Travel in Scotland and Ireland
 

We are planning to spend three days in Scotland, arriving in Glasgow 10/4 at 11:30 a.m. for day one. The highlight of our driving trip would be a visit to Dunrobin Castle and surrounding areas, winding up with a day in Edenburgh. On the fourth day we take the train/ferry and arrive Dun Laoghaire at 6:05 p.m. for five days driving in Ireland. The highlight would be Killarney. Day five would be spent in Dublin. <BR>Any suggestions for this whirlwind trip would be appreciated.

We just returned from a trip that included a week in southern Ireland, with four days based in Killarney. The highlight of that area for us was the Dingle Peninsula, as I said in my western Ireland trip report posting, but we thought Killarney was also lovely. The big excursion of that area is the Gap of Dunloe/Lakes tour--hike or take a pony trap through the Gap, then take a boat through the upper and lower lakes. It depends on at least fairly nice weather though to be a pleasant trip. We stayed at Kathleen's Country House, which is in several American guide books. It's more expensive than any other place we stayed (meant to be our big splurge), but it is a very attractive comfortable place with pretty bedrooms, relatively luxurious bathrooms, excellent breakfasts and helpful concierge service. Everyone we saw staying there was American. There are good restaurants in town, but I can only remember the name of one we liked--Sheila's.

For such a short stay would you be better off by staying in only one gereral area? It seems to me that you are not allowing time for any spur of the moment time. While both Scotland and Ireland have much to see, It is my personal opinion that it might be best to restrict your trip to one area and see it in more depth. <BR>

I've lived in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Glasgow is very big and industrial. The highlight of Glasgow is the pople, "Glaswegians." They are the best people in the world. Don't be afraid to chat.- Edinburgh is more touristy with the castle and the royal mile. It is an opulent city. ------ I suggest that you visit both of these different cities, wander around and soak up Scotland. Ireland is lovely as well. You will get plenty of the countryside in your travels about and in Ireland. I'm sure that you will have a great holliday. <BR>

To add to my original message, we need to know best way driving from Glasgow to spend a day in the northeastern highlands/Dunrobin Castle and then the best way driving from there to our place of departure, Edenburgh. <BR>Also, any suggestions for hotels and B&Bs? <BR>Thanks for all the help so far. <BR>

My own very personal opinion is that Glasgow can be left quickly in order to get to the area around Edinburgh and Edinburgh itself which is wonderful. I agree with the above that the Dingle Peninsula and Killarney are tops. Also Connemara is like no other place you've ever been. I don't like Dublin at all, but if it's a first trip maybe you have to see it. Are you leaving from Shannon? If so I would spend as much time in the Southwest and not bother with Dublin. But, you may feel free to disagree!! It's a shame you have so little time. Is there anyway to have more? <BR>

<BR>We did 10 days in the Sw of Ireland in Sept. 96, You may be strtched for time driving to enjoy. We did Dingle, Galway, Clifden and the Connemara mtns, Killarney, Lahinch and Adare, We spent 9 days in Dublin in Dec 97 and kept busy every day w/o a car. The Abbey theater, Nat. Concert Hall, Nat, Gallery, Nat, Museum < pubs < Grafton St., all were great for day and nite, Stayed at the Kilronan BB in Dublin and they could not be nicer, just 5 minwalk to St. Stephen's Green

Rita, get a castle map at any book store in Glasgow (Waterstone's or John Thins.) This will give you an idea of what castles are in the Glasgow area. Don't bother to take the day to come to Edinburgh. While it is a beautiful city, the castle is the best part of it and you can get the castle idea by visiting any castle in Scotland. Stirling Castle is definately worth a visit and you can visit a few others to and from it. It's closer and definately worth seeing. Check out Loch Lomond area as well as those between Glasgow and Lanark. There are quite a few great museums in Glasgow. The Burrell Collection was highly recommended, as is the Kelvingrove Museum. I agree with the previous post about staying in one location. Like I said, Edinburgh is cool, but you can get the idea by staying in one location and seeing what's up in and around Glasgow.