Scotland 2018 Planning

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Thanks. Just added a few more things to the list to stop and see.
 
Has anyone ventured south towards the border to visit Sweetheart Abbey? Is it worth the detour?

thanks,
 
Denali said:
Has anyone ventured south towards the border to visit Sweetheart Abbey? Is it worth the detour?

thanks,
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Don't get distracted! There's enough with distilleries, castles and on the NC500 to occupy you for weeks. :)
 
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TheRealTMA said:
Don't get distracted! There's enough with distilleries, castles and on the NC500 to occupy you for weeks. :)
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Is Glasgow worth staying an extra night there?

And I know I can drive from Edinburgh to Aberdeen in a couple of hours and we are doing it in a couple of days but this is the Not Another Bloody Castle Tour - anything more than a couple of bricks is considered a ruin/castle or has a view and hubby wants to see it/take photos so there are lots of stops.

So far we have,

Day 1
Arrive Edinburgh 7am.
Explore and rest
Overnight Edinburgh Hilton Carlton (near Royal Mile)

Day 2
Pick up car and drive to St Andrews (via many chapels, castles ect)
Overnight St Andrews

Day 3
Depart St Andrews, head north via many chapels, castles ect
Overnight at Dunnottar Mains B&B as hubby wants to photograph Dunnottar castle at dawn.

Day 4
Aberdeen explore area
Overnight Aberdeen because he wants to stay the night here

Day 5
Head to Dufftown via many castles
Overnight Highland Spirit B&B

Day 6
Many distilleries, sleeping off his 4hr immersion tour as he also has to drink my samples as well.
Overnight Highland Spirit B&B

Day 7
Cathedrals, castles and explore
Overnight Highland Spirit B&B

Day 8
Culloden Battlefield
Clara Cairns
Urquhardt Castle/Loch Ness
Overnight Urquhart Bay B&B

Day 9
Road trip the long way/coast to Eilean Donan castle
Overnight Eilean Donan Apartments

Day 10
Explore area
Overnight Eilean Donan apartments

Day 11
Isle of Skye & explore
Overnight Carters Rest B&B

Day 12
Isle of Skye & explore
Overnight Carters Rest B&B

Day 13
Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig?
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Overnight Glencoe or Loch Lomond?

Day 14
Doune Castle
The Kelpies
Falkrik Wheel
Overnight Glasgow

Day 15
Explore Glasgow
Kelpies at night
Overnight Glasgow

Day 16??? Glasgow?

Day 17
Drive to Edinburgh and explore
Overnight Edinburgh

Day 18
Explore Edinburgh

Day 19
Rosslyn Chapel
Melrose Abbey
return car hire at airport
overnight at Airport hotel

Day 20
Depart Edinburgh AM
 
Last edited:
Denali said:
Tried to watch this but error message is: BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.
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Simple solution. Use a VPN - Plenty of free ones or buy a month subscription to something like IPVanish or TorGuard. If you are keen Allvsoft (on special at the moment for $15) allows you to download any streaming content. Or PM me.
 
Denali said:
Is Glasgow worth staying an extra night there?

And I know I can drive from Edinburgh to Aberdeen in a couple of hours and we are doing it in a couple of days but this is the Not Another Bloody Castle Tour - anything more than a couple of bricks is considered a ruin/castle or has a view and hubby wants to see it/take photos so there are lots of stops.

So far we have,

Day 1
Arrive Edinburgh 7am.
Explore and rest
Overnight Edinburgh Hilton Carlton (near Royal Mile)

Day 2
Pick up car and drive to St Andrews (via many chapels, castles ect)
Overnight St Andrews

Day 3
Depart St Andrews, head north via many chapels, castles ect
Overnight at Dunnottar Mains B&B as hubby wants to photograph Dunnottar castle at dawn.

Day 4
Aberdeen explore area
Overnight Aberdeen because he wants to stay the night here

Day 5
Head to Dufftown via many castles
Overnight Highland Spirit B&B

Day 6
Many distilleries, sleeping off his 4hr immersion tour as he also has to drink my samples as well.
Overnight Highland Spirit B&B

Day 7
Cathedrals, castles and explore
Overnight Highland Spirit B&B

Day 8
Culloden Battlefield
Clara Cairns
Urquhardt Castle/Loch Ness
Overnight Urquhart Bay B&B

Day 9
Road trip the long way/coast to Eilean Donan castle
Overnight Eilean Donan Apartments

Day 10
Explore area
Overnight Eilean Donan apartments

Day 11
Isle of Skye & explore
Overnight Carters Rest B&B

Day 12
Isle of Skye & explore
Overnight Carters Rest B&B

Day 13
Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig?
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Overnight Glencoe or Loch Lomond?

Day 14
Doune Castle
The Kelpies
Falkrik Wheel
Overnight Glasgow

Day 15
Explore Glasgow
Kelpies at night
Overnight Glasgow

Day 16??? Glasgow?

Day 17
Drive to Edinburgh and explore
Overnight Edinburgh

Day 18
Explore Edinburgh

Day 19
Rosslyn Chapel
Melrose Abbey
return car hire at airport
overnight at Airport hotel

Day 20
Depart Edinburgh AM
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You are way more organised than me - I'm just planning on taking three weeks and will see where I end up (that may be a mistake but hopefully not)
 
amaroo said:
Thought you might find this interesting....

https://travelinsider.qantas.com.au...les-you-can-sleep-in?cid=DM1125&bid=154820852
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Yes but. Stayed there last year. Looks wonderful but lacking. The problem with Ackergill tower is that it was renovated then sold to a hotel chain who are more show than quality. Public rooms are lovely but bedrooms are somewhat quaint with old bathrooms with limited features, cracked tiles etc. Food is actually not great, hotel chain quality and menu doesn't change each night. Unlike other Scottish properties, breakfast is no longer offered as a cooked breakfast since "we had problems with staffing so we gave guests more choice to choose what they want! " meaning no cooked breakfast, cold poor scrambled eggs,limited choices etc.

Most staff try but are European with no care of property.

Such a shame since the property could be so much more if managed properly not to just maximise profit at expense of guests.
 
North Coast 500 - Home

I joined the basic 15 pound one and received my little pack today - quite a good map included. Personally I think their website could do with a bit of work - it's annoying to use
 
Cant decide between using the bridge to get to the Isle of Skye or the ferry from Glenelg to Skye.

We have plenty of time so driving from Eilean Donan apartments to Glenelg isnt an issue.
 
Denali said:
Cant decide between using the bridge to get to the Isle of Skye or the ferry from Glenelg to Skye.

We have plenty of time so driving from Eilean Donan apartments to Glenelg isnt an issue.
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How about one one way and the other the other! Ferry over, bridge back.
 
Yes, that was the plan but Im reading some reviews/seen footage of the road to Glenelg ferry/Skye road off the ferry and it looks small, one lane country roads so was a bit concerned as we're not use to that sort of driving. I guess if we take them slow, it should be OK.

Might also have to switch my Isle of Skye & Eilean Doonan castle stays as the B&B on Skye is booked out for one of the nights we want so ferry over and bridge back (near Eilean) would work out.
 
Denali said:
Yes, that was the plan but Im reading some reviews/seen footage of the road to Glenelg ferry/Skye road off the ferry and it looks small, one lane country roads so was a bit concerned as we're not use to that sort of driving. I guess if we take them slow, it should be OK.

Might also have to switch my Isle of Skye & Eilean Doonan castle stays as the B&B on Skye is booked out for one of the nights we want so ferry over and bridge back (near Eilean) would work out.
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Skye is full of these one lane roads. (Actually so is the UK in general since there are always cars parked on one side so the streets are usually one lane!). They are not a problem. Just be polite and give way and you will have no issues. - Especially to those driving Jaguars! :) :)

The one lane roads on Skye are 'generally' flat so you can see the other cars coming. One drives from passing place to passing place and not to proceed unless the way between you and the next passing place is clear. Not really an issue or worry. You'll soon get the hang of it. And they drive on our side of the road.
 
Denali said:
Wont be us, prices Im being quoted are 1500GBP/$2500AUD for our trip.
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No:) I meant give way TO those driving jaguars. I.E. Stay out of the way of those driving Jaguars! :)

How long are you going for? Two week hire of an XE is around UKP720.
 
TheRealTMA said:
No:) I meant give way TO those driving jaguars. I.E. Stay out of the way of those driving Jaguars! :)

How long are you going for? Two week hire of an XE is around UKP720.
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I got that but when I mentioned this thread and a Jag to hubby, hes been stuck on the Jag bit.

Car hire will be 19 days.
 
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