Scotland - Final Itinerary
Aug 8th, 2008, 12:17 PM
#81
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Thanks, haydeedoll, for your encouraging words. My flights, ferries and accommodation have all been booked, so the skeleton is fixed in place for the trip. The fleshing out is still flexible. I will try to stick to the detailed itinerary if I can but, if the driving proves too much, I will take the short alternatives to some of the longer drives. I have been over the route so many times now that it is etched into my brain. I believe that I could drive it all without ever refering to a map.
I can't tell you how excited I am about this trip. I think it is going to be memorable.
Watch this space for the trip report
I can't tell you how excited I am about this trip. I think it is going to be memorable.
Watch this space for the trip report
Aug 8th, 2008, 12:50 PM
#82
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Hi Yelpir,
Just wanted to add some positive thoughts. My husband and I completed a similar driving-heavy 10 day visit to Scotland last month and we had a great time. We don't mind seeing a lot of the scenery from the car and also made a list of options along each route, so it seems we have the same style of planning! We saw everything we wanted to see (with the exception of Holyrood Palace b/c the queen was in town) and did not feel rushed at all. In fact, we made time for a rest/nap most days.
Some notes:
- We did not have a GPS for our trip . We used a big Michelin map and printed directions from AA. I made sure to use postcodes for our B&B's and the landmarks we planned to stop at to make sure we were exact. We only had one wrong turn the whole time (and it turned out to be a happy accident - Lossiemouth's beach made a nice photo stop). Between the directions and the map, we felt comfortable.
- In Portree, there is a small bakery, MacKenzie's, which is in the main square, next to the Granary. They had filled rolls and sweets that were very inexpensive. We had 2 coronation chicken rolls and a strawberry tart for less than 3 pounds. That was our best cheap food find on our trip.
- We found the Co-op markets to have some really good deals on certain things you may be picking up. For example, we bought 6 huge bottles of water, a large bag of pears and a bag of mixed nuts and dried fruit that lasted the whole trip as snacks in the car. I know these markets won't be everywhere, but if you should find a good deal, stock up!
- We stayed in B&B's everywhere we went and found that if we told our hosts ahead of time that we needed to leave a little earlier than normal breakfast time, they would offer to serve our breakfast early. I'm sure this doesn't happen everywhere, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. Our breakfasts were fairly quick (20-30 minutes), but do take longer when they host does not ask you to select your food choices the night before.
- We found Scottish people to be exceptionally warm and friendly, more than happy to answer questions and offer opinions. My favorite thing to ask was always "what is your favorite?" when in a bakery and I was always led to something delicious. Don't be afraid to ask your hosts for recommendations for cheap eats and other tips.
Have a great time!
Just wanted to add some positive thoughts. My husband and I completed a similar driving-heavy 10 day visit to Scotland last month and we had a great time. We don't mind seeing a lot of the scenery from the car and also made a list of options along each route, so it seems we have the same style of planning! We saw everything we wanted to see (with the exception of Holyrood Palace b/c the queen was in town) and did not feel rushed at all. In fact, we made time for a rest/nap most days.
Some notes:
- We did not have a GPS for our trip . We used a big Michelin map and printed directions from AA. I made sure to use postcodes for our B&B's and the landmarks we planned to stop at to make sure we were exact. We only had one wrong turn the whole time (and it turned out to be a happy accident - Lossiemouth's beach made a nice photo stop). Between the directions and the map, we felt comfortable.
- In Portree, there is a small bakery, MacKenzie's, which is in the main square, next to the Granary. They had filled rolls and sweets that were very inexpensive. We had 2 coronation chicken rolls and a strawberry tart for less than 3 pounds. That was our best cheap food find on our trip.
- We found the Co-op markets to have some really good deals on certain things you may be picking up. For example, we bought 6 huge bottles of water, a large bag of pears and a bag of mixed nuts and dried fruit that lasted the whole trip as snacks in the car. I know these markets won't be everywhere, but if you should find a good deal, stock up!
- We stayed in B&B's everywhere we went and found that if we told our hosts ahead of time that we needed to leave a little earlier than normal breakfast time, they would offer to serve our breakfast early. I'm sure this doesn't happen everywhere, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. Our breakfasts were fairly quick (20-30 minutes), but do take longer when they host does not ask you to select your food choices the night before.
- We found Scottish people to be exceptionally warm and friendly, more than happy to answer questions and offer opinions. My favorite thing to ask was always "what is your favorite?" when in a bakery and I was always led to something delicious. Don't be afraid to ask your hosts for recommendations for cheap eats and other tips.
Have a great time!
Aug 8th, 2008, 12:57 PM
#83
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Yelpir, I will strongly suggest that you invest in a spiral-type book atlas of the UK (they don't, I think, have one of just Scotland). It has nearly every road no matter how small and will be invaluable for your driving. It's better than the big Michelins (which I also use for overall route planning) It should cost under 10 pounds.
Aug 9th, 2008, 02:30 AM
#84
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czk: Thanks for the positive thoughts
I have made a note of MacKenzies in Portree. Thanks.
It's nice to know that you managed without a GPS and with the AA route guides.
It's also useful to know that you were able to get breakfast over within 30 mins most days. We are not slow eaters, so should be able to manage similar times.
noe847: Thanks for the map advice. Early on in my planning I bought the Philips Road Atlas of Britain (255 spiral-bound pages). The Scotland pages are already well thumbed I also have AA route guides covering the entire journey. I have printed out street maps of almost every city, town and village along the route. With a bit of luck, we won't get lost too often 
When we do I'm sure we will find some kind locals to get us back on track
Thank goodness for the internet. I could never have planned a trip like this without it
I have made a note of MacKenzies in Portree. Thanks.
It's nice to know that you managed without a GPS and with the AA route guides.
It's also useful to know that you were able to get breakfast over within 30 mins most days. We are not slow eaters, so should be able to manage similar times.
noe847: Thanks for the map advice. Early on in my planning I bought the Philips Road Atlas of Britain (255 spiral-bound pages). The Scotland pages are already well thumbed
I also have AA route guides covering the entire journey. I have printed out street maps of almost every city, town and village along the route. With a bit of luck, we won't get lost too often When we do I'm sure we will find some kind locals to get us back on track Thank goodness for the internet. I could never have planned a trip like this without it
Aug 13th, 2008, 09:32 AM
#85
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I'm obviously late to the game here, but agree with everything 'they' said. We spent a week in Scotland in 1998 and were shocked at how late we arrived at our destination each day.
Luckily you aren't traveling with my DH. I'm always criticized for planning a heavy driving/lots of one-nighters itinerary. On our recent May trip to France I missed several 'planned' sights due to let's see: DH blisters, DH food poisoning, DH sun rash, DH locking car keys in trunk, DH iodine reaction to wonderful fish meal.
I think you need to plan on your 'float' covering things like getting lost, 'traveler's tummy', and the possible flat tire.
Since we are in our early 60's, I admire your stamina for tackling this driving and will be waiting to read your trip report.
Luckily you aren't traveling with my DH. I'm always criticized for planning a heavy driving/lots of one-nighters itinerary. On our recent May trip to France I missed several 'planned' sights due to let's see: DH blisters, DH food poisoning, DH sun rash, DH locking car keys in trunk, DH iodine reaction to wonderful fish meal.
I think you need to plan on your 'float' covering things like getting lost, 'traveler's tummy', and the possible flat tire.
Since we are in our early 60's, I admire your stamina for tackling this driving and will be waiting to read your trip report.
Aug 13th, 2008, 12:54 PM
#86
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Hi Hopingtotravel. I had a good laugh at all your DH woes
My lady and I have done a road trip together before and, overall, it went pretty smoothly. That is not to say that this one will, but one can hope
I have now done all the planning that I intend to do. I am, as they say, all planned out. From here on it is in the hands of fate. Hopefully there won't be TOO many disasters.
I leave for the UK in 2 weeks and 2 days so I'm rushing around doing all those last minute things like buying gifts for friends and family and paying all the bills in advance. When I finally get into the taxi to the airport I will breathe a sigh of relief. All the stress will drain away and the holiday will begin. For me, that is one of life's great moments, which lasts until you realise you have left your tickets at home..or...or..(fill in the blanks)
My lady and I have done a road trip together before and, overall, it went pretty smoothly. That is not to say that this one will, but one can hope
I have now done all the planning that I intend to do. I am, as they say, all planned out. From here on it is in the hands of fate. Hopefully there won't be TOO many disasters.
I leave for the UK in 2 weeks and 2 days so I'm rushing around doing all those last minute things like buying gifts for friends and family and paying all the bills in advance. When I finally get into the taxi to the airport I will breathe a sigh of relief. All the stress will drain away and the holiday will begin. For me, that is one of life's great moments, which lasts until you realise you have left your tickets at home..or...or..(fill in the blanks)
Aug 14th, 2008, 06:32 AM
#89
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Checklists of all you need to bring are your friend, and will help you sleep the night before the trip. Make sure to make the checklist at least a week before, and pack as much as you can at that time. That way, when you think about something else a day later, it won't be disaster because you are already on your way
Trust me, I've done this several times!
Trust me, I've done this several times!
