June travels to Scotland

[Liam]

I find when asked "What tartan is that?" it is best to respond very briefly, "The Maple Leaf", or "MacDonald". The response will often be as it was last Friday, "Oh, I belong to Clan MacKay". The asker is being polite in much the same way as they might say "Isn't it a lovely day". There is no need for a lecture or justification.
Now, last Friday as well, I was asked by an acquaintance that I hadn't seen in over 35 years, "Why the kilt?" My response was a bit more lengthly, but still brief "I recently retired and now can wear what I want, when I want."
Sometimes I have been asked "Are you a Piper?" To which I respond, "No but I like Scots whisky."

[cessna152towser]

I'm no particular fan of Edinburgh or Inverness. Too touristy for me. You wouldn't look out of place in a kilt in either city but don't be surprised if you are assumed by the locals to be a tourist from North America. Even so, you will be very popular with tourists from elsewhere in the world who will want to be photographed with the "kilted Scotsman".
You'll love Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye. Scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the natives are friendly.
Stirling is a nice little city. Lots to see and do including the Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle and the Bannockburn battle site. Stirling is also only a few miles from Falkirk with its famous boat wheel on which you can take a ride.
Stirling is about equal distance from Edinburgh or Glasgow so maybe you will have seen enough of Edinburgh and want to spend a day in Glasgow with its fine architecture, beautiful parks, magnificent museums, friendly locals and vibrant waterfront.
Its a shame you don't have time to come south of Edinburgh and visit this area, the Scottish Borders with all its historic castles and tower houses, a great history of Border Reivers, the rolling hills of the southern uplands, the sunshine coast of the Solway, Dumfries with its 400 year old pubs, also Peebles which is a popular centre for mountain and trail biking - wait you need to come back every year and visit another part of Scotland each time.

[SeumasA]

- wait you need to come back every year and visit another part of Scotland each time.

Can't afford to make the trip every year, but that's basically our idea. The plan for the next trip is to start at Skye, then to Lewis (I want to see the stones at Callanish) and work our way through the islands to Mull and Iona.

[brewerpaul]

To update just a bit we are booked on air and b&b. I still have to get a night in and night out lodging in Edinburg when we arrive and leave. For our flexibility, and because it wasn't very expensive, we opted to rent a small car. Our plans are to do a lot of hiking(hill walking) and exploring that may not work out with bus lines. Though I would rather do it all by rail and buses I just dont want to be left out in the wilds of the Isle of Skye without transport home. Survival isnt the issue, I do a bit of mountaineering and guiding, it's more getting back without the issues of buses running or not. With this in mind we are quite free to explore the Isle of Skye, Inverness, Sterling and the surrounding areas.

Thanks @jockScot for the rundown on the dreaded tartan discussion. I plan to bring one kilt, my Stillwater wool Blackwatch kilt. This is the easiest to wear without to much questioning about tartan, family and all that goes with it. Ill be glad to buy an ale for someone who presses the matter and maybe move the conversation to crazy American politics. Just kidding but we are really getting excited about our trip.

Please any and all suggestions still needed.

[Jock Scot]

I think the car option is a good one. Fuel is not a problem in the Western Highlands, but we do go on the theory that when the tank is half full/empty, then fill up at the first fuel station you come to. There are some lonely places and do not expect 24 hour service. I am not trying to teach you how to suck eggs, but ticks are about in considerable numbers out on the hill, midges can be an absolute pain as can cleggs(horse flies). A quick visit to a chemist might be an idea to buy the simple and cheep, tick puller thingies and a pint or three of Avon "Skin so Soft" to help in keeping the midges at bay. Very good OS(Ordinance Survey) maps are available from many shops, the local shops really are a better bet as they stock local maps, and very helpful(essential on the hill, as is a basic compass)they are.

Have a great time and if I can assist then please get in touch.

[neloon]

Paul,
It would be good to start spelling our capital city with its terminal "h" before you arrive!
The car is good and Highland roads are much better (?depending on you point of view) than they used to be but it will probably take you longer to get from A to B than the mileage might suggest. Indeed, some of the most interesting roads are single track with passing places, used also to allow overtaking. The rules for these are just simple courtesy and a friendly wave but in the peak tourist season (not June) the constant stopping is just something you have to accept. For ordinary roads, visitors easily forget to drive on the "wrong"(!) side after a stop but, in a hired (right hand drive car) that may not be such a problem.
I notice that, like me, you are vegetarian and this should not present any problems nowadays. I agree with Jock that you need protection against our various insects that are not vegetarian and, of these, ticks are definitely the most serious as potential carriers of Lyme's disease. If you are lucky, you might meet an adder - our only poisonous snake - but they bite only if tormented and the venom is very serious only for young children and dogs.
Alan

[brewerpaul]

Paul,
It would be good to start spelling our capital city with its terminal "h" before you arrive!
Alan

Thank you Alan, I will make sure to practice the correct spelling. I think my morning started a bit early so my typing and mental spelling were not too in sync. I also appreciate the info on driving. We have biked the A and B roads along with some beautiful single track roads and found people were very kind to us. Even had a Bellhaven beer truck slow down behind us untill we could reach a pullout. Once I get a few miles under my belt the driving will be fine though I will be starting in Edinburg... h ;)

Thanks also to JockScot about the maps and fuel stations. I remember the last time in the highlands seeing fuel stations closed by 6pm. Having had a few close calls with gas in Kansas,,, miles and miles of nowhere, I never let a tank get below half full.

We really look forward to our visit. Just the wonderful people alone will refreshen us. Add the scenery and history and we know our time will be fantastic.

[Julia Elliott]

I'm no particular fan of Edinburgh or Inverness. Too touristy for me. You wouldn't look out of place in a kilt in either city but don't be surprised if you are assumed by the locals to be a tourist from North America. Even so, you will be very popular with tourists from elsewhere in the world who will want to be photographed with the "kilted Scotsman".
You'll love Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye. Scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the natives are friendly.
Stirling is a nice little city. Lots to see and do including the Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle and the Bannockburn battle site. Stirling is also only a few miles from Falkirk with its famous boat wheel on which you can take a ride.
Stirling is about equal distance from Edinburgh or Glasgow so maybe you will have seen enough of Edinburgh and want to spend a day in Glasgow with its fine architecture, beautiful parks, magnificent museums, friendly locals and vibrant waterfront.
Its a shame you don't have time to come south of Edinburgh and visit this area, the Scottish Borders with all its historic castles and tower houses, a great history of Border Reivers, the rolling hills of the southern uplands, the sunshine coast of the Solway, Dumfries with its 400 year old pubs, also Peebles which is a popular centre for mountain and trail biking - wait you need to come back every year and visit another part of Scotland each time.

That is exactly my hope to come back and explore other areas bit by bit. My trip this year (my first) will all be spent in the lovely Borders. But I am already feeling that the 3 weeks there is not going to be nearly enough time to do/ see all that i want and it may be sometime before i get the area sufficiently out of system and be able to move on to other parts of the country

[The Q]

I've lived here most of my life there are still many areas I would like to visit and quite a few I would like to revisit.

[Pleater]

So the day wasn't a total washout then.

I'm afraid that the weather continues fine and warm down here, tee shirt, sandals and sun hat being de rigueur with most opting to wear shorts with them.

Hopefully the good weather has spread to the North.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: