Wales or Scotland?

We've spent a good bit of time in Scotland and a little bit in Wales. Both are lovely. Depending on what your mother wants to see in particular andhow much timeyou have, you might coule do a bit of both. We haven't drive, just used the trains, so my examples will be with trains, but I'm certain you could plan similar road routes as well. We did a trip somethig like this a few years ago: London- 3-7 days with day trips then train to York York- 1-4 nights then trian to Edinburgh Edinburgh- 1-3 nights then train to Aviemore or Inverness Aviemore -1 to 2 nights (or skip) and train to Inverness Inverness - 2 -4 nights with day trips Then a LONG train ride to Betws-y-Coed (this is the only small village we've visited, but it is lovely) 1 to3 days with day trip to Snowdonia possible train to Cardiff- 1-3 days Train to Bath- 1 day
train back to London (or skip this and fly home from Cardiff) You could alter this route many ways- especially if you drive. I really enjoy Cardiff- though some on this board disagree. It is a great place to walk, has some lovley and unique shopping and just has a good 'feel' for me.

Both are lovely - delightful scenery, gorgeous castles and monasteries and beaches and museums and food and people, etc., etc..... BUT: If your mother has a "deep desire" to see Wales, I would go there. I am a huge Wales fan. With a car, you can putter along the Pembrokeshire coast, drive through Snowdonia, check out the Gower Peninsula, explore the Brecon Beacons, check out Llandudno, visit the Rhondda Heritage Park or the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, visit Dylife Gorge... you can go where you please! Towns I am fond of include Llandudno (of course), St. David's (great cathedral - and a great beach!), Tenby, Betws-y-Coed, Portmeirion (wild!), Rhyl (goofy Blackpool style fun) and Conwy. My opinion of Wales is that it is MAGICAL. So that's me. :D

I would think that a Mom's deep desire trumps all. Wish I still had the opportunity.

Depends on how much time you have and what you want to see. Scotland is all spread out. It's also famous. Wales is much less well-known. It's compact (you can drive the whole perimeter and then make a run down the middle through Snowdonia and the drover trails in something like seven hundred miles and twenty or so hours. (Don't try it, that's just to show the size.) Wales has something good around every corner. I've probably spent more days there per square mile than any other country in Europe and I still keep going back. The only two places I didn't care for were Fishguard and Swansea, but a lot of people would beat me to pieces about the latter. I've spent a lot of time in both, actually. I vote with Mom.

Wales has a lot in a more compact area. All the King Edward Castles, quaint resort towns on the seacoast, sheep and hikes in the mountains and fairy woods, and interesting Industrial Age (think Steam Punk) sites. If this is your first time to UK I would skip Scotland and York (a lot of open space ) and do the South and West unless you have at least 3 weeks.

Oh yay! Folks are voting for Wales! Seriously, I freaking LOVE Wales. Go to Wales! Cymru am byth!

Wow - sounds like Wales is the clear winner! And of course, mom's wishes trump all : -), but she also expressed a desire to see Scotland sometime in her life. I think she's gravitating more toward Wales because we know that some of our ancestors came from there, although we've no intention to try to trace family roots. And of course, we've both heard of its magical beauty. I guess I was thinking that London-York-Scotland (not sure where, exactly) seemed a logical progression, but perhaps we could head straight for Wales from London (or Windsor, if we stay there instead), then on to York/N. York Moors. Any suggestions on routes? We would far prefer to be based for a few days in one spot rather than one-night stays, so perhaps a couple of long-ish legs to ensure we're in the spot we want to base, such as N. Wales, then York? Thanks!

To add to latest post... Or would that just be too much driving? We have compelling reasons to visit N. Yorkshire - family near Whitby - so anything else we do needs to tie into that, if possible.

One alternative to consider... Use the train for the "long legs" and rent a car when you are "based" somewhere. For example- Rent a car to tour parts of Wales from a base (such as Cardiff or somewhere in the Snowdonia area) then turn it in and take the train to York and (if needed) rent a car there for one or more day trips. Then train back to London.

Thanks, Toni - and all others who replied. We'll take all of these suggestions into consideration!