Visiting Scotland in April 2012

[ThistleDown]

At the Moulon, a pint of Ale of Atholl! Eyes roll and lips are licked. Across the way spend a few hours at the Explorers' Garden and, if you have an evening to spare, whatever is on at the Festival Theatre.

Further on the A9 is Killicrankie and, beyond that both the House of Bruar and Blair Castle recommended by Jock Scot. I can never resist a stop at House of Bruar on my way home from Edinburgh, but another route into the Highlands will take you by way of Aberfeldy and right past Dewar's (pronounced doo-ers ) Distillery. Don't pass Haggart's on the High Street, however. This 200 year old tweed shop is where you will spend your fortune, or wish you had a fortune to spend.

[Sir William]

....by way of Aberfeldy and right past Dewar's (pronounced doo-ers ) Distillery.

Paid Dewar's a visit in 2005 as part of a coach trip. It was about 9am in the morning (we were the first visitors of the day). They broke us into two groups, one going on the tour and the other, which I was in, having their wee dram before going on the tour.

My wife and daughter gave me their drams and we bought a soft-drink for my son who was only 14. Our tour escort said he got one as well so I took him to the bar and told the lass that he got a dram but that I was drinking it and I wanted the single malt they had. She then poured a huge measure saying, "So we like our whisky do we?" Consequently, I had the equivalent of about SIX whiskys just before we toured the distillery.

As we were walking around, the distillery guide said that we'd all get a wee dram when we finished. Some of us replied we'd already had ours and my wife observes that some of us have had more than one, looking pointedly at me. Our young guide asked how many I'd had and I said six. The guide looked at me and said, "And you're still standing?!"

That said, I had a nice nap when we boarded the coach afterward.

[ThistleDown]

...In Collander we walked a mile or so to the Lade Inn. Another great place to eat local food and some house made beer, though now made off site. There was a great little used book store that I had to collect at least 6 books from. The walk up to Braklin Falls is nice and while up there just keep hiking to the crags. You will have a glorious view of Collander and beyond.

Callander, Paul? Where Dr Finlay's Casebok was filmed? The Lade Inn is another real ale brewhouse.

[figheadair]

Dunollie Castle and the newly opened 1745 House is well worth a visit - http://www.dunollie.org/

Also down that end of the country is Auchindrain Township - http://www.auchindrain.org.uk/

[brewerpaul]

Callander, Paul? Where Dr Finlay's Casebok was filmed? The Lade Inn is another real ale brewhouse.

Im not sure about the filming of Dr Finlay's Casebok but yes there is a real ale brewhouse. Though the brewery has been moved due to expansion and taking on the brewing of other fine real ales (contract brewing) it still keeps the Lade Inn with its own house ales. They were very nice indeed, the Lade Back ale, the Waylade ale and Lade Out. Lade Inn was about a mile walk from Collander north on the A84. They have a Real Ale retail shop for some of the many Scottish and UK bottled Real Ales. Link to Lade Inn below.

http://www.theladeinn.com/index.php

This is also where we allowed ourselves a serving of Sticky Toffee Pudding and my was it wonderful.

[Sir William]

Im not sure about the filming of Dr Finlay's Casebok but yes there is a real ale brewhouse. Though the brewery has been moved due to expansion and taking on the brewing of other fine real ales (contract brewing) it still keeps the Lade Inn with its own house ales. They were very nice indeed, the Lade Back ale, the Waylade ale and Lade Out. Lade Inn was about a mile walk from Collander north on the A84. They have a Real Ale retail shop for some of the many Scottish and UK bottled Real Ales. Link to Lade Inn below.

http://www.theladeinn.com/index.php

This is also where we allowed ourselves a serving of Sticky Toffee Pudding and my was it wonderful.

I checked out their website last night and try some of the house specialties (I like real ales) if time permits.

[Sir William]

Thanks to all for the many excellent suggestions. I will definitely take them all into consideration. Maybe I should come visit for 2 months instead of 2 weeks!

While doing some research last night I got the great urge to spend a day in the Orkneys as well.

If possible, I'd also enjoy meeting any X-Markers as time and location may permit.

I just realized that Easter is the first weekend of April. How much does this impact Scotland? I know in some parts of Europe they just shut down for a few days.

[davidg]

I just realized that Easter is the first weekend of April. How much does this impact Scotland? I know in some parts of Europe they just shut down for a few days.

I wouldn't worry too much about shutting down for Easter, although some places in the north do shut down on Sundays. This is slowly changing though

I'd be more worried about Easter being a busy time and having to pay premium rates for accommodation etc. Orkney is certainly worth a visit but is quite an isolated place. I can highly recommend Avalon House if you are looking to stay a night or two there. See http://www.avalon-house.co.uk/

[Sir William]

I wouldn't worry too much about shutting down for Easter, although some places in the north do shut down on Sundays. This is slowly changing though

I'd be more worried about Easter being a busy time and having to pay premium rates for accommodation etc. Orkney is certainly worth a visit but is quite an isolated place. I can highly recommend Avalon House if you are looking to stay a night or two there. See http://www.avalon-house.co.uk/

Excellent!

The Avalon House looks very nice and the single rates aren't that bad. Thanks for the suggestion.

I don't mind isolated at all - in fact I quite enjoy the solitude.

[Jock Scot]

Thanks to all for the many excellent suggestions. I will definitely take them all into consideration. Maybe I should come visit for 2 months instead of 2 weeks!

While doing some research last night I got the great urge to spend a day in the Orkneys as well.

If possible, I'd also enjoy meeting any X-Markers as time and location may permit.

I just realized that Easter is the first weekend of April. How much does this impact Scotland? I know in some parts of Europe they just shut down for a few days.

I am working up a thirst as I type, for a meet up in April!

Easter in Scotland does not effect us too much although it does increase the visitor numbers quite a bit. So check hotel and /or B&B availability, having said that, it should not be too much of a problem with forethought.

If you venture to the House of Bruar my advice is, do not under any circumstances buy tweed there! It is thin fashion stuff and is so expensive for what it is. Haggarts is not far away and you will get far better quality tweed there for the same money. Whilst you are at Haggarts(Aberfeldy) look for the stunning Black Watch Monument by the river-----should you get there of course.