Scotland itinerary

[Knockdow]

Hi gang

I will be traveling to my favorite place very shortly. We (me and 6 cousins) arrive in Scotland August 26 and depart Sep 9. Yes, I know not nearly long enough (sigh). Only one other of our group has been over before and I was elected to design the trip. Please help me with addtional atractions to see to add to the list.

Sterling area 1 DAY
Church of the Holy Rude
Rob Roy McGregor - Balquhidder Kirkyard
Sterling castle
Stirling Bridge
The Battle of Bannockburn
Falkirk wheel
Inchmahome Priory – Loch Mentith
Stirling Bridge
Loch Katrine

Edinburg area 2 DAYS
Edinburg Castle
Georgian House
Rossyln Chapel
Royal Mile
Greyfriar Kirk
Stone of Scone - Arbroath Abbey
National records archive

Inverness area 2 DAYS
Rose castle
Culloden
Corrimony Cairn
Loch Ness
Glen Coe
Eilean Donan
Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Balnuaran of Clava
Caledonian Canal
KNOCKNAGAEL BOAR STONE

Oban area 2 DAYS
Mull/Iona
Dunstaffnage
Fish & chips
Ardchattan Priory
Dunollie Castle
McCaig's Tower

Kilmartin area 2 DAYS
Kilmartin Glen - Nether Largie Stones & Temple Wood
Kilmartin church – Lamont grave slab
Achnabreck
Dunadd
Inveraray Castle
Ardkinglas House - Cairndow
Lochgilphead'
Crinan Canal

Dunoon area 3 DAYS
Toward castle
Inverchaolain
Kilmun
Benmore
Lamont mermorial
Clan Lamont AGM

Kilfinan area 1 day
Ascog
Kilfinan church
Castle Ewan
Castle Lachlan
Power Mill
Ardlamont

any other suggestions? I appreciate it

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Knockdow

Sterling area 1 DAY
Church of the Holy Rude
Rob Roy McGregor - Balquhidder Kirkyard
Sterling castle
Stirling Bridge
The Battle of Bannockburn
Falkirk wheel
Inchmahome Priory – Loch Mentith
Stirling Bridge
Loch Katrine

Now that is going to be a L-O-N-G day.

You could easily spend a day in the Stirling area (as in Stirling and Bannockburn) and trying to get to Balquhidder, Lake Menteith (that one is a Lake) and Loch Katrine could easily consume a very long second day.

If you're going to get as far as the Falkirk Wheel and Balquhidder on the same day, you won't need comfortable shoes, because you won't have time to get out of the car to walk around.

On one trip across, a pal from Belgium came across and we met him at the Wallace Monument at 10:00 AM. We left the Monument and met another pal in Stirling for lunch, after which we hit Stirling Castle, Bannockburn, Cambuskenneth Abbey and we split up at Stirling Bridge a little after 5:00 that evening. And we went straight from the car park to the Bruce Monument at Bannockburn for a few pictures and we were gone again. At Cambuskenneth Abbey, we got out of the car, walked directly to the Wallace Stone, where he laid flowers, and back into the car. We were racing about, just so he could get pictures and little else.

And yes, you will at least want to visit the Wallace Monument. (Remember, only the sassenachs ride the bus! ) And being so close, take the time to visit Cambuskenneth Abbey. Leave a white rose at the Wallace Stone for me.

The day Maitland and I did Loch Katrine and Inchmahome Priory, it was an all-day affair. We left Sauchie pretty early that morning and he dropped me off around 5:00 - 5:30 that evening.

If I was going to Balquhidder in warm weather, I would want to see the waterfall, so that would take some time. The kirk itself is interesting, so you will want to take a look in there, as well as examining the old gravestones in the kirkyard. The drive from Stirling to Balquhidder will be an hour or so, alone.

How can you be so close and not take a quick jaunt up to Sheriffmuir? I'm telling you, it is one of the most awe-inspiring places you can imagine.

I think you've tried to cram so much into that first day that you really won't really get to enjoy much of anything.

I would highly recommend visiting Linlithgow. Linlithgow Palace is really incredible and the town itself is worth a bit of a walk-through. When you leave the Palace, walk to the bottom of the hill, go across the street and go to your left (toward the train station), where you will find a fantastic, little restaurant.

If you're going to be in Edinburgh, you'll surely want to visit the Museum of Scotland and see the Lamont Harp. St Giles' Cathedral is another place you will want to visit. Although you will not be required to see the effigy of Archie Cam**ell , please leave another white rose at the effigy of Montrose for me.

I've been to Edinburgh on three different day trips and would love to go back for 2-3 days. There really is that much to see. And that doesn't take into account jaunts out of the city proper, like Arbroath and Rosslyn.

Give yourself time, whilst there, so you can enjoy the little bit you will get to visit.

[Knockdow]

yes the list for each day is more than can be done, a list to choice from rather than the exact plan. Especially that first day. (sigh so much to see so little money)

thanks for those other ideas. We are all genealogy buffs so we will spend a min of 1/2 day at the archives in Edinburgh. I figure 7 of us can turnover many a rock looking for our roots.

[MacPatrick]

While you are in Edinburgh you might consider a visit to the Lamont Townhouse, it was the Edinburgh home of one of the Lamont Chiefs.

[MiLadyCeilidh]

George, are you all renting cars?

[Knockdow]

we have rented a van and driver, I prefer driving myself but too hard with a group. Plus it turns out to be cheaper and I don't have to worry about driving under the influence of the water of life. Not that I would do that...

Jim is that townhouse known as the Georgian House? if so it is on my list

[MiLadyCeilidh]

Ah yes, uisge beatha.

[MacPatrick]

Originally Posted by Knockdow

Jim is that townhouse known as the Georgian House? if so it is on my list

Yes it is the Georgian House, the house was designed by the master architect Robert Adam for John Lamont Chief of Clan Lamont, who sold it in 1815. The Georgian House was completed in 1796.

You can find the information and pictures by doing a google search for "Lamont Townhouse+Edinburgh Scotland." The official link to the historic site doesn't work.

[MacPatrick]

George,

While you are in the Dunoon area are you going to visit the village of Couston? It is the seat of the MacPatrick's of Couston. I don't think there is much left there, the old hunting lodge may still be there. Couston is located on the west side of Loch Striven and may not be easily accessible. I've never been able to find very many pictures of the area.

Bruce,

Do you have any pictures of the Couston area?

[Knockdow]

Jim
I found Couston on the map and I was just about 3 miles from it last trip on the correct side of Loch Striven. We took the farry from Bute to Colintraive, lovely area. I turned left to head up up to Auchenbrech and then over to Dunoon. That section of the road is great since a ferry lets off right there but turning right it looks skinny. I am not sure if I will be at that spot again but if I am that close, you got some pictures coming your way. Anyplace on Loch Striven is heaven. reminds me I gotta buy some lotto tickets LOL.