Scotland Must Sees...

[RockyR]

I know that we have at least a FEW members who live in Scotland...

Kelly and I are going to the Glasgow Trade show and are going to be traveling around Scotland for 9 days (total). We have 3 days to "fill up" with sites. We're already going to spend 2 days in Glasgow and 2 days in Edinburgh. Aside from these 2 cities, can anyone recommend a place that "we HAVE to see" while we're over there? Keep in mind... trip is in January (not "tourist season" so many things are closed to my understanding).

Also, we're looking for a Burns Dinner on Wed Jan 25, if there's one that's open to the public... preffereably near Aberfoyle (where we're staying the majority of the time).

Input is appreciated!

[Mike1]

Moved to Off Topic

[millar]

The Necropolis in Glasgow is really cool and overlooked. Inverness, Stirling. So much to see so little time. Check out Graham's pictures from his trip last summer (His winter) for some other ideas.

[Colin]

The Necropolis in Glasgow is really cool and overlooked. Inverness, Stirling. So much to see so little time. Check out Graham's pictures from his trip last summer (His winter) for some other ideas.

I second that. Inverness is great. You can access Loch Ness, Drumnadrochit, Culloden,etc all from Inverness. If you are checking out the capital of Scotland you should also check out the capital of the Highlands. Oban is really nice and not too far from Glasgow by coach. We stayed at a great B&B (with a pub attached) and had the best Scottish breakfast and most relaxing time.

As for Edinburgh, I really enjoyed the haunted tours and the haunted themed pubs. Try and find the bathroom on the mainfloor of the Jekkyl and Hyde pub (hint it's in the bookcase). Greyfriars was neat, as was all of the royal mile. We were told by several locals to skip the castle, as the price of admission was quite high and the money could get you alot more fun around town.

Glasgow was okay, but a bit of a let down only because it was just another big city built on a grid system. Of course the area near the University is nice.

It all depends on what kind of things you guys like doing. Scotland has a lot to offer any tastes.

Enjoy your trip.

[Graham]

Great news Rocky, you will have a good time, Scotland is a wonderful place.

Weather does play a big part but my favourite places were Skye and Iona, they mostly represented outdoor activities such as hiking and walking.

Edinburgh has some good indoor places, museums etc.

We're looking for a Burns Supper too, we may have to hold our own.

[Sherry]

If I were going in January, I'd kill myself getting to Celtic Connections concerts.

http://www.celticconnections.com/celtic/index.cfm

[cessna152towser]

There are a lot of interesting heritage buildings here in the Scottish Borders such as Drumlanrig's Tower; Hermitage Castle; and the abbeys at Dryburgh, Melrose, Jedburgh and Kelso though most of the visitor centres are closed between 1st January and 1st April. Still we have nice rolling hills and valleys. At this time of year you might be better to stick with Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh, which have a good mixture of culture, tourism and shopping, with attractions open all year round. If you want to walk around wearing a kilt, then Edinburgh, Perth or Inverness are probably the best places to go as you are very likely to see others wearing kilts in these cities.

[Rab Gordon]

If you get as far North as Inverness then come out to Drumnadrochit and pop in for a visit to my place - Drumnadrochit's not a bad wee place if a bit touristy with the Nessy centres - just avoid those, but Urquhart Castle is worth seeing.
From here you can take a tour up Glen Affric or head West to Oban and the Isles - try to visit at least one of the Islands while you're here.

Enjoy Yourself,
Rab

PS. We used to exhibit at the Glasgow and Aviemore 'Made in Scotland' International Trade Fairs.
http://www.rainnea.com/

[Riverkilt]

Know its optimistic, but most hopeful you'll be able to post my on-order Ireland's National semi-trad kilt to me before you boogie over to Scotland...puleeeeeze....

Other than that, no clue. I'd go to the Trotternish peninsula of Skye, but only to see my ancestral homeland.

And, I've always wondered, but never been able to find out on line, if universities in Scotland have t-shirts and sweatshirts like universities in the states do. Seems like a Glasgow University or an Edinburough University sweat shirt would be the perfect accessory for tartan kilts.

So, add university bookstores as a possibility...if they exist.

Ron

[Macman]

Ron, that is a good idea. I got a dark green golf shirt from St. Andrew's University and it goes great with a kilt. They had T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. in their bookstore. Rocky, it's a great town to visit: close to Edinburgh, has a castle, ruined cathedral, university, all within walking distance, and is right on the water. Oh, and it has a golf course(s) too!