Scotland Meets Thread (formerly Scotland: A Brave Adventure)

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Hi, all. Not sure if anyone else got a tiny bit concerned when they saw the post about the May Scotland trip being cancelled due to lack of interest. Just for some peace of mind, I emailed Kevin at Dreams Unlimited, and he advised that our trip is 86% full but considered sold out because there are no available rooms left. So exciting to be approaching the six month mark for our trip. I can't wait!

I can't believe we are approaching the six month mark. I'm still holding out hope for a summer airfare sale. Doesn't seem to have been any yet.

 

[SleepingPrincess]

Good to know I'm not the only one that's still hoping for a sale on airfare! That being said, I think I'm about to give in and get them soon.

 

[calypso726]

Hi. I'm subscribing in order to learn from all of you. We have never done an ABD tour, but this one (Scotland) interests me a lot for 2014.

Hi This is the first ABD tour for DH and I. I wil post pictures and share our experience here once we get back.

Hi, all. Not sure if anyone else got a tiny bit concerned when they saw the post about the May Scotland trip being cancelled due to lack of interest. Just for some peace of mind, I emailed Kevin at Dreams Unlimited, and he advised that our trip is 86% full but considered sold out because there are no available rooms left. So exciting to be approaching the six month mark for our trip. I can't wait!

I saw that and worried for a minute until I remembered that your family and CaliforniaGirl's family were going at the same time we were. That makes 10 of us here on the DIS and I figured surely there must be other people going who were not on the DISboards and posting here. I am glad to know for certain though. Thanks for putting our mids at ease

I can't believe we are approaching the six month mark. I'm still holding out hope for a summer airfare sale. Doesn't seem to have been any yet.

OMG I cannot believe it is almost here! I really need to get cracking on learning the ins and outs of my new camera! I am determined to take lots of good pictures for this trip!

 

[2BNDisney]

Our news had a segment last night that said 81 days out is the key time to buy overseas flight tickets. Not sure how that was arrived at though.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Good to know I'm not the only one that's still hoping for a sale on airfare! That being said, I think I'm about to give in and get them soon.

Glad to know I'm not alone, too.

I saw that and worried for a minute until I remembered that your family and CaliforniaGirl's family were going at the same time we were. That makes 10 of us here on the DIS and I figured surely there must be other people going who were not on the DISboards and posting here.

My sister and her two kids are going to, so that's 13

Our news had a segment last night that said 81 days out is the key time to buy overseas flight tickets. Not sure how that was arrived at though.

I've heard the 3-4 month thing, too, and I'm *really* trying to hold out and not panic. But it's tough...

 

[Calfan]

I just bought tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the evening of Aug. 3. I know it's a bit early, but I didn't want it to sell out!

 

[calypso726]

I just bought tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the evening of Aug. 3. I know it's a bit early, but I didn't want it to sell out!

You are in good company. We bought ours back in October LOL We didn't want it to sell out either so we decided to do one of the packages. We will be attending the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 2nd.

 

[Calfan]

I just bought tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the evening of Aug. 3. I know it's a bit early, but I didn't want it to sell out!

Tickets came today (in a very small envelope -- lucky we didn't recycle it or throw it out by mistake!). Very exciting.

 

[paddles]

Are there any other "must do's" in Edinburgh? We'll have an entire day to ourselves before the tour begins, and we were thinking of a chill day going to see a ghost tour and maybe the Royal yacht.

I'd love to do high tea in the hotel....my husband has zero interest, so I may splurge on that with my daughter (she'll be 8 years old - but I'm sure she'll think its fun).

 

[edinburghlass]

Are there any other "must do's" in Edinburgh? We'll have an entire day to ourselves before the tour begins, and we were thinking of a chill day going to see a ghost tour and maybe the Royal yacht.

I'd love to do high tea in the hotel....my husband has zero interest, so I may splurge on that with my daughter (she'll be 8 years old - but I'm sure she'll think its fun).

I've only read the last page of this thread, the title caught my eye, my favourite *must do's* for visitors is Mary King's Close, can be done through the day especially if raining as its all underground.

http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

The best ghost tour in my opinion is the Murder and Mystery tour, best done in the dark so in the summer time aim for the latest tour.

http://www.witcherytours.com/index.html

 

[calypso726]

I've only read the last page of this thread, the title caught my eye, my favourite *must do's* for visitors is Mary King's Close, can be done through the day especially if raining as its all underground.

http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

The best ghost tour in my opinion is the Murder and Mystery tour, best done in the dark so in the summer time aim for the latest tour.

http://www.witcherytours.com/index.html

Perfect timing Edinburghlass! Thank you! Today, I was working on adjusting bookings and things to do when we get there. We changed flights and decided to come in on the 1st instead of the 2nd. I just added these to our itinerary. Here is the pre ABD itinerary so far:

Arrive August 1 - dinner ressies at The Witchery by the Castle but still haven't decided where we are sleeping that evening. Probably whoever I have the most hotel points with so we don't pay out of pocket that night

August 2 - booked for a Real Mary King's Close tour at 11:00 am. Then we check into the Inner Sanctum Suite for 2 nights at Witchery by the Castle. If I suggest to DH that we add a third night (arrival day before) he may have a stroke The rooms sure look cool though!

That evening we are attending the Royal Military Edinburgh Tattoo. We did the Queen Anne hospitality package that includes:

Drinks and canapé reception in the courtyard of the Queen Anne room
Three course set dinner with wine followed by coffee and tablet
Short performance by Tattoo cast members
Introduction to the show by the Producer of the Tattoo
Escorted over the Castle drawbridge and across the esplanade to your VIP seat in the covered Royal Gallery
A gift bag and official Tattoo souvenir programme
Invitation to the Producer’s Pommery Champagne Reception

August 3 - dinner ressies at The Secret Garden. Followed by a Murder and Mystery Ghost Tour.

If you have any suggestions for other must do's please share!!!

 

[lkkinghorn]

This will be our family's first time with ABD and visiting Scotland. Yahoo! We are traveling on the 6/30 trip with our two kids ages 12 and 14. I saw that someone posted to bring sweaters for everyone. Any other tips? Thanks, LKK

 

[sayhello]

This will be our family's first time with ABD and visiting Scotland. Yahoo! We are traveling on the 6/30 trip with our two kids ages 12 and 14. I saw that someone posted to bring sweaters for everyone. Any other tips? Thanks, LKK

Welcome to the ABD Forum on the DISBoards, lkkinghorn! There are a lot of DISers on the 6/30 trip! It sounds like a fabulous trip. Just be warned -- ABD's are highly addictive!

I've added you to the Roll Call in the first post.

Sayhello

 

[calypso726]

This will be our family's first time with ABD and visiting Scotland. Yahoo! We are traveling on the 6/30 trip with our two kids ages 12 and 14. I saw that someone posted to bring sweaters for everyone. Any other tips? Thanks, LKK

Hi! Welcome to the Disboards. This is our first ABD too. We don't leave until August so please feel free to share your trip with those of us still waiting to go report when you get back

 

[2BNDisney]

Are there any other "must do's" in Edinburgh? We'll have an entire day to ourselves before the tour begins, and we were thinking of a chill day going to see a ghost tour and maybe the Royal yacht.

I'd love to do high tea in the hotel....my husband has zero interest, so I may splurge on that with my daughter (she'll be 8 years old - but I'm sure she'll think its fun).

Tripadvisor has some good tours in Edinburgh. Think I may do the Hairycoo one when I fly in early. It actually takes you out of Edinburgh for the day to see some different sights. I don't believe ABD stops at these, but I could be wrong. I can only base my opinion on the reviews though as I don't personally know anyone who has taken it. But there are several tours in Edinburgh itself by different operators.

And will these air fares ever come down - lol. Still holding out hope. They have been fairly steady for many months.

 

[edinburghlass]

This will be our family's first time with ABD and visiting Scotland. Yahoo! We are traveling on the 6/30 trip with our two kids ages 12 and 14. I saw that someone posted to bring sweaters for everyone. Any other tips? Thanks, LKK

Bring at least two sweaters each

As with most cities you can't go wrong with a bus tour to get an idea of the city and what you want to see. All the tickets give you 24/48 hours travel on their buses and you can hop on and off where you want.

https://kiosk.iristickets.co.uk/k?v=lothianbuses&item_type=10&ticket_family=TFCEDINTOUR&ka=KCEBT

The Royal Edinburgh ticket gives you admission to Britannia, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace which at adult prices would cost you £39 and the ticket price is £45 so quite a good deal along with the different bus tours and 48 hours to use the ticket for.

They also have a tour down to South Queensferry to see the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge with a boat trip under the bridges.

If you feel like walking down the High Street/Royal Mile do make sure you pop down the closes (alleyways) that you will pass as you find they open into interesting courtyards or steps down to different areas of the city.

Any Rebus fans by author Ian Rankin you can find a phone app that describes his city while you walk the city to places mentioned in his book and his favourite pub.

 

[calypso726]

Tripadvisor has some good tours in Edinburgh. Think I may do the Hairycoo one when I fly in early. It actually takes you out of Edinburgh for the day to see some different sights. I don't believe ABD stops at these, but I could be wrong. I can only base my opinion on the reviews though as I don't personally know anyone who has taken it. But there are several tours in Edinburgh itself by different operators.

And will these air fares ever come down - lol. Still holding out hope. They have been fairly steady for many months.

Thank you for mentioning the Hairy Coo tour. I looked it up on Trip Advisor and it has loads of good reviews. We booked it for Saturday August 3rd. I also saw a photography tour of Edinburgh on Trip Advisor that was highly recommended. The tour guide actually teaches each person on the tour how to take the best pics with their own camera. It is supposed to be great for both beginners and enthusiasts. I contemplating whether or not I can squeeze this is in too.

I took a peek at the airfare rates out there

Bring at least two sweaters each

As with most cities you can't go wrong with a bus tour to get an idea of the city and what you want to see. All the tickets give you 24/48 hours travel on their buses and you can hop on and off where you want.

https://kiosk.iristickets.co.uk/k?v=lothianbuses&item_type=10&ticket_family=TFCEDINTOUR&ka=KCEBT

The Royal Edinburgh ticket gives you admission to Britannia, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace which at adult prices would cost you £39 and the ticket price is £45 so quite a good deal along with the different bus tours and 48 hours to use the ticket for.

They also have a tour down to South Queensferry to see the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge with a boat trip under the bridges.

If you feel like walking down the High Street/Royal Mile do make sure you pop down the closes (alleyways) that you will pass as you find they open into interesting courtyards or steps down to different areas of the city.

Any Rebus fans by author Ian Rankin you can find a phone app that describes his city while you walk the city to places mentioned in his book and his favourite pub.

Thank you again Edinburghlass for the advice!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Ditto on all the great advice everyone! Keep it coming

 

[lkkinghorn]

We will pack 2 sweaters each! Thanks. Also, I am planning a side trip either before the ABD or after. We would like to visit Kinghorn, Scotland. It looks like it is under an hour train ride from Edinburgh.
Please post if you went on the March trip to Scotland. I think the Brave ABD starts in March...

 

[sayhello]

We will pack 2 sweaters each! Thanks. Also, I am planning a side trip either before the ABD or after. We would like to visit Kinghorn, Scotland. It looks like it is under an hour train ride from Edinburgh.
Please post if you went on the March trip to Scotland. I think the Brave ABD starts in March...

You're right! The first Scotland trip started on Sunday! They're still on the trip, so there's still a chance we may hear something after the trip ends on Monday.

Sayhello