery. Then do the cities on the darker days to come. Leave for home the day after the concert. sleep on the plane.

Eleanor -- I have given thousands of suggestions for travel to Scotland/the UK. I juts don't do brain dumps and copy/paste the same links in every thread.

"I have given thousands of suggestions for travel to Scotland/the UK"

So?

Just because I can't claim your unrivalled record of postings, there is no need to be so rude.

I don't do brain dumps either. The only link I have used before is to the Undiscovered Scotland web site, which the OP described as a "wonderful resource". The other links were specially checked out for this answer and have not appeared elsewhere.

Unlike some people who seem to take great pleasure in rubbishing other people's suggestions, especially when they disagree, I was trying to help the OP.

This sort of spatting doesn't help anyone.

My point, and I still stand by it, is that the OP was not asking if November was a good month to visit. If that had been so, then the negative weather related replies would have been fine. To comment negatively on November weather when the OP has already made plans to visit and given their reasons why is not helpful.

The mention of Hudson Bay as being the same latitude as Scotland is, of course, completely irrelevant, so why even mention it. It certainly does nothing to help in the OP's trying to plan an itinerary.

I am sure the OP is aware of limited daylight hours in November. Why is it necessary to comment on the obvious? It will limit some of their touring options. It does not mean that there are not a good many places they can visit. Scotland's tourist sights do not close down completely in November.

BTW the average temperature in Edinburgh for November is about 43 degrees ( F ) Not bad IMO. It does tend to be a rainy month which can make it seem cooler but still pretty manageable for most. No one ever goes to Scotland for the weather.;)

For the OP, I am trying to come up with some hotel/ B&B options but nothing yet that fits your budget. Will continue to try. There are castles open in November, though many are closed. I believe you can get guided tours of Balmoral during November.

Point taken historytraveler. I was interested by your comment that you can get guided tours of Balmoral during November. If so, how do you arrange these as checking the website the castle is only open from Wednesday 1st April until Sunday 2nd August. I've been scratching round to try and find any castles/stately homes open in November, although there are ruined ones which are open.

I disagree that comments on autumnal or winter weather are unhelpful when someone has already booked a trip outside the summer months. It can be worth commenting to steer visitors toward activities that won't be spoiled by inclement weather so they have a backup plan should the hoped for crisp clear days not materialise.

Also it's not uncommon for people to be unaware what time the sun sets so reiterating this information when visitors are considering trips into the wilds is not without merit.

Sometimes simply answering the question that has been asked is not that helpful without providing some context or caveats.

My week up the Moray Coast in November (see piccie link above) it was sunny and gorgeous everyday. Just one light sprinkle to add atmosphere to an otherwise lovely trip to Black Isle, and permit some rainbow photography. The one really nice thing about winter sun up there is how low the sun skirts across the horizon, so that the light is highly diffracted by layers of atmosphere, and is rich in color and tones. It was absolutely beautiful.

That said, the people at the B&Bs I stayed just couldn't believe what a nice spell of weather we were having.

For crying out loud, all of you shut up about the bloody weather!!! Just give the OP some suggestions for things to do etc.

If you have nice weather can I suggest a trip to Culloden? We were there last May and it was excellent.

Wowzers... Yep, we're coming in November. Yep, we know it's not going to be ideal weather, but we are from the Pacific NW and it's 28 degrees and snowing outside and we love it. So all is well, we have warm clothes and will have a wonderful time regardless of rain, snow or lighting. Just looking for suggestions on what you experienced folks would do in Scotland for 1 week.

historytraveler - thank you for checking on your end what 'hotel/B&B' options might be available.

cathies- I will look in Culloden. Thank you.

dforth- will check out Black Isle

It's mentioned several times that we will not need a car for the week.. it that true if we want to see the smaller towns and not be on a schedule?

** and most importantly, anyone know Bono? We'd like to have dinner with him one night.

My wife and I are traveling with five09er and her husband to Scotland to take in the U2 Concert. We plan to depart the US on the 18th of October returning on the 11th of November. We have traveled the Islands of British Columbia in the dead of winter as well as spending New Years just south of the Arctic Circle one year where it was 62 below zero! We understand that weather can be a challenge but, we don't mind.

We are simply looking for suggestions on what to see and where to stay. We will bring along full rain gear as well as waterproof shoes.

I would definitely have a car. For one thing, touring is great - - the route you pick is as interesting as any town you'll see. You can stop and snap piccies, and see a lot more than you might from a bus.

Second, it's November, and the weather ... oh, never mind.

I figured from the OP that you were all pretty savvy..thus my comments.

I've come up with a few possibilities regarding distilleries. Aberlour as dfourth mentioned is excellent and is located in Speyside. Here are few other options that should be open during the winter months although some are closed on weekends. You'll need to double check opening times.

Dalwhinnie
Glenfiddich...excellent
Cardhu

Here are a few castles that should be open. There are several other castles that will be open through October but not in November.

Edinburgh Castle
Stirling Castle
Doune Castle ( check website but I think it's open )
St. Andrews Castle
Dunnottar Castle...check for opening times
Corgarff Castle

I would urge you to rent a car. It will make touring much easier. I'm thinking that with your interest in castles and distilleries, you best bet would be Aberdeen and the Northeast. Pubs, of course, are found everywhere and are always open.:)

Here is a B&B I came across. www.balsporran.com. It is open during the winter and is located near Strathespey.

Just found the Mash Tun in Aberlour. Have a look. Special rates for fall/ winter. www.mashtun-aberlour.com

We were in Britain 10/23-11/13 this year - 11/1-11/13 was in Scotland. It was cold and days were shorter, but it was certainly doable. As the Norwegians say, there is no bad weather - only inappropriate clothing choices, right? We fortunately experienced few rainy days, only one of which impacted touring (too windy to allow access to Dunnottar Castle.) There is plenty to see at this time of year. The below sites were all open while we were in Scotland from November 1-13 (caution - brain dump coming):

Castle Campbell
Dirleton Castle
Tantallon Castle
Hailes Castle
Many eastern Scotland/St. Andrews area sites I won't include because they may be too far flung for your trip
Dunblane Cathedral
Doune Castle
Stirling Castle
Laureston Castle
Rosslyn Chapel
Edinburgh Castle
Georgian House in Edinburgh
Royal Yacht Brittania
Edinburgh Royal Mile
Craigmillar Castle
Dumbarton Castle
Linlithgow Palace

I am sure there are also some open sights in Glasgow that you can find with a guidebook, but I still haven't made it there yet, so I can't recommend anything.

We bought a Historic Scotland membership which saved quite a bit. Enjoy your trip. We found it beautiful in a different way than in summer.

Wanted to add that in past years Balmoral was open during select Wednesdays in winter, something not advertised in the "open hours" section on their website - it seems to be announced as decided in September/October before winter. This year Balmoral was not open for those select Wednesdays due to a nearby bridge being closed for repairs. It might be open in 2015 - if you want to see it, check their "blog" on their website.

We had a fabulous time in Scotland in November!!! The weather was beautiful and sunny for almost the entire time.

Thank you all for your suggestions. It was one of the most enjoyable 4 weeks spent traveling I've ever had. We made NO reservations and decided to go where ever the day took us. We made it to Glasgow to see U2; which was an experience in itself.

We rented a car and toured through the countryside. When we came across a small town with personality we stopped and checked it out. 99% of the time we were spot on with our choices. Stayed out of the big cities with the exception of Edinburgh, and to be quite honest we could have bypassed it; just to commercialized, busy and full of tourist shops.

We will be back in the future!

I'm glad you enjoyed Scotland. We only saw a snippet of it but loved it and will return. Thanks for posting your mini trip report.