Trip Report Scotland Road Trip 01
Jul 21st, 2007 | 09:16 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Trip Report Scotland Road Trip 01
Hello,
I have posted the Edinburgh trip report in the UK section, a few days ago. Looking at the pictures I realize that I only really spend one full day there, and two half days, so will move on the the road trip...
I picked up my Europcar in a seemingly residential area of Edinburgh. Getting there via cab was easy, getting out of there and toward the main road to Rosslyn was not so easy. I'm good at reading maps, but the lack of co-navigators in the car, combined with being freaked out of driving on the opposite side of the road (of what I'm used to at least, it had been a year at this point), made for a very stressful way out of Edinburgh.
But alas, we did make it to Rosslyn Chapel, it really isn't far from Edinburgh at all. It was a nice relaxed drive and the chapel was lovely with it's intricate carvings. An ex coworker is a Mason so I made sure to take lots of photos as there were so many sybols of freemasonry throughout the chapel. Quite awesome and I even bought him a book from there.
So, after Rosslyn Chapel it was off toward Montrose we went, heading back in the direction that we started. I was going to try to stop in St. Andrew's but we spent quite awhile at Rosslyn Chapel and wanted to get to Montrose before it got dark, and I was just then realizing that I wasn't going to have any help with the navigating, despite having highlighted my atlas. By the way, I am very happy with the atlas used, I bought "AA Motorist's Atlas Britain" and loved it.
We arrived at our Bed & Breakfast in Montrose and it was very nice, I dare say luxe =-) There was a beautiful sunroom that we could enjoy there, and the breakfast there was excellent, the dining room completely decorated with plates of the Royal Family, a classy place indeed.
Montrose itself is pretty small, and by the time that we headed out for dinner, not too many choices, but I prefer smaller towns so for those who really don't enjoy towns I would say skip. For me it was a good stopping point along my trip.
The following morning we headed north along the coast to Stonehaven, gorgeous coastline. We stopped at Dunnottar though did not go into the ruins but got close enough to appreciate the setting, quite nice. I was very excited to go into Stonehaven to see the Carron Restaurant, an Art Deco beauty. Sadly, the restaurant opened half an hour later (I believe at noon or so, or 2pm), and my family members weren't keen on eating just yet. I was willing to just do tea and desset, Art Deco, I was so excited!! At least I got a nice picture of the outside, definitely if I am ever in the area again, I'd go in, just because it's such an architectural gem.
Moving right along... we bear toward Banchory along the A957, this way we bypassed Aberdeen. Somewhere between Banchory and Aboyne along that Castle Trail road, there was this artist gallery area. I found a few beautiful, one of a kind pendants (well, found lots of pendants, but could only justify buying three). There were of course paintings, hand crafts, more jewelry, and good shopping, there was a sign for this along the road. A restaurant was also within this compound area, though we did not dine here, I think this is worth stopping at, if one likes shopping.
Then it was off to Balmoral Castle... Shall write that in the next post.
I have posted the Edinburgh trip report in the UK section, a few days ago. Looking at the pictures I realize that I only really spend one full day there, and two half days, so will move on the the road trip...
I picked up my Europcar in a seemingly residential area of Edinburgh. Getting there via cab was easy, getting out of there and toward the main road to Rosslyn was not so easy. I'm good at reading maps, but the lack of co-navigators in the car, combined with being freaked out of driving on the opposite side of the road (of what I'm used to at least, it had been a year at this point), made for a very stressful way out of Edinburgh.
But alas, we did make it to Rosslyn Chapel, it really isn't far from Edinburgh at all. It was a nice relaxed drive and the chapel was lovely with it's intricate carvings. An ex coworker is a Mason so I made sure to take lots of photos as there were so many sybols of freemasonry throughout the chapel. Quite awesome and I even bought him a book from there.
So, after Rosslyn Chapel it was off toward Montrose we went, heading back in the direction that we started. I was going to try to stop in St. Andrew's but we spent quite awhile at Rosslyn Chapel and wanted to get to Montrose before it got dark, and I was just then realizing that I wasn't going to have any help with the navigating, despite having highlighted my atlas. By the way, I am very happy with the atlas used, I bought "AA Motorist's Atlas Britain" and loved it.
We arrived at our Bed & Breakfast in Montrose and it was very nice, I dare say luxe =-) There was a beautiful sunroom that we could enjoy there, and the breakfast there was excellent, the dining room completely decorated with plates of the Royal Family, a classy place indeed.
Montrose itself is pretty small, and by the time that we headed out for dinner, not too many choices, but I prefer smaller towns so for those who really don't enjoy towns I would say skip. For me it was a good stopping point along my trip.
The following morning we headed north along the coast to Stonehaven, gorgeous coastline. We stopped at Dunnottar though did not go into the ruins but got close enough to appreciate the setting, quite nice. I was very excited to go into Stonehaven to see the Carron Restaurant, an Art Deco beauty. Sadly, the restaurant opened half an hour later (I believe at noon or so, or 2pm), and my family members weren't keen on eating just yet. I was willing to just do tea and desset, Art Deco, I was so excited!! At least I got a nice picture of the outside, definitely if I am ever in the area again, I'd go in, just because it's such an architectural gem.
Moving right along... we bear toward Banchory along the A957, this way we bypassed Aberdeen. Somewhere between Banchory and Aboyne along that Castle Trail road, there was this artist gallery area. I found a few beautiful, one of a kind pendants (well, found lots of pendants, but could only justify buying three). There were of course paintings, hand crafts, more jewelry, and good shopping, there was a sign for this along the road. A restaurant was also within this compound area, though we did not dine here, I think this is worth stopping at, if one likes shopping.
Then it was off to Balmoral Castle... Shall write that in the next post.
Jul 26th, 2007 | 03:48 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Great report so far. Your mention of taking a large amount of pictures at Rosslyn Chapel for a friend who is a Mason, made me smile. I did the same thing last year and bought two books, also for a friend who is a mason. However, my friend only received one book, as my son decided to keep one which covered the carvings in some detail.
I am glad to see that you take the roads less travelled. I will admit that I gave up after a frustrating period of driving in Edinburgh and gave the car over to my 16 year old son, who mastered the art of driving quickly.
I look forwarded to the rest of your report.
Slan Beo,
Bit Devine
I am glad to see that you take the roads less travelled. I will admit that I gave up after a frustrating period of driving in Edinburgh and gave the car over to my 16 year old son, who mastered the art of driving quickly.
I look forwarded to the rest of your report.
Slan Beo,
Bit Devine
Jul 27th, 2007 | 04:19 AM
#6
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 0
Nice report so far!
I took a ton of pics at Rosslyn Chapel also, and I got a really nice pic of Montrose on the way there. The sun finally came out that night!
Montrose Picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...7600601602153/
I'm interested to hear what you thought of Balmoral compared to Crathes. We thought it was such a waste, and we really really enjoyed Crathes Castle.
I took a ton of pics at Rosslyn Chapel also, and I got a really nice pic of Montrose on the way there. The sun finally came out that night!
Montrose Picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammima...7600601602153/
I'm interested to hear what you thought of Balmoral compared to Crathes. We thought it was such a waste, and we really really enjoyed Crathes Castle.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dawnie9
Caribbean Islands
4
Aug 8th, 2007 08:54 AM
