Scotland - Day in the country?

Aviemore is a lovely village in the Caringorm Mts , alongside the Spey river. It is a realtively short rail journey from Edinburgh(not sure how long to drive). Lots to see and do. Hiking, restored steam train, funicular up Mt. Caringorm,horse back riding, etc. The Caringorm Hotel has a great resturant that serves some traditional Scottish dishes, too.

You don't have to go all the way to Pitlochry. You can go just as far as Dunkeld or Aberfeldy. Either locations would have some short walks that you could do. Dunkeld has the River Tay and Aberfeldy has Loch Tay. Another suggestion would be to head out toward the Trossachs. There is a steamboat on Loch Katrine that offers a nice trip if you could get up early enough to get up there. You can rent a bike and bike back on some trips. http://www.incallander.co.uk/steam.htm Glen Balquhidder also in the Trossachs is beautiful. Rob Roy is buried there. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/balquhidder/balquhidder/index.html Glen Lyon is also wonderful. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glenlyon/glenlyon/index.html I've not been, but you might be able to do the Isle of Arran in a day from Glasgow. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/areaarra/index.html Another trip would be to head for Fife. The villages along the Firth of Forth there are quite lovely. Pam

How about the "Whisky Trail"? There are some great distillaries with tastings nearby in some lovely locations.

When people are making recommendations remember that Phil asked about day trips from Edinburgh and/ or Glasgow. That's why I focused on Fife, Perthshire, the Trossachs and Arran. Phil, there is a nice resource Via Michelin. http://www.viamichelin.com/ You can plot routes on it. Just bear in mind that I don't think it accounts for traffic or for stopping and gawking. ; ) For example, Via Michelin says it takes a little over and hour and a half to get to Aberfeldy from Edinburgh. I would plan on two hours. ; ) Pam

I'M CHECKING BACK IN TO YOUR REPLIES AND I'M DOING IT FROM OUR HOTEL IN GLASGOW. WE'RE THINKING A PART OR FULL DAY TRIP ON SUNDAY, START AND END IN GLASGOW. BUT WOULD LIKE TO DO IT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT. FROM SOME OF WHAT I'VE READ SO FAR THE IDEA OF STANDING STONES AND PICTISH ROCKS SOUNDS UNIQUE AND INTERESTING. PAMELA - YOUR SUGGESTIONS LOOK GREAT; I'LL TRY TO SORT OUT IN THE MORNING HOW TO TRANSLATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND WEB SITES INTO AN ACTION PLAN. OF COURSE, I'M MORE THAN A BIT JET LAGGED RIGHT NOW SO I'D BE THRILLED TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING WITH FULL TRIP PLAN ON THIS SITE THAT WE COULD JUST FOLLOW TO INTERESTING ROCKS, MAYBE A LAKE AND A HILL...... HARD TO IMAGINE IT WON'T BE GREAT NO MATTER WHAT - WE JUST HAVE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET THERE. THANKS!

Phil, day trip from Glasgow by public transportation is a bit different than having a car. A great day trip from Glasgow is to Stirling, but that's mostly for the castle, which is about the most awesome castle. Part of what makes the castle interesting is the location. You can see the strategic importance of Stirling instantly from the castle walls. You can easily get there by train from Glasgow. One wild thing to think about would be to go see the Falkirk Wheel. This is a modern marvel and I know you can get there by public transit. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/falkirk/falkirkwheel/ Here's the direct site where you can buy tickets and look for directions. http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/ I strongly suggest that you go down to the TI office. They can help you with public transit. You may find that it's best to book a day tour. When your time is limited, it can work well. For example, they can tell you if you can take public transit for a day trip to Arran or up to Loch Lomond. Pam

Hello Phil, I am the one who suggested the Kilmartin Glen with its standing stones and pictish rocks. It is 2hrs, 15 minutes from Glasgow, 96 miles. You could also stop at Loch Lomond, maybe Luss, going one way, and at The George in Inverary on the way back. The George also has lovely rooms if you want to overnight. (We have visited this area.) However,I have absolutely no idea how you would get to this area by public transportation-I think you need to rent a car to get there. It's beautiful country and a bit remote.

I would also ask the concierge or manager of your hotel for suggestions. They possibly can arrange a car with a driver to take you on a drive to the country for a day or for an afternoon. Also, your wife can ask her business associates there for suggestions. Knowing the good-hearted Scots, someone may say, "I'll take you two for a drive, and then you're invited to dinner at our home tonight."Don't be too surprised if it happens. The Scots are a friendly bunch.

Thanks every body. Today we did a full day van tour that went to Wallace Monument, Castles, Lochs, Pubs; I'd have to review the 200 plus photos I took to recall the rest. Rabbie's tours: 10 people, great driver/guide, only 33 pound per person. Not bad when you look at the cost of the train being at least 2/3 of that. Highly recommended. Still looking for more stuff but very happy and loving it! Thanks again.