A family member is being married near Dollar, near the end of March. What do I wear to the wedding so I stay warm and dry but still look dressed up? Is there transportation from Edinburgh or Glasgow other than taxis, if we don't want to drive on the "other" side of the road? Any suggestions for accommodations? Anything interesting about Dollar? Coming from Chicago - thanks!

Check out www.travelinescotland.com - web site gives full details. No train station at Dollar, and no direct bus either. Quickest is 1hr 49 min with change, bus from Edinburgh 1050 from Charlotte Sq to Kinross(goes to Dundee) , change to get Dollar bus (goes to Stirling). Taxi would cost a lot - once you get out of Edinburgh - and airport is on the right side of town for an easy exit, driving is easy in Scotland as traffic is relatively light(but having said that, weather might make it trickier at that time of the year - especially as you will be going into hilly areas). Castle Campbell looks interesting for accommodation. If you have Scottish ancestry, kilts are the thing to wear but if you are worried about knobbly (or/&cold) knees just wear a suit.If you play golf, then take your kit and play at Gleneagles, which is not so far, as well as local course. Otherwise do not expect too much cosmopolitan night life in Dollar.

Dress suggestion was for your husband/boyfriend if relevant!

Kathy: Have been to three weddings in Scotland over the last ten years. The most recent one in May of last year. The dress isn't much different than here. One consideration, the ladies wear hats, beautiful wide brimmed hats. It is. of course optional. My wife didn't wear one at the first two weddings and did the last one. Be prepared for a full day. Wedding some time in the afternoon followed by reception, followewd by dinner, followed by speeches by everyone in the wedding party and many of the guests, followed by dancing and dancing and dancing into the wee hours. A stop for a wee dram every now and then. The gentlemen will ask you to dance. It is considered polite to keep guests dancing and a number of gentlemen will ask you. You won't have more fun in your life. The speeches are priceless. You will never laugh so hard at the intimate stories friends and relatives will tell about the Bride and Groom. Nothing like a Scottish Wedding.<BR>I would drive. It isn't difficult, really. Our friends live in Largs and it is just so much easier to get around, especially as the weddings and reception/dinners tend to be scattered all over the place. The last one was at Bonnydoon (sp?). What a magical spot. Have a great time.

The dress code is really the same and yes people tend to wear hats more but it is not expected just a preference for some ladies. I was at a wedding in Edinburgh last August and yes they go on for much longer. I live in Ireland and even this wedding was longer than an Irish one! You usually have the wedding at lunch or the afternoon and then a few drinks at the hotel or on the way to the hotel. Then dinner starts and afterwards there ate the speeches and toasts. Often both fathers will make speeches at weddings and often others will be telling funny stories about the couple. Afterwards like in the U.S. Dancing and later on after you have danced off the dinner they usually serve tea and sandwiches or snacks. After the music stops people convene in the residents bar if its in a hotel and have a few drinks and in my friends case a singsong as well....not a pretty dsight at 3am! Needless to say you will be wrecked the next day but will have had a great time!

A lot of the dances will be Scottish Country dances. Try them with a partner who knows the steps. These are what make Scottish weddings the most fun.

Now,How do I get invited to a Scottish wedding?

Kathy,<BR><BR>You must report about the wedding when you return! It was great seeing yu in San Diego and hope we can meet up for a fun adventure soon!

Will haggis be served? With lots of whisky, I hope?

Probably not haggis, but almost certainly lots (and lots) of whisky!

topping for Kathy

Kathy,<BR><BR>Be sure to post when you return. It sounds like this will be a very special wedding!

The answer is, wear a coat. Over your dress or suit. It can also be nice to organise a buttonhole- what you guys would call a corsage. Roses or carnations, white or red. <BR><BR>Dollar is a sod to get to and you would find it easier if you drove. Why not go the night before and stay over? That's what most of the guests from away will be doing.<BR><BR>Dollar Glen is a nice walk.

I agree about staying overnight before the wedding. I recently went to a wedding in Ireland and the bride and groom had a list of places to stay with a variety of price ranges. Perhaps your friends have a similar list.

Topping - Thanks, everyone! This should be fun - with hat and/or flower on coat! Now the decision is, since I have 6 days available first, should I go extra-early to Edinburgh (been there once, years ago) or to London (even further back in time)? Or should I consider Glasgow? What a great choice! And other postings of inexpensive lodgings are much appreciated, all.

Kathy: London or Edinburgh (love them both), but not Glasgow. Glasgow does have some good museums and shopping, but it totally lacks charm. Not on a par with London or Edinburgh IMHO.

I've attended a number of weddings in the UK, and as far as the hat thing goes, I've noticed that most of the older women wear hats while many of the younger women do not.

How Fun - My husband &amp; I will be also attending a wedding this summer in the Edinburgh area (Linithgow ?) - It will be July for us - I was informed by my sister-In-Law to expect the late nite parting (sound like a grand time to me!) and dancing. Is it possible that the family may consider renting vehicles to transport everyone to the wedding / reception? I do know that is being ordered for the wedding this summer - since many of us are staying in various hotels/B&amp;B's in the E. Lothian &amp; Edinburgh areas. Have fun &amp; post back here about the wedding when you return - I would look forward to hearing about the wedding before I leave for Scotland!

First of all, get your husband to hire a dress kilt outfit ! He might be a bit reticent at first, but believe me after the first drink and dance, he'll be so glad he did.<BR>For yourself, just go as you would to a nice wedding in the States...hat is optional, but many of the women will be wearing them.<BR>Dollar is a lovely village in a lovely area. If you get nice weather, the place looks fabulous. Only drawback is that Dollar is kinda stuck in the middle of nowhere...the only major town nearby is Stirling, and I suppose you could take a taxi from there. I would though advise hiring a car...you'll get used to driving on the left after an hour or 2. Book a hotel room in Dollar though for the night of the wedding....the police will clamp down hard on drink driving (not that you would !)<BR>Have a great time, and don't miss the walk up Dollar Glen and a visit to Castle Campbell.

Kathy,<BR><BR>Just wear what you wore New Year's Eve!<BR>Whereever you were......I'm sure that it will be appropriate.<BR><BR>You know, there's always a &quot;nut&quot; on Fodors somewhere.<BR><BR>Don't forget to wear silk tops and bottoms of long johns or &quot;Cuddle Duds&quot; long underwear (should be on sale now). Look on Sierra Trading Post website. They will never show under your &quot;finest&quot;, and will help so much.<BR>Have a terrific time, stay warm!<BR><BR>I bet you are really glad for all of your new &quot;Fodor's friends&quot; with such terrific answers.