August 2017 Trip to Scotland

[CameronCat]

Wow! it looks like you've received a ton of excellent info and direction from members in Scotland and elsewhere. You might also profit from looking up the various travel stories and reports on this site.

I think the one bit of advice I'd add for you is not a place but a concept -- allow time for the unexpected. Too much planning jams the schedule and you end up running from here to there. (Do not ask me how I know this...) Build in a half or full day of "gentle travel"-- we'll figure it our as we go. Plan to stop in an unknown town on your route for a walk or lunch or tea. Go into shops, meet people, inquire about something you saw on the road or read in a flyer. Chat up the local constable or the fisherman at the wharf. Stop at a nature preserve or sanctuary close to your road. Keep an evening open to go to a local concert or theater play that you just heard about. Buy local food and have a picnic lunch by a small loch.

While all the well known touristy places are remarkable and beautiful and educational, our best memories from our trips to Scotland have always come from the chance encounters, the small towns, the word-of-mouth recommendations and of course the pubs. Tourism takes you to places but memories come from the people you meet.

Plan well and have a great time. We'll expect pictures.

/CC

[Livingston]

CC, that is the way we travel. We get a general idea of what, where, and when then do whatever looks good. Of course there are some things where reservations are needed so those will somewhat set our schedule but mostly we will head in a direction where we have learned there are interesting things to do or see and go from there. One thing we know we need to do in advance is have plenty of SD cards for the cameras.