Scotland trip

[4theCYcle]

I'm planning trip to Scotland next year in September. We'll be there 14 days. So far we have reservations at a B&B in Pitlochry and plan to get tickets to the Braemar Gathering. We also have reservations for a one day group tour of a few Outlander filming locations. Edinburgh and Inverness are two areas we will definitely travel to and stay in or near.

Any other suggestions for where to stay, what to go see or what is not worth it? Experiences you've had? Suggested coats/shoes? For some reason people seem to really focus on that, but IMO it seems like a good waterproof jacket is needed.

LOL. We've got quite a few of those on the "want to see" list. Along with pubs and whisky.

It started out as a trip to England-Scotland-Ireland, then I realized how insane it would be to visit all three in 14 days. We cut out England and then realized it would still be a crazy always-on-the-go trip. Now it's just Scotland and I already know we won't be able to see it all.

Ha, it was back in 2010, but I did the whole Ireland - London - Scotland trip in something like 10 days. Only did 2 days in London to lengthen the others. Scotland ended up being everyone's favorite.

I recommend doing a scotch-whisky tour. We did that and got to do a tasting and learn about each region. I wish we had time to tour a distillery, but that was our closest thing to it. Walked Royal Mile, toured Edinburgh Castle, hiked arthurs seat (light hiking and great views of the city). We went there in April, so it did get misty at times, but the weather was pretty good overall we just had sweatshirts and a rain jacket. We also toured the underground vaults "through the city" at night just as something different to do. There was a sweet 7 story bar there at the time where each floor had a different genre of music and theme for everyone to enjoy.

We did a backpackers tour and saw Loch Ness and some of the highlands. Obviously had we stayed longer, I think we would have gone further north. Stopped at a river town. I'm sure if someone studied abroad there or worked over there would have better and more extensive ideas, but we had a blast.

 

[cowgirl836]

We traveled from Edinburgh to Inverness, much preferred the area around Inverness but it's all incredible. Edinburgh highlights:

• Edinburgh Castle. The park at the base of the hill also hosts a lot of festivals and gatherings, the fountain was being repaired when we were there but it's quite the sight when running.
• Holyroodhouse. The monarch's official residence in Scotland, long history of Kings and Queens living here
• Greyfriar's Kirkyard (and Greyfriar's Bobby!). Graveyard where Tom Riddle is buried.

Inverness:

• Colluden Battlefield
• Loch Ness - Urquhart Castle
• Bike route along canals in Inverness
• Distilleries if you like scotch

All the fish and chips. Enjoy your trip!

Seafood in Scotland in general is very, very good!

 

[cytor]

Edinburgh is awesome.... was there in 1999. Part of Avengers Infinity War was filmed there.

There was a super cool pub there called "Jekyll and Hyde" pub. It was the coolest bar. It was a mad scientist theme (test tubes, bunsen burners, beakers, other decorations). The real test was trying to find the bathrooms... they were hidden behind movable book cases (think Scooby Doo scenes). The drinks were served in test tubes and beakers. I think it's closed now, which makes me sad.

 

[cowgirl836]

@cowgirl836

History, maybe check out areas our ancestors came from, food, whisky, some hiking - though just the easier stuff for now & hopefully by then we'll be able to do more.

Planning to leave from MSP on August 31, 2024, arrive in Edinburgh September 1. Returning September 15th. Unable to book flights yet since we're more than a year out.

Right now I've got our schedule:
Day 1 (arrival day) - Day 4, Edinburgh - planning to stay on the Royal Mile
Day 5 - travel to Pitlochry, stay at a B&B (already booked)
Day 6 & 7 - Pitlochry, Day 7 attend Braemar Gathering
Day 8 - travel to Inverness
Day 9 -11 Inverness and unsure where
Day 12 - Outlander group tour
Day 13 - near Glasgow or Stirling
Day 14 - travel back to Edinburgh
Day 15 - Leave for US

Definitely planning to go to:
Braemar Gathering
Culloden
Clava Cairns
Old Pack Horse Bridge
Tulloch Castle
Dingwall
Loch Ness
too many things in Edinburgh to add to the list.

I tend to agree with DM - pending where that Outlander tour is focused, you can get creative with flights especially as Pitlochry is your only thing locked in at this point. If you do a chunk of time in Edinburgh and want to do Stirling - that's a pretty easy day trip from Edinburgh or Stirling.

 

[farm85]

https://www.isualum.org/s/565/20/interior-subnav.aspx?sid=565&gid=1&pgid=7330&cid=11860&ecid=11860&crid=0&calpgid=6010&calcid=9519

Maybe you can go a year earlier? (Just kidding). This trip might be full, but the brochure might be helpful with your planning.

I will say that we have gone on a couple of the ISU Alumni trips & have always had a positive experience. Met some new friends & had a great time!

 

[Bipolarcy]

I'm planning trip to Scotland next year in September. We'll be there 14 days. So far we have reservations at a B&B in Pitlochry and plan to get tickets to the Braemar Gathering. We also have reservations for a one day group tour of a few Outlander filming locations. Edinburgh and Inverness are two areas we will definitely travel to and stay in or near.

Any other suggestions for where to stay, what to go see or what is not worth it? Experiences you've had? Suggested coats/shoes? For some reason people seem to really focus on that, but IMO it seems like a good waterproof jacket is needed.

If it were me, I'd be hopping on a boat or two and visiting some of the archipelagos of Scotland, like the Hebrides, Orkney, Sheltland and the Faroe Islands. Some of those islands have their own castles on them as well. Didn't Jed Clampett buy a castle in Scotland?

 

[RLD4ISU]

https://www.isualum.org/s/565/20/interior-subnav.aspx?sid=565&gid=1&pgid=7330&cid=11860&ecid=11860&crid=0&calpgid=6010&calcid=9519

Maybe you can go a year earlier? (Just kidding). This trip might be full, but the brochure might be helpful with your planning.

I will say that we have gone on a couple of the ISU Alumni trips & have always had a positive experience. Met some new friends & had a great time!

That actually looks like fun!

 

[cowgirl836]

If it were me, I'd be hopping on a boat or two and visiting some of the archipelagos of Scotland, like the Hebrides, Orkney, Sheltland and the Faroe Islands. Some of those islands have their own castles on them as well. Didn't Jed Clampett buy a castle in Scotland?

Hebrides looks incredible. I've never heard anyone regret going to Skye.

 

[RLD4ISU]

We plan to fly Delta.

Flying into Edinburgh (1 stop). Stops are in US, Amsterdam or Paris

Flying into Inverness & Glasgow (1 stop). All stops are in Amsterdam and either have a short layover (1 hr 15 minutes or a very long one (up to 9 hours).

Return flights are similar.

I can't find a solid "yes" or "no" answer for whether we'd need to go through customs/security again if we had a layover in Amsterdam or Paris. So I'm trying to just stick with a layover in the US.

 

[RLD4ISU]

I tend to agree with DM - pending where that Outlander tour is focused, you can get creative with flights especially as Pitlochry is your only thing locked in at this point. If you do a chunk of time in Edinburgh and want to do Stirling - that's a pretty easy day trip from Edinburgh or Stirling.

The tour will pick up/return in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

I thought about traveling through Fort William area. Glencoe is one I think we would enjoy seeing.

 

[dahliaclone]

Edinburgh is awesome. Wish we had more time there when we went. Glasgow is fine but if you miss it it's not the end of the world. Although a top 5 meal ever for me was at an Indian restaurant in Glasgow...yes Indian food. They're quite famous for great indian food there.

 

[JayV]

 

[dmclone]

We plan to fly Delta.

Flying into Edinburgh (1 stop). Stops are in US, Amsterdam or Paris

Flying into Inverness & Glasgow (1 stop). All stops are in Amsterdam and either have a short layover (1 hr 15 minutes or a very long one (up to 9 hours).

Return flights are similar.

I can't find a solid "yes" or "no" answer for whether we'd need to go through customs/security again if we had a layover in Amsterdam or Paris. So I'm trying to just stick with a layover in the US.

Not 100% but I would think you would just have to stay in the international transit zone of the airport if your final destination is in the UK.

​

 

[cowgirl836]

We plan to fly Delta.

Flying into Edinburgh (1 stop). Stops are in US, Amsterdam or Paris

Flying into Inverness & Glasgow (1 stop). All stops are in Amsterdam and either have a short layover (1 hr 15 minutes or a very long one (up to 9 hours).

Return flights are similar.

I can't find a solid "yes" or "no" answer for whether we'd need to go through customs/security again if we had a layover in Amsterdam or Paris. So I'm trying to just stick with a layover in the US.

When I went in college we came in via CDG and I'm almost positive we went back through security again. I'd have to think about the second trip....we went through Heathrow and damn near missed the flight so I mostly remember running like crazy and then being so hot and sweaty for that short flight.

 

[cowgirl836]

The tour will pick up/return in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

I thought about traveling through Fort William area. Glencoe is one I think we would enjoy seeing.

in that case it probably makes sense to come into Inverness so you're up there and work down for Pitlochry - then maybe go over to Skye or Glencoe? Skye becomes a bit of a haul at that point if you want a couple-3 days in Inverness. Then you're closing in on Glasgow for a tour. You have time, you can play around with what you want to do yet which is good! Planning trips like this are half the fun to me

 

[cowgirl836]

We plan to fly Delta.

Flying into Edinburgh (1 stop). Stops are in US, Amsterdam or Paris

Flying into Inverness & Glasgow (1 stop). All stops are in Amsterdam and either have a short layover (1 hr 15 minutes or a very long one (up to 9 hours).

Return flights are similar.

I can't find a solid "yes" or "no" answer for whether we'd need to go through customs/security again if we had a layover in Amsterdam or Paris. So I'm trying to just stick with a layover in the US.

AMS Layover Time Allotment from USA to Scotland - Amsterdam Forum - Tripadvisor

Answer 1 of 3: I will be traveling to Scotland from the United States. I found a great ticket price that has a 1 hour 25 minute layover in AMS for a connection flight. I will be flying Delta and this connection flight will be Delta, operated by KLM. Is an hour and...

www.tripadvisor.com

couple years old but looks like you wouldn't do customs in Amsterdam.

 

[AvonLakeCyclone]

I'm planning trip to Scotland next year in September. We'll be there 14 days. So far we have reservations at a B&B in Pitlochry and plan to get tickets to the Braemar Gathering. We also have reservations for a one day group tour of a few Outlander filming locations. Edinburgh and Inverness are two areas we will definitely travel to and stay in or near.

Any other suggestions for where to stay, what to go see or what is not worth it? Experiences you've had? Suggested coats/shoes? For some reason people seem to really focus on that, but IMO it seems like a good waterproof jacket is needed.

PreCovid (2015-2019) I did a fair bit of business travel to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. Did get a chance to experience a few things, but will definitely return for leisure, especially to hike / explore the highlands.

Edinburgh fantastic, especially the castle. As folks have mentioned, you could spend a day there. Also St Giles Cathedral is impressive (just down the Royal Mile). If your a whisky drinker, or mildly curious, two doors down from the castle is the Scotch Whisky Experience tour - when I was there, the sampling room at the end of the tour had whisky's from every distillery in Scotland available for tasting (for a fee). A rather silly, but fun and entertaining tour was to conduct a "Ghost/Haunted" tour of Edinburgh. Really informative about the plague, which hit Edinburgh hard, and how the medical college grew (ie an endless supply of cadavers available).

If you like golf, St Andrews has to be on your list. To play, nearly impossible to sign up in advance. But a suggestion if you would like to play, is to walk on as a single. I gave this advise to my brother-in-law who only waited a couple hours the day he went and got to play the old course.

Glasgow, not really a tourist destination, but the Cathedral and the Necropolis are also impressive. Aberdeen, strictly business - gateway to the North Sea.

If you're driving between Inverness and Edinburgh, the River Spey is noted for fishing and some great distilleries.

And one last tidbit. I found flying between the cities on British Air, much faster and more economical than driving or taking a train.

Hope this helps.

 

[RLD4ISU]

When I went in college we came in via CDG and I'm almost positive we went back through security again. I'd have to think about the second trip....we went through Heathrow and damn near missed the flight so I mostly remember running like crazy and then being so hot and sweaty for that short flight.

We considered going through Heathrow and then catching a flight to Edinburgh or Inverness, but I’ve read some posts from the past year or so that it’s a PITA airport.

 

[RLD4ISU]

AMS Layover Time Allotment from USA to Scotland - Amsterdam Forum - Tripadvisor

Answer 1 of 3: I will be traveling to Scotland from the United States. I found a great ticket price that has a 1 hour 25 minute layover in AMS for a connection flight. I will be flying Delta and this connection flight will be Delta, operated by KLM. Is an hour and...

www.tripadvisor.com

couple years old but looks like you wouldn't do customs in Amsterdam.

I saw that one. Then I found this: https://www.klm.com/information/airport/transfers

“The minimum required transfer time at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights. Please note, though, that if you travel to a non-Schengen country, you’ll need to go through additional security and passport checks. This could increase your required transfer time.”


I had to look it up - UK is a non-Schengen country.


My husband said they had to do additional security & passport checks when he had a layover in Germany on the way to India.

 

[cowgirl836]

I saw that one. Then I found this: https://www.klm.com/information/airport/transfers

“The minimum required transfer time at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights. Please note, though, that if you travel to a non-Schengen country, you’ll need to go through additional security and passport checks. This could increase your required transfer time.”


I had to look it up - UK is a non-Schengen country.


My husband said they had to do additional security & passport checks when he had a layover in Germany on the way to India.

I also had to look it up! I was thinking back and the reason we had to run through Heathrow was because we did have to do security again there. They hadn't assigned us our seats for that flight so we had to wait in that line to get tickets assigned (couldn't do online) and then go through security where they tried to take my tiny craft scissors. So we definitely went through security in London. We ultimately went with London as our transfer on the way in because I knew at worst, we'd take the train up to Edinburgh and not be much worse for the wear. That is if we couldn't get one of the many other flights out yet that day. We had a good chunk of time between connections but it just took a lot longer than it should have. Went through Paris on the way out because we ended up going to the city for a day (and it was cheaper than Manchester/London) and if that got delayed going out....oh well, guess I'm stuck in Paris!