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St. Andrews and the Highlands

I’m putting the finishing touches on a 10 day golf trip to Scotland with another golfer which consists of two nights in Edinburgh when we arrive on May 7 and one on the 15th, the night before we fly home. Also, six nights in an apartment in St. Andrews. We are playing golf on the 11th and 12th and the 14th and 15th before driving back to Edinburgh. Since we are walking all four golf courses we are taking off the 13th to rest our legs and see some sites. A friend (not my travel partner) suggested that we might consider getting up early and driving into the Highlands. I looked in Rick’s guide book for places to see but, except for some beautiful pictures, I really couldn’t come up with a plan. First, has anyone out there ever tried to do this, and if so could you share your experience. If not, do you think this a worthwhile adventure? I’ve been to Edinburgh and St. Andrews, but not the Highlands, and my friend has never been to Europe. Thank you.

Jim

PS If you have commented on a previous post about my wife wanting to piggy back a two week trip to Europe on my golf trip, after putting it all together she decided it was way too complicated and wants to wait for another trip. I appreciate your advice, some of which actually caused her decision.

Posted by
4616 posts

From my experience, a one-day trip to the Highlands would mostly be spent in the car.
Have a great time. My husband loved golfing in St. Andrews, and as I'm sure you're well aware, golf in Scotland is a beast unto its own!
Safe travels!

Posted by
222 posts

We are planning a trip in May 2020. Have you thought of castle hopping near Aberdeen? There is at least 7 castles and gardens just a little north of St Andrews.

Posted by
3119 posts

How about a drive to Glamis Castle? The castle itself has plenty of visitor infrastructure; in addition to the guided tour (I think about 1 hour) there's a very nice cafeteria and acres of gardens. You could triangulate it with Coupar Angus, a town that's popular with visitors. The region northwest of Dundee gives a wee bit of highland-y feel in that it's hilly, in contrast to the coastal landscape of St. Andrews.