My husband and I have been planning a two-week trip to Scotland for the past year and have only two days/nights to reserve. We'll be exploring the Perth area one day and the St. Andrew's area the other. Has anyone had any experience staying at the Salutation, Parklands, or Royal George in Perth? Also, any good recommendations for the Falkland area (we will be visiting Falkland Palace after a tour around the East Neuk on our way to Edinburgh.) Any help would be be greatly appreciated.

The poshest of those hotels in Perth is the George, and it's probably the most nicely located.

The Sally is also fine. Speaking from growing up in Perth 40 years ago, check that if you are staying over the weekend, you are not in proximity to any function room or disco.

The Parklands is not a hotel I know well, but it's out of the centre overlooking (would you believe) a large flat park. I think it's basically a grown up guest house. probably very nice if that's what you're looking for.

If I were hotelling it in Perth, other options I'd look at- different styles and different locations, you understand- would be the Lovat, the Huntingtower and the Queen's.

In Falkland, you've basically got the Covenanter, which is fine. You might want to have a look at Fernie Castle which is not that far away. Or the Green in Kinross

Sheila...thanks so much for the reply. I'll do some checking into your suggestions...Alisa

My husband and I are leaving for our long awaited Scotland tomorrow and I wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for great advice and guidance and we planned the trip. The information I have read on this forum has been invaluable to me. Thank you.
I do have one question. We are flying in to Glasgow and heading for Ardanaiseig. What is the best way to get out of Glasgow heading for Luss? We would like to avoid as much traffic as possible since we will be weary from a long flight plus have never driven on the left before. Thanks for your help!

Turn west away from the city and cross the river at the Erskine Bridge. Follow signs for Loch lomond

Just follow sheila's suggestion - you won't be in Glasgow traffic to speak of since the airport is west of the city right on the M8 and a short drive from Erskine Bridge. You will be across the Clyde and on your way to Loch Lomond before you know it.

Hope your trip is wonderful, sethsmom, and I want you to know that this thread was helpful to ME when I was planning our trip - we leave in two weeks! I guess I will not see a trip report from you before I leave, but we can compare some notes when I get back. We are going the opposite way - starting in Edinburgh, ending in Glasgow, and we won't go as far east - but we are also staying at Eilean Iarmain on Skye (if that is where you ended up reserving).

If you had more time, I would ask you to post what you are packing, which is my focus now! We decided on checking through expandable 22inchers for both of us, with reasonable sized carryons containing the emergency clothes... (my luggage spent an extra sightseeing day somewhere else last on the trip I took)

Safe journey,
Dorothy

Thanks again to Sheila, Janis and everyone. Your willingness to give advise and smart tips has helped more than I can say.

Dorothy: autumn has definitely arrived in Edinburgh. It's quite nippy - c. 11-15 degrees C during the daytime & down to c.5 at night - occasional showers & sometimes windy. Bring layers ! I went out optimistically on Saturday morning in a skirt, bare legs & denim jacket, froze, went home, had soup for lunch, went out again in the afternoon in jeans, winter coat & gloves :-)

Nice and sunny and clear a lot of the time, though.

Thanks, Caroline. It's 84F (29C) here right now, just outside NY City - will go dig up my corduroys and nylon jacket with the removable fleece!

Seth's Mom...on Day Seven...after seeing Loch Ness and the Urquhart Castle....drive just a few miles to Borlum Farms...the most delightful B and b you'll stay in ....it's near the town of Drumnadrochit.
Stu

29 degrees, sigh...

Definitely go to Inverary Castle and about 5 miles away you must have lunch at the Loch Fyne Oyster Restaurant!! Are you going to Glasgow at all? Are you planning on going to the Southwest coast-- Ayrshire? There are some great sights around here; Burns Cottage & Country, Culzean Castle, great golf courses (Royal Troon, Prestwick, Turnberry). Also in Ayrshire; check out Costley & Costley REstaurants/Inns(Cochrane Inn, Lochgreen House, Highgrove House). The latter two have accommodation, truly first class (Scottish owned and operated). If you stay in Oban, stay at Ards House! Great views and good food. Morangie House House is a nice place to stay in Tain. Must go to Tain Pottery and Glenmorangie Distillery. May want to also serious consider going to the Isle of Arran... condisered Scotland in miniature! Amazing place... Falkland Palace (located near St. andrews) is a great place and the town is always voted one of the best for gardens! Just east of Edinburgh there is a wonderful town of North Berwick, home of Bass Rock. It's a upscale seaside town.