Visiting Scotland-getting around

[Alan H]

Fear not Alan, Citylink will get you to and from the major places, and you can even book online in advance.

http://www.citylink.co.uk/destinations.php

Perfect! Thanks! I can go from Edinburgh to Braemar, and find a way to get up in the mountains for a day. The next day, Braemar to Inverness. Spot ON!

Depending where you stay, but from Inveraray to Kilneuair is a bl**dy long walk there and back, save the old legs, I will drive you there, I think you will find the place moving in an emotional way, it's one of those places not on the tourist trail, not grand to look at, just a pile of stones and a tumble down wall, but knowing the history of the place, and having ancestors that could have worshiped there brings the place alive in ones mind.

Just to wet your appetite, here is the view from the ruins of the old church towards Loch Awe

I remembered that picture. That picture is one of the reasons I want to go there. I get a sense of TIME from that picture. I'll save you the rest of the ranting.

Thank you.


Chris[/QUOTE]

[lammy d]

If you book the travelodge hotels you can sometimes get a room for £20 a night if booked well in advance or the Hostels are good. Travelling by public transport is fine for the places you want to stay Enjoy your trip

[cessna152towser]

If you book the travelodge hotels you can sometimes get a room for £20 a night if booked well in advance

Yes indeed Travelodge is excellent value for money, but from experience I can tell you that they often overbook their rooms, I think this is one of their means of keeping down costs as they appear to work on the assumption that a certain percentage of the bookings will not show on the day, so if you do use Travelodge you are best to check in fairly early in the day to ensure you will get the room.

[McClef]

And only certain ones will ever be towards the cheaper end - many want up to £60 per night.

[Redshank]

I would personally advise against travel lodges, breakfast is not included, but is available from a little chef, the quality of the food is somewhat dubious and vastely overpriced, your better off with bed and breakfast accommodation.

[pdcorlis]

Hi Alan

First off - I hope you enjoy your grand adventure! Looks like you've had plenty of excellent advice so far but figured I'd throw in my two pence worth. Kim and I are planning our fourth trip to the British Isles this May. Now, I have a confession to make - we have never rented a car. I love public transportation - especially rail transport but even the bus transport is brilliant. With some planning and luck - it really does work well. Once we are at a destination, we're on foot most of the time. While its true we may not see as many places, we do get to meet some wonderful people. After our first whirlwind trip - we realized it would be much more fun spending more time in far fewer places to really get the feel of things. Its much better than "counting location coup."

Anyway - happy travels and best of luck!

[Alan H]

Hi Alan

. After our first whirlwind trip - we realized it would be much more fun spending more time in far fewer places to really get the feel of things. Its much better than "counting location coup."

Anyway - happy travels and best of luck!

EXACTLY. I don't want to be away from home for more than about 18 days. I can't afford it, anyway. I will stay in the lowest-price places I can find and will eat my meals from the local market. I'd rather walk when I can. If I can save a mint by not hiring a car, I'll do it. Better to go and not hire a car and stay in the hostels...but GO... than not go at all.

When I first considered this trip I spent some time thinking about why I wanted to go. Do I need to see the famous sites? What will I really enjoy?

Answers:

Throw at the Masters Worlds: Inverness

See Culloden, because...well....BECAUSE

Visit the Aberlour Distillery because I'm a big Aberlour fan.

Walk on the land that my ancestors walked on; Loch Fyne and Loch Awe in Argyll...the Borders near Redesdale.

See what I can of Medieval and Iron age and Bronze Age Scotland. I'm an odd guy in a certain way. I can stand in front of a pile of stones and somehow feel the presence of people who have gone before me. I love that experience.

Go for a good long hike in the Cairgorms. If I can manage to get a trout out of one of Jock Scots streams, then all the better!!

That's enough for two weeks and change. I'll need to stay someplace with a comfortable bed while I'm at the Games because I need to perform. But aside from that, out in the countryside I'd be totally happy sleeping in a tent. Wouldn't bother me a bit. In fact, I am thinking that a bicycle tour might just suit me fine. If I can go over there and buy a decent bicycle for $175, well....

What else would I like to do? The honest answer is sail a small sailboat right 'round Scotland, with a trip through the canal. But that's another day.

[sfb]

No shortage of good long hikes in the Cairngorms, but remember it can be awful wild if you're going up into the hills even in the summer. Indeed it can be awful wild even if you're wandering through the glens in the Cairngorms!

There's some good ideas/routes on this site, depending on what you're after. Covers most options from gentle wanders to serious expeditions.

Might be worth a wee look for ideas.

[Alan H]

No shortage of good long hikes in the Cairngorms, but remember it can be awful wild if you're going up into the hills even in the summer. Indeed it can be awful wild even if you're wandering through the glens in the Cairngorms!

There's some good ideas/routes on this site, depending on what you're after. Covers most options from gentle wanders to serious expeditions.

Might be worth a wee look for ideas.

Wild is good. I backpack with my wife Joan, and also solo for 4-5-6 days at a time in the Sierra Nevada here in California. Usually we're over 7,000 feet. I'd just be doing a day hike something 5-10 miles with some good views.

[Alan H]

sfb, that's a wonderful link. I found this:

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/morrone.shtml

which would be a splendid days tramp around with some lovely views. Thank you!