Scotland advice

L'Abeille

Leaving this Friday! For two weeks. I am soliciting recommendations from you who have been.

We fly to Glasgow and rent a car. A day each in/on Iona, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Highlands National Park; 5 days in Edinburgh (during the Fringe) and 3 in Glasgow at the end. What to see, where to eat, any tips welcome.

7 years ago

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10 replies

Latest reply was from

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I've never been (but would looooove to go, it really isn't that far for me;-) so no specific suggestions, I'm afraid. I just wanted to wish you an absolutely amazing trip!!

7 years ago

anne

Veteran

Best wishes from me too. I would have loved to have gone!

7 years ago

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

We were there the first week of July and we had a heat wave that week in all of England and Scotland. No rain and lots of sunshine and I packed for cooler weather so you can only imagine. LOL!

Hubby and I fell in love with old town Edinburgh. There's a lot to see and do on the Royal Mile. Although we didn't rent a car, we pretty much did all the touristy things a first timer would do: Edinburgh Castle with great views of the city, Calton Hill, climbed the hard route to Arthur's Seat, ate Haggis at one of Royal Mile restaurants although probably not in the best place. Food/restaurants are plentiful with many cuisines from traditional pubs to Italian to Lebanese.

The Children's Museum was incredible and free and is a collection of children's toys and playthings, specializing in the history of childhood ranging from the 18th to the 21st century.

Time in Edinburgh was short so didn't see any of the free museums. We also went to Sterling Castle via train, then Glasgow (a day trip and a walk to the cathedral and necropolis). We had a day trip to Inverness and the Highlands which I loved and would go back in a heart beat, possibly on a camping trip some day.

Culture shock moments:

long day light hours. It got dark at 10:30 pm (which I loved but messed up my sleep)
driving on the wrong/right side of the road.
shops close early
last call for dinner is around 9:00ish
last call for drinks at a bar is 11:00

Hope this helps and have a fabulous trip.

7 years ago

Nebraskim

Veteran

We were there June 10-21. We were in similar locations (Inverness, Ft. William, Mull, Iona, Eigg, Edinburgh). We caught the tail end of a tropical storm so we got torrents of rain for 2 of our days. The weather was spectacularly beautiful in Iona and Edinburgh. It was chillier than I expected but the week after I left, the heat wave came on (89, which seems not hot to me, but to them, it's boiling.) My advice is have shoes that are comfortable for walking over cobblestones and other hard surfaces. We walked as many as 11-12 miles in a single day just around cities. Take some sort of rain gear -- if you are on islands it can get misty/rainy quite quickly. The Highlands are very casual and quite "gear" oriented as it's a hotspot for hiking. Even in Edinburgh, I never felt that I needed to be very fashionista -- my go to outfit was a denim dress that I wore like a tunic over leggings with hiking shoes (Keens) and a denim jacket. Yes to the shock of the right hand driving, yes to the length of the day (when we were there, we spent a night on the Isle of Eigg and it never got fully pitch dark -- sunrise started about 3 a.m.). Edinburgh castle offers great views but it's so crowded and touristy. I enjoyed Holyrood castle and had I had time, I would have visited museums. Enjoy your trip.

7 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I am in Scotland right now! Currently sitting in a Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis and it's raining. It has been fairly cold since we arrived on Sunday evening, with very little sun but luckily not that much rain either. Of course in Germany we had over 30°C lately, so maybe I'm feeling the cold a bit more. I plan to buy myself a wool pullover because I didn't pack one and I really miss having something cozy to wrap myself up (of course it's a good excuse...)!

We had a day in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow, just walking around mostly and looking what came our way. Then to the Highlands. We'll stay here in Glen Nevis for another two nights and then continue to Skye (we have a rental car too).

I added some pictures from yesterday and today, I hope you have fun!

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7 years ago

SW prof

Active Member

We did a trip this summer that was mostly further north than you're going, but have visited previously as well.

Glasgow is known for having buildings (and their contents) designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. If you like Art Nouveau type design, you'll like his work. I'd recommend a visit to the Willow Tearooms (designed by him), where you can combine some architectural appreciation with tasty pastries, etc.

The area that looked most like I thought the Highlands are supposed to look was between Tomintoul and Ballater.

The main advice I would give is that your plans sound like quite a lot of driving. We found that it often took us twice as long to get from A to B in Scotland as Google predicted. This was true even though my husband (who was driving) learned to drive in England, so is comfortable driving on the left, and is not a slow driver by any interpretation. You just can't drive fast except on the few motorways.

Have a wonderful time!

7 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

The Mustard Seed restaurant on Fraser St., Inverness! Really good food and a picturesque venue.

The Last Drop in Edinburgh for a pub lunch (near the Greyfriars Bobby memorial) on Grassmarket.

7 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Five days in Edinburgh gives you time to see the usual tourist spots and to soak up the lesser known spots in the city. The weather has taken a turn for the worse recently, my weather app is showing ten days of showers so I recommend light layers and a brolly

A couple of my favourite things to do in the city are:
On a Sunday visit Stockbridge Market and walk along the water of Leith to Dean Village.

Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens.

If you decide to take a day trip, the fishing villages in the Neuk of Fife offer a lovely change of pace and character.

7 years ago

Anonymous

You are probably on your way. Have a wonderful trip. When I'd planned to go to Scotland, their were no trains that day so we ended up in Wales instead, so no advice. Enjoy! And post photos! I don't know if I will make it at this age, but my father in WWII loved Scoland and I grew up with pictures of its castles on our walls.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Friends who have been their say get all the insurance offered when renting a car. When your side mirrors are knocked off, pick them up and put them in the trunk. It will save time when returning the rental car. Learn the local road rules. In Ireland buses and trucks have the right-of-way and you may need to back for some distance before being able to pull over. So allow lots of time or take a train or hire a driver instead. You will be able to arrive at your hotel a lot less frazzled. Go to local pubs and enjoy the people and peat fires. Pub food...try the Shepard's pie if available.

7 years ago

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