Long time no post

[berserkbishop]

Hello all,

Its been a very long time since I was on the forum. Honestly, I just had gotten very busy with life and forgotten to check out the forum regularly and then forgot about it all together. I don't wear my kilts as much as I once did, but I still enjoy taking them out on occasion. What really brought the forum back to mind is an upcoming trip to the U.K. I know the forum has great international membership, like no where else I know of.

I will be visiting for the first time, and could use some advice what to do, what to see, and how much I can realistically expect to do in 2 weeks. I will be starting just north of London and would like to spend a day or two in Ireland and a few days in Scotland. If those of you who have been there or live across the pond had a 2 week limit, what would be the highest priority sights to see?

Thanks!
Bishop

[cessna152towser]

Welcome back.
Since you plan to start in England, be sure to visit the south of Scotland on your way to the central belt (Edinburgh/Glasgow) and the Highlands.
The sparsely populated Southern Uplands comprising Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders are a jewel in Scotland's crown, missed by all too many visitors. On offer are many historic castles and tower houses, telling the history of border strife, built to defend against invasion from the coast in the case of Dumfries and Galloway and overland in the case of Scottish Borders. See the gentle rolling hills, take the time to explore hill and forest trails, see the beautiful sandy beaches of the Solway Coast and visit the historic town of Dumfries with its 400 year old pubs. If you are coming on the ferry from Northern Ireland you can land at Cairnryan and follow the coast road across to Dumfries and then north to Glasgow. Coming from England, train, bus or car will let you see so much more than flying direct to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
When in the central belt, you will want to allocate a day for Edinburgh just to say you have been there, but Glasgow is in my opinion a much nicer city with fine architecture, a vibrant waterfront, beautiful parks, great shopping malls for the ladies, and friendly people. Stirling Castle is worth a visit, also Dunfermline Abbey and the ancient royal palace in Dunfermline.
We haven't even reached the highlands yet. Simply beautiful, though towns like Inverness, Fort William and Oban can be too touristy in summer to satisfy the discerning visitor.

[Kiltedjohn]

If you are spending only a few days in Scotland, be careful not to do too much - there's a danger that you spend all of the time travelling from place to place, and so have little time to see much of each location. There are so many different places to see that it might be best to select only a few. I recently spent a week in Edinburgh, and didn't have enough time for everything. I come from Glasgow originally, and so daren't betray it in favour of Edinburgh, but...

I particularly like the lochs and mountains in Perthshire - Pitlochry, and nearby Loch Tummel. Well worth a visit, if you can fit it in.

[berserkbishop]

Thank you both for that advice. My connection to Scotland comes from my Grandmother who is a Cunningham. I would like to visit some sights that hold some relevance to that. My trip is not planned out but I totally understand not trying to see too much. I may spend an entire week in Scotland in the Lowlands and save the Highlands for another go around. I will split week 1 between some sites in England and Ireland I think. I know there is plenty to see in England and Ireland but I have always wanted to visit Scotland which makes it a priority.

[WillowEstate]

Hi,
in two weeks, you are setting yourself a real challenge, it may be a relatively small country but you could easily spend a week at any one of thousands of places! I think you need to decide whether this will be an exploratory trip in anticipation of future visits, in which case, you might want to do a longer more rapid tour or if it's to be the trip of a lifetime, in which case you would be better to concentrate on a smaller number of more detailed visits.

If it's the first, starting north of London, I'd be inclined to drive up the Eastern side, following the line of the A1 trunk road. on that route, you would pass Cambridge, a beautiful city in the summer (take a book of Rupert Brook poems with you!), then up through the East Midlands (the Shires), on through Yorkshire (the Minster in York is well worth a visit), then along the A64 to the coast and then northwards again along the North Yorkshire coast, cross the River Tees at Middlesbrough (the Transporter Bridge is fun), back on the A1 through County Durham (Durham city worth a look) up to Newcastle upon Tyne, onwards through Northumberland and cross the border into Scotland at Berwick on Tweed.

I'd then head for Edinburgh, if it's the right time and you are staying in the city overnight, take in the Tattoo at the castle, then I'd head on northwards up through Glen Coe and the Cairngorms (there is, or was, last time I was there) a cable car to the summit. Then I'd cut across to Fort William on the west coast.

You could easily spend a week on Skye, so for a recon. visit, you might want to give that a miss. Head south then down to Glasgow, an amazing city. Then fly to Dublin from Glasgow airport. If you have time, drive west across the Republic to Shannon and get a flight back to London.

Be aware that this would be an arduous journey for two weeks, doable but you might need a vacation afterwards! At least, you could get hold of a map and trace out the route I've described and try to work out how much of it you think you could handle.

A more restful alternative to driving would be to take the train, at least from London (Kings Cross) to Edinburgh but, of course, you won't get to stop and see as much.

I think some research and planning is necessary, The English and Scottish tourist boards (though I think they are called something else these days) are a mine of useful information.

Good Luck!

[GMan]

Do understand the bit about life getting the best of you, but you have to do what you have to do.

Sounds like a wonderful trip is awaiting you.

[berserkbishop]

This is not a once in a lifetime trip, but I still don't want to over do it. Like I said, my priority is Scotland. Does anyone know if it is usually cheaper to rent a car or take the train to get around the U.K.? I imagine the train is a more cost effective option. It would also save me having to learn to change gears with my left hand. Thanks for all the advice so far. I will take it all into consideration.

[cessna152towser]

then I'd head on northwards up through Glen Coe and the Cairngorms (there is, or was, last time I was there) a cable car to the summit. Then I'd cut across to Fort William on the west coast.

The cable car takes you part way up the Aonach Mor which is one of the mountains in the Nevis range and is near Fort William. There is a funicular railway which goes part way up Cairngorm, near Aviemore. It is only about a two hour drive from Fort William to Aviemore.

As you have Cunningham family connections, you are best to be based close to Glasgow, with most of the former Cunningham castles being situated within 20-30 miles to the west and south-west of Glasgow, Dumbarton, Finlaystone, Aiket, Kerelaw, Old Corsehill, Caprington etc..

Train travel in Scotland can be very cheap if you are willing to use Scotrail's subsidised stopping trains. Fast long distance trains are VERY expensive unless you can book in advance when there are usually some good deals to be had. Be advised though that outwith the Glasgow-Edinburgh central lowlands area, there are few railway lines and trains are less frequent so depending on where you wish to go the flexibility of a hire car could be an advantage.

[Chaps]

I am planning a similar trip for next summer. I would love to hear how your trip goes, especially if you choose to drive which is what I am planning to do. Safe travels.

[longhuntr74]

Berserk...welcome back as well. I posted a very similar thread this past week...I had been away for 2 years or longer. It's nice to be back and engage with some friends. I am jealous of your upcoming trip...hope to plan one myself in the next couple of years. Hope you have a great time!