Scotland

[Nyah]

We’re heading to Scotland in May for about two weeks with my parents, both sides of my family have grandparents that immigrated directly from Scotland so we’re going to do a bit of digging on family history in Edinburgh. I’ve been there once, and it was only for a day or two. The rest of the time though, we’re planning on doing a road trip around the Highlands. I’m looking for some good tips on things to see and do, as so far my online searches have been completely overwhelmed by what looks like high tourist traffic things. Our road trip is going to take us on the following path:

Edinburgh – Aberdeen – Inverness – Isle of Skye – Oban – Loch Lamond & area – Back to Edinburgh.

So now we’re trying to fill in what to see in & in between each stop. Architecture is pretty high on the list (castles, obviously) but so are hidden gems like day hikes and amazing view points. I know that places of historical significance like castles and abbeys will most likely be really touristy and am prepared for that, but I’d also like to check out some places that are off the map so to speak. Any advice or ideas? Has anyone done a road trip like this around Scotland before?

[Fuzz]

Sounds awesome. Nothing really helpful to offer, other than I'd be stopping for scotch every chance I got.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Learn these four phrases:

Ciamar a tha thu?
Pronounced phonetically: Kimmer ah oooo
Meaning: How are you?

Glè Mhath
Pronounced phonetically: Glay Va
Meaning: I'm well

When someone asks you if you want a beer:

Tha mi eolach air duine ghabh a dha dhiubh’ is tha e beò fhathast
Pronounced phonetically: Ha me el-walk air dune-ya a gav a ga-you agis ha-eh bow hast
Meaning: I know of a man who took two of them and he is still alive

Then once you have your two beers say:
Òlaidh mi deoch slàint’ nam beò deoch slàint’ na chaidh fo’n fhòd
Pronounced phonetically: Olly me jock sawnch nam bow jock swanch na-high fawn-ot
Meaning: I’ll drink a toast to the living and a toast to those under the sod

Have fun, Scotland is on my bucket list. Closest I've been is New Scotland

[Bane]

Edinburgh Castle is awesome.
Dunottar Castle about 20-25km south of Aberdeen.
From Aberdeen you can take day tours through the distillery region.
Loch Ness is right by Inverness.

[Top Shelf]

There are lots of Scotch distilleries you could take tours of. I am jealous, I would love to go some day

[Resolute 14]

I've nothing to add that you probably don't already know, as I only spent one day in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile was by far my favourite part of that entire UK trip though.

[Nyah]

We will be hitting as many distilleries as we can. I'm really looking forward to that part...I've only recently started drinking scotch, so I definitely need to do some field research.

We'll be spending a few days in Edinburgh, and we're only about a block away from the Castle. Last time I was there I didn't get a chance to check it out, will definitely be doing so this time around. Royal Mile was amazing though, we ran into a random Scottish guy wearing a Flames jersey.

[Treycal]

If you're looking for a hike/walk and spending time in Edinburgh, you can head right up Arthur's Seat. It's the big bluff right in the middle of the city and gives great views all around. If I remember it takes about 2 hours round trip, leaving from Holyrood Park.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/loth...urs-seat.shtml

Cheers,

Treycal

[bigtmac19]

I'm very jealous, a trip like this is on my bucket list as well - hope you enjoy every minute.

While in the Inverness area - I would definitely visit Culloden Moor. I know when some of my family visited there, they found it a very eerie place. Our clan marker for my ancestors is there, clan MacDonald, among all the rest of the clans wiped out that day.

[CroFlames]

Go to Calgary and wear a Flames jersey hahaha.

[McG]

I lived on the Royal Mile as a student so here are a few things that I thought were cool...

Edinburgh Castle is a must see of course; the lineup for tickets was the worst thing so if you can buy in advance, do it. I always recommend the open top bus tour; it will give you a chance to get your bearings and of course see around the old and new town (both will be old to you) and learn lots of cool stuff...like where listerine was invented.

I also recommend the new museum; very well done. Greyfriar's Bobby is close, and Greyfriars Kirk is right there too. Take a ghost tour! You will also be walking where JK Rowling was writing, so in Greyfriars Kirk you will see many of her inspirations on headstones. Mary King's close is also interesting as well, where you get to go under the royal mile. It reminded me too much of my student days though! it is apparently very haunted, so if that sort of thing creeps you out...don't go. (hehheh)

Arthurs Seat is also awesome, but make sure that you wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Holyrood Palace is interesting too, but I am overly reluctant to start spewing castles and churches at you. Do go into St. Giles though, also on the royal mile across from Mary King's Close.

Make sure to have a pint or two on the mile (I recommend my local the Jolly Judge or Deacon Brodies), and of course a pub lunch if you can swing it. The Grassmarket has some really nice pubs as well and depending upon the weather, you can eat/drink outside and look up at the castle.

No one mentions Calton Hill but there are some pretty amazing views from there as well; I think the bus tour might still go up there. Princes Street is decent for shopping on one side and the castle/old loch on the other.

One other thing that I usually recommend (for Scottish people only (!)) is to read this book: How Scots Invented the Modern World. You can find it on Amazon etc but it is quite amazing when you read it. You will recognize a lot when you are there and of course make the trip more memorable as you won't have to read every sign everywhere. Here is a synopsis: Who formed the first literate society? Who invented our modern ideas of democracy and free market capitalism? The Scots. As historian and author Arthur Herman reveals, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Scotland made crucial contributions to science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce, and politics—contributions that have formed and nurtured the modern West ever since.

The only thing that can top this book is "How the Scots Invented Canada", but you already know that!

get a round of golf or 9 holes in if you can, no matter the course. you will never forget it because golfing in Scotland is like nothing else. The courses (especially as you head north) are basically carved out of the countryside with some nice grass at the end with a hole and flag in it.

When I was there, I used to wear my different flames gear going to classes or out for a pint. Learn how to drink Guinness before you go, and then have a Guinness Cold when there. Man, drinking that is like breathing!

[Bill Bumface]

Scotland is awesome. We really enjoyed Stirling as well.

You can buy passes that are basically like national park passes and will get you in any of the castles that are nationally owned, which is most of them.

We basically just drove to a different castle every day followed by a different pub at night. I can't wait to go back one day.

[CaptainYooh]

Edinburgh – Aberdeen – Inverness – Isle of Skye – Oban – Loch Lamond & area – Back to Edinburgh

Went to Scotland two summers ago, loved it. Edinburgh - Carnoustie - St.Andrews - Isle of Islay - Loch Lomond - Edinburgh. It was all about golf (8 courses) and Scotch tasting (5 distilleries) for us though. Are golf & Scotch on your wish list of things to see at all?

[Nyah]

Thanks everyone for all the tips & ideas!

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Went to Scotland two summers ago, loved it. Edinburgh - Carnoustie - St.Andrews - Isle of Islay - Loch Lomond - Edinburgh. It was all about golf (8 courses) and Scotch tasting (5 distilleries) for us though. Are golf & Scotch on your wish list of things to see at all?

We're definitely doing distillery tours. We were hoping to play at least one round of golf (hopefully more like 2-3), but I don't really want to play a course like St. Andrews as I'm not that great at all. I probably wouldn't even be allowed to play there. Any recommendations on courses through the Highlands?

[CaptainYooh]

All of the courses we've played were extremely challenging; much more challenging than courses in and around Calgary. What they call "rough" in Scotland is actually rough (purple heather & long fesque) not a fairway with longer trimmed grass. One of our foursomes did win the lottery to play the Old Course at St.Andrews (you have to win it to be guaranteed a tee time). But the other foursome that didn't win that morning, went to the starter booth, waited in line and got in on the cancellation list, so it wasn't too bad. If you can, try playing the Old Course; it's so beautiful and so historic, and so unusual to play - with tourists just walking around the course and gazing at you; one of the tee shots has to be made over a hotel roof You will need a letter from some (any) golf course confirming your HC at 20 or above. They don't really care if you play bad, honestly. Beware, caddies are mandatory, snotty and expensive over there.

Kingsbarns was by far the most majestic golf course in terms of views out of 8; but really, they are all beautiful. It was easy to get a tee time there.

Most of the big-name distilleries in Scotland have been commercialized to a degree that it's like walking into a boutique store (i.e. Ardbeg). If you like Scotch and want to see the old production process, Isle of Islay has Bowmore, Laphroaig and Lagavulin distilleries - they are all great (Bowmore being the most educational, Laphroaig being the most generous in terms of free sampling after the tour ).

Dinner at Inverbeg Inn on Loch Lomond was spectacular - great meal and beautiful views/atmosphere/service.

[CaptainYooh]

Oh, yeah, fair warning, you will get hooked on and become addicted to Guinness Cold. And for some reason it's not the same in Calgary.

[Peanut]

I loved Scotland!! I want to go back.

Edinburgh is realy great, but another vote for Stirling from me. Really cute little town with a great castle and some really gorgeous views.

[LChoy]

From the post today:

http://news.nationalpost.com/life/tr...ng-in-scotland

Have a great trip!

[bigtmac19]

One of my friends is from Scotland, her family has been back often to visit. Last time they went, they climbed Ben Nevis - also something you might want to add to your list. They made the climb on her nephew's 18th birthday, his name happens to be Ben Nevis, so a celebratory drink was had at the top.

http://www.mountainwalk.co.uk/benneviswalk.html

[CliffFletcher]

Pitlochry is a remarkably pretty little town between Edinburgh and Inverness. The Blair Athol distillery is nearby.

I really liked Inverness. Nice small city that's very walkable.

Lots to see on the Isle of Skye, though Portry itself isn't anything write home about. Try to give yourself a couple days, and be prepared for extremely narrow one-lane roads if you head into the interior.

I'll second the recommendation for climbing Ben Nevis. Be aware that it can get extremely damp and foggy.