My wife and I are interested in touring Scotland in April/May or Sept/Oct. I don’t know where to begin and am looking for any advice or recommendations. We’re pretty active so are initially thinking of a walking tour of some sort but where to go and what to see are big unknowns to us. Since ASL is a close knit worldwide community, I thought this would be a great place to ask. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Touring Scotland recommendation
- Thread starter BigAl737
- Start date
Sparafucil3
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@Vinnie is a good resource as he lived in Aberdeen. -- jim
Sparafucil3
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@BigAl737 I reached out to the Aberdeen folks. Martin (AKA Vinnie) is offline with router problems. Some of the crew will probably stop by with recommendations later. If you don't get a response, let me know and I can put you in touch with some of them via email or Discord. They are a great group of guys once you get past the haggis fetish. -- jim
Tony Gibson
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Al, happy to give you any advice about the North-East of Scotland, there is also Oliver Gray who is further South.
I personally am not a walking person, but can advise you of any other things you may be interested in if you give us some hints.
I'm not sure if any of the other guys have seen this so far.
I'll pass it on to them via e-mail to make sure they see it.
I personally am not a walking person, but can advise you of any other things you may be interested in if you give us some hints.
I'm not sure if any of the other guys have seen this so far.
I'll pass it on to them via e-mail to make sure they see it.
Tony Gibson
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Here's a couple of suggestions to start with
For walking/exploring (not that I've been)
Bennachie visitor centre - hills and old hill fort
www.bennachievisitorcentre.org.uk
www.bailiesofbennachie.co.uk
If you are going to hillwalk in Scotland, please be aware that the weather can turn nasty very quickly, even in the height of summer. Adequate clothing/footwear essential
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For military history - Gordon Highlanders museum
www.gordonhighlanders.com
If you're further North - Sueno's Stone
www.historicenvironment.scot
Slains Castle (supposedly the inspiration for Dracula)
Dunnotar Castle -
Loads of whisky distilleries if that's your thing.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo is in August if you can make it.
Tickets are available on the website - I'm guessing they will sell out reasonable quickly -
The National Trust for Scotland may give you some ideas for places to visit -
www.nts.org.uk
And of course - the Inversnecky Cafe at Aberdeen Beach run by the aforementioned Vinnie !!
For walking/exploring (not that I've been)
Bennachie visitor centre - hills and old hill fort
Bennachie Visitor Centre
The Bennachie Visitor Centre. Where your Bennachie experience begins.
www.bennachievisitorcentre.org.uk
Bennapedia - Bailies of Bennachie
The Bailies of Bennachie is a voluntary conservation society formed in 1973 to project, share and encourage the safe enjoyment of Bennachie.
www.bailiesofbennachie.co.uk
If you are going to hillwalk in Scotland, please be aware that the weather can turn nasty very quickly, even in the height of summer. Adequate clothing/footwear essential
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For military history - Gordon Highlanders museum
Gordon Highlanders Museum | Discover the 200 year story of “the Finest Regiment in the World!”
www.gordonhighlanders.com
If you're further North - Sueno's Stone
Sueno's Stone: History
Read about the history of Sueno’s stone, a marvel of Pictish art dating to between the mid AD 800s and early 900s.
www.historicenvironment.scot
Slains Castle (supposedly the inspiration for Dracula)
Dunnotar Castle -
Loads of whisky distilleries if that's your thing.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo is in August if you can make it.
Tickets are available on the website - I'm guessing they will sell out reasonable quickly -
The National Trust for Scotland may give you some ideas for places to visit -
Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone
An independent charity that protects Scotland's natural, cultural and historic places, and shares them with everyone.
www.nts.org.uk
And of course - the Inversnecky Cafe at Aberdeen Beach run by the aforementioned Vinnie !!
Actionjick
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Lol what more could you want? Refreshments and a pillar of the ASL community. Excellent advice about the weather conditions. Haven't been there but the locals know what can be expected. Have a great trip whenever you take it!Here's a couple of suggestions to start with
For walking/exploring (not that I've been)
Bennachie visitor centre - hills and old hill fort
Bennachie Visitor Centre
The Bennachie Visitor Centre. Where your Bennachie experience begins.Bennapedia - Bailies of Bennachie
The Bailies of Bennachie is a voluntary conservation society formed in 1973 to project, share and encourage the safe enjoyment of Bennachie.
If you are going to hillwalk in Scotland, please be aware that the weather can turn nasty very quickly, even in the height of summer. Adequate clothing/footwear essential
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For military history - Gordon Highlanders museum
Gordon Highlanders Museum | Discover the 200 year story of “the Finest Regiment in the World!”
If you're further North - Sueno's Stone
Sueno's Stone: History
Read about the history of Sueno’s stone, a marvel of Pictish art dating to between the mid AD 800s and early 900s.
Slains Castle (supposedly the inspiration for Dracula)
Dunnotar Castle -
Loads of whisky distilleries if that's your thing.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo is in August if you can make it.
Tickets are available on the website - I'm guessing they will sell out reasonable quickly -
The National Trust for Scotland may give you some ideas for places to visit -
Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone
An independent charity that protects Scotland's natural, cultural and historic places, and shares them with everyone.
And of course - the Inversnecky Cafe at Aberdeen Beach run by the aforementioned Vinnie !!
Vinnie
See Dummies in the index
Hey Al @BigAl737 , good to know you're considering this.
Tony has already given some good advice.
First up weather. May June is the time I recommend people visit. It's not the warmest but given we are never really warm, that should not be a big consideration. The hours of daylight are immense and if you've never experienced 18 hours of daylight and a further 2 of twilight, it's worth it. September is warmer but wetter. October can be cold and wet. It's just the luck of the draw.
Culturally, Edinburgh and Glasgow are worth visiting. There's a lot going on there and happening. Museums, galleries shows bands etc, are all concentrated in the central belt. Watch out for the Festival in Edinburgh. Prices skyrocket as it is so very busy.
Walking wise, the mountains are amazing. They are very very old so not very high but do not be fooled, if you are walking in them you need to be prepared. With nothing between the tops of the Cairngorms and the arctic, blizzards can happen at any time.
The distilleries are worth a visit. I'm sure if you end up in Aberdeen, tony or I will drive the two of you out so you can both enjoy a wee dram!
Castles are worth seeing. Although there are the two biggies, Edinburgh and Sterling we have about 130 in the north east. More fortified houses than full on castles but good none the less.
Additionally, the North east gas a lot of Pictish and other ancient sites. More stone circles than you can throw a stick at along with burial mounds. All easy to get to by car.
Travelling around Scotland can be done by public transport or car. If you choose not to drive you are limited to the cities, central belt, and east coast as the west has relatively few busses. The far north has practically none!
If you fancy a good walk then consider the north coast 500. More intended to be done by car or bike you see some stunning scenery and horrendous roads!
Talking of roads, be aware that distances are greater than you expect. Aberdeen is 140 miles from Edinburgh but that's at least a 3 hour journey. Bear this in mind when working out where you are going. A roads in Scotland are generally 2 way once you are off the main routes. It means they are interesting to drive but you just need to get stuck behind a tractor and the journey can seem very long.
Of course, Susan and I would be delighted if you wish to stay with us for a few days. I can guarantee no ASL chat while the ladies are present!
Feel free to ask about anything. I'll also post a link to the Scottish ASL group as currently both your replies come from Aberdeen in the far North East. We have folk in the Borders, Edinburgh,Fife, and Inverness but no one in Glasgow. They are a strange lot there...
Tony has already given some good advice.
First up weather. May June is the time I recommend people visit. It's not the warmest but given we are never really warm, that should not be a big consideration. The hours of daylight are immense and if you've never experienced 18 hours of daylight and a further 2 of twilight, it's worth it. September is warmer but wetter. October can be cold and wet. It's just the luck of the draw.
Culturally, Edinburgh and Glasgow are worth visiting. There's a lot going on there and happening. Museums, galleries shows bands etc, are all concentrated in the central belt. Watch out for the Festival in Edinburgh. Prices skyrocket as it is so very busy.
Walking wise, the mountains are amazing. They are very very old so not very high but do not be fooled, if you are walking in them you need to be prepared. With nothing between the tops of the Cairngorms and the arctic, blizzards can happen at any time.
The distilleries are worth a visit. I'm sure if you end up in Aberdeen, tony or I will drive the two of you out so you can both enjoy a wee dram!
Castles are worth seeing. Although there are the two biggies, Edinburgh and Sterling we have about 130 in the north east. More fortified houses than full on castles but good none the less.
Additionally, the North east gas a lot of Pictish and other ancient sites. More stone circles than you can throw a stick at along with burial mounds. All easy to get to by car.
Travelling around Scotland can be done by public transport or car. If you choose not to drive you are limited to the cities, central belt, and east coast as the west has relatively few busses. The far north has practically none!
If you fancy a good walk then consider the north coast 500. More intended to be done by car or bike you see some stunning scenery and horrendous roads!
Talking of roads, be aware that distances are greater than you expect. Aberdeen is 140 miles from Edinburgh but that's at least a 3 hour journey. Bear this in mind when working out where you are going. A roads in Scotland are generally 2 way once you are off the main routes. It means they are interesting to drive but you just need to get stuck behind a tractor and the journey can seem very long.
Of course, Susan and I would be delighted if you wish to stay with us for a few days. I can guarantee no ASL chat while the ladies are present!
Feel free to ask about anything. I'll also post a link to the Scottish ASL group as currently both your replies come from Aberdeen in the far North East. We have folk in the Borders, Edinburgh,Fife, and Inverness but no one in Glasgow. They are a strange lot there...
pensatl1962
Elder Member
Ordnance Survey maps are your friend (for anywhere in UK). Highly recommend!
Excellent and very helpful Vinnie. Thank you! If we can make it work I’ll ask for the daily special at your cafe.
Didn’t know about them. Thanks! I’ll check em out.
Tony Gibson
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Al, just to agree with Martin. May is my favourite month of the year, it doesn't get dark until about 10 pm, especially later in the month and in my experience it's drier than April or June
Also the kids are still at school, so tourist areas are quieter.
Also the kids are still at school, so tourist areas are quieter.
In the central belt there is Edinburgh for the castles and museums, Falkirk for the Kelpies and the Falkirk wheel also Stirling for the Bannockburn battlefield, the castle and the Wallace monument, I took Steve Pelve to most of these when he stayed with us , then you have Glasgow too, StAnderws is good to see , the ruins of the castle and cathedral and also the coastal walk around Fife. There is also Falkland Palace to visit. In Perth the Black Watch museum. These are just for starters
Do you offer multi-day guided tours of your ASL collection?
