hey everyone

[CoolLilCucumber]

I've been browsing this site for a couple weeks, and thought I'd officially come out from lurking. I'm from the U.S. and am planning a trip to Scotland next summer. I decided that I wanted to get my information from forums such as this, instead of travel brochures and whatnot, because I really want to get a feel for Scottish culture, as opposed to seeing the highlights of the tourist industry. I would be appalled if someone visited NYC and L.A. and thought they knew what this country was about, and I realize this is the case anywhere you go. So, here I am, hoping to gain insight into what Scotland truly is.

I look forward to any insight you may be able to provide me with in the future

[Polwarth]

Hello CLC
Have a look at the travel and moving forums. Lots of good advice and knowledge on those fora!

[kathyv]

Hi there CLC. Welcome!

Although this is a USA based site, there are many of us from the US and Canada that have been to or are from Scotland. We even have a few 'real' Scots on here! LOL

Don't be afraid to ask questions, we try to be a helpful bunch.

There are several good discussions regarding travel and such in the Travel forum. Between several of us, we have been to, live close to, or have access to info about most of the Scottish locations people are interesterd in.

Where do you plan to go when you get there? What are you interested in?

I agree with your comments about visitors viewing LA and NYC and thinking 'that's the real Amercia', shudder! I want nothing to do with those places! LOL

[CoolLilCucumber]

Thank you for the very warm welcome

I've been browsing the travel section quite a bit, and while it moves rather slowly I've started making a list of places people recommend to further research. I briefly visited the moving board, but the whole grass-is-greener vibe just irritated me.

I'm not sure where I want to go/what to do yet as it's still very early in the planning stages. My general idea is that I would like to do quite a bit of hiking/camping throughout the country and visit museums/historical sites. I don't have an incredible interest in the bigger cities, though my husband has a huge passion for architecture (mostly old houses), and really wants to... I don't know... I guess wander around random neighborhoods I'd also like to go sometime when there are festivals or some such things going on.

Thanks again for welcoming me to your forum!

[Polwarth]

Edinburgh's New Town architecture (Adam, amongst others) is mouthwatering. So is the old town like the Royal Mile, Holyrood and the Castle. You couldn't really visit Scotland without having the capital on your itinerary....

[CoolLilCucumber]

Thank you SO much for your recommendations! I wasn't planning on skipping Edinburgh altogether by any means