We went Chicago to Heathrow to Edinburgh. Going through security in Heathrow was...an experience...this was 2017. My bag got pulled aside because of a jar of hair wax, meanwhile everyone in front of me was trying to get 750ml bottles of wine through security. The lady checking my bag thought it was funny mine got dinged...I disagreed. We had a 2 hour layover and by the time we got to the gate they were well into boarding
Scotland trip
- Thread starter RLD4ISU
- Start date
Loved Scotland. I think I like Ireland more, but would definitely go back to Scotland. We spent a week there. Could have used 10 days or 2 weeks.
-we did a Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh. Kind of cheesy, but I like a good walking tour when I get to a new city.
-The Castle was really fun. I liked it better than the Tower of London.
-We did the Scotch Whiskey Experience. Again kind of cheesy, but a good way to try a lot of different kinds of scotch.
-We did a day in St. Andrews. There was a guided walking tour of the Old Course that took a couple of hours and then we could explore the golf courses. (They are public property.)
-The ruins of St. Andrew's cathedral were fun to see
-We then took the train to Inverness and did a day trip to the Isle of Skye. It was a drizzly day and we didn't see much on the tour, but that was just bad weather luck.
-We did a tour of Urquhart Castle--on the banks of Loch Ness, there was also a boat trip in Loch Ness involved. Highly recommend.
-We did a day trip of the the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the place where the Hogwarts Express scenes were filmed for Harry Potter) and Glencoe. This was my favorite part. I could easily spend a few days in Glencoe.
-We finished the trip with another day in Edinburgh where we went to Carlton Hill, Palace of Holyroodhouse (the Queen's residence in Scotland), and Arthur's Seat.
-We spent our last night in the Balmoral Hotel, which was expensive but a VERY fun experience and a nice way to finish a trip.
-we did a Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh. Kind of cheesy, but I like a good walking tour when I get to a new city.
-The Castle was really fun. I liked it better than the Tower of London.
-We did the Scotch Whiskey Experience. Again kind of cheesy, but a good way to try a lot of different kinds of scotch.
-We did a day in St. Andrews. There was a guided walking tour of the Old Course that took a couple of hours and then we could explore the golf courses. (They are public property.)
-The ruins of St. Andrew's cathedral were fun to see
-We then took the train to Inverness and did a day trip to the Isle of Skye. It was a drizzly day and we didn't see much on the tour, but that was just bad weather luck.
-We did a tour of Urquhart Castle--on the banks of Loch Ness, there was also a boat trip in Loch Ness involved. Highly recommend.
-We did a day trip of the the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the place where the Hogwarts Express scenes were filmed for Harry Potter) and Glencoe. This was my favorite part. I could easily spend a few days in Glencoe.
-We finished the trip with another day in Edinburgh where we went to Carlton Hill, Palace of Holyroodhouse (the Queen's residence in Scotland), and Arthur's Seat.
-We spent our last night in the Balmoral Hotel, which was expensive but a VERY fun experience and a nice way to finish a trip.
Coincidental timing on this thread - I started watching the show Shetland and love a lot of the scenery on the show. Makes me want to visit, pop into the police station and say that I need to speak to DI Perez (I'm sure they haven't heard that one!). The first episode takes place during Up Helly Aa, a Viking festival. Here's a link to part of it where they burn a Viking ship:
Looks really interesting!
I have a 5 hour layover at LHR but they have 3 decent priority pass lounges. Then it's 90 minutes to Inverness.
On a side note, right side drive manual vw polo
On a side note, right side drive manual vw polo
LOVED Edinburgh. Stayed at the Radisson Blu, less than a block from the castle. Super location. Spent most of one day at the castle, and had "a Taste of Scotland" for a meal at the restaurant there. Totally awesome. Take your time, read it all. Take it in. A totally awesome city.
All museums are free (but beer was $14 a glass). Have the haggis. It's delicious. If you are in wonderful shape, you can climb between the high town and low town, and even take a bus back to the airport.
From there, I flew to Seville, another city that is just so incredible. Tour the Alkazar, where part of GOT was filmed. Awesome city. Take in the flamenco. Have the pork jowls and authentic sangria. Savor. Enjoy.
All museums are free (but beer was $14 a glass). Have the haggis. It's delicious. If you are in wonderful shape, you can climb between the high town and low town, and even take a bus back to the airport.
From there, I flew to Seville, another city that is just so incredible. Tour the Alkazar, where part of GOT was filmed. Awesome city. Take in the flamenco. Have the pork jowls and authentic sangria. Savor. Enjoy.
Ha, when in 2017? Looked back and we also had a 2 hr layover and were sweating when we got on the plane. Dh got thru ahead of me and I told him he damn well better not let them leave without me. They definitely had it mostly boarded.
Agree on Edinburgh Castle over Tower of London. And legit if I could move anywhere internationally, I'm moving to Glencoe.
Bold move with the Polo!I have a 5 hour layover at LHR but they have 3 decent priority pass lounges. Then it's 90 minutes to Inverness.
On a side note, right side drive manual vw polo
Just got back from golf trip to Scotland. Started in Edinburgh and eventually made our way to St Andrews (where I was able to play the Old Course - wow, so fun). In Edinburgh did the Scotch Whiskey Experience, the castle and stayed right on the Royal Mile, so lots of walking around/sight-seeing. St Andrews was awesome - besides golf saw the castle ruins and ate at several great restaurants. Sang Meat Loaf with a bunch of Irish guys in a local pub (long story ). Also took a day and traveled to the Scottish Highlands - did the Dewars Distillery tour in Aberfeldy and toured Glamis Castle - all very cool. Bucket list trip for sure.
). Also took a day and traveled to the Scottish Highlands - did the Dewars Distillery tour in Aberfeldy and toured Glamis Castle - all very cool. Bucket list trip for sure.
I've taken mini bottles through in carry-ons but don't think I've tried large bottles. Well, we've taken large bottles back from Jamaica I suppose. In checked.
In checked baggage: 1 liter per person is duty free. You are able to have more, but you would be responsible for federal excise tax and if you have a lot, it can raise suspicion. Also where you land may depend on what/how much. Some states have more restrictive laws.
Ha, I've driven a manual with my left hand before. It is weird and takes some getting used to. Killed it a couple times on the early takeoff.I have a 5 hour layover at LHR but they have 3 decent priority pass lounges. Then it's 90 minutes to Inverness.
On a side note, right side drive manual vw polo
Ok, in Inverness. I feel like such an idiot when it comes to whiskey. I'm going to try Glenfiddich XX. This is probably like drinking Schlitz in Scotland, I have no clue. I've drank 5 good beers so **** it.
Last edited:
No matter how much or what you see, it will leave you wanting to go back. In Edinburgh, we had some great visits at the pubs chatting with locals. We even had a "haunting" experience at "The World's End" pub.
Edinburgh also has a lot of ties to the Harry Potter Movies.
The Crown Jewels are at the Edinburgh Castle on display most of the time.
Northern Scotland is beautiful.
We flew Aer Lingus (makes me laugh everytime, SNL) through Dublin. Best and friendliest airport I've ever been through. Plus side is when flying home, we cleared customs in Dublin. Landed in O'Hare as a domestic flight in terminal 5. Went straight to baggage claim and out the door.
I also recommend a stay, park and fly hotel. Stay one night, leave your car at the hotel for up to 14 days included, they shuttle you to the airport, pick you up and bring you back to your car. Cheaper that leaving a car at the airport.
Edinburgh also has a lot of ties to the Harry Potter Movies.
The Crown Jewels are at the Edinburgh Castle on display most of the time.
Northern Scotland is beautiful.
We flew Aer Lingus (makes me laugh everytime, SNL) through Dublin. Best and friendliest airport I've ever been through. Plus side is when flying home, we cleared customs in Dublin. Landed in O'Hare as a domestic flight in terminal 5. Went straight to baggage claim and out the door.
I also recommend a stay, park and fly hotel. Stay one night, leave your car at the hotel for up to 14 days included, they shuttle you to the airport, pick you up and bring you back to your car. Cheaper that leaving a car at the airport.
I'm learning that Scotland isn't big into the crown. I've heard a few tourists ask the locals about the crowning and one said " people from other countries need to understand that we hate the monarchy".