When in Scotland

[Bungee]

So, me and the girl are planning a trip to Scotland for a 2 week vacation end of August/early September.
It's pretty much gonna be a roadtrip- just renting a car in Edinburgh and go from there. As f13 is herding some scots(wo)men, I was wondering if they had any specifics on what not to miss and things to do. So any pointers to places one might not find in a generic tourist guide or festivities going on at that time will be greatly appreciated!

[Baldrake]

Really? No answers?

No insider tips here, but a few places I've really enjoyed in Scotland are

• West Highland Way for scenic hiking. Very nice scenery around Loch Lomond and further north up to Ben Nevis.
  
• Don't miss the highlands. It's nice to go across to the Isle of Skye and see the beautiful mountains.
• If you're into castles, my favourite have always been Sterling Castle (the definitive massive big stone castle and Eilean Donan castle (just because it's on so many postcards.)
• Don't short-change Glasgow. It has enormous character and some brilliant art museums.

[Soln]

Isle of Skye, yes.  Edinburgh, beautiful, yes.  St.Andrews also beautiful.  Stirling... really, there's a lot to see.  Even the Hebrides and Shetlands are worth seeing.  Mostly I'd say figure out how long you have and how much, and realize travel can take some time.  Outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow, there are mostly only double lane roads with pullovers for allowing people to pass.  That and the ferries can put a dent in your time. 

[Ironwood]

All I can go on is my own personal experiences, which, actually are kinda limited.  The thing about living in Scotland is you tend not to do much of the touristy shit because, frankly, it's always fucking raining and shite.

However;

You NEED to visit Stirling and Bridge of Allan and make a day of it in the surrounding area.  I went to Uni there and it's fucking lovely with some really nice beers and food and loose women.  Don't take the girl.

If you wanna do the West Highland Way (which I did), I can reccomend it, but bear in mind it's a multi day hike and you better be prepared for that shit.  I almost killed myself 3 days in when the wind and the rain basically froze my knee joints and stopped me going on, even though I then did.

Elgin and the North is lovely and in the heart of Drinky country - My brother's up there and It's also fucking lovely and friendly, plus, you know, drink.  Dundee is shoppy if you feel like that, but there's not THAT much to see.  There are a LOT of nice spots here there and everywhere for wee day trips, but you'd be best getting some touristy information and then asking here if it's good for specific advice.

Sorry, I'm really NOT the chap to speak to.  I haven't really had a holiday in years and when I do, it's Italy.   

[Chimpy]

My advice as someone who was there recently for a few days: If you like castles/old ruins, get the "Explorer Pass" from the Historic Scotland folks who run the national stuff like Edinburgh and Stirling Castles. If you go to like 3 of them it pays for itself in adminssion fees. Unless you are a HUGE Dan Brown fanatic, pass on Rosslyn Chapel. It costs about twice what it should, you can't take pictures, and it really is not that interesting of an old church.

[Baldrake]

Soln is right. Do the drive up the east coast catching the little fishing villages like Pittemweem, Anstruther and Crail, which gets you to St Andrews. If you're in the area, Falkland and Dunfermline are both worth passing through.

And Ironwood is right that the West Highland Way is several days' hike, but you don't have to do the whole thing. You can join in at Loch Lomond for example, and do a couple of hours if you want.

[Ironwood]

If you're a massive pussy.


 

(Seriously, good suggestion tho.)

[Samwise]

I can't compare it to the other islands since I've only been to the one, but Arran is quite lovely.  Can also second the nice hiking around Loch Lomond and the fine character of Glasgow.  Really, noplace I've been in Scotland has disappointed me, and I'm a notoriously curmudgeonly traveler.

[Lantyssa]

Really, noplace I've been in Scotland has disappointed me, and I'm a notoriously curmudgeonly traveler.

I sense we have your answer why!

[Bungee]

Thanks guys! Our calender has already filled up pretty quick by places she wants to visit and I'm glad to find some of those places in your suggestions. I'll try to fix in the West Highland Highway hike (or part thereof), really sounds and look amazing!

Thanks again and keep it coming!

[Soln]

Yeah going East or West, there are many beautiful (and unexpected) places to go.  One big trip when I was there was to go counterclockwise from Edinburgh with a buddy and visit as many prehistoric and neolithic sites as possible.  Extraordinary places like the one below.


Also, for some reason I keep remembering "Tongue" as an epic vista.   

[Yegolev]

Sorry, I'm really NOT the chap to speak to.  I haven't really had a holiday in years and when I do, it's Italy.   

What were you doing that whole time you didn't have a job?  Went to Stirling?

I'm not the one to talk to either, maybe.  It was eleven years ago.  I didn't like Edinburgh as much as Glasgow, although the science museum was good.  The camera obscura was corny but fun if you're into that.  There's a shopping mall in a bone-strewn pit, if you're into that.  Also you can get a McDonald's hamburger in Edinburgh.  If you're into that.

My favorite parts were the ones where I got out of the car and didn't hear anything.  Not a fucking thing except occasionally a sheep bleating from two miles.  I think it was Dunvegan; some town on the west side that had literally five buildings in it.

Something that bears mentioning: all of the buildings in Scotland smell like fried meat.  No central air.  Heat comes from steam radiators, so spend a bit of time figuring out how to work that shit.  On the plus side, some places have towel warmers.

If you see a fruit stand, stock up.  Once you leave Glasgow, it's all fried meat/bread and beer.  Did have a banana in Oban, though.  Note that everything other than pubs close at 5pm.

Hot and cold water come out of separate faucets, forcing you to mix it in the basin like someone from the nineteenth century.

The Scots were all exceptionally nice, although many of them were completely baffled why I would spend loads of money to visit the places where they were forced to toil in misery as they trudged towards the grave.

I offer this information because I will soon have another thread requesting some specific local advice on my 2013 London trip.

[Ironwood]

When I wasn't employed elsewhere, I was Self-Employed.  It's much harder work and the boss is a cunt.

[Ironwood]

Did this actually happen ?

[Lantyssa]

That you called your boss a cunt?  Probably why you were fired and are no longer self-employed.

[Ironwood]

Uh, No, the whole visiting Scotland thing. 

I was looking forward to another member of f13 that visited and ran out of time before they could meet me.  It would back up a certain theory I've been coming to.

[Yegolev]

End of August has not arrived.  How about you come visit us for once?  I have a Scottish last name and I can deep-fry some sliced bread, it will be just like home.

[Ironwood]

I don't want shot.

[Yegolev]

[Merusk]

Uh, No, the whole visiting Scotland thing. 

I was looking forward to another member of f13 that visited and ran out of time before they could meet me.  It would back up a certain theory I've been coming to.

I understand that living in Scotland can make time drag on forever, but he said end of August/ Early Sept. and it's only the 9th of Aug.   

[Ironwood]

Yeah, that's since been pointed out.  In my defense, I appear to have lost a month somewhere.

Seriously.  I thought it was later.

[01101010]

I don't want shot.

Then keep your head down, don't talk to people, and only go out in day light. Other than those few simple rules, you should be fine... unless you are going to Florida. 

[Yegolev]

I've never had a gun pointed at me, and I've even deserved it a few times.  Nothing to worry about.  Plus, we have our own guns.

[Trippy]

Guns? I thought Ironwood was referring to a vaccination shot

[Ironwood]

No.

[Yegolev]

More likely to get a needle than a bullet.  You're watching too much TV.

[Hammond]

Unless Yegolev is dealing meth out of his house as a side job I wouldn't get concerned about getting shot 

[Yegolev]

If you read the Job Thread, you'll realize I'm not.  I don't even drive a pickup truck anymore.  It's far less Walker: Texas Ranger here than it seems the Euros think.  I blame the media.  I personally don't own a gun and I don't know anyone that carries except for the one law enforcement person I know.  Even my wife keeps her shit stowed safely, and mentally speaking she's like a female Charles Bronson.  Perfectly safe.

[Baldrake]

Yep, let's get Walt Wawra to help clear things up with the media...

[Yegolev]

 

[Ironwood]

So where are you Yeg ?  Which part would I be visiting ?

[Yegolev]

30 miles west of Atlanta, in a hay field.

[Ironwood]

 

[Yegolev]

I thought you might like that.  I'm not actually in the middle of the field, though:

[Teleku]

Looks like a wonderful little compound for a cult.  Its a trap!

If you actually were interested in dodging bullets and tear gas (its fun!), you could have crashed on my couch in Oakland for the last few years.  But alas, I've just moved to Washington DC for the next few months.  There are lot more scary people running around here.