Scotland: What Do I Need To See??

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

In three weeks, I will be in Aberdeen for a fortnight (that’s two weeks for you folk who can’t afford a thesaurus). What sights should I endevour to see during my limited stay?

Any travelling tips and advice gratefully recieved - this is to be my first ever trip out of the country (and first ever plane trip for that matter), and I am clueless when it comes to EVERYTHING!

The background story is that my father-in-law has invited his four children (and 1 daughter-in-law) over to visit, and sacrificed about 600,000 frequent flier miles to get us free tickets. We will be staying with him, don’t know what that will be like since his kids haven’t seen him in 12 years, and we’ll probably be mainly making day trips from Portlethen. We’ve bought a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Scotland but we’re not sure how much FIL and his wife will take charge of the sightseeing. It would be nice to have some suggestions at hand if they ask us where we’d like to go.

TIA

2

Dunnottar Castle - just South of Stonehaven, which is only a few miles from you. Full of history, and quite spectacular.

(It’s where Mel Gibson filmed Hamlet!)

3

I cannot trust my ISP to stop cutting me off, so I have to be brief - sorry . I think you will have a great time. You might , or might not, want to visit http://www.scotland.com simply because there are some people from the Aberdeen area there who will love to help you - look in the “Travel” forum.

I am in Glasgow, so I can’t help much about Aberdeen.

I hope I am not doing wrong by posting that link!

4

The Isle of Skye. Unbelievably beautiful. One of my favorite places in the whole world.

5

Take some lightweight books (you can always dispose of them later if you’re in need of luggage space) and a walkman and quite a few made up tapes (or minidisc if you’ve got one). On the few plane trips (albeit long ones), they’ve been a godsend. Especially if the plane you’re on doesn’t have mod cons like tellies in the backs of the seats, etc. Also, make sure you’ve got some lollies to suck on when the plane takes off - helps with the ears popping and all that.

6

Sorry, that’s meant to be:

On the few plane trips (albeit long ones) that I’ve been on, they’ve been a godsend.

7

You know, I didn’t know of the castle or the Mel Gibson thing but I did completely chance across the castle almost as the sun was going down back in March/April - no one else there, very moody, no idea what’s actually there from the road so all very dramatic.

Quite extraordinary - and that’s from someone who has had ‘castle overkill’ for decades. Absolutely worth seeing and exploring.

Aside from that, good bloody luck in finding things to do for two whole weeks. Wish I could recommend something. Maybe it’ll be more interesting from an Australian we-don’t-have-this-at-home POV.

Do go to that castle, though: http://www.castles.org/Chatelaine/DUNNOTTAR.HTM

8

Loch Ness is both a letdown and a pleasure.

It’s a letdown because it’s not nearly as large, gloomy, and forboding or scary as you may think. But it is a beautiful place, and it’s great fun to go down and dip your toes in the water, to say you have.

There are guided tours of the lake, on-boat and by coach. I do not recommend them, as they are expensive and really not that interesting. You can take a normal city bus from Inverness that goes on a loop of the lake, get off at Castle Urqhart (which is the “focus” of Nessie-related activities, and has a gift shop, etc.), and wait there looking around and browsing until the next bus comes back the other way, about once/2 hours or so.

9

Wester Ross, the Summer Isles.

10

Well, if we are allowed to suggest Western islands - how about Iona. http://www.isle-of-iona.com/ Beautiful, tiny island, where St. Columba founded an abbey, and from which he went about spreading Christianity. OK, the last bit is not necessarily a great idea, but it is a great wee island. (Just only go in good weather , or you will get trapped there, with a non-weatherproof tent) :slight_smile:

St. Andrews www.saint-andrews.co.uk/ - is a good place to visit - positively full of history (and just down the coast from Aberdeen, so easier than going to the islands.)

11

I liked Loch Ness. There’s no damn monster in sight, but it is a pretty lake with some nice towns surrounding it.

12

It just struck me that if I had a couple of weeks up there I’d definitely head for the Orkneys. Not least because of Skara Brae – the 5,000/6,000 year old settlement revealed by a storm in the mid-19th century – but also for all the other ancient historic sites as well. Some great Viking and Celtic stuff up there…

Oh yep, Skara Brae…I really wish I’d had time to visit. Older that the Pyramids donchaknow…

13

Oh yes re Skara Brae. And if you like ancient stones, **Clava Cairns ** in Invernesshire are very impressive. Callanish stone circle on the ISle of Lewis = great too - and older than the better - known Stonehenge, though you could go down to England and see that. Come to think of it, you might want a weekend or so visit to London.

Actually, trouble is we don’t really know what sort of things you like. Do you want to give us clues? I realise, too, that it is not only a case of what you want , but the rest of your party too. I am sure you are in for a really good time anyway. Just drink enough whisky and watch out for the dreaded midges.

You’d probably like a trip to Edinburgh, touristy castle for the seeing of. Or maybe Stirling, another historic castle, and, of course, stomping ground of William Wallace, of whom you may have heard. :slight_smile: It’s near Bannockburn battlefield too.

But I suppose it would be nice to know what sort of things you are likely to be looking for. Once again, I am not trying to be annoying, but that link I gave previously will get you advice from some pretty sensible and nice people who do know and live in the area. (Know 3 times and tell them Celyn sent you! ) :slight_smile:

You could visit Glamis Castle or Balmoral or Holyrood Place in you are into royalty. And I think you should get a photo of the gorgeous Highland cattle - just to prove you have been here.
If I can be of any use as a resident Scot (albeit one with a most untrustworthy internet connection) feel free to email me at celyn2001@hotmail.com.
:slight_smile:

14

Could ya nip in and see my Gran? She’s in Dundee :slight_smile:

15

Another suggestion for Dunnottar Castle - my wife and I were in Aberdeen just a couple of months ago and Dunnottar was the highlight of a really incredible trip. Try to go at about 10 or 11am on a bright, sunny, warm day - the warm land will pull a really dramatic mist in off the sea and make the castle seem to lurk in the mist - very spooky and a lovely effect. Don’t be intimidated by all the stairsteps down to the beach and back up to the castle - you’ll be more than rewarded for your hike.

The nearby village of Stonehaven is really nice, too - a great place to spend an afternoon and get a bite to eat.

If you get half a chance, GO INTO THE HIGHLANDS. The roadside scenery alone will reward you.

See if you can get a tour of Marischal College (now part of the University of Aberdeen) - the architecture is spectacular and the museums are very impressive.

Cullodden Battlefield is only an hour or two from Aberdeen (toward Inverness) - worth seeing if you’re interested in Scottish history.

The Speyside whisky distilleries are also between Aberdeen and Inverness, and most of them have tours available (usually including a sample of one of their products…)

If you get up near Loch Ness, definitely check out Urquhart Castle. Sure, it’s usually crowded with tourists (it is one of the most famous castles in the counrty) but it’s also breathtaking. And the Loch is beautiful. Do the boat tour - we missed out on that.

Depending on how busy your time in Aberdeen is, you might have time to go all over Scotland by car or bus. If you get a chance to take a (relatively) long drive, Glencoe is the most beautiful place in the world. In the same general area, Loch Lomond is lovely, as well.

Take plenty of film. And have fun. And remember, you MUST go to Dunnottar. Many locals don’t even know about it somehow, so the father-in-law might get a thrill, too.

Feel free to check out our trip here and here. Some of the places we went require special arrangements to visit (Inverugie Castle and Keith Hall in particular…) but you might get some ideas for your visit.

16

Nah- ** Kwyjibo ** Tell your Gran to go and visit Cazzle in Aberdeen instead, 'cos it’s prettier than Dundee.

<Visions of old old lady wearily travelling north>
Heheheh - well, I am sure the trip would do the Kwyjibo-Gran good! :slight_smile:

17

The trip out of Dundee would do anyone some good. :slight_smile:

18

Great photos! And I saw the Loch Ness monster in one at
http://home.att.net/~murphy_sa/wsb/html/view.cgi-photo.html--SiteID-406755.html
Looks like Cecil, the seasick sea serpent! :slight_smile:

Scotland is beautiful. Edinburgh is worth it for a first time visit. I plan to return for the Military Tatoo.

19

Violet, definitely see the Tattoo if you get a chance - it was incredible, and was a perfect finale for our trip.

20

Hey ** Kilt-wearin’ man**, thanks for posting the photo’s. Haven’t checked them all out yet but how come we have the same angle shots of Dunnottar Castle – except that yours are better ! :slight_smile:

Hope you don’t mind if I pick this one out…

http://home.att.net/~shawn.and.aimee/wsb/html/view.cgi-photo.html--SiteID-406608.html