STICKY: Welcome to the community!

Stefano_1988

Hi to everyone,
my name is Stefano and I am an italian travel blogger specialised in Scotland

I can't wait to return to this beautiful country in just two weeks to visit the Christmas Markets in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Have a great weekend all!

CragganOutdoors

Just joined, so "Hi all". Run an outdoor activity centre in the Cairngorms National Park

VisitScotlandKim

Welcome to the community @Stefano_1988 and @CragganOutdoors!

skyefever

Hi, I'm Matt and I love exploring Scotland whenever I get the chance and keep going back to Skye again and again.  Hope to get to know more areas of Scotland through the community.

VisitScotlandKim

Hello and welcome @skyefever!

Mark_G

 Hello to everyone.  I'm Mark and I live in the dry dusty desert of Arizona :

I've never been to Scotland, but I watch so many videos.  My dream is to finally make it to Scotland and enjoy first hand all the beauty.

VisitScotlandKim

Welcome @Mark_G and @saltybex! 

saltybex

Hello! any tips on skiing or St. Andrews? Thanks so much! 

Vicki

Hi.  I just joined.  Been to Scotland twice.  First time in 2006, last time in 2011.  Both times were in September for the International sheepdog trials.  My main purpose for going were the sheepdog trials, but both times it turned out to be so much more.  I rented a car and so was free to set my own schedule and was free to explore the countryside and discover things on my own.  Didn't have an itinerary.  I felt free as a bird and fell completely in love with Scotland.  Going back again - for sure.

jrx

Hi, my name is Julie, I m french but I live in Uk....well, more prciesely in England...sorry. But I want to live in Scotland ! Just need to find a good job and I move to Scotland. I visited Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling ...And I fell in love with Scotland. Actually Scotland is a dream for a long long long time ago for me ! I am married ...with Nathalie. And we left France because we really were persecuted for this reason...We suffered from discrimination and decided to live 'our' country. I had an opportunity as french assistant teacher in England so, that's the reason why I live in England. But !!!! I hope I ll soon find a job in Scotland ! Scottish people we met were really friendly and we love the scottish accent ! Even if I m not able to do it, at least not yet ! lol Scotland ... I hope you will accept us because we already fell in love with you !

Cheekyface

Hi Dave and everyone in Scotland.

I'm actually a New Zealander but have lived in Australia for the past 15 years...can't wait to move back home. Thank you for having me in your community.

My ancestors came from Scotland and I have a spiritual affinity with the land of my forebears. Since I was 8 years old, I have wanted to visit Scotland and although I am now 64, I don't think it will ever happen now.

I do my family tree and have traced some of my ancestors back to Inverness and Aberdeen, but I want to know where I can learn how to find out more information about family who may live there and we don't even know if each other exists. 
If I ever get to your beautiful country I want to tour it, photograph it, and trace my family...if I can. 
But the one thing I want more than anything, is to meet the Scottish people so anyone who'd like to know me, let me know please. 

Although I have never been to Scotland, part of my homeland reminds me so much of Scotland and that is Central Otago. I drove around there 4 years ago and really understood why so many Scots made that part of New Zealand their home. The Scottish architecture is everywhere, right down to the little stone cottages in the country. I would love to show you just one of the stone cottages I photographed there, built by two brothers who came out from Scotland in the 1800's and settled high up on a hillside in a little valley. Their father had been a stone mason and they used their skills to build this beautiful little cottage which is heritage listed and now owned by the Historic Places trust. 

Not sure how to upload the photos but let me know if you'd like to see them and learn a little history of a Scot's family who moved to the bottom of the world to make a new life in the olden days.

Cheers
Cheekyface (Susanne)

Cincei

Hello to all! I've just joined and would like to introduce myself. I'm Cincei (Cindy) from Michigan. My friend Melanie and I will be travelling to Scotland/Ireland for 2 weeks in May of 2017 and I am beyond excited to get started. The first week will be in Scotland, my thing, then Ireland, her thing. We have been friends a long time and this vacation is 3 years in the making. A true lifelong, dream vacation. Helpful tips and/or advice would be welcome.

LizEvans99

Hello! My name is Alasa, I live in Oregon in the US. Scotland has always been calling me, ever since I was a child. And when my sister and I went to Scotland for my 30th birthday 5 years ago, it honestly felt like home. We are returning in two and a half years for my nieces 30th birthday and we are all so excited! My mom may even join us! I look forward to chatting with you all on here and learning even more to prepare for our trip. Thank you! 

SandraT

Hi, my name is Sandra and I live in Virginia, USA.  I am originally from Dunoon in Argyll although my dad was from Peterhead and thus I was actually born in Fraserburgh (because that's where the hospital was).  Spent many childhood holidays in Peterhead and visited family in Fife and around the area.  I do visit my family in Dunoon every year and always try to visit somewhere new so looking forward to hearing all your ideas.

VisitScotlandAmanda

Hello @Cheekyface - I'm from New Zealand too, but now living in Edinburgh. I definitely agree - so many similarities between the landscapes!

MichaTh

Hi everybody, my name is Michael. I live in a small town near Würzburg in the southern half of Germany, but my home-of-heart certainly is located in the Scottish Highlands. My first visit dates back about almost 30 years ago now, and I've returned several times since (not nearly often enough as far as I'm concerned, though ).

I'm happy to join this community and look forward to share and receive inspirations.

MaicaKid

Hello! I'm new to this site/board. My husband and I have visited Scotland three times, and are planning a 2017 trip. I hope to get some new ideas of places to visit from people on this board.

We live in the US, in southwest Ohio near Cincinnati.

Holli

Hello. My name is Holli. I'm from the United States. I have been interested in Scotland for years. I would love to visit Scotland one day. It seems to be such a beautiful country. 

argyllgirl

SandraT said:

Hi, my name is Sandra and I live in Virginia, USA.  I am originally from Dunoon in Argyll although my dad was from Peterhead and thus I was actually born in Fraserburgh (because that's where the hospital was).  Spent many childhood holidays in Peterhead and visited family in Fife and around the area.  I do visit my family in Dunoon every year and always try to visit somewhere new so looking forward to hearing all your ideas.

Welcome Sandra!  I live near Dunoon but am originally from Michigan.  I love Argyll and would never live anywhere else - although I love to visit many places around Scotland.  

ppanmw

Hello all.  I am glo & new to this group.  While I have visited & used many things on the ScotlandNow site, I am just now finding this group. Spent 25 days in Scotland w/3 friends in Aug/Sept 2015...covered just about 3400+/- miles in a rental car and had the time of my life!  We honestly did a whirlwind driving tour covering The Borders, a wee bit of the North coast, the Highlands, a tiny bit of the Isles (Harris/Lewis, Skye, Mull & Iona), the Great Glen, & more!  I anticipated at the time that it might be my ONLY trip to my father's ancestral grounds, so obviously, made the most of it!

As things have turned out, it looks like I'll have a 2nd opportunity to visit this fair country in July of this year.  I am not planning this particular trip & have no itinerary yet, though I believe it may be contained in the north/northwest....just tagging along this time....but looks like this community might be a great place to see what others know about the places I might see this time around.

Thanks for sharing ahead of time!   I look forward to joining in!!

Travelling_Luisa71

Hello everyone, 
My name is Luisa and I am portuguese. I love Scotland since I was a teenager. I visited 3 times and I am planning my next trip, this time I will go in august for the first time. Nice to meet you all.

Stacy__j__smith

Hi,
My name is Stacy. I'm from Glasgow and love to travel around Scotland - particularly up the West Coast. I'm pretty passionate about what a great country Scotland is. I'm also into photography and enjoy snapping shots of Scotland and posting via Instagram. I didn't realise this forum existed until now, but glad to be joining!! ☺

bjmorea47

Greetings from Michigan, USA!  I am planning a trip to Scotland August, 2017 with my sister (her first visit, my fourth).  In the past I have explored by car, but this time am hoping to find new treasures via train, bus, even taxi!  We plan to base in Glasgow as we will be visiting with our new found extended family and probably doing just a little genealogy work at the fantastic Mitchell!  Although still in the planning stage, we anticipate having about two weeks to enjoy beautiful Scotland before ferrying to Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland for a clan gathering. (MacAuley, McAulay).  We are eager to have input for anyone regarding favorite places to visit, modes of transportation, best food and drinks, perfect spots to just relax. 

DougalMac1

Hi Everyone, I am Ian and I am a Scozzie (Australian who loves Scotland)

Visited 2013 and couldn't get enough of the place. Will be back this year so will research as much natural and past history as I can to get the most out of it. Scenery was amazing but the atmosphere was fantastic. Love Haggis, whisky  and castles. The accent is adorable and the people friendly and hilariously funny.

MaureenD

Hello all!  I've been following this on Facebook for a while now.  It has been over 10 years since we visited Scotland.  In the last week we have found out that we have a really great chance to go back in the first part of March 2017!  We are meeting family and doing a bit of business in London at the start and end of our trip.  In the middle I hope to spend time in Scotland!  Last time we were there we split our time between Stirling and Edinburgh.  I would love to see another part of your beautiful country and would be grateful for any feedback and suggestions!  Looks like we might have about 6 days.  Where do we go??  Thanks!

VisitScotlandKim

A very warm welcome to all of our new members

VisitScotlandAmanda

Hi @MaureenD sounds like an exciting trip! If you want to repost your question in one of our discussion threads it will get more visibility and people able to help you with the planning and any further questions you might have.  I'd suggest starting a new thread here: https://community.visitscotland.com/categories/planning-and-practicalities Hope this helps!

MaureenD

Hi @VisitScotlandAmanda - I tried to post my question in the planning and practicalities thread.  I got an error message  "You have to be around for a little while longer before you can post links." I don't have any links in my post. I had tagged it and removed them but still no luck  . Can you help me with this?  Thank you!

Rita_C

Hello! My name is Rita, I'm from Luxembourg - a very tiny country on the continent - and will visit Scotland for the very first time in May this year. We - my hubby and I - travel with a motorhome. I'm pretty sure I'll have one or two questions, but will first research the many threads

VisitScotlandAmanda

MaureenD said:

Hi @VisitScotlandAmanda - I tried to post my question in the planning and practicalities thread.  I got an error message  "You have to be around for a little while longer before you can post links." I don't have any links in my post. I had tagged it and removed them but still no luck  . Can you help me with this?  Thank you!

Hi @MaureenD sorry to hear this happened - we have nothing stuck in our 'pending' queue from you. What browser did you try this on? Our site performs best on Google Chrome. Anything with a URL or that tags another users account won't work until you've been registered for 24 hours and have posted 5 comments but otherwise you should definitely be able to contribute. Let me know if you are still having problems and I can further investigate! Welcome