Visiting Scotland-getting around

[Redshank]

I would personally advise against travel lodges, breakfast is not included, but is available from a little chef, the quality of the food is somewhat dubious and vastely overpriced, your better off with bed and breakfast accommodation.

[pdcorlis]

Hi Alan

First off - I hope you enjoy your grand adventure! Looks like you've had plenty of excellent advice so far but figured I'd throw in my two pence worth. Kim and I are planning our fourth trip to the British Isles this May. Now, I have a confession to make - we have never rented a car. I love public transportation - especially rail transport but even the bus transport is brilliant. With some planning and luck - it really does work well. Once we are at a destination, we're on foot most of the time. While its true we may not see as many places, we do get to meet some wonderful people. After our first whirlwind trip - we realized it would be much more fun spending more time in far fewer places to really get the feel of things. Its much better than "counting location coup."

Anyway - happy travels and best of luck!

[Alan H]

Hi Alan

. After our first whirlwind trip - we realized it would be much more fun spending more time in far fewer places to really get the feel of things. Its much better than "counting location coup."

Anyway - happy travels and best of luck!

EXACTLY. I don't want to be away from home for more than about 18 days. I can't afford it, anyway. I will stay in the lowest-price places I can find and will eat my meals from the local market. I'd rather walk when I can. If I can save a mint by not hiring a car, I'll do it. Better to go and not hire a car and stay in the hostels...but GO... than not go at all.

When I first considered this trip I spent some time thinking about why I wanted to go. Do I need to see the famous sites? What will I really enjoy?

Answers:

Throw at the Masters Worlds: Inverness

See Culloden, because...well....BECAUSE

Visit the Aberlour Distillery because I'm a big Aberlour fan.

Walk on the land that my ancestors walked on; Loch Fyne and Loch Awe in Argyll...the Borders near Redesdale.

See what I can of Medieval and Iron age and Bronze Age Scotland. I'm an odd guy in a certain way. I can stand in front of a pile of stones and somehow feel the presence of people who have gone before me. I love that experience.

Go for a good long hike in the Cairgorms. If I can manage to get a trout out of one of Jock Scots streams, then all the better!!

That's enough for two weeks and change. I'll need to stay someplace with a comfortable bed while I'm at the Games because I need to perform. But aside from that, out in the countryside I'd be totally happy sleeping in a tent. Wouldn't bother me a bit. In fact, I am thinking that a bicycle tour might just suit me fine. If I can go over there and buy a decent bicycle for $175, well....

What else would I like to do? The honest answer is sail a small sailboat right 'round Scotland, with a trip through the canal. But that's another day.

[sfb]

No shortage of good long hikes in the Cairngorms, but remember it can be awful wild if you're going up into the hills even in the summer. Indeed it can be awful wild even if you're wandering through the glens in the Cairngorms!

There's some good ideas/routes on this site, depending on what you're after. Covers most options from gentle wanders to serious expeditions.

Might be worth a wee look for ideas.

[Alan H]

No shortage of good long hikes in the Cairngorms, but remember it can be awful wild if you're going up into the hills even in the summer. Indeed it can be awful wild even if you're wandering through the glens in the Cairngorms!

There's some good ideas/routes on this site, depending on what you're after. Covers most options from gentle wanders to serious expeditions.

Might be worth a wee look for ideas.

Wild is good. I backpack with my wife Joan, and also solo for 4-5-6 days at a time in the Sierra Nevada here in California. Usually we're over 7,000 feet. I'd just be doing a day hike something 5-10 miles with some good views.

[Alan H]

sfb, that's a wonderful link. I found this:

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/morrone.shtml

which would be a splendid days tramp around with some lovely views. Thank you!

[sfb]

Now here's an odd coincidence - one of the pictures posted on the Vintage Kilt Photos thread by BoldHighlander this very night:


Record Number: RMA-H4194
Title: Dogs with boy in kilt on moors at Braemore. Maiden Pap and Morven in background.


Morven's the other name for Morrone. Spooky, eh?

[sfb]

Actually, there's something else that's spooky about it. The more I look at the photo, the more I think the dog second from the left has been reincarnated as my wee dug Jorja who has pride of place in my avatar.

[jhockin]

alan:
while traveling through Scotland, with my oldest daughter ( 'bout 5 yrs ago), we stayed one night in a B&B ( which she pre-booked & paid for - and refused to tell me how $ or pay any part of!) , and then in Hostels. I think one needs to pay a nominal fee to join a Hostel association ( not sure) , BUT: very affordable/inexpensive; most had toast or crumpets & jam & coffee or tea (included) available in the morning .. also cooking facilities, secure storage for luggage, and we met lots of interesting folks, including a couple running a Hostel in Oban. The Hostel we stayed at in Edinburgh was only a couple blocks away from the castle. I would recommend checking them out - lots of info online. have a great trip!

[bdkilted]

Alan;
I agree. I was over last year about this time and we either walked or took the bus in Edinbourgh, and then rented a car. It was difficult to drive in old parts of town, and in some residential areas because the roads are narrow and people park on both sides of the street leaving only a little more than one lane down the middle. Otherwise the main roads are great. I would suggest buying the gap insurance (covers your deductable) if you haven't driving on the "wrong side" of the road. I clipped a mirror before we got out of town.
BD