Britain/Ireland for the holidays

[highlander_Daz]

for Hogmanay I would recomend you head north, Inverness and Drumnadrochit has fantastic Hogmanay celebrations, Inverness is a very low crime/Neds area, fireworks pipers and authentic Highland hospitality i can also reccomend the isle of Mull, i spent hogmanay in Tobermory one year and it was brilliant.

If you must go to London please be careful, it has changed so much, its a hotbed of crime/mugging/pickpockets .

[Beertigger]

for Hogmanay I would recomend you head north, Inverness and Drumnadrochit has fantastic Hogmanay celebrations, Inverness is a very low crime/Neds area, fireworks pipers and authentic Highland hospitality i can also reccomend the isle of Mull, i spent hogmanay in Tobermory one year and it was brilliant.

We'll be in Inverness on the 28th/29th, after a stop for lunch in Pitlochry on the way.

Hogmanay'll be in Dumfries, enjoying the much-proclaimed hospitality of Ferintosh.

The wife wants to take a cruise on Loch Ness. Possible or just too damn cold to consider? I'd like to see Culloden, but there don't seem to be any tours running on the 29th, and we'll be w/o transport, since we're training it.

[highlander_Daz]

Pitlochry is nice can be expensive to eat but cheap for gifts/ outdoor wear, last time i was there I was dismayed to find a branch of the Gold Bros empire.
you can do a cruise on the Loch however, it can be very cold, and misty

Culloden is a very emotive place, i dont know if the visitor centre will be open but it doesnt matter if its not, its worth a look, there are plenty of taxi firms

[Beertigger]

Pitlochry is nice can be expensive to eat but cheap for gifts/ outdoor wear, last time i was there I was dismayed to find a branch of the Gold Bros empire.

What's the name of the place, so I won't waste my time?

In Pitlochry, the Moulin Inn doesn't look that pricey, and has plenty of great reviews online. I hope to find time to visit Edradour Distillery while we're there, as well.

[highlander_Daz]

Dont worry youll know it!! its on the main drag near to the kids amusment arcade.near to the path to the dam/ fish ladder (as opposed to damn fish ladder)

[Jock Scot]

for Hogmanay I would recomend you head north, Inverness and Drumnadrochit has fantastic Hogmanay celebrations, Inverness is a very low crime/Neds area, fireworks pipers and authentic Highland hospitality i can also reccomend the isle of Mull, i spent hogmanay in Tobermory one year and it was brilliant.

If you must go to London please be careful, it has changed so much, its a hotbed of crime/mugging/pickpockets .

I echo what HD has said.I also think that Christmas is not the HUGE event in the Highlands that it certainly is further South, so if you are near Inverness dont be surprised if the Christmas(not the day of course) period seems to have no effect on shops etc..On the other hand the rail system could be even more unreliable than normal!

[Jock Scot]

I have been thinking about your visit to the Inverness area and your wish to see Culloden.The visitor(maybe the new one?)centre might or might not be open,but I had occasion to be in Inverness on Christmas day with not a lot to do,last year.I went to Culloden,it was closed of course and just,ahem, "popped" over the low fence and walked the battlefield.No one was there to bother me and whilst it was slightly surreal, it was a memorable time.Good stout shoes and warm clothing,including a warm hat,is a must.Culloden is only a very few(less than 10) miles from Inverness.

A trip on Loch Ness might happen at the time of year you are thinking about,I cannot say.If it does, be prepared for a cold trip!

All the very best to you both,JS.