Planning trip to Scotland

[rewok]

I'm intruding over here hoping you won't mind. As we're currently planning a trip to Scotland (just bought the plane tickets 2 hours ago!!), I thought I would ask my nice fellow Dissers for some help.

We'll be there the last 3 weeks in June, because I'm hoping it will be less busy than July/August, and it's also easier to take the time off.

Right now I have the following questions (and will probably have more later on):

- Will we be able to wear shorts, or should I just leave them home? We have thick skin, being Canadians and all...

- Car rental: Mini, Economy, Compact? All the cars mentioned are quite mysterious to me... The smallest car we have here is a Yaris, which I guess is a Compact for you? We need to fit 2 adults, 2 mediums cases (63cm tall) and 1 carry-on size (48cm tall) + photo bag. I noticed the smaller cars don't have AC, is it worth paying more for that? We don't mind driving with windows down in town or at sightseeing speed, but at 100kmph it's a bother. Cars examples listed are: Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio, Peugeot 207, Kia Picanto. I'm pretty sure any of them will fit everything, and we could just leave the cases on the back seat at worse.

- Food budget. We'll try to stay mainly at B&B, so I'm counting on the big breakfast to tidy us to early dinner (with maybe some help from snack, cheese, bread from the supermarket?), and the occasional lunch. How much should I budget for a reasonable dinner? Right now I'm thinking 65pounds/day total for food (2 adults) on average (including lunch on the off day).

Thanks for any help you have! All I can see is that planning at trip to WDW is quite easy compared to that! I've read 3 guidesbooks, and still feel insecure. And I'm not talking about driving a stick shift with my left hand... (Might leave all driving to DH )

 

[Kirsteen]

Hello,

Congratulations on your upcoming trip to Scotland, I'm going to try to answer your questions...

The Scottish weather is very tempremental - the saying 'fours seasons in one day' is not far from the truth. I'd bring a couple of pairs of shorts but I'd think jeans/trousers would cover all weathers

I'm not too sure about the last two cars but I'd say the Clio and the Corsa are roughly the same size as a Yaris. They are all small cars but like you said I would imagine you could fit one suitcase in the boot (trunk?) and one on the back seat. If you want to have both your cases hidden away though you might want to get something a little bigger. I have heard good things about the Ford Focus and it might come with ac too. It won't be unbearable without ac but if you are used to it and you think the extra expensive would be worth it then I would rent a car with it. I know I hate going from my car with ac into my husbands without although up until a few years ago I'd never even had a car with ac!

I would think £65 per day for two would be enough for a nice meal and snacks. It really depends where you want to eat.

Here is a link to a restaurant chain that you will find here that might give you an idea of prices:

http://www.frankieandbennys.com/

I hope this helps a little and if you have any other questions just shout

 

[l_mccafferty]

We'll be there the last 3 weeks in June, because I'm hoping it will be less busy than July/August, and it's also easier to take the time off. The schools here normally get off the last week of June so it'll be quieter up until then. Even then people will probably go on holiday so it shouldn't be too bad!

Right now I have the following questions (and will probably have more later on):

- Will we be able to wear shorts, or should I just leave them home? We have thick skin, being Canadians and all... Occasionally I've been able to wear shorts in summer! I'd bring them just in case because we've had a bad winter so might get a good summer but as pp says jeans are a good bet.

- Car rental: Mini, Economy, Compact? All the cars mentioned are quite mysterious to me... The smallest car we have here is a Yaris, which I guess is a Compact for you? We need to fit 2 adults, 2 mediums cases (63cm tall) and 1 carry-on size (48cm tall) + photo bag. I noticed the smaller cars don't have AC, is it worth paying more for that? We don't mind driving with windows down in town or at sightseeing speed, but at 100kmph it's a bother. Cars examples listed are: Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio, Peugeot 207, Kia Picanto. I'm pretty sure any of them will fit everything, and we could just leave the cases on the back seat at worse.
I don't drive so can't really help with this. I will say my dad has never used the AC in his car before. If this is really important to you and you can afford to then get a car with it, if not, I don't think it'll be too big a loss

- Food budget. We'll try to stay mainly at B&B, so I'm counting on the big breakfast to tidy us to early dinner (with maybe some help from snack, cheese, bread from the supermarket?), and the occasional lunch. How much should I budget for a reasonable dinner? Right now I'm thinking 65pounds/day total for food (2 adults) on average (including lunch on the off day).
If you tell us roughly where you are planning on going, we can try and help with food choices. £65/day can work, depending on where you are.

Thanks for any help you have! All I can see is that planning at trip to WDW is quite easy compared to that! I've read 3 guidesbooks, and still feel insecure. And I'm not talking about driving a stick shift with my left hand... (Might leave all driving to DH )

If you can tell me whereabouts you are going - I'm assuming you are travelling throughout? - I can try and help some more. Maybe for lunch you could make sandwiches in your room and take a picnic to places you are visiting?

 

[cherjp]

if you are anywhere near marks and spencers, Greggs the bakers, Subway, tesco supermarket etc then you can pick up sandwiches, pasta dishes , drinks and snacks to make up packed lunches so that will cut costs a bit.

If you can give and idea of where you are staying then maybe we can give you a better idea of where to eat and where to go.

My car has AC and only use it if its really hot, bear in mind that " our really hot " is nothing like yours too. jeans are better though don't forget suntan lotion, midgie repellant, hats, jumpers, and rain jackets.layers are best.

I would go for ford focus size car or clio. yaris has too small a boot for your luggage.

Remember Scotland has a tourist website that can give you info too. Post roughly where you intending to visit and will see if I can help you some more.

PS I stay on the west coast of Scotland in ayrshire, Burns country, very nice part of Scotland.

 

[disneyqueenuk]

June is normally warmish in Scotland but like others have said you can experience 4 seasons in 1 day.

1 thing to remember to back is insect repellant. The midges (or equivalent of mosquitos) can be hungry little so and so's

If you can let us know where you want to visit we can help with places to eat, things to see etc.

http://www.visitscotland.com/ a good website for some information.

 

[irenep]

Well, I think I wore shorts only a few days here last summer so one or two pairs would be plenty.

Its probably best to get a slightly larger car so that you can keep your things out of sight when parked up and although you will generally not need AC that much its nice to have the option.

You should be fine with £65/day for food.

June is a good time to come over - it often has better weather than July/August and like you say most kids will still be at school.

You are very welcome on the UK boards - any more questions please feel free to ask away.

(My DD is actually in your vicinity at the moment - on a ski-training camp at Mt Tremblant!)

 

[rewok]

Thanks for all your comments! (I've practised my multi-quote skills)

My car has AC and only use it if its really hot, bear in mind that " our really hot " is nothing like yours too. jeans are better though don't forget suntan lotion, midgie repellant, hats, jumpers, and rain jackets.layers are best.

I would go for ford focus size car or clio. yaris has too small a boot for your luggage.

Its probably best to get a slightly larger car so that you can keep your things out of sight when parked up and although you will generally not need AC that much its nice to have the option.

I'm not too sure about the last two cars but I'd say the Clio and the Corsa are roughly the same size as a Yaris. They are all small cars but like you said I would imagine you could fit one suitcase in the boot (trunk?) and one on the back seat. If you want to have both your cases hidden away though you might want to get something a little bigger. I have heard good things about the Ford Focus and it might come with ac too. It won't be unbearable without ac but if you are used to it and you think the extra expensive would be worth it then I would rent a car with it. I know I hate going from my car with ac into my husbands without although up until a few years ago I'd never even had a car with ac!

Yes, a boot=trunk here! Seems AC can be useful, I know that here I wouldn't do without in the summer here either, even if the outside temp is not very high. And if I go for a Compact (like the Focus), it is included. It's only 50 pounds more than an economy after all.

Well, I think I wore shorts only a few days here last summer so one or two pairs would be plenty.

It's even worst than here. Then I'll just bring a pair and just hope I'll wash them many times!

1 thing to remember to back is insect repellant. The midges (or equivalent of mosquitos) can be hungry little so and so's

I know about those midges, and they're reputed worse than mosquitoes (which I hate) . But I'll bring some trusty DEET lotion.

(My DD is actually in your vicinity at the moment - on a ski-training camp at Mt Tremblant!)

We have a lake cabin about a half hour from Tremblant. Hope she likes it. It's not too cold right now, but we didn't get much snow lately (and lots of it melted during Christmas break).


Right now I have a basic idea of our itinerary, and will work more on it this week-end. I want to start making reservations for our lodging, so I need a basic plan before. We'll start in Edinburgh (3 days), then drive west to the coast, go up along the coast, with some detour to Skye and the Outer Hebrides (Lewis), than back on the coast up to Thurso. I'd like to tour the Orkney Islands 2-3 days, if I can fit that. Then go back down to Inverness, and tour the northeast a few days (stopping around Dufftown for some scotch). And finally go back to Edinburgh. I don't plan on going to the south/border part or Glasgow. I prefer see less and enjoy it more.

It still sounds pretty ambitious, and we prefer to visit leisurely, so I will certainly need to think it out. We mainly want to see the land, the sights, the open spaces, with a few castles (none of that here) and tour 2-3 distilleries (DH is a scotch buff).

Staying at B&B should also help exchange with people. This is something we've done before (in Canada) and loved every time.

I'll definitely check VisitScotland.com, I know I can easily book many accommodations with them.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

Congratulations on booking your trip to Bonnie Scotland. I hope June will be a lovely month for you, you're in luck we are overseas in June and that is always when the rare summer weather happens!

I think your car plans and food budget will be fine. Eating out in Edinburgh can be a bit more expensive but out on the road you'll find things more reasonable. A good Scottish breakfast should certainly set you up for the day. Pub lunches can be really good value, pub grub in general is reasonably priced and there will be some lovely places on your routes to stop off for a meal and some banter with the locals. If staying in B&Bs the hosts will be able to give tips on where is recommended locally.

Happy planning!