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Love Scotland and want to share your stories – why not have a look at all the recent discussions and make a contribution or start a new discussion? Visiting Scotland and looking for some advice – why not ask a question or start a discussion or simply explore all the great content?
Join the conversation today and share your #scotspirit.
Best Of
Re: Looking for love in Scotland!
Seriously?
I've no idea whether you're taking the p- or not, but just use common sense. Be decent, kind, sociable and that will help an awful lot.
'Scottish Women' are, much like women everywhere else, all different and have their own interests, likes and dislikes.
Go to ceilidhs (check for listings in whichever town or city you're staying in) and get out and meet people. Don't try and force some kind of long distance fantasy because frankly, that won't work.
I've no idea whether you're taking the p- or not, but just use common sense. Be decent, kind, sociable and that will help an awful lot.
'Scottish Women' are, much like women everywhere else, all different and have their own interests, likes and dislikes.
Go to ceilidhs (check for listings in whichever town or city you're staying in) and get out and meet people. Don't try and force some kind of long distance fantasy because frankly, that won't work.
Re: Is tipping expected in Scotland?
Hi there @CherylW tipping in Scotland is not really compulsary but it is certainly welcomed. Any service provider i.e. waiter, taxi, barman etc would appreciate a tip, usually around the 10% mark. What most people do is just to round up to the next pound of multiples of. e.g. 45 pounds in a restaurant would most likely end up being 50 pounds. 2.60 for a coffee may be rounded up to 3 pounds etc.
Hope this helps you out.
fishypro
2
Re: How much time is needed for changing trains in Glasgow Queen Street Station?
Hello @MarshallGrande - you should be fine with 10-15 minutes provided that your train is on time arriving into the station. As mentioned above, the station isn't very big and you won't need to go through the turn stiles so you can just walk off your platform onto the next and find your seat. All the best and hope you enjoy your time in Scotland!
Re: How much time is needed for changing trains in Glasgow Queen Street Station?
Glasgow Quenn Street Station is not that big that you will miss you transfer to another train.
The best thing to do is to tell the train conductor what train you want to change to and they will give you precise details of where to go. Don't worry about it. The only doubt that I would have is if the first train leaves on time or is delayed.
fishypro
6
Re: Best places to stay in Highlands over a week?
How long are you up for?
If you're heading to Islay, then you might want to consider Arran too? You could add it to your itinerary without too much hassle. I don't the island terribly well but it would certainly tick the box in terms of a country location. You could then get the ferry from Lochranze to Claonaig and from there it's a reasonably short drive to get the Islay ferry at Kennacraig.
Once you're back on the mainland you can head up to Oban or even push on to Fort William if you want to base yourself somewhere to get the Jacobite Steam train and explore the wider area. Glen Coe and Glen Nevis are close to hand and you there are plenty of easyish walks you can do with the kids.
If you're driving you could retrace the journey to Mallaig that you did on the train and get the ferry to Skye. Explore Skye (would need a whole other thread!) and if it was me and I had time I would get the Glenelg Ferry . It's known to be a wildlife haven and you have the option of exploring the brochs at the other side. I think Glenelg Inn has a pretty good reputation if you were needing another place to stay that was away from it all. From there it's a spectacular drive up over the Mam Ratagan pass and there's the option to detour back West if you want to see Eilean Donan Castle. Alternatively you can ignore the Glenelg ferry and go via the bridge and get to the castle that way.
From there head through Glen Shiel towards Invermoriston and Loch Ness. You could stay in Inverness if you fancy a bit more life but places like Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit are picturesque in their own right and have a good selection of places to stay. The Loch Ness Inn in Drum is owned by the same people who own the Applecross Inn and the food/accomodation is of a very high standard.
Route map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZbQe8JcvvSA2
If you're heading to Islay, then you might want to consider Arran too? You could add it to your itinerary without too much hassle. I don't the island terribly well but it would certainly tick the box in terms of a country location. You could then get the ferry from Lochranze to Claonaig and from there it's a reasonably short drive to get the Islay ferry at Kennacraig.
Once you're back on the mainland you can head up to Oban or even push on to Fort William if you want to base yourself somewhere to get the Jacobite Steam train and explore the wider area. Glen Coe and Glen Nevis are close to hand and you there are plenty of easyish walks you can do with the kids.
If you're driving you could retrace the journey to Mallaig that you did on the train and get the ferry to Skye. Explore Skye (would need a whole other thread!) and if it was me and I had time I would get the Glenelg Ferry . It's known to be a wildlife haven and you have the option of exploring the brochs at the other side. I think Glenelg Inn has a pretty good reputation if you were needing another place to stay that was away from it all. From there it's a spectacular drive up over the Mam Ratagan pass and there's the option to detour back West if you want to see Eilean Donan Castle. Alternatively you can ignore the Glenelg ferry and go via the bridge and get to the castle that way.
From there head through Glen Shiel towards Invermoriston and Loch Ness. You could stay in Inverness if you fancy a bit more life but places like Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit are picturesque in their own right and have a good selection of places to stay. The Loch Ness Inn in Drum is owned by the same people who own the Applecross Inn and the food/accomodation is of a very high standard.
Route map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZbQe8JcvvSA2
Re: B&B Ullapool
Hi @Ilka, The Ceilidh Place is great. If you don't manage to get a room the restaurant is highly recommended for an evening meal or lunch stop. I've also stayed in The Arch Inn on a couple of occasions. I would say that you need to book asap, places are getting booked up really quickly at the moment.
Re: Please, tell me your point of view.
@Soren_2006 ; I believe that there are better places to visit in Scotland than Aberdeen. I would suggest that you visit Stonehaven, by Aberdeen, and check out "Dunnotter Castle" on the cliffs. Finish off with the best Fish & Chips in Scotland from "The Bay". Montrose is also quite nice.
fishypro
1
Re: Please, tell me your point of view.
Hi Soren,
Book everything in advance where you can. I live near Inverness and accommodation up here is frequently fully booked months in advance. If you haven't booked anything yet then I'd strongly recommend doing so very soon. July/August is peak season and there's a good chance most places are fully booked already.
You can get trains direct to Inverness from Edinburgh and they're reasonably regular during the day. They can be busy but you can normally get a seat without too much hassle if you're travelling outside of peak hours.
A word on the day tours from Edinburgh and around the highlands: They're full on 12 hour days and you don't get much time to stop and take it all in. If you've got the time then you should definitely make your way up North and spend a few days (or more!) exploring.
Book everything in advance where you can. I live near Inverness and accommodation up here is frequently fully booked months in advance. If you haven't booked anything yet then I'd strongly recommend doing so very soon. July/August is peak season and there's a good chance most places are fully booked already.
You can get trains direct to Inverness from Edinburgh and they're reasonably regular during the day. They can be busy but you can normally get a seat without too much hassle if you're travelling outside of peak hours.
A word on the day tours from Edinburgh and around the highlands: They're full on 12 hour days and you don't get much time to stop and take it all in. If you've got the time then you should definitely make your way up North and spend a few days (or more!) exploring.
Re: Gardens of Aberdeen
Hi @sshdough42, which gardens in particular are you looking to visit? There are a few in the city like Duthie Park, Johnston Gardens and Seaton Park and there are a few outside of Aberdeen that would require transport to get to.
The city gardens could be done on a self-guided trip by either walking or hopping on buses to get from one to the other.
Not sure I know of any guided tours of gardens in the area though I'm afraid.
I can certainly try and put together a rough itinerary of the city gardens as well as bus routes to take if you wanted?
The city gardens could be done on a self-guided trip by either walking or hopping on buses to get from one to the other.
Not sure I know of any guided tours of gardens in the area though I'm afraid.
I can certainly try and put together a rough itinerary of the city gardens as well as bus routes to take if you wanted?
