Honeymoon in Scotland, trip suggestions

[CameronCat]

Given the interests listed above what would people suggest as must see locations? Are there islands outside of Skye, Lewis and Harris that you would say are can't miss experiences?

Yes, absolutely...go to Orkney! If you fly in, plan to hire a guide and tour all the sites and sights. If you take the train from Inverness to Thurso, sign up for the complete tour via the John O'Groats ferry. (I believe the other ferry near Thurso also offers a similar tour but I have no experience with that one.) Either way, the price is reasonable for what you get and includes an (almost) all day bus tour. You'll see stuff from the world wars back through the neolithic era.

You want history? Try walking next to the Standing Stones of Stenness, thought to date from about 3000 BC. Trust me -- thinking about that will mess with your head.

Skye is beautiful--wild and primitive. You could spend your 3 weeks there and not see all of it. The outer islands as well, but Orkney is a must. And the Shetlands aren't too far away then.

[Jock Scot]

Great information. I know patience is the key, but knowing where one might find some of the wildlife to begin with is a big help so I appreciate the recommendations. I also appreciate the note about the heat and the sun. As one prone to burn I'll take note. That reminds me, how bad are the bugs up in the Highlands in the summer?

Good question! Generally speaking, the western and northern sides of Scotland can be pretty bad for bugs. The "wee midge" is the well known hazard, but the tic, the horse fly(cleggs), and the mosquito are common in most places throughout Scotland. Although I think still fairly uncommon, Lyme's disease(from the tic) is now regularly diagnosed by our doctors these days and whilst being bitten by any blood sucking insect has its risks I am not aware of any other real health issues with the other biting insects here.

The "wee midge" can in the right conditions------windless days and in the evenings particularly and they don't worry about the rain-------can drive you indoors. They don't seem to operate in towns in numbers, but they are still about. In the country the moors can look as though they have a thick layer of smoke wafting just above it, its not smoke, its midges! I firmly believe that they are one of the reasons why the kilt is not worn regularly in the Highlands from about mid May to about mid September. Avon skin so soft lotion can help repel them and is used by our special forces and the locals to keep them at bay as do some other lotions---for a while--- and midge nets are a help too, but retreating indoors is always the best option.

[Jock Scot]

Just a wee taster of one of Scotland's more interesting airports. Barra.

The tide is out, wind not too brisk and from the right direction, and visibility is good enough, lets go!


So far so good!


Safely on the way to Inverness.

[Jack Daw]

You can cover a lot of territory in 3 weeks! We did in 2003. But, I did not go so far north as Orkney. You weren't clear on what time of year you were going, but I would suggest you take light rain jackets and water-proof footwear. I did a lot of tromping about battlefields and other fields and my boots worked well to keep my feet dry. We stayed in B&Bs and, if you are traveling by "hired" car, I suggest you check into your B&B no later than 3:30pm to 4:00pm (unless you reserved in advance), then take time to explore the area.

Also, be careful about eating the "full Scottish breakfast" everyday; otherwise, you will find your trousers tighter by the end of the trip.

[NPG]

You can cover a lot of territory in 3 weeks! We did in 2003. But, I did not go so far north as Orkney. You weren't clear on what time of year you were going, but I would suggest you take light rain jackets and water-proof footwear. I did a lot of tromping about battlefields and other fields and my boots worked well to keep my feet dry. We stayed in B&Bs and, if you are traveling by "hired" car, I suggest you check into your B&B no later than 3:30pm to 4:00pm (unless you reserved in advance), then take time to explore the area.

Also, be careful about eating the "full Scottish breakfast" everyday; otherwise, you will find your trousers tighter by the end of the trip.

We haven't nailed down the dates, we want to go during the warmer weather, so probably next May or so. From what I'm getting it sounds like we better pack for most potential weather eventualities. I think I read that Scotland had both the warmest temperature and the coldest in the UK just the other day.

I'll look into B&B we were also looking at some of the vacation rentals recommended on tripadviser.com. I do love a full Scottish breakfast, but I don't think I could do it everyday, but I'm sure between those, the short bread and the seafood my waistband will be tighter at the end of it.

[ThistleDown]

I'm a bit late to this, but my wife and I love to travel. We have a home near Tomatin in Inverness-shire, but as often as we can we go elsewhere in Scotland for new experiences and exploring. These are some suggestions from our years and years of doing just that.

Look to spending as little time as possible in the cities. Find a TripAdvisor-recommended B&B in Edinburgh for three nights and perhaps in Glasgow, Stirling or Aberdeen for a few more. Then...

...look to self-catering. Usually these are Saturday to Saturday, so plan around that and find your perfect centralised lodging points week-by-week. Choose the most important areas for each of your weeks, such as Caithness and Sutherland a week, Argyll and the West Highlands a week, Aberdeenshire/Angus a week, The Borders a week, the Western Isles a week, and so on. Travel between regions on Saturdays and settle into your new home around four in the afternoon.

Look to day-tripping from your adopted Scottish homes. Distances are not great; you can drive from one side of the country to the other in a day if you really have to. Find a perfect mix of relaxation and busy-ness each day and travel only as far afield as you wish on that day -- and remember that you have to come home, too.

Look to varied foods and meal-taking. Do your own big fry-up whenever you feel that need, and have a yoghurt out of your own refrigerator when you don't. Or have those fry-ups in your early B&Bs (check that they offer them). Have a meal in your local pub, or sit in your garden with your own creation from local produce. Visit the local grocer, butcher, fishmonger (or the big supers Tesco or Sainsburys or the Coop if you must) and pick up an inexpensive styrofoam cooler and freezer packs to carry your surpluses between your various 'homes'.

Concentrate on each other.

[NPG]

I'm a bit late to this, but my wife and I love to travel. We have a home near Tomatin in Inverness-shire, but as often as we can we go elsewhere in Scotland for new experiences and exploring. These are some suggestions from our years and years of doing just that.

Look to spending as little time as possible in the cities. Find a TripAdvisor-recommended B&B in Edinburgh for three nights and perhaps in Glasgow, Stirling or Aberdeen for a few more. Then...

...look to self-catering. Usually these are Saturday to Saturday, so plan around that and find your perfect centralised lodging points week-by-week. Choose the most important areas for each of your weeks, such as Caithness and Sutherland a week, Argyll and the West Highlands a week, Aberdeenshire/Angus a week, The Borders a week, the Western Isles a week, and so on. Travel between regions on Saturdays and settle into your new home around four in the afternoon.

Look to day-tripping from your adopted Scottish homes. Distances are not great; you can drive from one side of the country to the other in a day if you really have to. Find a perfect mix of relaxation and busy-ness each day and travel only as far afield as you wish on that day -- and remember that you have to come home, too.

Look to varied foods and meal-taking. Do your own big fry-up whenever you feel that need, and have a yoghurt out of your own refrigerator when you don't. Or have those fry-ups in your early B&Bs (check that they offer them). Have a meal in your local pub, or sit in your garden with your own creation from local produce. Visit the local grocer, butcher, fishmonger (or the big supers Tesco or Sainsburys or the Coop if you must) and pick up an inexpensive styrofoam cooler and freezer packs to carry your surpluses between your various 'homes'.

Concentrate on each other.

That is a great idea for the day-tripping. We were looking into self-catering since my fiancée is vegan and doing our own cooking is the easiest way for her to avoid foods that will make her ill. Having a "home base" would probably make things easier and centralize that trip by breaking it down into regions.

[ThistleDown]

Yes, but keep in mind that self-catering means that you provide everything. If you are moving about for several weeks that can be easy, inexpensive and truly wonderful. We stock up on our favourite proteins to carry along with us, and our stash of spices and imported herbs. If you are staying for just a week or two you may even have to supply even the basics: salt, pepper, tea, coffee, etc. Tap water, dishwashing liquids, linens, and such are always included.

[neloon]

We were looking into self-catering since my fiancée is vegan ...

Good for her
Self-catering is a good idea but this may also be of interest
http://www.vegetarianvisitor.co.uk/scotland.html
September is perhaps more reliable weather-wise than May - and the heather will be out. The insects are as bad in either month but much less of a problem in the (relatively) dry East.
Alan

[Jack Daw]

We haven't nailed down the dates, we want to go during the warmer weather, so probably next May or so. From what I'm getting it sounds like we better pack for most potential weather eventualities. I think I read that Scotland had both the warmest temperature and the coldest in the UK just the other day.

I'll look into B&B we were also looking at some of the vacation rentals recommended on tripadviser.com. I do love a full Scottish breakfast, but I don't think I could do it everyday, but I'm sure between those, the short bread and the seafood my waistband will be tighter at the end of it.

I assume you are driving. The one drawback is you don't get to enjoy the view when driving through the mountains; otherwise, you will become airborne and enjoy it even less.

Give way (yield) to the right when entering LEFT into a roundabout (we have only 2 in Houston) and get into the correct lane so that it spits you out onto the desired road. In the Highlands you will be driving on a lot of single-lane roads, which have aneurisms called "lay-bys". You pull over to your LEFT to let on-coming traffic pass. My only concern when driving the single-lane roads was not seeing possible on-coming traffic when there was a "summit" (hill) in the road. Before I left, I printed off the Scottish (British?) road signs to get familiar with the differences. As a lefty, I found driving on the left quick to get used to.