Stuff to do in the Isles

[Miasma]

You could then go see a fairly unmolested iron age fort:

Those must be what the forts in Oblivion are based on, I automatically scanned the entrance and walls for Goblins.

I plan on taking a nice long vacation next year to see some of Scotland and either Ireland or England.  I don't have the patience or inclination to try and research and plan three weeks in an unfamiliar country so I will probably just go on a package tour.  I look forward to being herded around like cattle.

[Yegolev]

Visit Edinburgh if you have the time.

Glasgow instead.

My favorite castle tours were the ones I conducted myself in the random unoccupied ones I found.  After your third Campbell castle, they start blurring together.  However, you pretty much have to take pictures of yourself at Eilen Donnan.

You don't need to plan a trip through Scotland, I find.  Every town has some sort of lodging.  Every town.  Even the ones with only five buildings.  Most of them smell like the inside of a sausage, but keeps you dry.

I'd add in Skara Brae, except it's a long trip.  Good notch on your belt, though.  If you're on the north end anyway, though, go to Orkney.  The church in Kirkwall is neat.

I'd recommend staying at a hotel in Thurso rather than whatever-that-is in John-o-Groats.  John-o-Groats consists of three buildings, IIRC.  Maybe four counting the ferry ticket booth.

[Samwise]

Thanks much for the pictures and links, Righ.  Now I have an overabundance of things I want to go see.     I'll have to sit myself down with a map and figure out how much I'll actually be able to get to and still make it back in time for the flight home.   

Most of them smell like the inside of a sausage

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Yegolev]

Most of them smell like the inside of a sausage

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Just stating fact.  My wife had issue with it.  Also, they don't have ventilation systems in Scotland.

Be sure to try the fried bread.

[Kenrick]

Visit Edinburgh if you have the time.

Glasgow instead.

Eh... it's worth visiting too but I wouldn't put it above Edinburgh.  Glasgow = more like Pittsburgh imho.

I'd add in Skara Brae, except it's a long trip.

Yes.  Yes, it is... and there's always peekays between the moongate and the bank.  Save yourself the stress and just go to Jhelom.

[Signe]

Go to Edinburgh during the Fringe if you want to have some fun.  Go to Edinburgh anytime if you like hanging out with boring old English toffs.  Even Sean won't live there.

[Yegolev]

Glasgow = more like Pittsburgh imho.

Bold statement.  Pittsburgh is aptly named.  Edinburgh is even more touristy than Oban.  Oban is touristy in a good way.  Edinburgh Castle was rather impressive, but it was full of Royal Army troops while I was there.

[Righ]

Oh... just remembered - this is something recent in Scotland I've been dying to go see myself:



http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/index.asp

[Samwise]

I had to look it up on Wikipedia to figure out what it did.  That's very cool.   

[Tale]

Suggestions from an Edinburgh-born Australian resident who visits the UK every few years:

* A week is really only enough time to aim for one or two areas, especially if you want to soak up what it feels like to be there.

* Edinburgh is stunning. It brings perspective to the whole of Europe, as one of the only ancient capitals that has never been subject to aerial bombing. If you want to see what WW2 destroyed everywhere else, cities like Prague and Edinburgh are your best opportunity. It also has great pubs and friendly accommodation. It's not a place you want to be looking for work, as there's a real "old school tie" element, but it is genuinely beautiful. If you can arrive on a train into Edinburgh Waverley station, you will never forget what you see when you emerge up the steps from below ground. If you are fit enough, climb Arthur's Seat or at least Salisbury Crags for a view of awesomeness.

* In England in January this year I took a day's train journey from Oxford to Penzance (near Land's End) and a local double-decker bus out to the tacky Land's End tourist trap. The views from the train and especially the upper deck of the local bus were beautiful (bus went through lots of old villages and country lanes). Penzance had good character and the views out to sea from Land's End were majestic. Avoid the tourist gimmicks and have a beer at the pub overlooking the ocean, and you will leave feeling like you really have been to the end of the land.

* The northwest coast of Scotland is my favourite place on Earth, especially up around Gairloch and Ullapool. Majestic mountains sweeping down to the sea, remote villages and lazy, winding roads with sheep wandering across them and views to the Western Isles. It's even more scenic than the west coast of Ireland (I've been to both) and the locals are great. If you ever saw an episode of Hamish Macbeth, start at the Isle of Skye and go north to Plockton and keep going up till you get past Ullapool. Can go right around to John O'Groats on the northeast tip and get a ferry to the Orkneys, which gets into real island life and the forts and standing stones posted above. However, in summer you need insect repellent to deter the midges (clouds of ferocious, tiny biting insects).

If you wait or click around, this page loads many views around a village near Ullapool I used to visit for holidays: http://www.nafirchlis.co.uk/local.htm

[Tale]

oops double post removed

[Ironwood]

You guys must hate him - You all keep wanting to send him into Scotland, the Heart of Darkness.

:)

[Signe]

Go to Tolworth.  Make sure you visit Tolworth Tower.  The views of the A3 roundabout are not to be missed.  On a clear day, you can almost see Surbiton town centre.