Only 1 week in Scotland for a history buff

In Glasgow the two historical museums we have enjoyed are the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery on the University of Glasgow campus. The other is the Kelvingrove Museum within walking distance of the first one. We have taken the subway from Cowcaddens to the university district, toured bothe museums and returned to our hotel in one day. Edinburgh has quite a few historical sites. Several museums are listed in Scotland: the Rough Guide. The famous Royal Mile too, we've been there several times, and the New Town is very interesting. Inverness has a museum of the Highlands. We use a Rough Guide which seems to have more detail than other guides although we occassionallyrefer to a Lonely Planet or Steves guide. We travel exclusively by train and bus. The train from Glasgow to Edinburgh takes an hour and if you travel after the busy morning and evening rush the rates are a lot cheaper. Bus to Inverness from Glasgow Buchanan Station is a pleasant day ride through Sterling and Pitlochry. Bus from Glasgow to Fort William on the southern end of the Caledonian fault takes a couple hours. Let me know if I can help further.

Hi Sandi, A recent thread that also mentioned Diana Gabaldon: http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/69894/eight-days-in-the-highlands-of-scotland.html Cheers.

There is a new museum in Glasgow, the Riverside Museum, which is the old museum of transport, but it sounds like it has broadened and would be worth visiting for the architecture alone. I also enjoyed the Tenement House museum. I would definitely recommend day trips to Edinburgh and Stirling if you are history buffs. So much of Scotland's history took place in and around these two cities. You can take the train to both. Stirling Castle's Renaissance Palace has just reopened after a big restoration project sponsored by Historic Scotland. I can hardly wait to see it! Since you are based in Glasgow, you might want to think about exploring the Trossachs and or the Isle of Arran. I enjoyed the Trossachs a few years ago. I took the steamboat tour on Loch Katrine and wandered about some of the glens. Maybe there is a nice day tour out of Glasgow. I've not been to the Isle of Arran, but have heard marvelous things about it. If you get car, you might spend a day exploring the border country. Hermitage Castle, the abbey's Traqhuair House and more. Pam

I've been looking at a couple of tour groups recommended on here, Heart of Scotland tours and Timberbush tours. I'm not sure if they are for me, but I don't want to miss out by wondering around, not knowing what I'm looking at either. Considering a private tour, but that seems a bit pricey, although I don't see me getting back here real soon and don't want to go "cheap" on myself. Still researching, still looking to options and input. Thanks so much for your replies.

You can get many places in Scotland on public transportation but it will really limit your access to some sites. I recommend renting a car for heading outside of the large cities. That would also probably be more economical for three people traveling a lot versus taking public transportation. The Festival begins 12 August. You could probably book a place to stay in Edinburgh if you'll be gone before then. The best historical sites are in Edinburgh (Castle and Museum of Scotland). Edinburgh is worth two full days but could probably be done in an intense one day and two nights. I'm not sure what you mean by "base." You can easily spend a week circling the major Scottish sites and spending the nights where most convenient. Rick's book gives details on tour groups but most of them are based out of Edinburgh. If you try to stay in one place every night, day trips will have you covering the same ground getting to places. I have no idea who Diana Gabaldon is or was so I can't help you there. Some people here really seem to love Glascow. Pamela should be hired by Glascow's chamber of commerce. I've never been but Rick's book gives no "triangles" to any of the sites and lists it as a day trip option from Edinburgh. I have a hard time committing time to Glascow with all the more highly rated sites available.

You can definitely get to Edinburgh easily from Glasgow. Bus and train stations are right in middle of Edinburgh. We took bus and I think less than an hour but not sure. At least go there for the day. See the castle, be there at 1PM for the shooting off of the cannon. We loved Mary King's Close which is on the right just before the castle. Look it up on the web. Enjoy.

Sandi, if you haven't already committed yourself to spending the whole week in Glasgow, you might look at splitting your time between Glasgow and a place in the north. Inverness is nice, or Pitlochry. This would give you better access to Gabaldon sites. Pam

Sandi, I'm also a huge Gabaldon fan, and every time we go to Scotland my husband says he knows I'm looking for Jamie - but I know he wouldn't mind running into Claire either! Anyway, check out these sites that offer tours based on the books so you can get an idea of where they visit: celticjourneys.us/home.html highlandexperience-usa.com (click on Outlandish Adventures) jamieandclairetour.co.uk You'll definitely have to go to Edinburgh and walk the Royal Mile, remembering to stop at The World's End pub mentioned by Claire. Like others have mentioned, if you don't have to stay in Glasgow each night, Inverness will give you a nice taste of the Highlands (plus a feel of Outlander).

I definitely recommend renting a car. It allowed us to wander around the highlands, seeing battle areas, taking in the highlands and their mystic charms. In the valley that you drive through on your way to Onich, you could literally imagine the battles that were held there.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but someone mentioned renting a car to tour the highlands. My wife and I will be in Scotland for a week in September and were planning to rent a car. I have two questions about that though. 1) Will I need any sort of international driver's license or will my own license be sufficient?
2) What is a good rental agency to use in Scotland? We will likely rent and return at the Edinburgh airport, or maybe rent at Inverness and return to Edinburgh airport. Thanks all, and sorry for the interruption Sandi! Happy travels!

Not a problem Derek, its a great question for this topic and also on my mind. My concerns are the same as yours, also about driving on the opposite side of the road, hummm, and not knowing what to go to. I would also like to find out if anyone has taken the train? we were thinking of picking it up in Glasgow, up to Inverness, find a B&B for the night, take in some sites and return maybe the next day or so. So my thoughts were, tour bus, private driver, my own car or a train. I know, that's a lot of questions for one post, but I only have the one week and I don't want to waste it looking at things I don't care about. The reason we are staying in Glasgow for our base is a simple one...Marriott points! We've built up many over the years and just never used them. I don't have to lay out any cash and they had space available. Works for me.
Please continue with your comments, I am taking it all in and Thanks again. Sandi

For a few days I would travel north up the coast - spectacular scenery. Go to Glencoe where the massacre took place in 1692. Drive across Rannoch Moor. Then turning East visit Culloden moor, the site of the last battle on mainland Britain and Bonnie Prince Charlie's last stand. Castles and battlesites by the bucket load. Stirling castle and Edinburgh are both crammed full of history. If you are driving Linlithgow castle (on the way between glasgow and edinburgh) where Mary Queen of Scots lived with her son James VI until he was moved to safety to Stirling, (don't make special trip, just if you're passing).

A tip for driving on 'the wrong side of the road'. Just make sure that your passenger stays in the gutter. Even if you're on the overtaking lane on a dual carrageway your passenger should be on the 'gutter side', works for roundabouts too. Just repeat to yourself 'passenger = gutter' and you'll be fine.

I've driven many times in Scotland and enjoy doing so. You can of course see a good part of Scotland by using trains and day tours. But if you have a car you are a bit more in control of your own destiny. I've found that I do adjust to driving on the left very well and even drive stick. But, I do warn against getting cocky. As Shoni points out you have to always be thinking left. There are lots of great roads in Scotland. I particularly like the single track roads of the north and west. If anyone in the group is interested in whisky (single malt Scotch) then check out Iain Banks' book Raw Spirit. Not only will you get an intro to whisky, but you'll read about some great drives as well. Pam

I had to hand the driving over to my wife the first time we were on Islay and she had done magnificently ever since. Not only is there single track with striped pole pullouts, but sheep to watch out for. She has, and always will, drive for us in Scotland. Then too, the car rental place on Islay won't let drivers over the age of 70 behind the wheel. So I have two excuses not to drive in Scotland, can't and too old.

Hmmm, have to get to Islay before retirement (figuring that retirement age is headed no where but up) or find a chauffeur. Pam

Pamela, If you need information on Islay let us know. We've been there six times and can serve as your helpers.

Thank you for all this great information! We have decided to rent a car. We will arrive in Edinburgh, drive to Glasgow for a couple of days, head north to the Highlands (perhaps Inverness area) and "play" for a couple of days before heading back into the Glasgow area. I want to stay in a castle!! Any words of advise? Places? Cost? or any other suggestions are always welcome. You guys have been great!!!