We have traveled a good deal in Scotland, but have the wonderful opportuntiy to have 2 weeks there this summer. We will have 3 or 4 days in Inverness and 2 or 3 in Aviemore. I would love to hear from people about day trips from both locations. We have already done the boat trip around the forth and one up the loch to Urquart and Durmnadrochit and we did an all day to Ellen Donhan castle and Skye. Any suggesstions about Whiskey trips? Garden trips? Etc. ???
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
22 posts
The Battlefield of Culloden is truely worth at least a morning. It was the battlefield were in Jacobites were crushed on April 16th, 1746. The importance of this battle cannot be explained here in detail. But of all the Scottish battles, this one is in my opinion the most important. There are gravesites for quiet a few clans. There are historical markers through out the site to help you understand the battle itself. I wish I would have been able to spend more time at the site. It was late Novemeber when I went, and I believe it will be more enjoyable in the summer. There is also a visitor center.
You might also consider a trip to Loch Ness, and the Castle Ness. There are "visitor centers" all over, i would skip those, but a cruise on the lake is really pleasent. The castle is in ruins these days but it is still worth a visit.
Posted by
Hayden, ID
196 posts
ditto on Culloden; bus runs fairly often from Inverness out to the battle site
If you have a car, the gardens at Cawdor Castle are lovely. The Clava Cairns, a little bit south of Culloden are interesting (I think they are Neolithic).
Have you been north to the Orkney Islands? spectacualr scenery
Posted by
Edinburgh, Scotland
13 posts
Hi Toni,
If you wanted to do something whisky related, the Speyside (around Dufftown) is very accessible from Inverness. You can walk on part of the Speyside Way or you can enjoy eny number of distilleries. Depending on how much you enjoy at the whisky tastings (ha ha!) a day tour where someone else does the driving is a good idea! But if love whisky, the Speyside is not to be missed. There seem to be several small tour operators who offer day tours for the Whisky Trail departing Inverness. Happy tasting!
Posted by
naperville, il, usa
24 posts
We saw a touring dvd of Scotland that showed how you could ride round with the postman. If we had more time, I would definitely do that. A magazine out next month is interviewing a postman in Shetland about riding along his route. I think anyone can ride any route, but you would have to know where to meet up with him. There are lots of stops along the way of course, but what fun?! You can get route information through the royal mail website. - Julie in Chicago