Scotland 2018 Planning

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TheRealTMA said:
See the site on the North Coast 500 for suggested itineraries.
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Have forwarded this to my brother for planning his next North Coast trip - he went in late January for 10 days.

If you get over to Sky then definitely do the tour of Talisker. https://www.malts.com/en-gb/home/.
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My brother was there on 4 February. He had to take a photo so here it is for reference
20170204TaliskerDistillery.jpg

MODS: Suggest that we need a new thread for Scotich trips.
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A great idea and actioned (as you can see)
 
Denali said:
Many thanks for all the info! Will be checking back to this thread when I start planning after March. Sadly, because of work & projects ect, we are looking at April or May 2018 at this stage, but are prepared for the cold weather, at least there will be less tourists.
Im afraid to say the words car hire and Jag to my husband, and here I was thinking a Corolla or similar would do
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Well, yes, you CAN do it that way. But there are so many marvellous roads in Scotland, especially once you get away from the Inverness-Aberdeen-Edinburgh-Glasgow highways. Not as many overtaking opportunities as one might hope for, though. Rent a Vauxhall and you'll spend a lot of the trip stuck behind Postman Pat. In a Jag, a casual push on the loud pedal and you're past, flying through the Cairngorms, flashing over lochs, saying howdo to the bens leaning in the window.
 
Skyring said:
Well, yes, you CAN do it that way. But there are so many marvellous roads in Scotland, especially once you get away from the Inverness-Aberdeen-Edinburgh-Glasgow highways. Not as many overtaking opportunities as one might hope for, though. Rent a Vauxhall and you'll spend a lot of the trip stuck behind Postman Pat. In a Jag, a casual push on the loud pedal and you're past, flying through the Cairngorms, flashing over lochs, saying howdo to the bens leaning in the window.
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And in the JAG on one lane roads you never have to give way! :) :)
 
All this talk of Jaguar made me check it out. The best I can see for my 13 days is at least GBP2000. I decided to go with a Mercedes E Class instead for $AUD1000.

I shall waft through the highlands in my plutobarge!
 
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My brother thanks you for your tips and traps TheRealTMA, so has added some to his next trip "up north". It probably will only be a couple of months, so look forward to sharing his experiences. There are times I wish I had "retired" like him last year and become a citizen of the world...

TheRealTMA said:
See the site on the North Coast 500 for suggested itineraries. We did the trip clockwise around the top in around 7 nights. Do go to The Torridon - stay o/n 1/2 days (https://www.thetorridon.com/). The bar has more than 300 single malts to try, which is whay you need to stay for a few days. :) One day over the Applecross pass or Bealach Na Ba. Highest road in Scotland. (Applecross Peninsula and Bealach na Ba - Pass of the Cattle – Scotland Info Guide)

Stopped at several distilleries near Pitlochry - Definitely recommend The Edradour - Edradour Distillery, and very close is Blair Athol - https://www.discovering-distilleries.com/blairathol/

Little further north - Dewars (Grants) Aberfeldy Distillery. Then the 'home' of whisky in Speyside at Duftown.

Glenfiddich Distillery (Visit the Glenfiddich Distillery. Fully Explore Single Malt Whisky.) and Balvenie Distillery(https://www.thebalvenie.com/) and Glenfarclas (Glenfarclas) on the way. (Dufftown's Distilleries)

If you get over to Sky then definitely do the tour of Talisker. https://www.malts.com/en-gb/home/. Perhaps stay and eat at Three Chimneys. (The Three Chimneys, Skye)

The Diageo group also have a whisky passport, available free at their distilleries, which gives you free tastings and free tours at other distilleries.

Ref: https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries/

This place in Edinburgh is worth a visit - https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/

I recommend you consider staying at Fonab Castle (Pitlochry), The Dornoch Castle Hotel, Ackergill Castle (North Highlands) and if money is no object, Inverlochy Castle. (GIYF - Scottish Castle accommodation - list of castle hotels in Scotland)

MODS: Suggest that we need a new thread for Scotich trips.
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Landed in Scotland today, was really cool that up until 5 minutes out from EDI there was blankets of snow everywhere and then all of a sudden it stopped suddenly.
 
Start your trip thru Scotland at Berwick on Tweed, take the road to Edinburgh via Kelso, Denholm and Hawick then up the A7. If you like golf and have your clubs with you, try the Vertish Hill coarse in Hawick, easily the best views from top from a golf course anywhere and I've played a few good one in NZ and UK. Take a walk around Wilton Park, take a look at the Museum. The borders is the most underrated part of Scotland, with plenty to see.
In Edinburgh go on the evening Ghost tour is great, and of course there is the Castle.
Go onto Fife over the Firth of Forth Bridge, take the coast road via the fishing villages, try the Fish and Chips, they are sensational. Before you get to St Andrews go to the underground bunker, build for a nuclear war.
St Andrews and Golf go together, you can try your luck in the ballot for a round of golf on the old course, which is by the way not the oldest golf course in Scotland. St Andrews is a lovely place. From St Andrews go to Oban on the other side of Scotland via Stirling, with it's Castle, and of course The site of the Battle of Bannochburn, where proud Edwards army was beaten.
Oban is one of the most lovely harbours with it boats and Ferries coming and going.
From Oban go to Loch Lomond and on to Glasgow, spend some time in a city much changed and totally revitilised. The Clyde once lined with shipbuilding, is now lined with all sorts of interesting thing.

I have been to Scotland many times, for both work and play.

I hope this help.
 
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We were in Scotland Dec/Jan. We organised a private driver to take us to a few Speyside distilleries with Inverness Tours which was great as we could both sample at each distillery. I would definitely recommend them.

When you go to Glenfiddich make sure you go to the ladies bathroom near the tour foyer.

More info about our trip here.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-trip-photos/will-dom-krug-sq-j-79878-2.html
 
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Getting very excited about my road trip to Scotland later this year - debating whether to go to the Orkneys and for how long
 
VPS said:
Getting very excited about my road trip to Scotland later this year - debating whether to go to the Orkneys and for how long
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Do! 2 days would be fine, more if you can depending on the weather.
 
VPS said:
Getting very excited about my road trip to Scotland later this year - debating whether to go to the Orkneys and for how long
Click to expand...
I did a day trip. Ticked some of the high points, but there were certainly things I missed. Skara Brae (and the associated manor) was the best part. Couple of distilleries. I could have spent more time there.

The ferry ride takes an hour or so and is quite scenic - on a fine day. Good chance of whales and other marine mammals, and some interesting scenery. I counted the Orkneys as a high point for Scotland, and I only spent a week there that trip.
 
VPS said:
Getting very excited about my road trip to Scotland later this year - debating whether to go to the Orkneys and for how long
Click to expand...

I think this would be a very good thing.

However, as you probably will have a very tight trip with the time you have then a full day tour from John O' Groats should work well.

Here's the link .....

John O' Groats Ferry - Maxi
 
So I've been advised not to go in June July August because of the midges but I think I'd like to go late August into September - has anyone done that
 
VPS said:
So I've been advised not to go in June July August because of the midges but I think I'd like to go late August into September - has anyone done that
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Take a bottle of Thorley's Rid! :)

Just check the dates for available tours. From memory they shut down mid-end September.
 
TheRealTMA said:
Take a bottle of Thorley's Rid! :)

Just check the dates for available tours. From memory they shut down mid-end September.
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Maxi
MAXI DAY TOUR OF ORKNEY
Enjoy a full day tour of Orkney Islands from John O'Groats
Every Day 1 May to 30 September 2017

Depart John O'Groats 8.45am
& return on last ferry​
 
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