Scotland trip - Recommendations?

[Flyinghunter]

I'm planning a first time excursion to Scotland. I initially planned on a short stop in Dublin and London as a part of the itinerary. With only 1 week of travel planned, some have suggested I would be advised to focus solely on Scotland. This will be 2019, early summer, and I've never been to Scotland so I'm excited about the possibilities. I plan on landing in Edinburgh and exploring Inverness but would appreciate and recommendations from my virtual friends at TRF. A Distillery stop or two will be considered mandatory.

[Tmac478]

Do you play golf? If so, you've got to try to play a course or 2. The old course at St Andrew's, the birthplace of golf, is considered the mecca for golfers.

[Flyinghunter]

Originally Posted by Tmac478

Do you play golf? If so, you've got to try to play a course or 2. The old course at St Andrew's, the birthplace of golf, is considered the mecca for golfers.

Not a golfer. I will visit a castle that shares my last name...I have no idea if they'll recognize me or give me a key.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Flyinghunter

Not a golfer. I will visit a castle that shares my last name...I have no idea if they'll recognize me or give me a key.

i could ask my pops. he went backpacking for 2 months in scotland a few years ago.

[TheVTCGuy]

Take me with you....




Have I ever said that before?

[FTX I]

Cadenhead's is a great place to buy scotch whisky (royal mile).

https://www.cadenhead.scot/

[SearChart]

Go camping and drink beer.

[Rocket launcher]

When you go to Edinburgh go to a place called leith on the edge of the city and visit HMY Brittania it's the Queens decommissioned ship and is one of the best attractions in the UK ..look it up on google

[Faddius]

If you can, try and spend a night in the Witchery by the Castle hotel in Edinburgh and a meal in their restaurant. It’s very unique and something you’d remember forever. Also a guided tour of Edinburgh castle is a must. The town of linlithgow near Edinburgh is very charming followed by a trip to Stirling Castle. IMHO you could probably skip Glasgow and instead drive north through the Trossachs National Park to go Fort William which is a good staging post for trips to the islands or further up into the country. For a short island experience Islay is good but it’s a very quiet island with the main attractions being the famous distilleries. For a more varied island experience head further north to Skye.

[Andad]

Or choose a Scottish Ale?

[Malak]

Go through the Speyside. There are many distilleries.

https://glenfarclas.com/tours-2/

https://www.themacallan.com/en/the-distillery

[NewEnthusiast]

So much to recommend, so little time. In addition to what's been suggested above, I would say go to St. Andrews just to see it. For my money, it's one of the most beautiful places on the planet. There is also a great brewery (Eden Mill) that's doing interesting things with oak-aging beers.

Distillery-wise, I would recommend Edradour just outside Pitlochry. One of my favourite malts and a beautiful setting. Just beware if you drive there, the new laws in Scotland are incredibly strict. Pretty much think the word "alcohol" and you're over the limit which will mean hefty fines, vehicle confiscation and all sorts of other nastiness.

If you're going Inverness way, Elgin is a very pretty town too and a trip to the Moray firth is worth the effort.

Loch Lomond is worth a trip and is fairy easy to get to. Walking up the side is breathtaking.

In terms of experiences; try to find a ceilidh to attend. Can guarantee you will have a great time. Also, try haggis. It has a bad reputation but it's delicious.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

[colpol]

If you’ve time to come across to the west - you could do either a day trip or an over nighter in Arran. It’s got everything inc a distillery at Lochranza, Brodick castle or a great climb in goat fell. If your really fit you could cycle round in a day (long day). Avoid Brodick though as that’s where all the tourists day trippers stay

[The Joker]

Summer or not, bring a good coat.

[Vivalas]

Originally Posted by Rocket launcher

When you go to Edinburgh go to a place called leith on the edge of the city and visit HMY Brittania it's the Queens decommissioned ship and is one of the best attractions in the UK ..look it up on google

Yes well worth a trip - the Queens cabin though will surprise you. It was very basic.

Edinburgh is a lovely city so you’d want to spend some time there.

[toomuchtalk]

Climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK...
It's just a walk...
I'll take you up if you want...
The first TRF joint expedition!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[chicagonoob]

Mrs. Noob and I did a week in Skye last Spring - trip of a lifetime. We flew to Inverness, rented a car and then drove past Loch Ness to Portree - that was our home base. Hikes, Talisker distillery,food, castles all within a reasonable drive with an idyllic setting for a scotch and a beer after the days’ adventures. We also stayed 2 nights / had a meal at Three Chimneys, one of the best meals I’ve had anywhere in the world.

Skye is a magical, truly authentic place with the most gracious and hospitable hosts. If you enjoy hiking and history you’ll love it!

[AzPaul]

I love these threads

[Flyinghunter]

I'm really grateful for the feedback and recommendations. Another fine example of why the TRF virtual family is a special place!

I'm excited about a visit the country of my forefathers heritage with my beautiful wife. Do you think it's wise or foolish to try and include Dublin and/or London into a 1 week itinerary?

[Too Old]

Just a few to try
Breakfast in the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore.
Culloden Battlefield visitor centre
Drive up to the Lecht ski centre, great scenery.
Loads of castles, but Crathes is one of the best.
Scotch pies! quite tasteless but with brown sauce, superb!!

It's my favourite place to visit.

[Langnam]

Since your handle is Flyinghunter and you're going to Inverness, I would highly recommend booking a walk up hunt on the Red(?) or Scottish Grouse. I booked through Holland and Holland back in 2001. It's required a lot of paperwork to bring my own boom sticks, and Ireland will not permit boomsticks traveling through their country.
But, I had a blast. Those grouse were the strongest, fastest birds I have ever hunted.

Best of luck!

[austinp]

I love Scotland. Lots of great input here. I would definitely go to St. Andrews and Skye. We got to register at Dunvegan castle years ago with our clan. Lots of fun and great people.

[Peter99]

If you are travelling down to London or up from London it’s always worth considering the Caledonian Overnight Sleeper train.
It runs direct to & from the Scottish Highlands to London and a pleasant change from flying.
Best to go 1st Class as you get your own cabin, but they can be interlinked.
The trains have a restaurant car for dinner & breakfast also a bar with a good selection of whiskies!
Your on the train about 12 hours and runs very smoothly during the night!
It’s a nice experience after a few!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Flyinghunter

I'm planning a first time excursion to Scotland. I initially planned on a short stop in Dublin and London as a part of the itinerary. With only 1 week of travel planned, some have suggested I would be advised to focus solely on Scotland. This will be 2019, early summer, and I've never been to Scotland so I'm excited about the possibilities. I plan on landing in Edinburgh and exploring Inverness but would appreciate and recommendations from my virtual friends at TRF. A Distillery stop or two will be considered mandatory.

when i brought my dad to scotland we hired a private tour company and they drove just the two of us though the highlands in a range rover. Not really all that more expensive than one of those bus tours considering how much better it is,and you get to see what you want and stay as long as you want and are not surrounded by tourists. We did one day (about 14 hours door to door) but you can do two or three. IMO its the best way to see it as driving yourself in the middle of nowhere is not something i would find to be fun.

you NEED to see the highlands. Dont just go Edinburgh to Inverness on a train or by air and skip whats in-between.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Go camping and drink beer.

and you can camp wherever you want. Thats a thing in Scotland. If you are on foot there is pretty much no where you can't set up your tent regardless of who owns the land as long as you are not on their lawn.

[Jinson]

Be sure to drive thru the Highlands ... incredible scenery especially along the Lochs and into the interior thru Glencoe. Incredible how the Highlanders lived in such harsh terrain and climate. You'll have a great time!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

and you can camp wherever you want. Thats a thing in Scotland. If you are on foot there is pretty much no where you can't set up your tent regardless of who owns the land as long as you are not on their lawn.

Yep, that is why I'm going back there in the spring, best damn place in the world, for me at least.

Much less crowded than the Alps, best views you can get, camp anywhere (don't leave any trash though!!!), super peaceful.

[Sarajevo]

Originally Posted by Flyinghunter

I'm really grateful for the feedback and recommendations. Another fine example of why the TRF virtual family is a special place!

I'm excited about a visit the country of my forefathers heritage with my beautiful wife. Do you think it's wise or foolish to try and include Dublin and/or London into a 1 week itinerary?

London and Dublin are very easy to get to from Scotland and each other - lots of flights and they take about an hour or less. You would find it hard to do justice to any of them though. Maybe pick one?