Thinking about a trip to Scotland

[frank_a]

We are planning a trip to Scotland, most likely a few years down the road. Mostly we would like to visit areas we have clan heritage, such as Inveraray, Stirling, and Fallkirk. Stirling and Fallkirk are north of and between Glasgow and Edinburgh, while Inveraray is to the west over near the coast. We would like to go near the end of June or beginning of July, and would love to visit some highland games while there.

Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated, i.e., best flights to Scotland, good places to stay around those areas mentioned above, things to consider, Scottish games near those areas around these times, etc. Any and all comments welcome!

Thanks.

Frank

[cessna152towser]

Luss (on Loch Lomond) and Stirling usually have their annual one day Highland Games around the first or second weekend in July.
A direct flight to Glasgow or Edinburgh would probably be much cheaper than going via London, that has certainly been my experience going the other way from Scotland to Canada or USA. If you must make a change of flight somewhere, Amsterdam Schiphol offers a much better experience than London Heathrow. At Amsterdam Airport you can walk between all the departure and arrival terminals whereas London Heathrow is a very scattered site where you can have a long wait for a train to take you from one terminal to another. I have also encountered rude staff at London Heathrow on several occasions. The food courts at Amsterdam tend to be much less pricey than London Heathrow. If you are travelling kilted, Amsterdam Schiphol is much more kilt friendly than London Heathrow. Heathrow only has two runways so flights are often delayed by congestion. Schiphol has multiple runways though if you are coming in off the North Sea you often land on a remote runway about five miles from the airport and the aircraft is a long time taxi-ing along its dedicated route which bridges canals and motorways on the way to the airport terminal. Daft as this may seem, flying via Amsterdam can often come in cheaper than via London, even though you fly over Scotland on your way from the USA about an hour before you land in Amsterdam and then you have an hour's flight back again.
Accommodation, well Xmarks member Pour1Malt owns a guest house in Dumfries but maybe that would be a bit off your route. I occasionally overnight in Glasgow and can recommend either the Ramada Hotel at Glasgow Airport or the Travelodge at Dumbarton, which is on the main road between Glasgow and Inverary and if you are lucky you will get a room which looks out over the River Clyde.

[frank_a]

That's great advice, and exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for, so thanks! Amsterdam eh? I know a seasoned business traveler (works for GE) who was just in Aberdeen, and brought home chocolates he bought in Amsterdam. I never thought to ask why he had been in Amsterdam, but I bet it was for the same reason you mention.

I have to admit, we do want to see Britain as well. I figure at least a week in Scotland, maybe less in Britain. I'm not much of one for tours, but may latch onto one in Britain, then rent a small vehicle in Scotland to get around to the various sites we would like to visit. It would make great fun as well to attend some Scottish Games in Scotland!

Thanks again.

Frank

[guardsman]

look on LHH website for cottages,some beauties there. I take it your hiring a car,would say you definitely need one .If going to Stirling, Callander is nice place to visit.Looking at what you plan is (a week or so in Scotland then South), your going to be busy, Try to make time for one of the train trips on the east or west coast, same with trip to Cairngorms or Nevis range,a must is Glencoe pass,eerily beautiful in rain and mist and stunning in sunlight.So much to see and do.Seeing you travelling from USA makes me realise how lucky I am to travel to my Parents birthplaces in just 6 or 7 hrs.You will enjoy and I hope you get to meet some x markers when over for guidance on your travels. magine this will be a big thread!!!!

[frank_a]

Thanks for the tips guardsman. I will add those suggestions to my growing list. Touring England will be easy, as we have no specific family sites to visit, so that's a tour kind of thing. (You're lucky to have parents so close!) And yes, we will need to hire a small car for Scotland to get around the country. Train tours on the coasts sound like an excellent idea. I'm thinking maybe use Glasgow as a hub?

I have a tour agent stopping by soon to discuss such items. I need a budget to plan for.

Tell me please, what is LHH?

Thanks again!

Frank

[Jock Scot]

That's great advice, and exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for, so thanks! Amsterdam eh? I know a seasoned business traveler (works for GE) who was just in Aberdeen, and brought home chocolates he bought in Amsterdam. I never thought to ask why he had been in Amsterdam, but I bet it was for the same reason you mention.

I have to admit, we do want to see Britain as well. I figure at least a week in Scotland, maybe less in Britain. I'm not much of one for tours, but may latch onto one in Britain, then rent a small vehicle in Scotland to get around to the various sites we would like to visit. It would make great fun as well to attend some Scottish Games in Scotland!

Thanks again.

Frank

I am not sure if you realise that Britain is made up of Scotland AND Wales, Northern Ireland, England, the Isle of Mann and the Channel Islands( aka the UK). OK there are other various political and geographical permutations lurking about, but basically it is as I say.

Whilst I am delighted to give you advice on what to see and do whilst here, I actually think it is those who have travelled around Britain, from afar, who will have far more useful advice on what to see, where to stay and how to do it.

[frank_a]

I am not sure if you realise that Britain is made up of Scotland AND Wales, Northern Ireland, England, the Isle of Mann and the Channel Islands( aka the UK). OK there are other various political and geographical permutations lurking about, but basically it is as I say.

My mistake and I apologize. Never having been outside North America, I am somewhat of a dolt when it comes to stuff like this! England it is!

Thanks.

Frank

[Jock Scot]

My mistake and I apologize. Never having been outside North America, I am somewhat of a dolt when it comes to stuff like this! England it is!

Thanks.

Frank

No worries there my dear chap, you are just one of many who make the same mistake and we are quite used to it!

There is a wonderful train journey from Glasgow to Fort William, make sure its done in daylight. It takes about three hours and then from Fort William to Mallaig which might take about an hour and a half. The latter trip is world renowned and you go over the Glenfinnan(Harry Potter)viaduct and of course the place where Bonny Prince Charlie gathered the Clans in 1745 and this part can be done by steam train, in the daylight.

Be aware that there is no rail link between Fort William, on the West coast line and Inverness on the East coast line. There is, however, a first rate bus service that will take you from one place and on to the other through the Great Glen and alongside Loch Ness.

[guardsman]

Shame to ruin a good holiday by visiting England LOL (only joking guys)LHH is a large holiday home website going from places for 2 people to 32.Glasgow good for shopping(better than Edinburgh to me) and good base for lowlands.If you like rugged beauty head north.What sort of thing do you want to see and do,apart from a highland games. You know the boat trips on Loch Lomond and Loch Ness bestway to see them.Or if driving take south road from Invermoriston to Inverness for seeing Loch Ness or scenic East road for Loch Lomond,so much to see,so much to do.What Clan are you tracing whats important to get in. Only just got back and cant wait to go again!!!

[Stephan]

Frank, We were just over to the UK this last May for a total of two weeks. The first 9 days were focused on Scotland where we visited the Isle of Skye. As mentioned by 'guardsman', places like Glencoe, the Cairngorms, etc are definitely worth some time. If you like the outdoors/hiking/walking, there are very good websites that provide maps, locations, hike times (short or long) and distances. Scotland is probably the most beautiful place on earth as far as I'm concerned!! The last 4 days were spent in London for a cousin's wedding. If it hadn't been for the wedding, we would have stayed in Scotland the whole time. So, what I'm suggesting is that you might consider focusing on one area of the British Isles instead of spreading yourselves around too much. Our regret was that we didn't have enough time to focus on Scotland and believe me there is so much to see. Instead of visiting London, spend some time in Edinburgh. It's a beautiful city and worth some time. If your going to Scotland, gives yourselves no less than two weeks, trust me. Otherwise, you may find that you are just scratching the surface. If you want to see other parts of the UK as well as Scotland, give yourselves a good three weeks. In fact, we are planning a trip back in 2014 and we can't wait! If you go at the time you describe(June-July), be mindful of bug season, where the dreaded 'midges' can be found in the highlands. We went in May (15-30) just before midge season and before the 'high' season for travellers. Flying and just about everything else becomes much more expensive if you go during the high tourist season, and it gets really busy. So, consider going a little earlier when there aren't as many tourists, midges and also when it isn't as expensive and the weather is likely to be just as good. Now, I'm going to get back to my own planning!! Cheers!

Stephan