Who is going to Scotland this year and what are you doing?

I’ll be going on numerous occasions as my son is a student at University of Edinburgh. I’ll spend my time in Tesco buying him food and in his dorm helping him clean his room.

Mike, i have about 30 pages of notes for my 8 nights in Edinburgh this coming May. Do you want em? 😊

Here's a few ideas for things outside the royal mile:

Dean’s Village and the Water of Leith

Royal Botanic Garden

South Queensferry/Dalmeny

Dunbar

Linlithgow

North Berwick

Acraven turned me on to the Clan Broonford you tube channel. some good info. there.

https://www.youtube.com/@ClanBroonford

Well, I went last month, and I flew into Glasgow, rented a car, went out to my favorite place in the Highlands (Glenfinnan), spent a couple of days there, drove back to Glasgow and dropped the car at the airport (stopping in Helensburgh on the way to see Mackintosh's Hill House), took the 500 bus into town from the airport, and spent a couple of days in Glasgow.

It was way too short a trip, but I got to go to my favorite hotel in Glenfinnan before the managers depart for another part of Scotland, got a Scotland "fix," had some wonderful meals and stayed in a new-to-me hotel in Glasgow that will now always be my home there (the Voco Grand Central right at the Central train station) . So while it was a ridiculously short trip, it made me happy.

Emily, if I could ask what is your son majoring in and why did he choose Edinburgh University?

Carrie, in the words of Amy Poehler, "Yes, please." I love that stuff.

Before you suggest any night life, well, two beers and a hot dog count as a wild night for me nowadays.

We are spending two full days exploring Edinburgh, and the other 5 or so days on day trips. That's the plan, anyway.

Kim, nothing wrong with getting your fix on a short trip. We all do what we can do.

Hey,
My family of 4 (7 year old and 11 year old kids) are also planning a Scotland trip in July. We're starting it off with 7 days in Edinburgh, before renting a car and doing the loop through the highlands.

Assuming you meant a week in just Edinburgh, some of the things I'm looking forward to not mentioned already are:

• Edinburgh Castle...sort of the one must do
• Still looking for the best option for high tea
• The Whisky Experience - a little touristy, but my kids will indulge me while i do some tasting if it involves a whisky barrel ride
• National Museum of Scotland/Scottish National Gallery/Camera Obscura/Museum of Edinburgh
• Royal Yacht Britannia and the whole harbour area
• Hike up Arthur's seat
• Hike up Calton Hill
• Edinburgh Zoo/Dynamic Earth (would skip these if it wasn't for the kids)
• Greyfrier's Kirkyard. In general just wandering into Close's and exploring

No shortage of ways to spend a week there. We're purposely trialling the full week in Edinburgh as an opportunity for slow travel and not doing too much each day for our kids' first overseas trip.

Hope you have a great time. I'll be watching this board for more suggestions for myself as well.

I'm flying into Glasgow in early May, spending 3 nights there (which will include a day trip to Stirling) then heading to the Isle of Arran for 4 nights (after picking up my rental car). After that, I'm going to the Isle of Mull for 4 nights, then Skye for another 4 nights and finally Harris and Lewis for another 3-4 nights.

Leaving Harris and Lewis, I will head to Inverness, stopping at Culloden and Clava Cairns, then heading up to the coast and taking a leisurely drive along the coastal road going down towards Aberdeen and eventually Edinburgh, where I will spend my last few days before flying out of Glasgow. The trip will last a titch over 3 weeks.

I can't wait!

We were there in June and I'd highly recommend a daytrip to Stirling Castle. It's a matter of personal preference but we enjoyed it much more than Edinburgh castle. Edinburgh castle focuses quite a bit on military history while Stirling has its focus more on Royal history. We also enjoyed a Mercat Tour on the history of the Royal Mile. The Mile can be quite touristy but the tour peeled back the layers to give a better focus on what we were seeing behind the restaurants and gift shops.

FWIW, we went to check out Dean village because, well, those instagram photos make it look so picturesque. We were very underwhelmed! However, we continued walking and came across Dean cemetery and that was very interesting.

Oh, that sounds interesting, Tammy! I love cemeteries - I think I've been to cemeteries in every city and country I've visited. I will have to check that out when I'm there.

I’ll spend my time in Tesco buying him food and in his dorm helping him clean his room.

Ha, I remember those days, Emily!

The Scottish schools break for their summer holidays at the start of July (2 weeks earlier than English schools), so places will get booked up quickly.

I have been to Scotland numerous times, but never for less than 3 weeks. I haven’t been to a distillery as I don’t drink whisky. I would opt for 4 nights in Edinburgh over Glasgow. If you don’t want to drive, look at Rabbies tours if you want to see the countryside. Stirling Castle is a possible day trip from Edinburgh.

Do you want to spend time in the countryside or in cities? The East Neuk and St Andrews is a lovely area, with coastal walks.

Oban/Glencoe on the west coast links better with Glasgow.

List of sights for old town (Acraven gave me her list and i added to it).

Niddry Street South/Whisky Row

Ross fountain

Castlehill

Lawnmarket

Tolbooth Church (WC and café)

Gladstone’s Land

Riddle’s Court

Bank / High streets intersection
-- Deacon Brodie’s Tavern
-- Bank of Scotland
--Whiski Rooms Shop
--National Museum of Scotland (10-5); FREE

Parliament Square

St. Giles Cathedral / High Kirk of Edinburgh --Heart of Midlothian: with back to entrance, move 20 paces forward and slightly to the rights; look down to see outline of heart; marks place of old Tolbooth prison, where executions took place.

Mercat Cross

Real Mary Kings Close

Tron Kirk/Church

John Knox House

Canongate Tolbooth

Canongate Kirk/Church

Cockburn Street

World’s End Close

Prince Street Gardens

Assembly Hall

Holyrood Park

--Walk along Salisbury crags (no WC)

--Arthur’s seat

-- Duddingston Village and Dr. Neil’s Garden (secret garden)

--Holyrood Palace; Royal Gallery (9:30 closed T W)

--St. Anthony’s Chapel

Lady Stair’s Close

Tweedal Court

Paisley Close

Grassmarket --The White Hart Inn

--Cowgate and Parish Church

--Covenanters’ Memorial

--West Bow Street turns into Victoria’s Street

--Candlemaker Row

Greyfriars Church and Greyfriars Bobby Statue

--Flodden Wall

--George IV bridge

--National Library of Scotland (open 9:30, 10 on W) --Wonderful (and free) “Treasures” collection that’s concise and enjoyable; check out café for lunch

--Bank of Scotland

--Museum on the Mound

--Writers’ Museum

--Gladstone's Land

--Ramsay Garden Houses

North Bridge

Balmoral Hotel

Steeple

--University of Edinburgh

--The Meadows Park

--St. Mary’s Cathedral (8-6)

List of sights for new town:

Prince Street Gardens

Princes St. and George St.—shopping (Jenners Dept. store)

Broughton Street

Scott Monument

Calton Hill

Charlotte Square (only residents can go in); Georgian House

Queen Street

St. Andrew’s Square

Scottish National Gallery (10-5); FREE; Near train station

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art—Modern One (10-5); FREE; 10 mins dean vill.

Rose Street

Royal Botanic Garden

Scottish National Portrait Gallery (10-5); FREE

Thistle Street and Rose Street

Junction between Comely Bank, Dean Park Crescent, and Ann Street

NOTE: i'll add my day trip notes later. Do you like to walk? I have a bunch of notes on walks in the area.

My husband and I are flying to Edinburgh in August for the tattoo then driving to Glencoe for a little bit of hiking before flying out of Inverness.

Mardee, no Edinburgh?

We spent 20 days there in September/October and drove all over. Rather than list them, photos of many places are on my website. As this was our 2nd time in Scotland we didn’t revisit some places we had visited on our first trip.

mike, I think I've mentioned this before. Do the Himalayas putting course at St Andrews. It is a blast.

Mardee, no Edinburgh?

roubrat, it's at the tail end of my trip - I will drive down the coast past Aberdeen and down to Edinburgh, where I will spend probably 3 nights before flying back out of Glasgow.

Ahh, I see. I'm planning to be in Edinburgh (+daytrips) for a few days in Sept. so I'm looking forward to reading all about it. Seems like there's a few of us heading there next year!

Scotland is one of our favourite places but we haven’t been for over 20 years, so excited to be going next year.

We’re doing 3 days in Edinburgh followed by a week in Connel near Oban. Hoping to see otters. And fingers crossed to see the beavers near Bellanoch. Then we’re heading off on a cruise through the Hebrides, Faroe and Shetland Islands.

Carol: Yes! I'm not a real golfer but I love watching the natural beauty and drama of The Open. Thank you for reminding me, but "playing a round at St. Andrews" is on the agenda. I just wished they would allow us to walk on the real golf course.

I can't wait to get home and explain to my co-workers that I spent a week playing the links at St. Andrews, as cool and nonchalant as possible.

Ethel, you have a lot to look forward to. I was even excited just reading your post. Looking forward to your trip report.

Mardee, I think you've nailed that itinerary. Looks great to me. Now, you have to curb your enthusiasm just a bit. It's still November. Definitely looking forward to your trip report.

I like our little group here. This will be a fun year either travelling or living vicariously through someone else's trip report. Win-win.

I'm looking forward to your feedback of our itinerary. I'll reciprocate in a dignified, gentlemanly manner, or course.

This is a fun thread to read!

I’ve just bought round trip plane tickets to Edinburgh for 12 days starting mid May. We are treating our daughter, son-in-law and 19 year old grandson to their first European trip.

We are spending the first 4 nights in Edinburgh, then renting a vehicle. We are debating visiting sites based near Oban for the next 4-5, or near Speyside. Then thinking a last night or two in Stirling, before flying home.

Anyone have a opinions on which of those 2 areas to focus on?

Looks like a big year for Scotland! We will visit in May.

Mike, it may be different this year (or from day to day) but my friends and I walked “on the real golf course” in July this year - at least on the 1st and 18th. It was the week before “The Open” and pretty cool!

Texastravelmom, I'll take what I can get.

My family is going in July for 16 nights. One week in Edinburgh, then renting a car and spending 3 nights in Stirling (Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, day trip to St. Andrews and coast), 2 nights Fort William (including a River to Sea Scotland guided canoe trip), then 3 nights in Inverness.

One thing I did just find is that there is a Highland Games happening in Lochenhead on the Saturday we'll be in Scotland. Really looking forward to checking that out. There is a games or two somewhere in Scotland, every saturday of the summer.

And thanks for the mention of the Himalayan Putting course at St. Andrews!! Very excited to do that. Amazing how you think you've exhausted all your research, then one forum comment mentions something really cool you had no idea existed!

Hello Big Mike,
We will do a 3 week trip to England & Scotland in spring 2023, ending with a ride up the east coast of England to Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, then to Edinburgh.

Jennifer has already suggested Rabbies, but here are some details and a link.
Rabbies is a company giving tours out of Edinburgh (and locations in England)
in a small Mercedes minibus.
They have a Certificate of Excellence on Tripadvisor and are recommended by all major
travel books, such as Rick Steves Scotland guidebook, Fodors, Frommer's, Lonely Planet and more.
Here are their tours that depart from Edinburgh:
https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh

On the left side of the page, make a choice under "No. of days".
Check a box for one-day tours or multi-day tours.

If you can't get booked on a Rabbie's tour, then use Heart of Scotland Tours:
https://www.heartofscotlandtours.co.uk/

In Edinburgh, don't forget to go see Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, anchored at the docks.
A bus goes from downtown Edinburgh out to Leith.
Look for Bus Number 11 in town.
This bus goes directly out to Ocean Terminal, where it is docked.
You can have afternoon tea onboard if you want.

Website here; pre-book your tickets:
https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/
Look at both pages for information.
https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/visit/

We assume you plan to see Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the National Museum of Scotland. More things to do on this page under "See":
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Edinburgh#Q23436
The Wiki page is a good one-page city guide, a quick read.

Getting into town from the airport; take the tram.
"A tram line links St Andrew Square in city centre to Edinburgh Airport on the west. It passes through the New Town along Princes Street & Shandwick Place to Haymarket, then takes an off-road track through the western 'burbs. Thus it links the airport, rugby stadium, both main train stations, the bus station and Princes Street. It doesn't extend south (e.g. to Old Town) or north, where buses are the mainstay of public transport."
--From the WikiVoyage page.

Map of Tram Route halfway down the page here:
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Edinburgh#Q23436

I hope this all helps.
I wanted to share with you the notes I have for our trip.
We have not yet selected a hotel for our stay.
We will fly back home from Edinburgh airport.

Rebecca, thanks for the wealth of information.

My husband and I are going to the Orkney and Shetland Islands in July. We will be departing from Edinburgh and arriving back in Glasgow but aren’t planning to spend more than a night in each. We have been to both before.

In Edinburgh, don't forget to go see Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, anchored at the docks.
A bus goes from downtown Edinburgh out to Leith.
Look for Bus Number 11 in town.
This bus goes directly out to Ocean Terminal, where it is docked.
You can have afternoon tea onboard if you want.

A friend of mine recently did this and she loved it.

I am not sure I am the person to be replying to this thread. I will be in Scotland in 2023, yes, but mainly visiting Sainsbury's

roubrat, that will be a fun trip! Glad you're going to Scotland, too!

Mike, I am chomping at the bit to get there. I still have a few unbooked accommodations but I'm getting there - I just booked my first stay at The Grasshopper Hotel in Glasgow. And I recently binge-watched "Shetland", all the while wishing I had the time to add it to my itinerary. I don't, but it will give me a reason to go back. But what was helpful about watching it was seeing all those one lane roads and pull-outs. Of course, on TV, there's never any traffic jams. Just one car leisurely meandering down the roads. :)

MC-Glasgow, ha ha! Enjoy your trip to Sainsbury!

To everyone, I am madly copying and pasting all these ideas into my Google doc that I have started for Scotland. Can't wait!

Lastly, I am not a golfer so the term "real golf course" means nothing to me. Can someone explain? FWIW, I have heard of St. Andrews and know its appeal to golfers (one of my former partners at my law firm used to fly out once a year to golf there).

Hi, Mardee,

"...I recently binge-watched Shetland..."

I just finished season 7, the last of the Jimmy Perez years. I'm glad it's continuing, but it will definitely not be the same without Douglas Henshall. Do you think that they'll put Tosh or Sandy in charge?

Anyway, best wishes for your upcoming trip! I know it's a ways off, but it will get there sooner than you think.

Did I mention the beach at Newburgh? Since you're going to Cruden Bay, the A975 will take you right by there on the way south. If you get to the beach on a good day, there are hundreds of seals on the north bank of the Ythan (the beach is on the south bank). They seem to really enjoy humans, and they swim right across to look at you.

The Newburgh Inn, at the turn off for the beach, is a good place to get a bite to eat. It's also a good place for a bathroom break, as the toilet block at the beach is closed.

Have a great holiday season!

Mike (Auchterless)

Mardee, I am a thoroughly incompetent golfer who unintentionally embarrasses others who have to play a round with me. Although no official definition likely exists for a "real golf course," I'd imagine it to be, well, not a putt-putt course with dinosaurs and windmills. More like long, rolling fairways with a somewhat natural, picturesque setting. Something that takes hours to play 18 holes.

It takes about 45 mins for the 18 hole course and 20 mins for 9 hole course. St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club. Love that name.

This thread has some good suggestions for places to eat from Priscilla from California:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/scotland/day-trips-from-edinburgh-a785ecbc-39c4-4f71-be70-72046184215d

Mike, thanks for the tip about Newburgh!! That sounds lovely!

Yes, I think Shetland will be be very different without Jimmy Perez. I think I read someplace that Tosh is going to be in charge - I believe she has seniority over Sandy. I do love watching it - the landscape reminds me a bit of Iceland.

If you go to Stirling, you might want to also check out the old town jail. It was recently featured on an episode of Haunted Scotland on the travel channel. I believe they will be re-airing the episode. I usually don’t watch these types of shows, but it was interesting.

https://oldtownjail.co.uk/history/

Mike, thanks for the tip about Newburgh!! That sounds lovely!

Yes, I think Shetland will be be very different without Jimmy Perez. I
think I read someplace that Tosh is going to be in charge - I believe
she has seniority over Sandy. I do love watching it - the landscape
reminds me a bit of Iceland.

Ashley Jensen will be taking over the lead in the next series, a Shetlander returning to the islands after 20 years with London's Metropolitan Police. Something I like is that you do hear Northern Isles accents on the programme. Usually Scottish accents are Central Belt ones even if they are not appropriate for the area.

Oh, that's interesting, MC - I am looking forward to next season! I read that Steven Robertson, who plays Sandy is actually from Shetland - he gave an interview and said that he looks forward to working on the show because he can talk in his normal voice. Usually he has to change his accent to another part of Scotland or someplace else.

Yes, a lot of accents sort of get merged by TV and film. Shetland, and its Geordie sibling Vera, and Devon sibling Two Rivers (though only one series of that so far) are good in that they feature local accents. A Northern Isles accent can be very lilting in a way a central Scotland one is not. Highland accents are also lilting and when Fraser Hines was cast to play Jamie in Doctor Who he used a Highland accent. Unfortunately although he was a Highlander, and one for whom Scots and English would at best have been foreign languages, people did not believe it was genuine although it was a family one for the actor.

So the accent was basically bunged in the back of a Morris Minor and driven to Glasgow where it became 'generic Scot'.

The Shetland accent and dialect retains some of the elements of Norn, the language related to Norwegian spoken in the islands until the last speaker is believed to have died in 1850.

Going to Scotland for the first time this June. Our overnight stays are as follows:
Edinburgh - 4 nights
Anstruther - 2 nights
Nairn - 3 nights
Portree - 4 nights
Glencoe - 2 nights
And our last night near the Edinburgh airport.

kmkwoo, that looks like a great trip.

That is fascinating, MC! I love hearing about linguistics and dialects. That must be where some of the interesting phrases and words come from that they use on the show. Is that where the name "Up Helly Aa" comes from?

Yes, I think it is from Norse that the name comes. Not the only winter fire festival in the UK, but probably the biggest. Orkney at the Christmas and New Year holiday season has the 'ba game, a mass traditional football came the sort of traditional ball game that is the ancestor of football, rugby, American football, and Australian football.

I will definitely be planning another trip tso I can make it to the northern islands!

If you go to the Northern Isles, another thing with the accent is the dialect. It is very close to the dialect of Scots spoken in North East Scotland, Aberdeen and its region. So...

How do you translate

Fit fit fits fit fit?

And what is the response to

Fit like?

Hi, MC-Glasgow,

Aha! A fan of Robbie Shepherd, I see! I mind havin' a wee blether in Aiberdeen wi' an auld wifie who was spikkin pure Doric. I couldnae unnerstan a word she was spikkin! (A true story!)

Fit fit fits fit fit = "What foot fits what foot?"

The answer to "Fit like?" would normally be "Nae hauf bad. Hoo's yersel?"

Thanks for the memories!

Mike (Auchterless)

p.s.: How did we get from Big Mike's travel plans to "A Dash o' the Doric"?

Mike, I think that was my fault - I brought up the show "Shetland." Love those accents!

Hmmmm, now it’s possible I will be back for a week in June. We’ll know when I buy the airline ticket. Had an offer of concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow on consecutive weekends, so would have 5 days in between to play with!

TexasMom, what type of concerts if I may ask?

5 days you should be able to have some fun, ma'am!

My money's on The Proclaimers!

Mike (Auchterless)

Lol

Another answer to 'fit like?' is 'chavin awa.' Usually followed by 'yersel?'

Oh, I like the Proclaimers! Sadly, I will be gone from Scotland by then. I need to start timing my trips better...

LOL, BigMike, Mike nailed it. However I have to see if I can afford to get home from Scotland first!

Mardee, they will add other dates most likely. :)

Oh, I hope so, Gwynn - I just checked their website and that's all they have for now but who knows? It looks like they're doing a big tour of Australia and New Zealand through the end of March.

I know you've all been waiting with great anticipation, like the Carly Simon song, so here goes:

Arrival day: Castle, botanical gardens, take a nap, and whatever else we can fit in within reason. I know we'll be a little cranky.

Basing ourselves at Hanover House Hotel. We're using both Rabbies and heartofscotland tours.

Day 2: Viking coast and some castle.

Day 3: Hadrian's wall

Day 4: Stirling castle, whisky, and highland lochs

Day 5: St. Andrews

Day 6: Edinburgh walking tour; Royal Mile, National Museum, King Arthur’s Seat, Royal Yacht Britannia, or as much as we can fit in.

Day 7: Flying back to Dulles

Looks like a great itinerary, Mike! That will be a wonderful trip.

I’m just getting started planning my trip to Scotland next year. I’m glad that you started this thread, Mike, as I’m getting lots of good ideas. Hope that you have a great trip.

Thanks Mardee and Valerie. I'm open to constructive criticism, too. It's fun to look at what other folks are doing and getting food for thought, while keeping in mind everyone has different preferences.

I've heard of the Viking Coast in Southern England, which region is the Scottish version?

Hey, Allan. I'll post the links to our day tours:

https://www.heartofscotlandtours.co.uk/our-tours/tours-timetable/the-viking-coast-and-alnwick-castle

https://www.heartofscotlandtours.co.uk/our-tours/tours-timetable/loch-ness-and-the-highlands/

https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/day-tours/st-andrews-the-fishing-villages-of-fife-day-tour

https://www.heartofscotlandtours.co.uk/our-tours/tours-timetable/rosslyn-chapel-the-borders-and-hadrians-wall/

https://www.heartofscotlandtours.co.uk/our-tours/tours-timetable/stirling-castle-highland-lochs-and-whisky/

https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/day-tours/st-andrews-the-fishing-villages-of-fife-day-tour

https://www.mercattours.com/tours/history-walks/view-tour/secrets-of-edinburghs-royal-mile

Mike, great itinerary and really fabulous day trips!
You have put a lot of work into planning this trip, and it shows.

I especially love that Heart of Scotland tour to The Viking Coast and Alnwick Castle!
That is really special, going out to Lindisfarne!
Loch Ness and the Highlands looks fab, too!
But I love all the Heart of Scotland tours you've selected.

I hope you get to play some golf!
Best wishes and I hope you and your family have a great time.

Thank you Mardee and Rebecca. Like all of our trips there are always lessons-learned afterwards. I actually wanted to rent a car like we've done before, notably Ireland, but my wife vetoed the idea. We've had some unwelcome adventures in that area.

Hi, BigMike,

I've driven in both Scotland and Ireland, and I have to say that driving in Scotland is a lot easier, not to mention less expensive. I realise that you've already made your plans, but for future reference, and future travels, you can let your wife know that slightly smaller Mike says that driving in Scotland is not a problem. (Well, except maybe for the roundabouts!)

Best wishes for the holiday season, and for your summer travels!

Slightly Smaller Mike (Auchterless)

Just announced:

The Proclaimers will be headlining the Saturday programme at the 2023 HebCelt Festival in Stornoway. The festival runs from July 12th. to the 15th.

www.hebceltfest.com/news/news/1/proclaimers-top-hebcelt-2023-bill

Mike (Auchterless)

Thank you, Mike. We had some precarious moments on the foggy, narrow roads of western Ireland, where some roads were barely wide enough for one car.

Been there, done that! There are a few roads like that in Scotland, but they're mainly out on the islands. Thank goodness for the passing places!

Mike (Auchterless)

Oh, yeah…. Hebcelt. And a few other gigs popping up now, too.

Yes, and sadly, none of them are in Scotland when I'm there. Guess that means I'll have to go back at some other time! I wonder if they ever play the Shetland Folk Festival?