I've expanded the number of days that I'm going to be in Scotland. I want to start in Edinburgh and I'd like to get to Glasgow, some of the isles (Skye, Mull, Iona, Harris ???), Aviemore, and Inverness. Is there time for more, or am I trying to do too much in the time I have? I'm not going to worry about nailing down reservations except maybe my 1st and last nights in Scotland. And with the trip being over Easter, should I worry about things to do on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday? Is there a dress code for Mass?
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
And of course- April 29 is a public holiday for the Wedding.
Posted by
OP
Albany, NY, USA
62 posts
Oh yeah. I've been wondering if I should change my dates because of that. Leave here earlier and come home earlier because of the wedding. Granted Scotland is a long way from London, relatively speaking, but I imagine the wedding could have a huge impact on traveling during that time. Pam
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
I can only speak for Edinburgh. I'm going to predict that many of the responses you will receive will say you should have two nights in Edinburgh. Perhaps that's all you can afford given your ambitious itinerary, but I'm going to suggest that the Scottish capital deserves at least two full days/three nights. Probably more. FWIW, I did a quick half-day bus tour of Glasgow and didn't enjoy the experience at all. Either I needed more time to see what's so great about it or the place is just dirty, dull, and unfriendly. Not sure which.
Posted by
Monein, Pyrenees, France
425 posts
The Burrell collection (google it) in Glasgow is arguably the main attraction there and is WELL worth a visit. If you like Indian food, Glasgow has some of the best restaurants in the UK, believe it or not. I would say that the "cafe society" in Glasgow, especially in the east of the city, with the Charles Rennie Mackintosh influence, can be very interesting. Roger
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
With your interest in painting/sketching/photography, I'd plan on1-2 days in Edinburgh, 2-3 days in Aviemore, 2-3 in Inverness, 1 or 2 on Skye ( or do as a day trip from Inverness)and 1 in Glasgow. You can see the main sights in Edinburgh in a day if you push it- the same for Glasgow. Both have good art collections and the castle in Edinburgh is great. You can enjoy the park and the botanical gardens, but they may not be at their peak- depends on the weather. There is lots to do and see in Aviemore- take the funicular up Mt. Caringorm (and there are walks/hikes if you are interested), take the steam train round trip, visit the microbrewery, visit some distilleries, take a trip by train to Blair Athol for the village, castel/stately home and distillery, if the weather is good there's outdoorsy things to do at Roghmurchie estate (canoeing, horseback riding, etc.), there is a reindeer preserve/park, and if the weather is not "good" there is skiiing !!! If you can, stay at the Caringorm hotel- it looks like a little castle, a piper plays before supper (at least he does in the summer) and their resturant is great!!!!
Posted by
OP
Albany, NY, USA
62 posts
Thanks, Matt & Roger. I planned on going to Glasgow for the Art School and history. I'm a pastel artist so I'm really interested in the art and I hear the art school is fantastic. I'd love to be able to chuck the job here and go there for school. Yeah, I know, a long way to go for school, but so worth it, IMHO. Getting to live and paint in Scotland for a while would be a dream come true for me. And going to school would be totally just for the personal joy of it. I'm not in it for a career. Although being able to paint my way thru my senior years wouldn't be bad either. I'm trying to plan out the most logical trip that will give me time to see things, get photos to paint from, and to experience Scotland without feeling like I'm on one of those "we have 45 minutes to tour the whole town" types of trips. I know I have to believe I'll get back and I still want to get a good trip out of my 1st visit. Pam
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
To be fair to Glasgow........
My wife and I went there for a day trip because she really wanted to see the Glasgow School of Art. So our day was one half touring the school and one half the hop on/hop off bus (which was only so-so). While I wasn't blown away by the school, my wife really enjoyed it and recommends it to people. Have a good time.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1863 posts
Since you are a pastel artist, I would recommend Skye and then take the ferry from there to Harris-Lewis. The quality of the light on both those islands is very special....we visited both June, 2010. Lewis is like a drowned landtiny lochans everywhere, plus Callanish. If this interests you, send me a PM. I can give you more information. Lewis is very religious-things may not be open Easter weekend.