Honeymoon in Scotland

**BonnieT100** · 17th February 08, 08:09 AM

I'm trying to plan a honeymoon in Scotland for sometime in '09. I haven't been to the UK in 14 years and the last time I was in Scotland was the Tattoo in '93. We plan to fly into London and visit my high school as well as some family friends down near Oxford, but the bulk of our time will be in Scotland. I'm hoping for two weeks, but it might be 1.5 or less. I know I want to visit P1M in Dumfries and spend a night there. We also want to go to Edinburgh. I'd like to see Hadrian's Wall. In light of the recent thread, I'm thinking a stop in Glencoe is necessary - the inn there looks great. M' lass and I are big into history, museums, and the like. What other sites would you all suggest? How is the train system in Scotland? What's the best time of the year to visit - like when the crowds are small, the kilts are comfy, and it's fine for taking some beautiful outdoor pictures? I remember having 2 weeks of summer weather in my 4 years of living in England. I'd be happy with gray skies and no rain.

**Jack Daw** · 17th February 08, 08:30 AM

I can't answer better than a native, but from a tourist's perspective, I spent 3 weeks, primarily in the Highlands, in May 2003. I chose that time of year on purpose because it was early in the season - the museums, etc, were open and the crowds were low. I hired a car and I had the single-lane roads almost all to myself. My traveling buddy (a 72 YO widower) and I also had no problems getting separate rooms (which you won't need) at the local B&Bs w/o having to make reservations. The only museum that had not opened yet for the season was the Village museum in Glencoe.

Also the midges don't come out until June. And, as you probably know, the heather won't be in bloom. But, the gorse and other plant life will have lots of color that early. Since this is your honeymoon, I also recommend that you take the wife.

**Livingston** · 17th February 08, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

Since this is your honeymoon, I also recommend that you take the wife.

Yes, that might be a very good idea.

**Highland Logan** · 17th February 08, 09:47 AM

My wife and I, have made 2 trips over, the first being our wedding and honeymoon, and the other our 4 year aniversey (2007). We went with the first 2 weeks of October. The ferries are still running to the islands on a regular basis, no midges, no crowds, 98% of attarctions are still open, and the weather is fantastic. On both of our trips we only had 1 day each time of "bad" weather, other than that it was nice cool weather, and very sunny.

Frank

**Jock Scot** · 17th February 08, 10:50 AM

OH wow!Where do I start?The advice above is good,particularly the bit about needing the wife there!

May,early June is a good time,not many midges(western Scotland and highlands)and better than fair chance of not too much rain(be prepared for the cold and wet anyway)and not too many tourists.Mid September to mid October would also be good too, although maybe colder and wetter.

Trains are Okish,but if you have a choice, hire a car.Remember that petrol is over £1 a litre now.I think that on the whole I would travel from A to B to C rather than stop at one place,you will see so much more if you keep moving. One other thing,Scotland does not stop at Inverness!Far too many visitors stop there,they miss so much if they do!

All the very best to you both,Jock.

**Highland Logan** · 17th February 08, 11:09 AM

Here is a quick map of our last trip, and I agree, a car is the only way to see Scotland.

Frank

**Jock Scot** · 17th February 08, 11:21 AM

That is a good trip you have mapped out there H. L.. That would certainly give anyone a taste of Scotland.However a certain P1M will not be happy that Dumfries has not been acknowledged!

**Highland Logan** · 17th February 08, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

That is a good trip you have mapped out there H. L.. That would certainly give anyone a taste of Scotland.However a certain P1M will not be happy that Dumfries has not been acknowledged!

Thanks. Will we can only fit in so much at a time. We were planning to go back on our anniversary every 5 years... but the itch was too much, so it's now every 4. Here is a map of the first trip. It's a little shorter, but we had the wedding as well. We'll get to cover the whole country some day, one trip at a time.

Frank

**JS Sanders** · 17th February 08, 12:05 PM

In Wester Ross in the NW Highlands is a small village called Dundonnell. It's on A832 on the edge of Little Loch Broom. There're Munroe's nearby, a national forest - saw a capercaillie there, and best of all is the hotel-restaurant-pub.... The Dundonnell Hotel.

And it is wonderfully isolated and quiet. Wee wifie & I have stayed there a number of times.

We prefer September for travel to Scotland. Most of the obnoxious tourists have gone, attractions are still operating, midgie season is kaput, and it's still their summertime.

If you're gonna hire a rental car, study this Highway Code website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/index.htm .

You'll be mighty glad you did - particularly when you reach your very 1st roundabout when you're jetlagged and edgy.

Slainte yall,
steve

**Highland Logan** · 17th February 08, 12:12 PM

BT100, I would suggest that you get some good travel guides, Foder's makes a good one, and "Scotland for Dummys" is really great. It lays out everything, including example trips, which can help you with figuring out time and distance while exploring sites in a "real world" situation, something a map can't do.

Frank