Planning a trip to Scotland in May for my husband and me. We want to enjoy the scenery, visit some historic sites and also do some relaxing, so we're not looking to rush around to cover the whole area. Here's what I have so far: <BR>Day 1 Arrive in Glasgow, drive to Glen Coe <BR>Day 2 Glen Coe area

Be sure to go to the Isle of Skye, Inverness, and Edinburgh. In Edinburgh, hike up to Arthur's Seat (a huge hill in center of city) The views from the top are amazing. Also see the Edinburgh Castle. Inverness is home to Loch Ness-- the deepest fresh water lake on earth--stunning. Go to Urqhart Castle and try to find Nessie. <BR> <BR>Be careful in Glasgow -a tough town (IMO).

Be sure to check out the new posting of the Best of the Best in Scotland. It's already starting to have some great postings. Make sure to spend atleast a few days in Edinburgh. It's a beautiful city and so easy to get around. Start out at the Edinburgh Castle at opening time. Plan to spend atleast 3 hours there. Then take your time roaming down the Royal Mile. Stop in the little shops and talk to the store clerks (I found them to have great advice on restaurants). Then you'll eventually wind up at Holyroad Palace where you can take a tour of the Queen's Scotland home. Arthur's Seat is located right near the palace. The view's great, but not an easy climb for everyone. If you go to the castle, you'll have already seen some great views of the city from there. <BR> <BR>Make sure to take advantage of seeing atleast a view of the musuems. They're free to the public and offer some wonderful art work. I found the National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery to both be quite delightful. <BR> <BR>Just enjoy roaming in the city. The people are wonderful and so friendly. <BR> <BR>And if you want to treat yourself to a fun store - make sure to check out LUSH. It's a bath products store on Princes Street (right near Jenner's Dept. Store). They have wonderful handmade stuff - bubble bath bars, bathbombs and soaps. They were a big hit when I brought stuff home for gifts.

Mary Sue; how long do you intend to come for? Do you understand the constraints that foot and mouth will put on access to the countryside? <BR> <BR>Lots of terriic things to do even if you only get out of your car in towns and vilages, but that is what we are looking at.

Glasgow a tough town, Nessie? A vicious calumny usually put around by the English

Rob & Mary Sue: <BR> <BR>Rob has given me pause: Just because Glasgow was where I had a tough time (and it was many years ago) does not mean it is a tough town altogether. Every place has a downside, I suppose. And I am sure I'd have discovered a better side of Glasgow with a little more exploration. I apologize to all Glaswegians. <BR>Nessie