I'm so excited - I'm off to Scotland in May for a conference and will get to take a vacation while I'm there! I'll be at the conference for a few days, in Edinburgh. Then I'll have at least a week, if not two, to explore.
The thing is, I know very little about Scotland. I searched the board and found two interesting recommended starting points: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ and Scotland the Best by Peter Irvine.
Any other ideas for getting my bearings and starting to plan?
There will be a week w/ a girlfriend, then perhaps a week with the parents. My friend and I like 'culture' and my parents like to pub it. Go figure.
Hi KJ! Scotland was my very first European destination, and I have fond memories of my week in Edinburgh! My company sent me to evaluate a new product at our plant in Livingston, so I spent my days there and my evenings exploring Edinburgh. I was there in August when the days were wonderfully long -- it was light until 10pm or so.
I can't help too much with specifics (it was 16 years ago!), but can tell you that it's very easy to get around on foot. Luckily, I was staying at a centrally located hotel (the Sheraton), and walked everywhere I wanted to go.
Take a tour of Holyroodhouse if you can. It was fascinating, and the grounds are beautiful. You can't miss seeing Edinburgh Castle from anywhere in the city, although I never went up there. The Princes Street Gardens are so pretty! Several evenings there was an orchestra playing and couples were dancing ballroom style under a canopy. Edinburgh has a lively theatre scene; I attended a great production of an Oscar Wilde play one night.
I would recommend - for your cultural exploits - that you spend time in Glasgow. Edinburgh is unquestionably the more beautiful of the two, but as you will be based there for your conference you can explore the city while you are there. It's relatively compact and therefore walkable with lovely buildings and a national art gallery or two. I've mostly only been to Edinburgh during the festival though when the place is so full of culture you can't keep up. I understand the city is much more staid outside August/Sept.
Glasgow on the other hand was recently one of the European Cities of culture and has a much livelier feel than Edinburgh. It has one of the best theatre companies in Britain (Glasgow Citizens), museums (the Burrell Collection is a must) and all the reminders of Mackintosh.
If you want to explore further afield, why not hire a car and drive to Loch Lomond, or even around the Fort William area? The countryside in Scotland is splendid and the roads are not that congested. Alternatively why not do a tour of the whisky distilleries. There are dozens in the Speyside area and it's fun discovering how each malt whisky differs from the others.
Beebee
Posts: 1954 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 09 September 2002
We spent two weeks in Scotland in July/August 2004 and loved it. The first week we stayed on Loch Ness. (I especially liked our day trip to the Isle of Skye.) The second week we stayed just outside of Edinburgh. These were two very different experiences. We didn't get to Glasgow.
My blog (trip report) on our two weeks may give you some ideas of things to do in both of these areas:
In terms of other resources that might help you learn more about Scotland and think about where you'd like to go, I'm partial to the Insight Guides and the one for Scotland is very good. This isn't a guidebook I'd take with me on the trip, but is great for background research.
I'll second beebee's recommendation of visiting one or more whisky distilleries. Depending on exactly when you will be there, you may be able to get to the Speyside whisky festival. We went in 2003 with my parents, and a good time was had by all. (Unfortunately, you might find it difficult at this late date to get bookings for events and places to stay, as well as the whisky-tasting dinners. But you could always go back next year! )
In addition to Edinburgh, we also had a wonderful time in the Scottish Borders, touring the abbeys. One of many areas well worth a visit.
Well, you are probably here by now. Sorry I'm a bit late picking up on this topic!
If you need some local knowledge while you're here, just give me a shout. I live near Stirling and it is well worth coming just for the day - it's William Wallace/Braveheart country around here and there's a smashing castle. Great restaurants and bars too.
Try to venture further north too if you can - the Scottish highlands are spectacular and the locals will make you very welcome. We're a friendly bunch!
Hope you have a fantastic stay here.
Kirsty
Posts: 17 | Location: Scotland | Registered: 07 May 2005
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