Going to Scotland for a week.

[Yoda Power]

I'm going to Scotland for a week. We're flying to Edinburgh, and then plan on travelling around the country.

How's the easiest/cheapest way to travel around in Scotland?
What places are must-see and what places should we avoid?
We want to visit a wiskey distillery, any tips regarding this?
What to see in Edinburgh?

Any knowledge you may have of Scotland, that may be of interest in regards to my visit, is welcomed.

 

[Kal'thzar]

Things like megabus(.com) are cheap, and can get you around the main populated areas. you want to see more I would advise renting a car.

Edinburgh has a whisky tour thing (largest collection of whisky etc) right next to the castle and that gives you a taster of a distillery for much less effort (and a taste of whisky!). The castle is sorta obvious (also a small war museum and crown jewels and Big WWI/II memorial...).

lots of stuff on the royal mile, I'd advise making sure you check everything out before hand, some of the information is repeated by other people/organisations and some of them operate for free admission.

Aberdeen is not special (might be biased but I grew up there), Glasgow has good shopping.

St Andrews is a cute place for a day visit, just to wander around etc.

might think of more things later...

 

[really]

We want to visit a wiskey distillery, any tips regarding this?

You would be in the wrong country for a whiskey distillery (Irish spelling). In Scotland you would be looking for a whisky distillery (Scottish spelling).

Other than that I have nothing to add.

 

[Daftpanzer]

I've had a lot of holidays in Scotland due to my family. I've been to Edinburgh a few times but I don't have especially fond memories. I don't like cities in general, except NYC when I was visiting

IMO the most interesting scenery is on the west coast, it all depends on the weather of course. You can get out to islands like Islay (full of whisky distilleries) but its a bit of a hassle IIRC, lots of winding roads and long ferry trips, I guess you'd really have to be staying on that side for it to be worth it. My parents have bought a fixed caravan as a second home (motor-home sized thing) over near Glasgow.

If you're into old castles and ruins and things, I'm sure you'll find places to visit just about everywhere. They are all over the place.

Visiting random small towns in the countryside can be fun on a pleasant day.

My parents have been to see round the new scottish parialment building in Edinburgh and seemed to enjoy that. It looks really wierd from what I've seen.

Stirling is a bit tourist-y IMO, with Braveheart cash-ins (Wallace Monument) and all that.

Rosslyn chapel as featured in the Da Vinci Code is not far away, I was there recently and I found it interesting. A wee bit expensive to get in tho, IIRC. Luckily I wasn't paying

Highland Cows are awesome, plz respect them.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Visit CFCers. Curt Sibling lives there too.

 

[Yoda Power]

Thanks for the tips.

Currently we are planning on going up north to Aberdeen first (but I guess that city is overrated? ), and then going west to the coast. Other than Islay, any other island worth a visit?

 

[Kal'thzar]

Thanks for the tips.

Currently we are planning on going up north to Aberdeen first (but I guess that city is overrated? ), and then going west to the coast. Other than Islay, any other island worth a visit?

Thats just me, as an aberdonian I don't see the appeal.

Lets think, The Maritime museum is intresting, You could walk the beach which is nice (ignore the wave breaks :/), its even got a mini amusement park Codona (not sure if thats what your there for). I suppose one of the best things is to visit the castles and such nearby the city (most of the castles are good), Banchory (nearby town) has a lovely short short walk up to a tower on a hill nearby.

You might want to ask Kan'sharuminar, I think he might have a better idea of what to do.

If your going to go to the west coast it might be an idea to invest in some midge cream, they can REALLY ruin your day and are pretty much unavoidable. Not totally sure which islands would be 'best' although I suppose Skye is worth a visit (its been awhile since I was at the isles).

 

[Truronian]

Be sure to see Glencoe. Glen Nevis is also pretty sweet (Harry Potter is filmed there)

 

[Daftpanzer]

Disclaimer: I visited Islay about ten years ago, and I don't remember much to be honest. I think we had a bus/ferry tour and were on a timetable, so didn't really get chance to see much, except a distillery or two. I actually get confused with Orkney, I had a rushed similar trip up there some other holiday. Staffa sticks in my head better, but I think you've got to get over to Mull first and then another small boat out.

Midges!!! They seem to effect some people worse than others. I'm not sure if I've been bitten once My mum seems to attract them (cue lame jokes ) in fact she bought 'Avon So Soft', a kind of spray-on skin moisturiser stuff that is supposed to work better than any midge repellent you can buy.

 

[Yoda Power]

There are only midges on the west coast?

Any tips for getting around. We are considering renting a car, how expensive is that?

 

[Daftpanzer]

I think the west has more midges, more suitable wet sheltered places there, but I think you get them in the east too. Also down in wales IIRC. I've never been bothered by them.

Can't say anything about travelling, I've never had to make arrangements myself.