Chris, hello again.
Funny how we get together via TUG and PMs to talk about pending trips. You've helped me on several occasions
and I hope I've helped you. All the little tidbits sure make a difference, and maximize enjoyment.
I know you, so I'm quite confident your planning and homework are well done already.
So in spite of that, I put together a little info for those who might want to consider such a trip to Scotland.
I'm hoping this will do two things: 1. make you get even more excited than you are,
and 2. encourage others to make plans to visit this wonderful place.
It's not on everyone's list, but it should be. It was definitely one of the best trips we ever made.
So Chris,
You'll love Scotland!....we spent two weeks there a few years ago, a perfect length of time, and what we saw still remains the most beautiful vistas we've ever seen, and I sincerely mean, bar none. The Highlands are spectacular, and you'll love driving anywhere....
We literally put over 1200 miles on the rental car.
It's all the most foreign terrain (foreign to your mind), almost like another planet, like nothing you've ever seen, and nothing prepares you for going around bends in the road and suddenly seeing humungous mountains of pure deep green,
i.e. bare green pastures, rising up to great heights, farther than you can stretch your neck to see out of the window, with a lot of gargantuan boulders strewn about, and high, very high, rocky cliffs and
countless plateaus everywhere you look. And the Red Deer, wow. Huge antlers, and you'll see them randomly as you drive the highways.
And don't forget the Highland Cattle you'll see everywhere, with their long shabby bangs hanging down as they peer at you motionless.
We stopped many times just to gawk at them. And sheep wander across the road as if they already got the memo that you've been pre-warned to give them the
right-of-way. Such a magnificent sight. And the short stone walls ---cairns---that traverse every field like a mapping off of all boundaries amongst the neighboring farmers. You might catch a glimpse of the sheep-herding dogs working the flock.
Highland Cattle:
https://www.google.com/search?q=scotland+cattle&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=UHKIvTGZKnLCJM%3A%2Co-fx3L20KS7HoM%2C%2Fm%2F01g19s&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQShwKTKFAZkq-vuHtB-P3N9bbVRg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiMh8fEoqHkAhVmUt8KHUTRBEAQ_B0wGnoECAkQAw#imgrc=UHKIvTGZKnLCJM:
Sheep:
Scotland has more sheep than people.
In June 2013 the sheep population was 6.57 million on about 14,800 farms, according to the Scottish government.
https://www.google.com/search?q=sheep+in+scotland&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=c72nghzPPvD3AM%3A%2CT0Xh3H3zYMmyoM%2C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQe0iJfNrV5YlFgUYe5d1kLFMhpcA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjvpLzgoqHkAhXknuAKHU44BJcQ9QEwAHoECAIQAw#imgrc=c72nghzPPvD3AM:
The town of
Stirling is really great, and the
Stirling Castle is a must-see. That was a great day.
Stirling is fairly close to St. Andrews, which is another worthy town to visit---very historic and charming, and lots to see.
Stirling Castle:
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x48886292283cd5a7:0x7c5004fb1541fb67!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s//lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/_3tjIuDsCFGt_hY5tB96TcsOnTgOxDrf_2e1EmvyioXGC8t2S6ufQoXJspq8TIzMnT7YXUqAVbHsnw8KT0uj6kwNqHSSbEsYvwoDs76DWobpDqdh4wIwOJQekiLOWqjebOEKCeJmeYNCS9nzvicxHLMjOQneIMo=w480-h320-k-no!5sstirling castle - Google Search!15sCAQ&imagekey=!1e1!2shttp://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtau5ogjStWWesm2B3pM-cMfpkBOTZFpDkUVT-z9ueDjIqRElZ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFrrOrtaHkAhVBT98KHcPTA2EQoiowHXoECA0QBg
Driving up the West Coast:
Oban:
The drive up the West Coast is lonnnnnggggg, and occasionally it gets monotonous despite the non-stop beauty, but when you turn the corner and pull into Oban, it's a WELCOMED SIGHT...civilization at last! And what a lovely civilization it is. Shops and cafes everywhere, and the quaint little harbor full of fishing boats and sailboats. Oban is a colorful but quirky little town, with a lot of nice shops and cafes around the harbor area....just walk around and spend a couple or three hours---- very memorable.
Don't forget to purchase your kilt there, you're gonna need it, brother.
When you finally reach the ferry which will take you to the Isle of Skye, bundle up.
A great experience looking out at raw nature at its finest,
and the wind, oh my. But it changes when you reach the island itself and begin to circle it in your vehicle. First, Beware----it's a one-lane road,
and a few times you'll have to stop and pull off so you both can squeeze by each other to continue. It's funny actually, and so unique. Just smile and wave.
Isle of Skye:
Let me tell you ahead of time-----the Isle of Skye is THE most beautiful and stunning meeting of land and sea on the planet.
We've been to Hawaii twice and Scotland blows it away. Stop at several pull-offs and just look.....you'll feel the breezes as they blow in moist air from the sea....don't lean over too far to see the cliffs, altho I did for photographic reasons and was glad I did.
Above all, on Skye, make it a point to drive ALL THE WAY around the island,
especially visiting the pull-off called the
Quiraing.
Nothing like it, and probably the most gorgeous sight in Scotland. That has burned a place in my mind forever,
and my wife and kids still talk about it.
Here are a few pics, but BEING THERE is the only thing that really does it justice.
https://www.google.com/search?q=quiraing&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=nPRYgEBHoM0l_M%3A%2C3Kny8eCl8So-1M%2C%2Fm%2F0gwck7&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSC-S4bJbTvrLXJA3HXDqrHzBuWSg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj175TJnaHkAhVShuAKHTBLAuUQ_B0wHHoECAsQAw#imgrc=nPRYgEBHoM0l_M:
Also
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-quiraing
The Old Man of Storr is another fun sight---it's a peculiar rock formation---like a grouping of spires atop a small mountain,
so you must know where it is as you approach it, and look for it or you'll miss it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=old+man+of+storr&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=AWb1oPXy_pv-rM%3A%2CkwBwOrMlxBeVCM%2C%2Fm%2F03m4lt&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kS4GVWhB6F5gFvV1Kx5JwJYoJ-UJA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjAtKrQoKHkAhXkRt8KHSKtBJ8Q_B0wHnoECAUQAw#imgrc=AWb1oPXy_pv-rM:
Oban street view:
https://goo.gl/maps/bcGbuvNZkxtPbdVT9
If you're ever lucky enough to catch the
Highland Games, it's worth every bit of time and effort. There's nothing like it,
and it's a sure thing you won't forget it. They are scheduled throughout the summer and into Fall, even September.
Here's the 2019 schedule:
https://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/scottish-highland-games/
Highland Games:
https://www.google.com/search?q=highland+games+scotland&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=t8TDJeRcpNM1bM%3A%2CzxYP_bL0WdEqzM%2C%2Fm%2F02wggl&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQnpdbsOZRYn8jXzgl35WsckqjZQQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwil042gpKHkAhVimeAKHWRfArkQ_B0wHnoECAoQAw#imgrc=t8TDJeRcpNM1bM:
Edinburgh:
Visit the historic grand old Balmoral Hotel and the beautiful park adjacent.
The luxurious hotel was the place where JK Rowling holed up in a special suite to complete the FINAL Harry Potter book.
We actually stayed a full week in the Balmoral Hotel--a top near-the-corner "domed" room (as seen from front, etc...and a large round
window which opened, and big enough to step up and "get inside"----
4 feet of circular space extending from wall to glass of window,
like a huge tube, where you could curl up and sit).
We could see
Edinburgh Castle on top of the mountain in the distance.
One night Tom Jones was performing and we could see the colored spotlight beams shooting up into the sky, and could HEAR him singing.
Since we opened the window by cranking it the old-fashioned way, the sound was clear as a bell and traveled all that distance. We enjoyed that free concert.
Balmoral Hotel:
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x4887c78fb1aef435:0xa11d8809c1de85b!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4shttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipOhURtssRwVc68_DbHG7jTYHje4qEc6NAAdetYF=w706-h320-k-no!5sbalmoral hotel edinburgh - Google Search!15sCAQ&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://media2.trover.com/T/5874c0ef10b26874fd01109e/fixedw.jpg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi0hZPdsKHkAhVGdt8KHXGoCHcQoiowHXoECAsQBg
Princess Street Gardens & Park---a block or two from Balmoral Hotel:
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x4887c7903a68bd9f:0x481fdaa775ca6cb0!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s//lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/UFue7hh-w8Hr9SpKUMkZwG0IACHhRUj7cmlbL2PoScrV6qrf-XF1RfvKbXpwP9s0DfY_T_6Igxy7PYNJBP_wMwlKaDYd7PY08rRTL94o0-FKPKinPd4ZbqKwnEq76WbxRcabReTQSOB09G2Iv2gtZvZz_oJgmw=w601-h320-k-no!5sprincess street gardens edinburgh - Google Search!15sCAQ&imagekey=!1e1!2shttp://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRRc5Q02L3j09Y99BvfKCyMIlyySx1voD8DWtpQUGgkNCAIw2wU&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiNkOX9saHkAhVhh-AKHeUVAnoQoiowJHoECAsQBg
Gardens location: (minimize that Blue-White column on left using little arrow)
https://goo.gl/maps/R4dMohPQSAALkH4L8
Edinburgh Castle--definitely worth a tour.....mysterious, dark, depressing type of castle...the Queen refused to live or stay there.
But it's a must-see.
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x4887c79a2099c0f7:0x469a1eebe54c0a58!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4s//lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/uhJJRFMzqVt9OMVpXlyQDRcmu4NnCHiHpks2dfsyXaBkfnTanFBuXMdG5ZeMLnXDaR7lSVaxmaLvAua9ceaFl20WIKPrmrbm2e0nnFmtujSJrE4oDxSF35Tx72dPDJtoiaGHyQHhlK4Aw07skgOme7_3_JK07Q=w465-h320-k-no!5sedinburgh castle - Google Search!15sCAQ&imagekey=!1e1!2shttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcStk4vPRekRjSmjXsk34siMfF-ILppd3MChpgukbpgaICqCgE_t&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRy7Lys6HkAhVynuAKHfUgBzoQoiowI3oECA4QBg
Also walk the
Royal Mile and do the
Holyrood Castle tour. It's interesting, and that's where the Queen stayed when in Edinburgh.
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?
hl=en&pb=!1s0x4887b87717a3a003%3A0x27abd4db1967f9d6!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNrCZCAJI_HqNCdd2Xe6JZAYGqrBOG7eOMZUVfK%3Dw438-h320-k-no!5sholyrood%20palace%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipNrCZCAJI_HqNCdd2Xe6JZAYGqrBOG7eOMZUVfK&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjq9snQq6HkAhXnc98KHQ_nALkQoiowG3oECA0QBg
***One very important thing to remember while you're in Edinburgh....
THERE IS A HARD ROCK CAFE! When you're about to die for a mouth-watering cheeseburger and hot beautiful golden-brown fries,
or a big, thick, juicy New York Strip Steak or the big, slobbering 16 oz Cowboy Ribeye, or even the Chicken Fingers,
along with a tall, fat ice-cold Coke, now you know where to find it.
And I must say, that was a most welcomed find---the meal was outstanding.
We were definitely having American Withdrawals at that point,
but thankfully we walked (well, rolled) out of there completely satisfied.
https://www.hardrockcafe.com/location/edinburgh/
https://www.hardrockcafe.com/menu.aspx
There's a lot more to see and do in Scotland, but those things listed above are well worth it, and enough to "chew on" for now, shall we say. Enjoy