Looking to visit Scotland, particlarly Edinburgh and was wondering the best time to go and what is an absolute must see while there? I'm hoping to go in July or August when its so humid here. I'm also considering escorted tours such as Tauck or Maupintour both of which feature Scotland and Scotland/England tours. Thanks!<BR>Jim, New Orleans

Lots of posts on traveling to Edinburgh particularly in August... it can be crowded then and rather &quot;buggy&quot;, literally. Might try July. Do a search on the tour names and I bet something shows up.

August is the big festival time in Edinburgh. We were there last year for the festival and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Mind you, I started booking accomodation in March, and found plenty of places fully booked.<BR><BR>There are smaller festivals (like Jazz) in July so it won't be too bad .... but summer sees a rather crowded Edinburgh.<BR><BR>-Brownie

Thanks everyone! Brownie, can I assume by your email address you're at the &quot;Harvard&quot; of Australia? <BR><BR>

Try to go on a tour that includes a ticket to the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. There's nothing like it! My experience is that Tauck tours are the best. They stay at the best hotels, dinner is always a la carte, and they usually stay in one hotel for two or three nights. Some of the less expensive tours do one night stands, and you spend way too much time on the bus!<BR>My favorite places in Scotland are all in the Wastern Highlands and Hebrides Islands, but if I have to shoose one place not to miss, it would be Glen Coe. Stunning.<BR>

Sandra, thanks, I wish I'd seen your posting before I posted my question about Tauck lol. Yes, Tauck is wonderful and first class all the way and it looks like I cannot duplicate their tour for less money. Did you take their &quot;Week in Scotland&quot; tour or one of the others? thanks!

Unless you really want to go to the Festival I REALLY would avoid Scotland or Britain generally in July and August.<BR>It will be crowded, hot and in the countryside the midgies will be at their worst. Don't underestimate the Scottish midge. Many people have been made so miserable by them that they've sworn never to return.<BR>If you can possibly manage it, go in May or early June or leave it until September when all the British schools will be back.

Hmm... I'll second that! Unless you're wanting to go during the festival time (a good time for some culture ), you probably will want to avoid the crowds (and drunks) of Edinburgh.<BR><BR>I love comedy and I wouldn't miss Edinburgh unless for an EXTREMELY good reason. Seeing that I currently live in Switzerland and can't go to the Melbourne Comedy Festival anymore.<BR><BR>As for the tattoo - if you can sit through it on TV, then go for it. <BR><BR>We did the Edinburgh - Lomond - Islay route in August too, and though we did notice the midges, they weren't a big bother. However, I should point out, that we didn't camp out. Did a few hikes, but that was about all. I loved the weather and didn't find it too hot at all.<BR><BR>-brownie<BR>

hi, On the one hand I can just recommend to visit Edinburgh in August, as the festival is a must see, but July might be also nice, because there are smaller festivals,like the jazz festival, September is also a wonderfull time, because the city is not that crowded ,but the weather is still nice.<BR>you should not miss the fireworks at the end of the festival in august ,they are just marvellous.

Anglo, please tell me when it's hot in Scotland? I lived there up till 5 years ago (and will be again frim January) and I don't remember a regular &quot;hot&quot; time! ;-)<BR><BR>Personally, I don't mind Edinburgh during the Festival (which is just as well since I'm moving there) as there really is much more of a &quot;buzz&quot; about the place than the rest of the year. However, I suppose that for tourists it is more busy, the attractions more crowded and the restaurants and hotels more fully booked than the rest of the year.<BR><BR>If you do go to Edinburgh during the Festival, then take advantage of it. Part of the fun is picking a show to go and see without knowing whether it's any good or not - since the tickets can be dead cheap it doesn't really matter. It's not unknown for shows to start off with an audience of 10, but by the end it's dropped off to 1 - and that's the reviewer for the &quot;Scotsman&quot;! The best shows on the Fringe are usually at the Pleasance or the Assembly Rooms (the more expensive venues.) Incidentally, you can often find well known actors and writers making a surprise appearance - Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon did last year.

Thanks again everyone and since I'll be coming from New Orleans I'm sure Scotland at its hottest would qualify as early winter here Midgies, I believe, are similar to New England greenheads which are quite aggressive so I'll definitely bring repellant along thanks for the warning. It may be crowded in summer, but part of the appeal of being in Scotland then is that I wont be HERE then lol.

Jim:<BR>We spent four weeks in Scotland this summer (July), and only came across midges one time. They are &quot;demonish,&quot; as my seven year old said, but I was surprised (and relieved) to only experience them that one time. Also, take layers. It was very cool most of the time. Go to the islands if you can!<BR>

Back from Edinburgh two weeks ago; fourth trip there. Things that I consider &quot;must see/do&quot;: Opened top bus tour -- the loop covering the Castle and Holyrood; takes about an hour; do the whole loop then walk or use city buses from there on. The Castle. The Museum of Scotland: New building about 3 blocks off the Royal Mile, combined with the Royal Museum of Scotland; the Museum of Scotland is an excellent natural/cultural history museum focusing (obviously) on Scotland. Other very nice, but not &quot;necessary&quot; -- in my order of preference -- are Royal Yacht Brittania, Palace at Holyrood, walk up to the castle from Princes Street (through the park and up the very steep hill). I also enjoyed the Camera Obscura; however, I am easy to entertain (but once is enough).

Just got back from Edinburgh. I stayed at the George Intercontinental. It was a DUMP! For 110 pounds($174) a night. We took 2 Rabbies tours:<BR>*Loch Lomond National Park &amp; Stirling Castle 8 hours<BR>*Loch Ness, Glencoe &amp; the Scottish Highlands 12 hours<BR>The tours were great BUT the buses were small so if you get motion sickness it is not a good choice. It gave us a chance to see alot without spending many days in the area.