June travels to Scotland

[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.

[Alan H]

Here's another vote for http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/

Best general hiking and walking website EVER.

My single most highly recommended hike is Glen Affric. You'll probably have to drive to the trailhead, as it's several miles from the highway at Loch Ness. If you love the natural world, this hike is THE BEST, because the forest is actual Scottish mixed hardwood/softwood forest. There isn't a lot of it left. Hike the seven mile loop around the Loch and you actually get a look at what most of Scotland probably looked like in 1700. If you can't do Glen Affric, then look at Walk Highlands and do anything else in the area.

BTW, we never had a problem with the midges but the horseflies at Glen Affric were absolutely brutal. I was still bleeding a week later.... I kid you not. WEAR LONG PANTS, and leave your lovely kilt in the car.

In our trip last summer I saw about six people in kilts, outside of Holyrood palace staff, the four Highland Games I competed at, and a couple of pipers busking for change in Edinburgh. Every single one of them was an American with two exceptions...

--Jock Scot and Cessna152towser!!!!

BTW, the Borders were gorgeous. There's a LOT of history down there...Hadrians Wall, Jedburgh and Dryburgh abbeys, Abbotsford (Sir Walter Scotts home)... Smailhome Tower (restored Pele tower), Hermitage Castle and so on. You can do a river rafting trip on the tweed and drop in on the Locharron factory for a tour, and drop a mint in their gift store.

[neloon]

Don't forget the Northeast for next time!
Castles- http://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/...s-castle-trail
Whiskey - http://www.whisky.dufftown.co.uk/whisky_trail.php
Hillwalking/biking - http://www.stevenfallon.co.uk/routeseast.html

Alan

[figheadair]

And a third vote for http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ - excellent for Munro ticking .

This weather forecast site is useful. Although Norwegian it seems to be pretty accurate for anywhere in rural Europe and far better than the BBC - just type in a reasonable size place: Ullapool, Crianlarich etc.

For hill conditions the MWIS site is a good place to check when planning anything serious.