trip ideas

[bossmare]

4 Canucks looking for best trip ideas! My mother, sister, niece, and I are planning a trip. We haven't been since '85 when I was a little, little, kid, lol!!

So, places we want to see--Edinburgh, Stirling, Isle of Skye, St Andrews, Cumnock, the highlands. . .

We wanted to drive but are a bit leery of doing so . . uncle just came back from a guided tour and liked it, so we're also considering that. I would personally like to base somewhere central and drive each day if that's even possible. Dunno how "central" you can get and manage to go to new places each day. Are there tours that let you just take off if you're not interested in where they are going that day?

I'm in the country and have dial up, so this research process is painfully slow!!

[Polwarth]

Stirling and the Trossachs are 'do-able' from an Edinburgh base for a day trip - so is St Andrews. Skye? Nope, suggest you spend a night or two on the isle.

The highlands? I'd recommend you base yourself somewhere like Inverness or Perth and travel out from there.

I'd also recommend a car - public transport is next to non-existent in some of the more rural areas.

I have no recommendations for guided tour companies, but perhas another Scot on here will be able to help with that.

[kathyv]

I agree with Polwarth, you need a car. The guided tours that are reputable are pretty expensive, and possibly too hard to get into if you are planning to go soon. You can always check in the Tourist Information Office when you get there, for tours and recommendations and other information for getting around.

If driving is troublesome in the city, leave the car and take the hop on hop off bus tours offered on the city busses. But for Skye and the Highlands, you need transport, and driving won't be bad there, just pay attention and have a designated navigator who can read a map. Roads are well marked, well kept and you can stop where you wish. Another plus is that the locals speak your language and if you need help, just ask!

Don't be shocked by the petrol prices, it may seem a lot but cars get very good mileage and distances are much shorter than the North American Continent.

[bossmare]

Ha! Gas prices are bad enough over here, lol! But then I've got horses to haul around, so my daily vehicle is a heavy duty pick up too. At least we can get an econo car!

I think we've decided we're going to do the same tour thing my uncle just did. He hadn't been back in 40 years and found it a good trip. Short, but nice. We're gonna try that for now, then next year plan something more extensive. I'd really like to try Polwarth's suggestion of staying 3 different spots and exploring from there.

[bossmare]

So, we're booking the tour thing but going to try and extend it by 4 days. My mother wants to stay in Ayr for those 4 days--I think that's where the Sundrum Castle park thing comes in. However, I'm wondering if that's such a great location for a sightseeing base. We won't be renting a car as that will just add up the trip price even more. So bus trips from Ayr would get us what exactly?? According to the map, I don't think we'd be near too much? My mother is Scottish and is quite content to hang around Ayr for 4 days, but I'd like to see more, lol!!

[Polwarth]

Well, if there's a race meeting you could go to the horse track!

Day trips from Ayr? Not too sure, as I don't live on the West Coast.
Here's a website about Ayr and day trips - don't know how useful you would find it!
Information about things to do in Ayrshire around Garpel Estate - fishing, golf and day trips

[Celyn]

Originally Posted by bossmare

...... We won't be renting a car as that will just add up the trip price even more. So bus trips from Ayr would get us what exactly?? According to the map, I don't think we'd be near too much? My mother is Scottish and is quite content to hang around Ayr for 4 days, but I'd like to see more, lol!!

Hmm. Oh!

Yes, I think I can see that you might not want to "hang around Ayr for 4 days," but your mother does. And mothers must at all times be obeyed, well, accommodated. Once again, Oh!

Look, it is too late at night, but I will try to get back to you about this tomorrow or so, if that would be all right?

Ach, you will have fun anyway. Never underestimate the ability of old mothers to find people and places of great fun and interest. Really!