BS: Some things to do in Scotland

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: olddude
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 08:17 AM

Wow North it is ... wow Thank you

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 05:27 AM

Sorry the link to Ben Nevis doesn't seem to work. However this link does. http://www.mountainwalk.co.uk/benneviswalk.html

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 05:22 AM

Dan
I can thoroughly recommend walking along Glen Nevis (see pictures on this link Glen Nevis )

It is right by the foot of Ben Nevis, which you can also walk up (see pictures on this link Ben Nevis )

Next to Ben Nevis is the town of Fort William (see pictures on this link http://www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk/online-guide-to-fort-william-scotland This is an excellent guide to that area.)

When I lived up there, I used to quite often get in the car and go on the A84 to Stirling then up to Callendar (Trossachs), then Lochearnhead, then on the A85 to Inverardran, then onto the A82 all the way down to Loch Lomand on the west side and then head on back to where I lived. It is a beautiful trip with plenty of stopping of points. It is a full day trip, but well worth the effort.

This map might help you to get your bearings http://www.aboutscotland.com/tour/tourmap.html

Incidentally Kendall hit it right on the nail by recommending Glen Coe. It is out of this world. You could go to Glen Coe and then go on to Fortwilliam and Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis.

Hope all of that is some help to you Dan.

Les

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: GUEST,Wolfhound person
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 04:57 AM

Hadrian's Wall was in England last time I looked. Though I for one would be willing to secede - I think he got it about right.

By all means visit the republic of South Scotland (=Northumberland)

Otherwise, yeah, head north and west. North of Aberdeen round to Inverness is good too, and then there's the Spey valley, but park your hire car up and hide the keys before visiting.

Oh and get to Gordon & McPhail in Elgin. Its a grocery store at first glance, but just look at the back wall.

Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: kendall
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 04:48 AM

I told the tale as it was told to me. I wasn't there.
When my wife, whose name was Campbell, and I toured Scotland, we traveled under my name and never mentioned hers.

It's interesting that the Campbells got such a bad name from that incident when some years before, the MacDonalds slaughtered a group of Mcleods in church.Or is this also a myth?

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 12:51 AM

Ooops yes and it was 1692!This is a muster roll taken from the previous year 1691. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Argyll's_Regiment_of_Foot

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 12:49 AM

"Glen Coe, where the Campbells butchered the MacDonalds in February 1602?"

Though in reality it was a regular Regiment of the army that carried out the massacre. Under the orders of the Scottish government in Edinburgh ultimately sanctioned by KIng William in London. It was Argyll's Regiment but he was only a symbolic Colonel in Chief. It was in reality commanded overall by an Englishman called John Hill. Robert Campbell of Glenlyon was the leading officer on the actual operation but only a tiny fraction of the troops were Campbells. It probably suited the Scottish government and British monarchy of the day to portray the affair as clan rivalry and use the Campbells as scapegoats!

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Smokey.
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 11:27 PM

Real Aberdeen Angus, not the old pit-pony they palm you off with in the supermarkets. Best beef there is. Had my first venison in Scotland too - highly recommended for any discerning carnivore. Proper haggis made by a seventh generation butcher from things unknowable. Peat fires. The smell of a distillery warehouse. Castles full of history.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Smokey.
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 10:42 PM

Real home-made (in a slow wood-burning oven by a beautifully unfathomable geriatric lady) shortbread, almost cooled. I think they put drugs in it. Forget the tartan tins; get the real hardcore stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 10:22 PM

I've been there. That's a good idea, Smokey.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Smokey.
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 09:51 PM

Inverewe Garden is well worth a visit.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Midchuck
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 09:35 PM

My wife and I once attempted to write a song, using the melody of "Barbara Allen," to be called "I Draw the Line at Haggis."

We gave it up. The only rhymes we could think of were "gag us" and "nag us," and that wasn't enough to work with.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Smokey.
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 09:29 PM

Wild river salmon (smoked) from the Spey - supposed to be the best there is & I'm a believer.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: gnu
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 09:06 PM

Speaking of mythical leviathans, Giok might be able to hook you up with some sight seeing.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: kendall
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 08:18 PM

There is one city in the world that I really like. Edinburgh.
Being a history nut, I had to see Culloden, Flora McDonald's house and grave. I got a kick out of seeing some of the scenes in Monty Python and the holy grail. The gorge of eternal peril, that little castle on that tiny island in the last scene before the cops showed up.
Hadrians wall of course.
If you get to the Orkneys, the Eagles nest Scara Brae and Scapa Flow.
Also, Glen Coe, where the Campbells butchered the MacDonalds in February 1602?

Scotland is beautiful. I loved driving around on those country roads where Sheep have the right of way.
I found the Scots to be very friendly and tolerant of visitors.

If you are there in August in Edinburgh do the Military Tattoo. It is a really great spectacle.70 Highland pipers; it's enough to make you don a kilt and a Claymore!
And, of course, Nessy.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:34 PM

Once when I was in Scotland I saw a sign for sheep dog trials. (It was way out in the country.) They happened to be over, but I thought that that would be a good thing to watch.

Nowadays she can probably locate some online.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: Smokey.
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:32 PM

Tell her to head North-West and see as much of the countryside as possible. Drive up the glens and start walking when the road runs out - 'tis the way to paradise.

Generally speaking, the West coast is nicer than the East.

Subject: RE: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: olddude
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:02 PM

Drinking Scotch is already on my list so I need some other ideas

Subject: BS: Some things to do in Scotland
From: olddude
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 05:57 PM

OK my kids studying to be a Vet, she is going to Scotland in a couple weeks to spend a year at the University there. Been to Ireland a zillion times but never to Scotland. Give me some cool things to see if you don't mind. I kinda like the non tourist stuff. Usually I go to places rent a car and take off with a map.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks