Scotland trip

[Phorcys]

Oh

For the record, I switched my avatar during the inept Boris Johnson Brexit era, when the Scottish independence movement was less about leaving Britain than remaining with Europe. I ain’t no militant revolutionary.

 

[husky429]

3 different people in this thread can't drive stick well enough to go down the left side of a road. I am alarmed. Even my wife can drive stick and she backed into a closed garage door less than a year ago

 

[HooperScooper]

3 different people in this thread can't drive stick well enough to go down the left side of a road. I am alarmed. Even my wife can drive stick and she backed into a closed garage door less than a year ago

But it is kind of weird shifting with your left hand and your right foot. That has to be hard.

 

[JayKoz]

Take up golf.

And St Andrews.

 

[storrsroars]

But it is kind of weird shifting with your left hand and your right foot. That has to be hard.

It would be very hard on the car.

 

[knicksin7]

My wife and I are planning a summer (july) trip to Scotland. Really have Edinburgh and maybe Glasgow planned. My wife has family near inverness and will head up there for a day or two. Anyone have some highland recommendations? We like nature, hiking, live music and food.

No st. Andrews... no golf interest

The daylight is until midnight in July. Just an amazing place. I think a two day walk around Edinburgh is perfect, but the real highlight is renting a car and driving through the highlands. If you have time, take a flight to the Shetland Islands. You can see the viking influence.

 

[knicksin7]

The daylight is until midnight in July. Just an amazing place. I think a two day walk around Edinburgh is perfect, but the real highlight is renting a car and driving through the highlands. If you have time, take a flight to the Shetland Islands. You can see the viking influence.

Oh and people love getting hammered there. The UK is another level of drinking compared to the US - the difference is the AVERAGE person boozes a lot, and thinks nothing about drinking 5 pints (note that the lager is about 5% and the pints are 20 oz, not 16).

 

[freshler40]

3 different people in this thread can't drive stick well enough to go down the left side of a road. I am alarmed. Even my wife can drive stick and she backed into a closed garage door less than a year ago

Much of Europe has an age restriction for car rentals. I think Scotland was 75 when we went there some years ago.
This is not a bad rule as country driving and roundabouts are a different world. When you add in turnouts and massive tandem lumber trucks with bogs either side of you, good luck! I was used to stick and clutch cars so that was not a problem. Loved driving the smaller cars but pack lightly!

 

[freshler40]

Much of Europe has an age restriction for car rentals. I think Scotland was 75 when we went there some years ago.
This is not a bad rule as country driving and roundabouts are a different world. When you add in turnouts and massive tandem lumber trucks with bogs either side of you, good luck! I was used to stick and clutch cars so that was not a problem. Loved driving the smaller cars but pack lightly!

More thoughts, in Edenborough, the National Museum of Art is wonderful with lots of heroic 19th C. Art. It's not unusual to see Street performers in this area as well. The original Department Store can be a fun trip especially when you eat their as well. Poets and performers make Scotland a joy. Develop a brough.

Get a haircut, the barbers seem to care about their craft. Glasglow's man shopping area is wonderful. While there, visit the McEntire Tea shop for scones. Enjoy the furniture in the tea shop for it's amazing Arts and Crafts style of this 19th C. designer.
Visit during heather blooming season, early to late fall. Bring rain gear and sweaters or buy them there. Enjoy. The folks are wonderful and the sight lines, while driving, are beyond compare. Bring English coins to feed the meters in the cities. This is critical. Meter maids do their jobs.

 

[NJHusky]

3 different people in this thread can't drive stick well enough to go down the left side of a road. I am alarmed. Even my wife can drive stick and she backed into a closed garage door less than a year ago

It’s obviously the fault of the garage door for being closed!

 

[alphasigko]

If you like Indian food, search out the best rated Indian restaurant, and I guaranty that you will have one of the best gastronomic experiences of your life!

 

[Dove]

For the record, I switched my avatar during the inept Boris Johnson Brexit era, when the Scottish independence movement was less about leaving Britain than remaining with Europe. I ain’t no militant revolutionary.

Ohhhhh.

 

[husky429]

Much of Europe has an age restriction for car rentals. I think Scotland was 75 when we went there some years ago.
This is not a bad rule as country driving and roundabouts are a different world. When you add in turnouts and massive tandem lumber trucks with bogs either side of you, good luck! I was used to stick and clutch cars so that was not a problem. Loved driving the smaller cars but pack lightly!

I have always felt that the toughet driving experiences were in cities. Nairobi and Johannesburg were less-than-pleasant. Country roads? No issue for me. Even on those one-lane things with the spots to pull over, just go slow and I've had no issue.

 

[Jaker]

I wish I could remember the name of the place, but had onee of the best sea food dinners in Edinburgh, just up the street from the Grass Market area,

Also the hike up to Arthurs chair above old town Edinburgh is cool, great views of the North Sea.

 

[Jaker]

Edinburgh Castle/military museum is a must. Also, the undeerground tour is cool too.

 

[Jaker]

If you are traveling from London, York is a great place to visit as well on the way.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Enjoy! I don't have many countries left on my bucket list, but Scotland is one. Beautiful country. Be sure to tour the Highlands.

 

[sledog]

Rosslyn Chapel. Check the Knights Templar for us.

 

[Dove]

If adventurous, kayak from Wick to around the Orkney Islands and back.

 

[Shenandoah]

My wife and I are planning a summer (july) trip to Scotland. Really have Edinburgh and maybe Glasgow planned. My wife has family near inverness and will head up there for a day or two. Anyone have some highland recommendations? We like nature, hiking, live music and food.

No st. Andrews... no golf interest

The Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo will be having their 75th anniversary in 2025. We attended it in 2019 and it was magnificent.

 

[WiseWillie]

Really depends on nature vs history as priorities.

• I highly recommend the Loch Ness area for scenery and the drive from there to Skye on the A887 is stunning. Since you'll be in Inverness you just travel down the western side of Lock Ness. Fiiddlers is a nice restaurant and great whiskey bar.
• Skye is amazing and worth the trip. Incredible scenery and nice pubs and hotels. There are midges in summer so get some bug spray. We like Mull as well, but getting there from Skye looks easy and is actually a bitch in summer. Oban is cool but busy in summer (restaurants fill up).
• Edinburgh is my favorite city. Love the rich history, very walkable. The Castle and Royal Mile are a wonderful visit. Cadenheads on the Royal Mile for a bottle of Living Cask Scotch. They fill your bottle and you label it. Recommend the Campbelltown. It's just so inviting like a warm pub.
• Glasgow. Kind of the anti Edinburgh. Modern, eclectic, loud, a bit dirty. I don't see much appeal but others may enjoy it. It's the "club" to Edinburgh's pub (though has good pubs I'm sure).
• The north coast is underrated as a quiet destination. We stayed in Nairn. Has a nice beach and in summer, sunsets are almost at midnight. You can watch the sun set over the water for hours. Literally. Nairn isn't far from Inverness.
• Controversial take. The Cairngorns park is nice, and the area just north of it is rich in Scotch distilleries and is really lovely, but....it's not all that. It resembles New England too much perhaps.

Great summary HuskyHawk.

Agree Edinburgh one of my favorite cities. If looking for five star accommodations in the heart of Edinburgh I would highly recommend the Balmoral Hotel. I would also add the University of St Andrews, Scotlands first university, in the town of St Andrews on the east coast of Fife for a day trip. Its an easy and picturesque hr and 20 min train ride from Edinburgh. St. Andrews is a beautiful village to walk around and if at all interested in the royal family the university is where Prince William and Kate met. For hiking in the countryside, anywhere around Loch Loman is ideal. Wish we were going back but the bucket list is too long and old man time doesn't stop. Good luck with your trip. Sure you will come back with many great memories of a beautiful country and its welcoming people.

 

[HuskyHawk]

3 different people in this thread can't drive stick well enough to go down the left side of a road. I am alarmed. Even my wife can drive stick and she backed into a closed garage door less than a year ago

I can drive a stick. Haven't in some years, but I rent automatics in the UK & Ireland, because concentrating on staying in the left is enough to worry about. I don't think it's hard except pulling out onto the road from a petrol station or whatever, there your instincts are all wrong.

Roundabouts are easy but the key is you don't look left. If it's clear to the right you just go. The people to your left need to worry about you. Wish we could count on that in the States.

 

[Dogfish]

Our family did a Great Britian bus tour in the late spring and only had one day in Edinburgh. We did all the touristy things, and it was one of our favorite stops. There are some absolutely amazing mountains for hiking but we did not have the time. One thing if I could recommend, bring warmer clothes than you think you may need. The cold is a different beast over there.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Edinburgh Castle/military museum is a must. Also, the undeerground tour is cool too.

Agreed. We did that. Also did a different Old Town walking tour. I like the walking tours.

2025 Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

www.tripadvisor.com

 

[JeannoCT]

I have never been to Scotland; it's on my bucket list for sure. I just watched a PBS Rick Steves special on the Islands of Scotland. The special covered Skye, Orkney, Mull, Iona and Staffa. It makes me want to book the trip asap. Have a great time!