Thanks for all the Scotland tips, Fodorites. I'm planning a summer '03 visit with a week's course at the University in Stirling. I'm interesting in exploring Scotland, before and after for a total of 3 weeks, perhaps ending with 2 nights in York and 3 nights in London. Questions: Glasgow- would 3 nights be too much? I'm a culture vulure and am interested in seeing the work of Charles Rennie MacIntosh, art museums, and getting a feeling for the city. Then perhaps a bus or train ride to Oban, Inverness, Pitlochry, Stirling for the course, ending with Edinburgh before train to York and London. The course in Stirling is "Exploring Historic Scottish Towns" so we'll be visiting other places as well. I'm hoping to take trains or coaches rather than driving. Any suggestions appreciated.I'd rather not have any one nighters, would rather soak up whatever each place has to offer. Thanks!

Hi andrea,<BR><BR>Three nights should be more than enough time in Glasgow if you want to examine the muesums in detail, also visit the Art museum at the University of Glasgow, the Burrell Collection. I would also allow 3+ nights in Edinburgh.<BR>Aberdeen is in my opionio worth a visit especially around Old Aberdeen with the University, Pitlochry is a small town but with lots of beautiful hills around it .<BR>Stirling Univeristy is a beautiful campus and the city is good too ( graduated from stirling in 2001)<BR><BR>Have fun<BR>Regards<BR>Gregory

Andrea:<BR><BR>I don't know how feasible it would be for you to do this without a car, but if you can get to some of the islands, they're just beautiful! I know that a lot of people ride a train from Glasgow to Oban, then the ferry to Mull and the bus to Fionnphort, and then another ferry to Iona. I think you could take a train to Skye, too, though I'm not sure. We did the Western Isles, also Skye and Mull and Iona, and it was just so beautiful! You go into the stores over there (Western Isles), and the people are talking Gaelic. And the beaches on the Western Isles are to die for! It would take some work, but ahhhhh!

Just reading your posts, Cindy and Gregory, is making me look so forward to this trip! Perhaps renting a car for the more out of the way places would make sense. Gregory, any recommendations for restaurants in Stirling?

HI Gregory,<BR>I attended Stirling in the mid 80's, studied Politics, loved it!<BR>I wonder if it is still the same. Is the castle on campus with the pub insside still there?<BR>Andrea,<BR>You will love Stirling. I wouold allow time for a visit to St. Andrews as well. Inverness is a treat! If at all possibe I would rent a car. There are sooooooo many little nooks and crannies in the "Gatewqay to the Highlands". You will experience more if you do. But the busses or trains arevery dependable and work just fine.<BR>Stirling offers such a rich history and beauty, a week will fly by.<BR>have fun!!!!!<BR>

If you are in Scotland in August, you will want to check out the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh and get tickets for the Tattoo.<BR><BR>There is no better place for someone who enjoys theater & music than Edinburgh in August.

How early can one book tickets for these festivals? I, too, am planning a Scotland trip next summer. Any preferences for a central hotel or B&B in Edinburgh (for rates around $100 -150 US)? Anyone have luck with Priceline here? How early can one book?<BR>Thanks for any tips!

The Tattoo for this summer is now completely sold out, so you will only be able to get tickets if there are any cancellations.<BR><BR>To check out the Fringe, Film, Book, and International Festivals, the programmes are online, at:<BR><BR>Fringe: http://www.edfringe.com/<BR>International Festival: http://www.eif.co.uk/<BR>Book Festival: http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/flash.asp<BR>Film Festival: http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/2002/<BR><BR>Also, just wandering round Edinburgh at this time of year is fun - a really good atmosphere... unless you are really in a hurry to get somewhere! Enjoy.

Jenny, Thanks so much for including all the websites. I'm going next summer so will have a heads up to plan way in advance for specials events!

As a fan of CRM, you can take a train from Glasgow to Helensburgh and visit Hill House. It is well worth it.