Recent Discussions — visitscotland

scotland leaving E.U

Maltija — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 08:46:40 +0000

Hi I'm planning to come to Scotland in April 2019. How about Scotland leaving the E.U? Is anything going to change? And about the internet?Thanks
Sonya

The Giant lanterns of China - Edinburgh Zoo

johnmurrayjnr — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:56:58 +0000

I was lucky enough to be asked to the opening night of The Giant lanterns of China at Edinburgh Zoo. Wow! What a night!

At night, Edinburgh Zoo turns into a world of folktales and fantasy with over 450 beautifully crafted lanterns lighting a magical trail throughout. Until 17th February 2019, you can see unicorns, giants, kelpies and even the Loch Ness Monster, alongside animals past and present.

This unique and special event also includes handmade crafts from Chinese artisans in our festive marketplace and seasonal hot drinks and snacks to keep you warm.

Some other pics from the night

Trip Planning Advice Summer 2019

afrie122_comcastnet — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 18:25:33 +0000

My wife and I are looking to make our first trip to Scotland from June 24 to July 6. The flight from the US is about $1,000 cheaper if we fly into and out of Manchester. We're in our 60's, but love to hike, My other main interests are photography and food/culture.
Day 1 - Fly to Manchester
Day 2 - Lake District (hike Helvellyn)
Day 3 - Lomond - Trossoch's NP
Day 4 - Oban
Day 5 - Ft Wm.
Day 6 - Ft Wm.
Day 7 - Isle of Skye
Day 8 - Isle of Skye
Day 9 - Isle of Skye
Day 10 - Inverness
Day 11 - Cairngorms NP
Day 12 - Edinburgh
Day 13 - Edinburgh
Day 14 - Manchester Depart
Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on the Itinerary. We don't want to feel rushed or to try to do too much.

Proper papers for extended stay

Diana — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 01:08:51 +0000

I will visit Scotland for the second time next year and need some info on proper papers for extended stay. I will be visiting for a month. Will my passport be sufficient or will additional papers be needed? If so, I need to get started on obtaining them.

Diana

West Highland Way in December

lucvosters — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 22:12:45 +0000

Dear Community,

I'm planning to walk the West Highland Way somewhere between December 10 and December 24 on my own. From walkaboutscotland.com I got an itinerary to do it in 6 days (+/- 19 miles a day). I just have a couple of questions. I hope you can help.

- What will be the conditions on the trail? Will there be snow and ice?
- Is it safe to walk there on my own considering I have to walk some portions in the dark due to limited daylight? (I will take a head lamp).
- Is the trail properly marked?
- What to do in case of emergency?

Many thanks!

Kind regards,

Luc

Music Sessions In Scotland

JWG — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 13:54:34 +0000

Any one got any recommendations for good traditional music pub sessions in Scotland, where folk are welcome to join in as well as listen. To get things started there are a few here in Orkney that I would recommend, The Reel in Kirkwall has a session Sat nights from 8pm onwards and the The Pomona in Finstown has a session on the last Friday of each month from about 9pm onwards.

Rhododendrons

GretnaGreen — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 17:33:42 +0000

Hello I am new !
I am British but live in France I have friends who are flying in to Edinburgh - getting a hire car, doing their own hotel bookings etc but are asking me what is the best time of the year to see the rhododendrons in full bloom - are there any specific gardens around Edinburgh is there a sort of Rhododendron Road - I always went to Pitlochry and there are a lot up there but are there many near Edinburgh any ideas you can prvide will be of great help to them and thank you in advance for your replies Have a nice evening

what to do and see

wchambless — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 19:01:58 +0000

I am bringing my family to Scotland for 3 weeks one is that a adequate time to see the country an what are the most do and things to see to truly get a feel for the country

The Enchanted Forest at Pitlochry

VisitScotlandLiam — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 10:26:09 +0000

The Enchanted Forest has switched it's lights off for the final time this year, so a good time to reflect on how incredible the event was! This year was my first year at the Enchanted Forest but it certainly did not disappoint! I was taken aback with how stunning the forest was all lit up and vowed to myself that I'd return next year!

As you walk in, you're greeted by a towering figure made of sticks, that could have been frightening to some but completely harmless, his name was Bernard and was around 8 feet tall. He was the first piece of art you saw upon entering the forest, and if you ask me, it was a great starting point.

The next piece I loved was these lights on top of the water. The reflection of the lights int he water made it look like there was twice as many, it looks a lot better in person as the picture doesn't really do it justice. The lights danced on top of the water, beautifully, in an array of different ways.

This one was my favourite. It was a fountain in the middle of the pond with light being projected onto the water. It created a really stunning visual that portrayed the forms of various different typed of wildlife. It was a really clever piece and i was literally left jaw-dropped, it was absolutely amazing!

This is the last piece I captured. To the naked eye, they just looked like 3 different animal silhouettes, but when taking a picture with flash, the full picture was revealed. It was like magic!

The Enchanted Forest is a place I'll definitely return to as it totally blew me away. Have you been to the Enchanted Forest before? Did you go this year? What about next year, are you planning to go?

V&A Dundee - Scotland's first design museum + more to see and do in Tay Country

VisitScotlandAmanda — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 13:00:34 +0000

In a few months on September 15 2018, the V&A Dundee will open its doors as the only V&A museum in the world outside London and the home for Scotland's design heritage.

If you're planning to visit this historic museum (I know I am!) then you might want to turn your trip into an opportunity to see more of Scotland's Tay Country as well. To help you get started with your itinerary planning, take a look at the top 21 things to see and do in the area here. From golf courses to stunning coastlines, castles to gin distilleries, there's something for everyone.

What are you planning to add to your bucket list?

French horseriders into the Highlands

Albalolita — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 15:43:28 +0000

Good afternoon,

One of my friend and I have the project to come horseback riding into the Highlands (center) with our own horses

We are looking for specific moutain bikes rides out of boggy terrain but not asphalt ground. We would only need ideas of mountain bike tracks with stable ground through this beautiful country. Do you know where we could find this type of information ?

We would ride during 14 days +/- on our own (+/- 300km)

Thank you very much for your help

Sorry for the mistakes, I'm writing from France

Carole

Edinburgh Festival 2019

PaulG — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 22:12:29 +0000

Hoping to visit Edinburgh mid-August as part of 3-4 week holiday in Scotland. Certainly want to take in Tattoo while there. What are recommendations regarding best night to attend? Weeknight or weekend??

Outlaw King!

VisitScotlandLiam — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 16:15:35 +0000

Netlix's new blockbuster movie Outlaw King has been a total sensation since release. It tells the story of Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) and his fight against the English army. VisitScotland love it so much, that we've launched a map of film locations and the real locations where it all took place!

Have a wee look at the map here.

Scone Palace — Perthshire

Scone Palace is where the Scottish Kings were crowned upon the stone of destiny. Charles II coronation was the last on the stone. It now resides in Edinburgh Castle.

Bannockburn — Stirlingshire

The famous Battle of Bannockburn happened here. It was one of the most decisive clashes in the First War of Scottish Independence. It was her that, though heavily outnumbered, Robert the Bruce's army sent King Edwards Army homewards, tae think again.

Have you been to any of the locations in Outlaw King? Or visited any of the real sites? @travelswithakilt and @the_castlehunter on Instagram both shared with us their Instagram stories. go check out their content and don't forget to hashtag #RealOutlawKing and #ReelOutlawKing.

how do i get my cottage on this site and how much will it cost?

mayliss — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 11:28:15 +0000

how do I get my house or cottage on this website and how much will it cost and what do I need to do??

Best Pass for a 1 month stay

uncltom — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 20:59:03 +0000

We will be in Scotland for 1 month, a week in Glasgow, 2 weeks with a rental car through the Highlands then a week in Edinburgh.
We would like to buy a pass to visit a number of castles and other heritage sites and would love some input on what to buy and why?
Thanks, Tom

Off The Beaten Track in Scotland?

mustseescotland — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 11:50:59 +0000

Off The Beaten Track in Scotland?

I thought I should do a page on off the beaten track places in Scotland. Then I realised that what I consider to be off the beaten track might not be the same as your view. I mean, where I live in Scotland (Portgordon on the Moray Firth - see pic below) is, to me, pretty much the centre of the known universe, but to you might be the middle of nowhere. You see, it all comes down to perspective. On the one hand, most of Scotland could be considered off the beaten track - except for those heavily promoted areas - for example, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Inverness and Loch Ness, and the Isle of Skye.....

Read more here about the Angus Glens, Galloway, Moray, Buchan and Ardnamurchan.
Read more here about the smaller cities of Scotland

The countryside, especially the coast east of Inverness, by way of Moray and Aberdeenshire, can be quiet enough so that visitors are allocated a beach each on an individual basis. My friend here was lucky to get a last-minute cancellation, though he did find the big stones a bit uncomfortable.

Midge Repellent

VisitScotlandHeather — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 12:17:47 +0000

If you've ever been out and about in the countryside of Scotland, you'll have come across the midge (for those of you who haven't, they're small insects with a big bite). Some people get bothered by them, some don't but it's always good to have midge repellent on to make sure.

Is it better to spend a little more or are the cheap and cheerful brands the best? We want to know!

Tour in Scottland form this sunday to Saturday - 1 week

Erhardm — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 18:46:04 +0000

Hello, we arrive Edinburgh at Friday this week. At Sunday we will start our tour through Scotland by car. Following stops we want to see:

Tour 1 from Edinburgh to Aberdeen (Sunday):

Stirling Castle

Glamis Castle

Kinnaird Castle

Dunnotar Mains

Drumoak

Aberdeen

Tour2:

Aberdeen to Inverness (Tuesday):

Tolquhon Castle

Huntly Castle

Ballindalloch Castle

Cawdor Castle

Inverness

Tour 3:

Inverness to Fort Williams (thursday)

Tour 4:

Fort Williams to Edinburgh (saturday)

This whole tour we will do from Sunday to Saturday. All the castles we don't want ot visit, it is enough for us, to see this from outside.

Do you think my plans ar OK? Or is the way to long, to see all these castles?

Thank you very much for your help.

Erhard

Boreal forest

mariev — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 14:27:40 +0000

Hello,

I am enquiring about a forest or garden that I heard from and yet I can't seem to find it on my internet searches. I did a tour of western Scotland about 10 years ago. We were on our way to the Isle of Skye from Glasgow and the guide mentioned this forest, where the laird had a Canadian wife, so he decided to plant canadian trees, such as maple trees and Douglas fir. The guide said it was the only place in Scotland to have a boreal forest, so it seemed quite unique.

However, we did not visit the site and I did not note the name down. I would very much like to find it again and visit. Does this place rings any bells?

Thank you for your help !

NC 500 and Skye Trip Report 2018

powderglut — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 14:19:05 +0000

Seriously...Are we gluttons for punishment? My wife and I are renting another campervan to travel northern Scotland after doing it for 15 days in Iceland. At least we are well practiced and have the routine down.

Day 1 Aug 23: We fly Easyjet from Iceland to Edinburgh. Arr 3 PM. We have a place booked in Livingston, just a few miles from where we pickup our campervan in Broxburn the next morning. The taxi ride from the airport is roughly 35 minutes in stop and go traffic at 5pm. Welcome to the suburbs. Our place has a small kitchen/livingroom downstairs and bedroom upstairs. Plenty of room to get all our gear organized for round 2. Since we don't have a vehicle yet and we need dinner. There's a Beefeater Restaurant, walking distance from our place, and a small convenience store to get a few breakfast things for the morning. Decent enough meal and an easy walk. An after dinner wine/beer at our pad, and we are ready for the next part of our big adventure.

Day 2 Aug 24: We do a casual breakfast and then get a taxi over to Spaceships Campervan UK in Broxburn. We're campervan experts now, and go over the vehicle and then pack our gear. We're heading north to a Tesco superstore in Perth to stock up on food, beer and wine. Huge! If it isn't in this store, you don't need it.

Our destination is Dornoch, and we're glad we're driving mostly highway, to get use to driving on the other side of the road. (Also glad it's an automatic.) Dornoch campground is sandwiched between a golf course and a huge beach. Nice place to spend our first night camping. We hike over to the beach after dinner, for a feel of Scotland's northeast coast. We plan on seeing a lot of beaches and coastline on this trip. Really nice beach walk and... we get treated to a rainbow too. Good start, so far.

Day 3 Aug 25: Today is our 40th anniversary. The reason we decided to do this trip in the first place. My original plan is to camp at John O'Groats. We drive north along this beautiful coast with occasional stops, including a quick poke into Dunrobin Castle. We reach John O'Groats just after midday. Very breezy! No...let's call it a big steady, strong northerly wind. No way we will camp here today. The wind exposure will not make this a comfortable place tonight. On to Plan B.

Since we're here. We drive out to the Ducansby Head and hike over to the lighthouse, and then along the cliffs, to see the Stacks of Ducansby. What a beautiful area. The cliffs, the sea stacks, the views north, up to the Orkney's. Feels good to hike around for a couple of hours. This is....some great Scotland scenery.

New plan....We're going to Thurso to camp. I make a call to Captains Galley in Scrabster to see if they can fit us in for our 40th anniversary dinner tonight. 2 things going against us. It's Saturday night, and 2nd.....it's also a bank holiday weekend. No mercy! The host tells me zero chance, unless someone cancels. That's what I get for not booking way back when. Oh well, we'll find somewhere worthy to go for dinner. We hope.

The camp at Thurso Bay has nice grassy grounds and big views of the bay. Not near as windy as the exposed NE corner of John O'Groats. We get showered up. Put on our finest duds. Open up a nice bottle of French Champagne and do a toast above the lovely bay. We share a glass or two with our next door campers. Now the tough part. Finding a decent restaurant. We park in the center of town and walk around a bit. We notice a busy pub and restaurant at the Holborn Hotel. OK.... It appears this pub is going to be our only choice, as the restaurant is booked thru the night Wait minute!. The hostess from the hotel's Red Pepper Restaurant (next door,) tells us that a table opened up for us, and we can sit immediately. Only in the movies!! What luck! Turns out to be a superb meal. Dinner specials were a Morrocan spiced monkfish and perfectly baked and seasoned haddock. Scallop app, a bottle of wine and salads fill out a perfect anniversary dinner. We even get to see a marching bagpipe band just outside the hotel. Couldn't of planned it this good! Totally awesome evening.

Too be continued