| | ScotlandPage 1 of 1 | Two (female) friends and I are planning to visit Scotland in the latter half of 2013. We will be 54-55 by then, but love to walk and do active things, see historic sites and scenery and go to interesting places - not necessarily where all the tourists go. Need some help from the PoFers in the know!
What's the best time to visit, weather-wise? We prefer moderate weather, but don't mind if it's a little chilly.
What should be on our "must see, must do" lists (in case this is the only trip we get to make)?
None of us are into the group tour-bus thing - we'd do that if necessary but would prefer to avoid it.
None of us are into drinking to excess, but we do have a drink or two if we're out & about.
None of us play golf, so we don't need to schedule anything around golfing.
Thanks in advance for your advice! | |
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Posted: 5/30/2012 10:16:43 AM |
What's the best time to visit, weather-wise? We prefer moderate weather, but don't mind if it's a little chilly. Summer in the UK is normally July - September. Take a light rain-jacket though as the showers happen year round and a light sweater as some evenings will be cooler. May - June is normally warm but lots more rain. Once October comes - all bets are off. Sometimes it can be lovely but other times darn miserable.
What should be on our "must see, must do" lists (in case this is the only trip we get to make)? You have to go into Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is steeped in history. Lots of lovely eateries. And if an event is on at the University, lots of lovely young men in kilts. (A big thank you to the young man who propped his foot against the restaurant window to tie his shoe last time I was there with my staff for a team meeting. It was a great view). If you like castles, there is one there too along with the Scottish Parliament building which is ultra modern so a huge contrast available.
Further round the coastline heading towards Dundee, is St Andrew's which is where Prince William and Catherine Middleton met at University if you are a Royal Family fan- there's a great golf course there too which be the sounds of it, you can just bypass ! LOL | |
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Posted: 5/30/2012 10:24:48 AM | Thank you! We do love men in kilts (insert shameless leering here) 
We will be spending a week there and if we don't do the group tour thing (blechh) we'll have a rental car to drive all over. I think we wouldn't mind seeing St Andrew's if we are nearby, we're just not into the game itself. | |
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Posted: 5/30/2012 10:39:09 AM | | They have some great Ghost Tours in Edinburgh too. Something I did following the staff meet. It's like a historic tour but it happens in the evening. Goes around the graveyards too but I like history so it was really interesting. They scared the (insert rude word here) out of me. | |
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Posted: 5/31/2012 12:09:21 PM | I did Fort William and Glencoe in November last year although I had quite a mild few days
If you're anywhere near by I'd recommend a distillery tour such as Auchentoshan Triple Distilled Single Malt Scotch Whisky And Distillery Tour as Whisky is a big part of the Scottish Culture
If you love walking there's the West Highland Way and Ben Nevis, which isn't a difficult or overly challenging walk as long as you allow plenty of time | |
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Posted: 6/5/2012 7:24:42 AM | | the isle of skye where i am is very very beautiful xx would be happy to show you round the island ,i may even wear kilt lol xx | |
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Posted: 6/13/2012 11:52:44 AM | well must see must do is usually the touristy bit im afraid but i shall be more
than welcome to help out
edinburgh is my main place though but there is lots more to see
in edinburgh you have (in no particular order)
edinburgh castle, craigmiller castle, holyrood palace, mary kings close, the gilmerton cove,
rosslyn chapel, st giles cathederal, princes street gardens, the surgeons hall,the grassmarket, the
cowgate
pubs wise there is the sheep heid, the carriers quarters, ryries, the guildford, the cafe royal all worth a visit
if you are here for 5 days you could make edinburgh your base for 3 and check out the above
then a trip over the forth road bridge to dunfermline where king robert the bruce is laid to rest (apparently)
then visit scone palace where all scottish kings were crowned then up to st andrews and take the coastal route
back through the kingdom of fife then over the bridge and back to edinburgh
next day youse could visit linlithgow palace where mary queen of scots was born then head up to stirling where you get excellent tours of stirling gaol and stirling castle there is also the wallace monument then back to edinburgh
then leave edinburgh early and head up to inverness (you might see the loch ness monster) taking in culloden battlefield where we were eventually killed of as a nation during the 45 rebellion then head either northward or head out to the west coast which is the dogs bollocks scenery wise
orkney is worth a visit for skara brae to see the houses that make the pyramids look like teenagers
then theres the western isles, the west highland way
loads and loads to do. beware the midges they are evil little gits and it will rain. believe me it will
but i would meet youse in edinburgh and show you around nae problem at all | |
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Posted: 6/23/2012 7:22:42 PM | | I'm jealous - wish I could go sometime. Lucky you. | |
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Posted: 6/26/2012 12:26:45 PM | If you go the first week of September, you can catch the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
Stirling Castle is nearby, worth the trip.
Rain Gear is a must, recommend LL Bean.
I went there in 82, had a grand time and made friends, would love to go back again.
Talk to the hotel staff, find out where they go to get a good meal. | |
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Posted: 7/26/2012 1:06:46 PM | | If you plan on seeing Edinburgh, the festival month-Fringe, others, is August. No idea what the weather is then, I'm sure other people here could say. {I'm a theater fan, as well as having a theater degree.} | |
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Posted: 7/26/2012 11:42:52 PM | well this is the start of the fringe this weekend. we had no rain yesterday
but its very overcast today
raincoats are a must
but anyone coming enjoy yourselves
oh and import mentioned the scottish parliament. its a bloody
disgrace and not just because politicians sit in there
we have architects in scotland yet they chose a spaniard
to design it.
its MEANT to resemble an upturned ship????????????????????/
its a bloody mess and falling to bits already
if you must go see it (its just across the road from the palace of holyrood)
throw things at it. and if you hit a politician all the better | |
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Posted: 7/27/2012 6:05:09 AM | | I was in Scotland in 2005. It was fabulous. Anyone that goes must go see Loch Ness and cruise the lake. It was a bit misty and cold that day, but is never a spoiler. If I was to go back again, I do like the idea of golfing at St. Andrews. | |
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Posted: 8/7/2012 2:33:16 AM | | I was in Scotland in 2010 and I stayed in a youth hostel housed in a real castle, the Carbisdale Castle.... pretty cool. There are lots of castles and lakes in Scotland but the one I remembered best was Eileen Donan Castle... where I was told they filmed "The Highlander" .... I visited the Isle of Skye as well and it was gorgeous. Yes, a raincoat is definitely a must in Scotland... | |
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Posted: 8/18/2012 8:02:13 PM | | I too am jealous. I found that my lineage stems from Loch Fyne but my draw is to Inverness. My Bucket List's final entry is to move to Scotland, live in a wee cottage on a rolling green hill, petting my very large sheepdog! Someday, yes, someday.... | |
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Posted: 8/19/2012 8:35:34 AM | loch fyne which has some of the best seafood in the uk
loch fyne oysters which are transported all over the country
in edinburgh we have the loch fyne fishmongers down at the old
fishing port of newhaven.
they sell all loch fyne produce and deliver to the house as well
so inversnekky is your final destination eh? its a big place now is inverness
but a lovely part of the country
i hope your dreams come true and you become a scot. the greatest little nation
on the earth | |
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Posted: 8/19/2012 10:07:12 AM | | Pack for all weather! lol | |
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Posted: 8/19/2012 11:56:57 AM | | WOW! too bad I don't like seafood! LOL. Thank you Vlad and I agree, it must be the greatest little nation on earth! Saor Alba! | |
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