I'm in the midst of planning my and my husband's trip to Scotland for late March. We've made one trip to the UK so far-this last March-and fell in love. Also, I'm a huge medieval/middle ages history buff, which is what I based our trip to England and Wales on, and am attempting to do the same with Scotland. Obviously Mary Queen of Scots is a big contributor to our locales. Simply-we have 11.5 days when subtracting travel time. WE have booked the first 2 nights in Edin. planning on spending at least another day there prior to departing. I've picked places such as a drive to Alnwick, then over to the border abbeys and surrounding areas, wanting to go South to Threave, sweetheart abbey, and surrounding areas (not necessarily in any order), wanting to also go to Trossachs, Loch Awe, Eilean Donan, Grantown-on-Spey and the area to Aberdeen and the area south back to Edinburgh, also conisidering a night in castle stuart. I realize this is quite a question, but I'm getting a bit nervous trying to figure out where to book B&B's and which route to take (as in North from Edi after our 1st 2 nights or South etc etc). ANY input would be greatly appreciated! Keep in mind we're trying to get in as much of the 1200's-1650's as possible! Thanks!

I've been to Edinburgh three times in March (during Tattoo) and two of the three it was freezing and it was a blessing when it started snowing. We've always had a wonderful time! We are pretty brave and have "winged" it for our accommodations for most of the trips. We found it was a good idea to get your B/B or Farmhouse before 5 pm. (Though that time of year you shouldn't have any problems.) Then your new hostess can direct you to the best place to eat. As far as directions I always try to plan a "circular route" covering the places we want to see and bringing us back to our departure point. The nice thing is if weather is a problem you can reverse the circle. Personally I would prefer a clockwise approach starting out South.<BR>Eleven days is a good amount and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. I do suggest getting a really good large scale "map book" of Scotland that shows lots of detail and is locally made. I've discovered lots of fantastic places off the beaten path with local maps.

Pam,<BR><BR>I'm confused. I thought the Edinburgh Tattoo was in August. Is there another one in March? If so, I assume it would be significantly less crowded?<BR><BR>I hope to go someday, but so far haven't been able to plan far enough in advance to assure tickets/lodging.<BR><BR>Dave

I think Pam is so wrong. Would not put too much faith in her suggestions if she thinks the Military Tattoo is in March.

Ok-i'm going to top this for myself b/c now I'm just confused! Although we were thinking of a clockwise trip starting south. Any more help?

Ani - all of the places you mention are great. But you only have 11+ days. The trip down through the Borders and to Alnwick would take a MINIMUM of 3+ days because there is so much you would want to see. Alnwick, Holy Island, St Abbs head, the fabulous border abbeys, Traquair house, neidpath castle etc, etc, etc.<BR><BR>So, as much as you want to visit Sweetheart Abbey - I would skip the SW. It is a lovely area but the 2 days you would need down there would not leave you enough time to get to the other places on your wish list.<BR><BR>You could squeeze Edinburgh, the Borders, the Trossachs, Speyside, and Aberdeenshire / the castle trail in to 11 days but going all the way to Dumfries/Galloway would make it tough.

and yes - the Tattoo is in August . . .

JAnis...Funny-thinking about the SW is actually what prompted me to post. I had originally counted it out of our travels but, after looking at my map (i've begun to circle the places, castles etc that we wish to visit) there were so many circles down there that i thought maybe we should make it more of a priority. We were actually only planning on having one night spent near the border abbeys-and only visiting Alnwick, jedburgh, dryburgh, melrose and traquair. I don't have a whole lot of places so far in the North-not going to the distilleries, not going to St. Abbs-just things we've already counted out. Anyway I will definately consider not doing the SW now as well. Any more advice is greatly appreciated!

...and don't forget Linlithgow Palace. <BR><BR>Between Glasgow and Edinburrgh it is well worth a visit. Information atBR><BR>http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/Castles/Linlithgow.htm

Oh yes, Rob-already have that on our list!! And that website I've spent a lot of time on already-thanks though! Any others you can think of?

Ani,<BR><BR>Craigmillar Castle, in suburban Edinburgh (south of Arthur's Seat), also has a connection to Mary, QofS. Craigmillar is often overlooked but quite impressive (on a par with Linlithgow).<BR><BR>Craigmillar can be reached by E'burgh city bus plus a 1/2mile walk.<BR><BR>You can find background info and photos at <BR>www.marie-stuart.co.uk/Castles/craigmillar.htm<BR>www.caledoniancastles.co.uk/castles/lothian/craigmillar.htm<BR><BR>Dave

Last summer I went on a 5 day budget oriented travel bus tour called MacBackPackers. The driver/tour guide was incredibaly well versed on history and stopped frequently at sites where he whent into incredible detail about history. All the accomodations are pre-arranged. Hostel type lodging. Lots of fun. They have a web site.

Ani<BR><BR>I'm particularly fond of the area surrounding Aberfoyle. Closeby is the Lake of Monteith (the only lake in Scotland!). There is a small island there called Inchmahome (accessible by ferry from port of Monteith) that has the ruins of the 13th century Inchmahome Priory where Mary lived for a short time when a child.

Ani - you really cannot visit Alnwick, Jedburgh (and Queen Mary's House), Dryburgh, Melrose and Traquair in 1+ days.<BR><BR>The trip down to and visit of Alnwick will take at least 1/2 a day. Just visiting Jedburgh Abbey and Mary's House will take maybe 3 hours (plus a 2 hour drive from Alnwick). There is no direct route from Alnwick to jedburgh (they look close on a map but it is almost 60 miles by road)<BR><BR>Overnight in/near Jedburgh and then Melrose, Dryburgh and Traquair would be another very full day. And you would have a three hour drive to Newton Stewart or Kircudbright.

rob's suggestion of the Lake of Mentieth is a MUST for mary followers, as is Loch Leven Castle - both are accessible by motor launch.

Ani... I'm the SW Scotland one woman tourist booster! I'm so glad to read afew messages above that the SW had the most marks on your map. Galloway is an amazing place. West of Sweetheart abbey is one of the finest places to visit and most don't. This is great for those of us who love it and visit, but too bad for those who go on the the path more often traveled. Castle Douglas, Dumfries, Kirkudbright (the finest town!), Logan Garden, Port Logan, Port Patrick, Gatehouse on Fleet, the Rhins, Wigtown, Creetown... I'd suggest you forget the Borders and head straight southwest! Trust your dots! Have a grand time!

All of Danna's points are good. Your only problem is only having 11 days total. You have some tough decisions. I love the SW and the Borders and especially the Trossachs. I will get slammed for this - but if you definitely want to see the SW and because of your interest in Mary, etc I recommend you forget about going north. The Highlands and Aberdeenshire are fabulous but you simply do not have enough time to see it all.<BR><BR>Concentrate on the Borders, SW, Trossachs, East Lothian (Lintithgow), and Edinburgh. You can then see enough Mary sites to fill your wildest dreams.<BR><BR>Remember - except on the few motorways you will average less than 40 miles mph so you cannot cover as much territory as you'd like.

Just to give you some perspective for the borders this was one day of our trip last year.<BR><BR>Night spent just outside Jedburgh<BR>Jedburgh Abbey<BR>Melrose Abbey<BR>Dryburgh Abbey via Scott's View<BR>Edinburgh<BR><BR>We had plenty of time in each plus pull over and take picture time and still got to Edinburgh with plenty of time to find the guest house (one of Rick Steve's recommended) and have dinner.

WOW! What fabulous and helpful responses! Thank you so much...I have much to consider...and will think about not doing the North and being able to see more of the SW. If I were to do this, how far North should we be able to travel in our time frame (ie what would be our cutting off point?-my husband, not being a history buff, is basically going where I lead, and of course wants to see Loch Ness!).Also, Inchmahome has been on my list from day one! <BR>

Ani...Husband I were in Scotland for 6 days in May,'01...we were not rushed, did St.Andrews, Perth, Callander (Trossachs), Glencoe, Ft.William, Loch Ness, Inverness (Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns, Ft. George), Mallaig, Glenfinnan, Oban, then Glasgow...Wonderful BandB in Glencoe area (Ardno House, Mrs Pam Weir,([email protected]) awesome house on Loch Linnhe, wonderful hostess!...in Callander,Trossachs-Knowe Guesthouse,a 5 min.walk to town, and Rob Roy Museum, website is(www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/knowe.html)...hope this is of some help...Helen