Scotland Master Thread

[kopite1]

Does anyone have an itinerary for a trip with a lot of distilleries?

Auchentoshen is 5-10 mins from Glasgow Airport and Glengoyne is circa 40 minute cab ride away. Very doable in one day plus you're close to Glasgow for food etc. Did it a few years ago.

[shaulyaakov]

Edinburgh or Glasgow? Thinking of going for about 24 hours to break up a week trip in London. Travelling with a toddler if that matters. Edinburgh looks better for a short trip from what I read, since it has the medieval feel to it, and a compact city center.

Ideally I would like to go to one distillery, though the closest one to Edinburgh (Glenkinche) doesn't allow kids below 8, so it's out. If I can't find a distillery that won't kill too much time to get to (without a car - I have zero desire to drive), I would just do the Whiskey experience in Edinburgh. Any tips?

 

[ckmk47]

Edinburgh or Glasgow? Thinking of going for about 24 hours to break up a week trip in London. Travelling with a toddler if that matters. Edinburgh looks better for a short trip from what I read, since it has the medieval feel to it, and a compact city center.

Ideally I would like to go to one distillery, though the closest one to Edinburgh (Glenkinche) doesn't allow kids below 8, so it's out. If I can't find a distillery that won't kill too much time to get to (without a car - I have zero desire to drive), I would just do the Whiskey experience in Edinburgh. Any tips?

I've already voted for you to go to Edinburgh.  I liked the Whiskey Experience and am happy I did it instead of a distillery; they teach about types of scotch and give you 1 drink.

[shaulyaakov]

I've already voted for you to go to Edinburgh.  I liked the Whiskey Experience and am happy I did it instead of a distillery; they teach about types of scotch and give you 1 drink.

Thanks. Yes I started looking here to learn about Edinburgh but saw a lot of people did Glasgow.

Did you get meals from Chabad?

[ckmk47]

Thanks. Yes I started looking here to learn about Edinburgh but saw a lot of people did Glasgow.

Did you get meals from Chabad?

For 1+ day Edinburgh is much livelier and has 1-2 days worth. (Castle -royal mile - Holyrood palace)
Glasgow Chabad has great food.
Edinburgh didn't have weekday meals when I was there, but Shabbos food was good. 

[Minyan]

I was wondering if it makes sense for us to go to Scotland.  We have tickets to London for six nights.  Does it make sense to go to Scotland for two days or should we just stay in London?

[ushdadude]

is it a bad idea for an american to try driving in scotland?

[justaregularguy]

is it a bad idea for an american to try driving in scotland?

(if your talking about driving on the other side of the street thing..) i rented a car in ireland and it really wasnt so bad. drove around the whole city and even did some highway( thats easier bc your not crossing lanes too much)

just remember wide right , short left and enter the traffic circle the other way..

[ckmk47]

is it a bad idea for an american to try driving in scotland?

Worked for me.  But I needed some concentration throughout.  I was worried that if I drove on 'autopilot' I would drift out of my lane.
hint: Before your trip, take note of where the road dividing line hits your windshield.  Then in Scotland reverse it. 
The road midline hit near the base of my windshield wiper.  And when I'm driving on the left side, it feels like I'm so close to the midline that I'm going to hit oncoming traffic.  But I kept the pavement line in the correct part of the windshield and drove just fine.

[ushdadude]

Worked for me.  But I needed some concentration throughout.  I was worried that if I drove on 'autopilot' I would drift out of my lane.
hint: Before your trip, take note of where the road dividing line hits your windshield.  Then in Scotland reverse it. 
The road midline hit near the base of my windshield wiper.  And when I'm driving on the left side, it feels like I'm so close to the midline that I'm going to hit oncoming traffic.  But I kept the pavement line in the correct part of the windshield and drove just fine.

That's exactly what I'm scared of

[Yehoshua]

That's exactly what I'm scared of

It's really not that hard imo. I've driven on that side of the road in Australia and South Africa before going to Scotland, and it wasn't that bad at all.

[ckmk47]

That's exactly what I'm scared of

I kind of recommend driving. You just have to stay alert while doing it.
You can go where and when you want and you can stop anytime to look at sheep.

[ushdadude]

thanks all. driving really does make more sense.
tentative plan is to fly into INV and out of EDI
how's parking in Edinburgh?

[ckmk47]

thanks all. driving really does make more sense.
tentative plan is to fly into INV and out of EDI
how's parking in Edinburgh?

There were parking lots near where we wanted to go.


What do you plan to see up in the Highlands?

[ushdadude]

There were parking lots near where we wanted to go.


What do you plan to see up in the Highlands?

thanks
Loch Ness, distilleries, and country side. not necessary?

[ckmk47]

thanks
Loch Ness, distilleries, and country side. not necessary?

We flew into and out of GLA.  We didn't think there was enough to make it worth driving all the way North and back.  Driving in one direction sounds good, though. Should be beautiful.  And worth driving. 

[Yehoshua]

thanks all. driving really does make more sense.
tentative plan is to fly into INV and out of EDI
how's parking in Edinburgh?

Flying out of INV avoids the UK passenger duty. EDI is not great for parking in the city center.

[ushdadude]

Flying out of INV avoids the UK passenger duty. EDI is not great for parking in the city center.

so you would reverse it?

[Yehoshua]

so you would reverse it?

Ya, if you've already decided on INV. Personally we skipped it due to lack of things to see.

[ushdadude]

Ya, if you've already decided on INV. Personally we skipped it due to lack of things to see.

the highlands aren't worth seeing?