what do you expect?

[ccga3359]

I was born in England, came to Canada in '76 ant the age of ten and have not been back since '81. I expect Scotland to be similar to England culturally speaking (having never been north of London). But hugely different that my distant memories. If I were to venture bck it would be to show the wife and kids the England of my youth. When I retire though I really would like to travel the canals of all of Britain.

[demobud]

I want to see Skye, Stornoway and up to the Orkneys. Dumfries and Ferintosh would have to be in there somewhere, of course.

[Darkislander]

Over the last couple of years I hae decided to holiday at home for a change. I have visited the Isle of Mull & Iona, and the Isle of Skye. What beautiful scenery it was but be prepared for the weather. Managed a bit of sun which really does show it off to it's advantage. Take a look at the visitscotland.com website for ideas. We look forward to your visit

[Riverkilt]

While I doubt I'll ever have the time, money, and inclination at the same time; if I did think I'd just go up to the Trotternish Peninsula of Skye and visit Uig and Staffin and try to soak up what my ancestors felt. Maybe look for some cousins and search some records to find more ancestors if that's possible.

Would also like to do all the regular tourist castle, battlefield, gravesite, monument stuff too...save the pubs and the distillaries. Maybe some professional snooping to see how Scots do alcohol detox and treatment facilities.

When I think about taking a tour I know I'd be chaffing at the bit saying, "No, no...I want to go to Skye!"

Ron

[Jock Scot]

Hello Ron,years ago we would have been "batting for different teams" on Skye!Thank goodness times have changed.You would love Skye and contrary to another thread on this site,it does not have to be a ruinously expensive exercise.The places you metioned that you wish to visit on Skye are superb.As to finding ancestors,I am told, that the church and parish records are pretty comprehensive,certainly for the last 150 years or so.Sadly your profesional skills would come in very handy over here, your subject is an under resourced problem over here.I will say no more on that! If you can, do come,you will love Scotland in general and Skye in particular.Apart from the midges!

[muirkirkca]

Visited Britain 2 or 3 years ago and it included visiting Scotland - Edinburgh, Glascow, St.Andrews, Culloden and the country side up to the Isle of Skye. I would like to go back and visit the ancestral area of Argylshire and specifically, Lochgilphead and Kilmartin were they left in 1830 and 1842 respectively. Also go over to Ireland to Leitrum and County Cork for the Irish connection. There were many who left Argylshire and settled in southern Ontario Canada. I am a McDonald with Gillies, Davidson and Campbell ancestry.

The countryside is very beautiful and not overbuilt like many parts of North America. We had good weather and we would go back again to concentrate on seeing more of the entire country and stay at some of the smaller places.

[Archangel]

When I came to Canada, I always dreamed of going back. I went back as a teenager intending to stay. I realized the different way of life, the unemployment, violence and chose Canada.

My wife would like to see Ireland and Scotland. I have little interest. However, to be honest, the photos and experiences here are starting something.

[Fox]

Too much to list to be sure. However, I would like to experience some of the hills described by your own Cameron McNeish. I've been listening to his podcast of late, and enjoy the history as much as the discriptions of natural beauty.

[gilmore]

What I would probably expect to see is rainy, bone-chilling weather and dour folk of few words intent on separating tourists (and fellow Scots and Englishmen) from their money.

Due to Cessna's wonderful photos, I don't feel I need to see as much as I used to. He gives you the feeling of being there and experiencing the country.

I would like to take a look at the lands my ancestors came from, the Hebrides and Galway, but most of the historical sites don't really ring my bell. When travelling outside the US, I usually avoid places where there are tourists---unless it is something really overwhelming such as European cathedrals, temples like the Jokhang in Lhasa, or palaces like the Potala there, the Red Fort in Delhi, or Versailles. I prefer going deep into the countryside in a foreign land armed only with a Lonely Planet guidebook and a phrasebook, where the local folk don't speak much English, and interacting with them. I would like to meet a variety of Scots, doing things that they do in the usual course of their lives, such as a football game with the Tartan Army, a weekend with impoverished and preferably addled-pated aristocrats, the Glasgow slums, fishermen in Caithness, the Royal Mile in Edinburgh with its tat shops, etc. And Samye Ling, the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the West.

[James MacMillan]

When I was but a lad of 28, I had the good fortune to be stationed in Scotland for 6 months. It was everything that I wanted it to be and more.

Sure the history is cool, the traditions and the roots that some of us have, but the thing that made Scotland a great experience for me was and remains the people.

The Scottish people are some of the most friendly and open that I have met anywhere.

If I ever get the chance to go back, and the chances are slim, it will be for the people!

Thank you Scotland!