The situation isn't improving, its worsening.The Gov is now taking measures so draconian that even the farmers are protesting. <BR>Scotland : F&M only in the South at the moment (around Dumfries), but movement across any land where livestock is kept or has been is not advised. <BR>Some rambling is still possible but sheep are so common here that its hard to avoid places grazed by them.

Please, you don't have to bring your own food for Pete's sake. The supermarkets are still full and restaurants are still open. Unless you want to walk in the country, you won't even notice foot and mouth. <BR>Some people are being really silly about this.

Carol -- <BR> <BR>Many of the historic sites in Scotland are operated by one of two organizations: <BR> <BR>1) The National Trust for Scotland (www.nts.org.uk) has closed virtually all of their properties (which includes gardens and nature preserves as well as historic sites), except for a few in cities. <BR> <BR>2) Historic Scotland (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk) has closed many properties and posted a list of closings. <BR> <BR>Also, a number of privately owned castles, etc., are closed. I read in the Scotsman that the Scottish Tourist Board has just launched an ad campaign in France in which the posters feature Dunottar Castle, currently closed! <BR> <BR>But you won't have any trouble in the cities.

Thanks for the help in referring me to sites providing info about what's closed in Scotland. <BR> <BR>We're scheduled to leave May 10, and while our first week concentrates on cities, I'm very concerned that many of the castles and hiking trails will be unavailable in the last two weeks. <BR> <BR>I think for the moment we'll just sit tight and keep checking in...thanks again for all of the good information. <BR> <BR>Carol

oyce it's not far from Kilconquhar to Markinch, but I don't know about connections up to Perth. I THINK you can go direct from Ladybank. But you would go up t Dundee and west to Perth, rather than down to Edinburgh and back up again. From Edinburgh you get to Perth via Stirling. I blame Dr Beeching!

Thank you Sheila. topping

From the Institute of Public Rights of Way site (http://www.iprow.co.uk/footandmouth/index.htm): <BR> <BR>All names and sources withheld! Please share the lighter side with us. <BR> <BR>1. A walker was stopped by a Ranger and asked not to use a path. Her response was "It doesn't affect me, I'm a vegetarian"! <BR>2. An irate walker rang the office of a local authority and demanded to speak to a Rights of Way Officer. She demanded that he explain to her dog why it couldn't go for a walk. To his astonishment all he heard was a dog panting down the phone (he thought!) <BR>3. A rights of way section sent a note out to all it's Parish Councils enititled "Footpath and Mouth Disease" (Whoops!) <BR>4. From a northern county - On Wednesday (7th March) a colleague saw a chap on a PROW rip down one of our closure notices and walk away with it. He chased after the man who said that he couldn't read and, thinking the notice might a sign advertising a sale, he was going to take it to someone who would read it to him. <BR>5. An authority in the south of England was asked by a member of the public if it was ok to visit the countryside if he walked quickly! <BR>6. From a Local Authority helpline.... <BR>Question: "Are the foot & mouth infected area notices a joke for Comic Relief day?" <BR>Operator's answer - Hold on sir, I will make enquiries! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Good articles on MSN on Foot and Mouth Disease in UK <BR> <BR>"A silent St. Patrick’s Day arrives" <BR>http://www.msnbc.com/news/545265.asp <BR> <BR>"Britain begins mass slaughter" <BR>http://www.msnbc.com/news/543467.asp

www.ramblers.org.uk is good for up to date info for walkers and also offers alternative places for interesting walks . j

www.ramblers.org.uk is good for up to date info for walkers and also offers alternative places for interesting walks . j

topping

topping, www.scotexchange.net excellent site for up to date information on venues open. seems to stay current. joy

I would just like to let everyone know that Tuesday March 20, 2001, "60 Minutes II" the show, will be broadcasting a program on CBS dealing with Mad Cow Disease. The previews look pretty graphic so it should prove interesting. It will be showing at 7 pm Central time.

Topping!

www.gouk.about.com up to date info on the problem all areas.

topping

topping, for the third try. <BR>www.gouk.about.com very informative and up to date information

Calm down all of you. I am living through this and can assure you that large chunks of the country are unaffected and those that are affected would not seriously hamper tourists. <BR> <BR> You can visit all towns, villages, cities, beaches, hotels and buildings such as museums etc. Everything is open for business. You cannot walk across farm land or countryside in affected areas but you can walk on made up roads used by cars etc. All you are asked to avoid is actual farmland and footpaths through it. <BR> <BR>Some of the National Trust land closed to visitors will re-open shortly. Ask yourself what proportion of my visit would I spend walking accross farmland using unmade muddy footpaths? Then get real about this.If certain National Trust land is not open to you ask yourself once again what else is open. Will my whole trip be ruined if I don't get to see just one or two things? <BR> <BR>I am going down to Cornwall in the next two weeks. I have to travel through Devon which is one of the affected areas. I am not cancelling my trip because there is no need. <BR> <BR>We also have a duty to help those in the tourist industry by supporting them at this time. The worst damage in this country at the moment is being inflicted by people panicking and cancelling bookings for no reason.

well said buzzy, let's not forget that 60 million people manage to live, work and play here without getting hysterical.

Britain is NOT "Closed". There is no need to cancel your trip. Do not confuse Foot & Mouth with "Mad Cow Disease" as a lot of people seem to be doing - humans CANNOT catch foot & mouth, it is not even usually fatal to animals. It is purely an economic issue. Support the tourist industry which is being affected much more seriously than you may be aware.