Meeting people in Scotland

That sounds like a great trip you're taking.

People will interact with you quite naturally if you're the least bit outgoing. I wouldn't worry about it. Ideas that spring to mind are sitting at the bar when you go into a pub, instead of taking a table. Getting a round [of drinks] in for your new friends is always going to be popular. Maybe if you're taking in a round of golf the golf pro could set you up with some local partners? That's a good way to have a nice long chat.

I don't play golf but suggest you might like to try Braemar Golf Club because the course is the highest 18 holes in the UK and I am told the 2nd hole is particularly challenging. It's about a 30 minute drive from Ballater.

www.braemargolfclub.co.uk

For pubs you could try The Flying Stag bar in the Fife Arms Hotel or Farquharson's Bar and Kitchen in Braemar or The Balmoral Arms (formerly the Deeside Inn) or Balmoral Bar in Ballater.

As has been said you're not likely to have a problem finding people to interact with.

I don't think you'll have any trouble interacting with locals, Scotland was by far the friendliest country I've been to. 2nd place isn't close.

I don't see Stirling on your list. Stirling Castle was our favourite day of our 16 day trip last year. Can I suggest adding a day to Glasgow and making a day trip?

I'm curious about your 4 nights in Tobermory. What are your plans? We loved it there but just stayed 2 nights. I highly recommend that you read about driving on single track roads before you get there so you'll be prepared. I also recommend a drive to Calgary Beach, it looks like it belongs in the Caribbean.

You can meet locals in any shop, grocery store, a laundromat or those sitting on benches. Pubs are good places to meet and interact with people. Just be socially aware in the event they are not as sociable as you and don’t feel like chitchatting. While you are on vacation, they are just going about their daily lives.

Originally, we did have 3 nights in Glasgow and 3 nights in Tobermory. We can always take a night from Tobermory and add it elsewhere.

Stirling is definitely one of our destinations! We were going to visit with a tour from Edinburgh though. It likely is easier or closer from Glasgow, but we already will take a day tour trip to Culzean. We arrive in Glasgow from Boston on overnight flight, first day is relaxing in Glasgow & see some of the sights and go to Kelvingrove art museum. Second day will be the trip to Culzean and then see more things in Glasgow after return. On day three, we could start going to Tobermory.
We had 4 nights in Tobermory because just getting there will take most of a day- there's getting the rental car, the drive without stopping is 4-5 hours but we want to stop in Inveraray to see the castle and eat somewhere, the Oban ferry wait time- I hope we get there by dark. On day 2 it's a good idea to do as little driving as possible, so we'll just explore Tobermory itself. Day 3 will be driving to Fionnphort and seeing Iona and Staffa. On day 4, we could depart and head to next destination or stay one more night to explore more of Mull. That's why we had 4 nights, but 3 could work too,
Ballater for 4 nights is important, one day will just be be to relax, same with Melrose.
We are looking forward to doing some pretty but easy short walks- Stonehaven to Dunnottar, maybe along the Fife coastal path by Crail. We could get in some walks along river banks too probably in some of our village stops. Another fun thing we'll do is a horseback ride on the beach. Seacliff Stables in North Berwick is supposed to be a nice one. Also would like to go to a falconry center somewhere for a demonstration.
This is going to be a fun trip!

The Scottish people are among the most engaging that we have ever met. You will have lots of interactions with them.

I second or third the sitting at the bar idea. If you find a place you like, go multiple nights. You might meet a regular or two.

I agree with others who’ve said that Scotland, as a whole, is a very friendly country. We were there this April. Locals struck up conversations with us just casually and naturally as we went about our days. It was so nice. Most (but not all) were very warm and personable. That was something that made this trip one of our favorite vacations ever. Have a wonderful trip!

I thoroughly fell in love with Scotland when I went, and one of the reasons was the warmth and friendliness of the people. While I am a bit too introverted for the sit-at-the bar-pub scene, there were conversations to be had on many occasions during the trip. I remember particularly speaking for an hour to a musician with a giant dog in an otherwise empty pub along the West Highland Way.

No, no, no, don't take a night away from Tobermory!!! It deserves every single night you can give it!

I loved it there, and with so many available day trips, like boats to Staffa and the Isle of Iona, you will not run out of things to do and places to see. Tobermory itself is such a charming town and Mull is peaceful and beautiful and so lovely. I could easily have spent more time here. I really enjoyed visiting Iona, and the Staffa/Lunga boat ride. You can visit Calgary Beach and Duart Castle as well.

But it's just a great island for walking around, enjoying the beautiful harbor, relaxing on a beach or heading out to sea. It was one of my favorite places in Scotland.

As far as meeting people, I concur with everyone that you will have no problem with that. The Scottish people are so friendly and helpful. I met and talked to people everywhere; in restaurants, cafes, waiting for the ferry, on the ferry or the Staffa boat. It just seems to come naturally.

We are interested in going to Highland Games also, although most seem to be scheduled later in the year. Ballater itself has one but it's date is in August. The Strathmore Games at Glamis Castle on June 9 might be our best bet to see some- we likely will be near either in Edinburgh or St. Andrews.

Maybe some of the towns & villages will have visitor information centers, and we might find out about local events and festivals that are happening nearby. But walking about and simply saying hello is easy enough to do. Thanks!

Talk to your B&B or hotel receptionist. They may well be able to point you to local events.

We just got back from Scotland a couple of weeks ago. I second everything others have said on this thread about the people being engaging, friendly, helpful, and more. We had many, many wonderful conversations - some short, some longer. At the convenient store, on the sidewalk, at the coffee shop, even at the Pay-and-Display parking machines. As much as we enjoyed the land and the scenery, I think we enjoyed the people even more.