It's a little too late to change much of this trip as airfare is all unchangeable, but here's our May visit to Scotland. We've been to Shetland and Orkney multiple times, so the main sights have been digested. It's the slowest paced trip we've ever done, as far as multiple night stays. Of course the whole trip might be scrubbed due to expanded war, TSA shutdown, or volcanic activity. It will also include my wife driving for the first time, since I'll be 76 and Uist car hires are strict. We have our ETAs.
Fly long-haul into Glasgow and take ScotRail to Dundee for two nights. Walk the statues, Verdant, V&A, Discovery Point. Blame Steve Marsh for this suggestion. The Bank Bar for songwriters session and bluegrass/folk.
Fly Dundee to Shetland, car hire, hike to Ness of Burgi, to spend three nights in Lerwick. Hoping to visit Noss (third try), Culswick Broch, and Da Gardains before heading for two nights on Fetlar for a bunch of hiking, and a sixth night at Sumburgh via Quendale Mill, Red Pool, and Sumburgh Head for more puffins. Maybe Scalloway Castle will unexpectedly open to tourism? Fethaland got cut due to walking distance. Marlex, The Lounge, and hopefully Fetlar Comm Ctr. for sessions.
Fly Sumburgh to Kirkwall, taking ferry to Westray for two nights. Day trip to Papay for a Peedie Tour followed by day on Westray and the Westraak tour (this is the first time we've ever used a guide or taken a tour), then flying back late afternoon to Kirkwall for three nights, car hire, day tripping to Hoy, and visiting Mull Head and Stromness. Kirkwall Hotel upstairs for a session.
Fly from Kirkwall to Benbecula, car hire, then drive to Castlebay via Flora's and Lochboisdale for two nights, visiting Vatersay and doing a day trip to Mingulay. Drive back to Benbecula for three nights. Full day on the circuit including Balranald RSPB, Scolpaig, Dun an Sticir, Dun Torcuill, and Pobull Finn. Next day back to Uist for Kildonan Museum/Cafe, Cnoc Sollier and visit the virtual historic sites of Cladh Hallan, Cill Donnan, and Bornais, then to the distillery near our hotel. Maybe time for a beach walk. The afternoon trad session at Cnoc Sollier and outrageous car hire fees to rent on Barra, dictates the rather inefficient routing.
Flight back to Glasgow for final night, visiting the Transport Museum and Glenlee, then back to the PNW the next afternoon. I'll be filing my typical exhaustive trip report after our return.
Since I'm always harping about finding music, I expect to find genuine trad Scottish music in 10 places. More generic music in a few more.
It's hard to make suggestions without knowing where we've already been, but go ahead, and maybe something will ring the bell?