Scotland suggestions?
 

Help! Our family of four(two adults and two teenagers,15 and 17) are planning a trip to Scotland for the middle part of June. We will fly into Edinburgh and could possibly leave out of Glasgow.Any parts of that area(including Edinburgh) that are a MUST SEE? (17 year is on varsity golf team at high school and would like to drive past a few memorable courses but wouldn't golf).Family loves museums,shopping,notable spots and the water. Thanks for your help! Debbie

I have posted to Scotland's questions fequently as it is one of my favorite European destinations. I wish I had seen more of the eastern coast, but the fact is that the Highlands and the western coast was breathtakingly beautiful and highly enjoyable. I particularly loved the area around Loch Lommond, Glencoe, Isle of Skye, etc...For historical value I loved the area of Culloden and Inverness as well. Edinburgh is a very interesting city, it almost reminds you of a time travel machine; quite fascinating.

Debbie <BR> <BR>I have a page of notes on Edinburgh I could send you, if you like. How long will you be here?

Check for dates on the British Open which is at St. Andrews this year.

Definitely go to Edinburgh Castle and try Fat Sams restaurant/diner, it's fun.

I especially liked Threave Castle and nearby Caeverlock Castle. Castle Campbell, Doune Castle aand Sterling Castle are two other castles nearby Edinburgh that my boys liked. <BR> <BR>You might consider staying in a 'self catering' apartment. Much cheaper than renting 2 rooms on a nightly basis. We stayed at the very nice Leny Lodge in Callendar

We are going to Scotland for the first time in July. Our son is also on a varsity golf team. How can you go to Scotland & not have him play one round at St. Andrews? They take walk ons. I just called and got a teetime for my husband & son. They will not take reservations for just one golfer. Not expensive either. 70 pounds. We live near Pebble Beach were it will cost someone $325 a round. I figure it is a once in a life time experience! My daughter & I don't play golf. We will sightse in St. Andrews that day. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to drive from Edinburgh! E-mail me if you need St. Andrews info.

Debbie <BR> <BR>We did the same trip 3 years ago with my then 17 yr old varsity golfer. We visited Troon and Turnberry so he could see the courses (and buy bag tags!) But I agree with Tracy -- playing at St Andrews will be a highlight for your golfer. It was for mine -- so much so that we're going this July for the British Open. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time -- there's no place like Scotland! <BR> <BR>Anne

The area between Edinburgh and Glasgow has so many different things to see that it is difficult to pick out just a few. You should get a good guide book to help you study the places people recommend and see which sound like they would appeal to your family. One of my favorite places in Scotland is St. Andrews, and I don't even play golf! It has a beautiful beach (the one where Chariots of Fire was filmed), a ruined castle with a bottleneck dungeon, Scotland's oldest university, a woolen mill that has shopping, and of course, the Old Course. <BR>The area south of Edinburgh, known as the Borders, doesn't get much attention in tourist books, but it has wonderful literary and historical connections. Sir Walter Scott's house, Abbotsford, and the Border abbeys, especially Jedburgh, are worth visiting. We went hiking at the Gray Mare's tail, just northeast of Moffat, and we also visited a farm where Border Collies are trained, just northwest of Moffat. <BR>Stirling Castle and the (William) Wallace monument and Bannockburn (an important battlefield where Robert the Bruce fought for Scottish independence) are all in the Stirling area. <BR>There is some shopping in Stirling,but Edinburgh would probably be your best bet for that. It has all the major British department stores (be sure to go into Jenners, Marks and Spencer, and Boots) plus all the touristy Scottish places you can imagine. Edinburgh also has wonderful museums (we especially liked the national art museum and the museum of natural history). Of course, Edinburgh castle is interesting, and Holyrood Palace is also there, although we chose not to go in there. If you have time, be sure to hike up Arthur's Seat, a big hill behind Holyrood Palace. It gives great views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area. <BR>North and west of Stirling are the Highlands, and they are beautiful. The area around Callander has ties with Rob Roy MacGregor. Of course, the western highlands are wonderful, but they are further from the Glasgow/Edinburgh area. <BR>Our family didn't enjoy Glasgow as much, but it may be because we didn't spend much time there and don't know it as well. (We lived in Scotland for 5 years and traveled every chance we got!) <BR>Have a wonderful trip. <BR>

This forum is wonderful with all these great tips! Anyone have suggestions on which rental car agency is best;how many days allowed for Edinburgh;how long <BR>to stay near St. Andrews;should we just choose west coast/east coast,etc.?Hotel suggestions or unusual places to stop? Thanks-Debbie

he Highlands start 10 miles north of Glasgow.Glasgow has the best shopping in Scotland, the best clubs, recently voted second in the UK for restaurants (London was first),there are free red uniformed tourist guides in the beautiful city centre, the hotels are much cheaper than in Edinburgh, all the museums & galleries are free, the natives are very friendly (though incomprehensible). <BR>It is Scotlands biggest city & the ideal base for exploring the Highlands - this is where you get the train to fort william/mallaig or oban. <BR>The city was a victim of heavy industry (it was the "second city of the British Empire"),two thirds of the steam engines ever built were built there,all the buildings in the city centre were black with soot.It has now been cleaned up,the centre's masses of beautiful Georgian architecture long unseen are turning heads again, but it struggles to get on the tourist map due to it's past reputation for grime & heavy industry. <BR>Also try Oban, it's another place which never gets a mention, but makes Stirling & St Andrews look lame - its a regional centre on the west coast of the highlands.(dungannon hotel for food) <BR>Callendar is a tourist trap. <BR>The only "must see" in Scotland is the Highlands, which are mainly in the west.Drive (or coach/train)from Glasgow to Skye (or Oban or Mallaig) you'll never forget it.

I agree heartily with all of the above. One wee piece of advice: avoid Aviemore...some Scotsman's idea of what Colorado ski lodges look like, plastic fern bars, yuppiefied nonsense.

Yes, Aviemore is an embarassment,everyone seems to agree.Is "Santa Claus Land" still there?

Debbie, <BR>We never rented a car while living in Scotland, so I can't answer that question. <BR>I wouldn't stay in the St. Andrews area for more than a day (unless you plan to golf, and that is out of my area of knowledge) because it's a tiny town and it caters to tourists. But if your son is crazy about golf, I think it is definitely worth a visit. <BR> Oban also caters to tourists, but our family loved Oban because it is the headquarters for our clan. Callandar is touristy, as has been mentioned previously, but the Rob Roy Center there could be of interest to your children. <BR> <BR>As for how long to stay in Edinburgh, I would say that it depends on how much you want to see the rest of Scotland. The highlands are the best part, I agree, but it takes time to drive there. You could hit the highlights of Edinburgh in one day and then head for the highlands. <BR>This may be controversial, but in addition to avoiding Aviemore, I would also avoid paying money to tour Eilean Donan castle. It may be the most photographed castle in Scotland (and possibly rightly so), but the inside of the castle and its lack of history (it is an old site with a fairly new reconstruction) were disappointing to our family. There are much more interesting castles with more historical connections to spend money on. But the area there is beautiful, and you will want to take pictures! (Does anyone else have an opinion about this?) <BR>You don't say how long you will be in Scotland. You don't have to give up the west coast if you want to visit St. Andrews, but it will make for more driving. I wouldn't make a special trip to St. Andrews if it meant I had to skip the highlands (unless your son really wants to see the Old Course). <BR>As you can see, everyone has opinions about what is best, and you will have to weigh them all in light of what interests your family and how much time you have. Your trip will be wonderful and memorable no matter what you end up doing. <BR>

I agree with Barbara, when you see Eilan Donan you know you MUST photograph it, but don't be tempted inside! <BR>You mention water - there are many trips & cruises from Oban,(daytrips or round-the-bay) as well as ferries to the Hebrides, also the sea life centre (seals etc.) not far north across the Corran bridge.

Thank you for taking the time to drop me the tips and info on Scotland.(I promise to have a glass of cheer held high to all of you when I get there?)As far as how long we are going to be there-probably about 7-10 days. We thought that we would rent a car because it would be so difficult to see the countryside and visit using the train.Has anyone ever done any of those "drives" that you see in tour books such as the Whiskey Trail,the fishing trail,etc.? Suggestions for good places to buy sweaters? Has anyone ever bought bagpipes over there..stop laughing! Thanks,Debbie

Giving serious consideration and going back to your original question I would suggest something like:- <BR> <BR>Edinburgh- 2 days,. I already sent you my Edinburgh suggestions; but it’s a great shopping and museum city. Try to have supper in Gullane- near Muirfield golf course; on the coast and great restuarants. For atiny place it has 3 good food entries- la Potiniere; Greywalls and the Golf Hotel. <BR>Day 3-Fife and east coast to Aberdeen pass lots of East Neuk courses including the Old Course. St Andrew’s, as mentioned above is a bit touristy, but as the home of golf, it’s not to be missed. It also has a very good woolen mill- but you will find them everywhere. Depending on your shopping priorities, I’d try for something with a bit more individuality. Go over the Forth Bridge; turn left past Loch Leven where Mary Queen of Scots was locked up; go on out to Leven and follow the coast road round to St Andrew’- lots of lovely little fishing villages. Spend an hour or so in St Andrew’s then cross the Tay to Dundee. Visit the Discovery Centre; come on north to Glamis and visit the castle; then stay overnight in Stonehaven, back on the coast. <BR> <BR>Day 4 Visit some of the places on the Castle Trail in the North East; take in Archaeolink; finish up crossing the Lecht and stay on Speyside somewhere near a distillery on the Whisky Trail ( trails are for dipping into, not following slavishly). <BR> <BR>Day 5Visit Brodie Country Fare near Forres ( great shopping experience) come through Inverness ( quickly) and drive down the north side of Loch Ness to Invermoriston. Cut over to Kyle of Lochalsh and cross the Bridge to Skye. <BR> <BR>Day 6 Skye- get the last ferry from Armadale to Mallaig and drive round Ardnamurchan and Morven to Corran Ferry. Spend the night in Oban . <BR> <BR>Now, if you decide to go back get on the road to Glasgow and don’t stop till you get there. If you decide you have only dipped your toe in the water, then <BR> <BR>day 7 ( Having spent the night in Port Appin- Shop in Oban, drive down through Kilmartin Glen doing the many antiquaries on the way. Have lunch at Crinan. Head for Inverary and round Loch Fyne. Cross the Rest and be thankful and strike north to Crianlarich. Drive east to Killin, and along Loch Tay to Kenmore. <BR> <BR>Day 8 Kenmore- Aberfeldy- Perth- Stirling. <BR> <BR>Day 9-10 Glasgow. Best shopping in Scotland. <BR> <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. Let me know if you would like an alternative or 2. My niece is a piper. What would you like me to ask her about bagpipes? <BR>

Debbie: If you're interested in the pipes...I read last night in a guidebook to Glasgow that there's a nonprofit piping centre there (classes, performance hall, museums, shop, etc.). Their website is http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/. <BR>You can even buy bagpipes, smallpipes, and chanters online (one-stop shopping for all your skirling needs).

shopping: bagpipes are not a casual buy,real pipes are very expensive & come in various shapes & sizes, ask at the piping centre.The pipes are not easy not play. <BR>Sweaters, (or jumpers) can be be bought cheaply in branches of Pitlochry knitware, but you can buy beautiful hand knitted knitwear by going to the more remote wayside craft shops.These are a real bargain considering what they are, some are of unbelievably high quality, take care in your selection, a lot depends on the type of wool,even more on the skill of the knitter.I buy hand knitted socks from these places whenever I'm passing as it's impossible to get anything as good in the shops.Harris tweed caps make good little gifts - handspun wool, no chemical dyes,look for the trademark.

Agree with many of the others that the West coast is definitely the highlight of a driving holiday in Scotland. Absolutely stunning scenery and very few people or cars about! Go as far north as you have time for. The green Michelin guides have some fantastic driving routes. A hotel I would recommend (amongst many great hotels in Scotland) is the Airds Hotel in Port Appin, which is expensive but well worth it. It's luxurious in a quiet way, has a gorgeous location right by the loch and you will enjoy a superb dinner while watching the sunset. Find them through the Relais & Chateaux website.