Scotland Meets Thread (formerly Scotland: A Brave Adventure)

[calypso726]

A couple more things:

The Staffin Beach stroll is replaced by a hike to the beach at Flodigarry House Hotel (Flora McDonald's Lodge). The views are supposed to be amazing.

The original "line up for Ceilidh dancing" was contracted with a different group. The leader of that group wound up moving out of the country and the group dismantled. ABD then approached the local Skye kids who are in a dancing school. There they study Gaelic cultural dances including Ceilidh and Hornpipe dancing. Until ABD asked, the kids had never performed in public. The kids perform for the ABD groups in their traditional costumes.

Highland games for the kids: Midsummer on Skye involves Midges!! The outdoors in the evening hours are simply unbearable due the prevalence of these biting insects. The Mini Games are replaced with an indoors version, that for obvious reasons doesn't involve the Wellie Boot or Caber tossing.

 

[calypso726]

Thank you, I know that I have to go with a positive attitude otherwise I will see fault if there is none and I appreciate you taking the time not only to address my post but to address the concerns of everyone. I have 2 months to get past this and I admittidly have been having a rotten week and that may also be contributing to my feelings. I also think they may have sent the Disneyland guide over there to straighten things out because maybe they did take the feedback to heart. I will work on getting past these feelings and have a positive attitude for the trip.

You are very welcome. If it helps, I will be posting a trip report when I get back. I expect to have an amazing trip and will be happy to share my experience here. I promise not to spoil any surprises though

 

[sayhello]

My son didn't really do anything to deserve being yelled at, but it was just once. I didn't say anything at the time and it didn't warrant any bad feedback on the guide. Just wanted to point out that it does happen sometimes. If the Scotland guide was yelling a lot, he/she is probably in the wrong line of work.

That's a good point. I have mostly been on Adults Only trips, so I probably am less likely to see even the occasional scream...

I am so angry about my recent experience with ABD, I would cancel the 2014 trip I've booked if I could get my money back. Once that trip is over, I don't plan to travel with them again.

This still makes me very sad...

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

Just wanted to say I had a super time on my very first ABD trip to Scotland and would do it all over again if there were not so many other places I wanted to visit. Hope you have a great time too and anyone else traveling here soon.

I'm so glad you had such a great time on your Scotland ABD! Maybe MissSD's trip was an anomaly. I sure hope so!

Sayhello

 

[calypso726]

I am so angry about my recent experience with ABD, I would cancel the 2014 trip I've booked if I could get my money back. Once that trip is over, I don't plan to travel with them again.

Do you mean the Peru trip where they didn't pick you up at the airport, couldn't reach an ABD guide by phone at the hotel, followed by the scary cab ride? I would have been freaked out over that too and I speak the language! Or do you mean a different trip?

 

[Bobo912]

Do you mean the Peru trip where they didn't pick you up at the airport, couldn't reach an ABD guide by phone at the hotel, followed by the scary cab ride? I would have been freaked out over that too and I speak the language! Or do you mean a different trip?

No, I mean the lack of response when I have complained. A simple email or phone call indicating that a mistake was made, some reassurance that they will make every effort to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future and maybe an apology would have been enough. After four months of attempting to elicit a response from them, that's not enough any longer. Sometimes things go wrong, and I understand that, but how a company handles the situation after the fact shows their true colors.

I'm glad your getting a response from them, but it just looks like marketing to me. They don't want negative comments and reviews for their new trip that has had so much hype. But whatever the reason, at least your concerns are being addressed and you feel better about it, so that's something.

 

[calypso726]

No, I mean the lack of response when I have complained. A simple email or phone call indicating that a mistake was made, some reassurance that they will make every effort to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future and maybe an apology would have been enough. After four months of attempting to elicit a response from them, that's not enough any longer. Sometimes things go wrong, and I understand that, but how a company handles the situation after the fact shows their true colors.

I'm glad your getting a response from them, but it just looks like marketing to me. They don't want negative comments and reviews for their new trip that has had so much hype. But whatever the reason, at least your concerns are being addressed and you feel better about it, so that's something.

Oh I see. Yeah that is quite unprofessional. It appears that different managers handle different regions. For example, Bruce, is the regional operations manager for Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. My initial e-mails were never sent to him directly. I spoke with someone at ABD who said they would pass along my concerns, I then left a message on the ABD "contact us" website, I messaged the ABD Facebook page and I e-mailed the VP of ABD. I do not know which of those messages was forwarded to Bruce.

I imagine whoever received your communications either just didn't send them higher up the chain. Then again, I recall you also emailed the VP of ABD. Perhaps the regional operations manager for Peru doesn't share the same commitment to guest satisfaction that Bruce does. Either way, no follow communication to you shows poor business practice on their part regardless. I am sorry you have not even received so much as a courtesy response. I would be quite upset too.

It's too bad there isn't a sub-forum for ABD on Trip Advisor. Since the comments and feedback are public, I have noticed that many companies respond back to negative feedback left by the users. Sometimes it is a "he said she said" matter of perspective and you see both sides of the issue. Sometimes upper management was not aware of a situation and they reach out to the guest publicly to make up for something that went wrong.

 

[jjharts]

Hello, for those of you who have been on this trip already, can you please tell me how the day at Loch Ness went? I am taking my son on this trip in June 2014 (he will be 7). I have already called and talked to ABD about his age and I know that he will be too young to go canoeing on Loch Ness (kids have to be 8). We will have to take the boat tour instead (which is fine because I'm not into canoes all that much). Did any of you take the boat tour? And how was lunch and the visitor's center? Was there a good view of the Loch from Urquhart Castle? My son is completely fascinated with finding the Loch Ness monster.

Also, on how many occasions did you get to see any type of animal? He loves all furry critters, great and small. Sheep dogs, horses, etc.

Thanks!

I thought the Loch Ness day was enjoyable. We arrived around lunch time and Mr. Adrian Shine talked to us about his research of Nessie. We ate and then headed to the boat launch. Our captain was a very charming fellow. He had helped with Mr. Shine's research and showed us a video that he had made. It was entertaining and the ride on the lake was relaxing. We rode by Urquhart Castle and got some fabulous pictures of it and of our fellow abd'ers that were canoeing. Our captain then introduced us to some of the local ducks (they literally came flying when he called to them!!) and they rode back to the dock with us. We boarded our van and rode to Urquhart Castle for some exploring. After that we went to the museum that Mr. Shine had built (it was nicely done - kind of wish we had done this before his talk so we could have asked him some questions).

As for other critters, we saw lots and lots of sheep, a few deer, some highland cows, and of course ponies at Rothiemurchus Estate. Some of the folks that took the Range Rover tour at the estate said that they got to feed some deer.

 

[jjharts]

I have been trying very hard not to read this thread because I didn't want to hear anything before my trip and after reading the posts recently at the God awful ABD guides and the itinerary changes I was not a happy camper.

I have been aprehensive about this trip since shortly after booking it and now even after what calypso posted i am not looking forward to this trip at all. I have gotten very used to basic lip service from ABD and I do not believe a word of any executive of the company. What bothers me more than anything is the guides that you get on the August 4th trip may not be the guides I get on my tour in September and if I get the guides that yell well for the first time in my life I am dreading a trip instead of looking forward to it and this will be my 4th ABD.

Our guides did a good job. One of them was kind enough to help us out with a hotel reservation dilemma after we mentioned it to her (it was not related to abd but she helped anyway ) and our other guide knew a lot of Disney trivia which made my dd very happy Although parts of this trip did not live up to my expectations, other areas far exceeded them. Will I do another ABD again?? Hmm... not sure, but I am glad we did this one.

 

[janecamillacharlton]

I'm joining to connect with others on the 8/4-8/13 ABD Scotland trip. I am Jane (janecamillacharlton), and will be traveling with DH Paul and DD12. We will be in London for several days before the tour begins to see Wicked and Matilda and to go to the WB Studios Harry Potter Tour. Really looking forward to this trip and am glad to hear that some of the concerns expressed about it have now been resolved. Rather glad I didn't read this until they were or I would have been worried, too!

This will be our third ABD trip. We really enjoyed Germany and Costa Rica.

 

[carpenta]

I'm joining to connect with others on the 8/4-8/13 ABD Scotland trip. I am Jane (janecamillacharlton), and will be traveling with DH Paul and DD13. We will be in London for several days before the tour begins to see Wicked and Matilda and to go to the WB Studios Harry Potter Tour. Really looking forward to this trip and am glad to hear that some of the concerns expressed about it have now been resolved. Rather glad I didn't read this until they were or I would have been worried, too!

This will be our third ABD trip. We really enjoyed Germany and Costa Rica.

Just a note. We saw Wicked in NYC with the original cast and it is a wonderful play. You'll love it I'm sure. We are also seeing Matilda in NYC this Nov. Great minds think alike......... Hope you have a great trip.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm joining to connect with others on the 8/4-8/13 ABD Scotland trip. I am Jane (janecamillacharlton), and will be traveling with DH Paul and DD13. We will be in London for several days before the tour begins to see Wicked and Matilda and to go to the WB Studios Harry Potter Tour. Really looking forward to this trip and am glad to hear that some of the concerns expressed about it have now been resolved. Rather glad I didn't read this until they were or I would have been worried, too!

This will be our third ABD trip. We really enjoyed Germany and Costa Rica.

Just a note. We saw Wicked in NYC with the original cast and it is a wonderful play. You'll love it I'm sure. We are also seeing Matilda in NYC this Nov. Great minds think alike......... Hope you have a great trip.

Great minds indeed! We are on the August 4th trip with DD13 (she'll be 14 a few days after we get back). We saw Mathilda when it opened in Stratford-upon-avon in Nov. 2010 and absolutely loved it. We've also seen the London production of Wicked And finally . . . we did the HP tour in London last November (which you will love). How's that for some overlap? Pretty funny!

 

[Calfan]

I'm joining to connect with others on the 8/4-8/13 ABD Scotland trip. I am Jane (janecamillacharlton), and will be traveling with DH Paul and DD13. We will be in London for several days before the tour begins to see Wicked and Matilda and to go to the WB Studios Harry Potter Tour. Really looking forward to this trip and am glad to hear that some of the concerns expressed about it have now been resolved. Rather glad I didn't read this until they were or I would have been worried, too!

This will be our third ABD trip. We really enjoyed Germany and Costa Rica.

Welcome from a fellow 8/4 adventurer! Wicked is one of my favorite musicals. I've seen it twice in San Francisco and once in New York and would see it again . The Harry Potter tour is on our must do sometime list. My kids and I are making our way through the books for the third time now, I think. My DD will be turning 11 on the trip. Looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks.

calfan (Laura)

 

[calypso726]

I'm joining to connect with others on the 8/4-8/13 ABD Scotland trip. I am Jane (janecamillacharlton), and will be traveling with DH Paul and DD13. We will be in London for several days before the tour begins to see Wicked and Matilda and to go to the WB Studios Harry Potter Tour. Really looking forward to this trip and am glad to hear that some of the concerns expressed about it have now been resolved. Rather glad I didn't read this until they were or I would have been worried, too!

This will be our third ABD trip. We really enjoyed Germany and Costa Rica.

Hi Jane! We are also on your 8/4 trip. I'm Terrie and will be traveling with DH Wally. This is our first ABD. We've seen Wicked twice it was wonderful! We are also planning to do the Harry Potter Studios tour next year before our London/Paris ABD trip. Looking forward to meting you soon

 

[calypso726]

Hi, calypso,

I'm not a whisky drinker, but my husband is and he enjoyed the whisky tasting at the hotel in Portree. The man who conducted the tasting would probably be able to offer up some suggestions. Ask you dad and brother which type of whisky they prefer (peaty vs. lightly smoked, etc.), and I think he'd be able to help you.

Thank you for the advice Miss SD!

 

[Calfan]

Received our boxes today. Very exciting. Also ordered some GBP from the bank, so feels like lots of progress toward the actual trip now. One question for those who have already taken this trip: the spiral booklet does not indicate what time the welcome events start at the Balmoral on day 1. Does anyone remember what time they met the group and where? Thanks in advance!

 

[paddles]

Received our boxes today. Very exciting. Also ordered some GBP from the bank, so feels like lots of progress toward the actual trip now. One question for those who have already taken this trip: the spiral booklet does not indicate what time the welcome events start at the Balmoral on day 1. Does anyone remember what time they met the group and where? Thanks in advance!

The first night starts at 6:30pm on a second floor suite in the Balmoral.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Received our boxes today. Very exciting. Also ordered some GBP from the bank, so feels like lots of progress toward the actual trip now. One question for those who have already taken this trip: the spiral booklet does not indicate what time the welcome events start at the Balmoral on day 1. Does anyone remember what time they met the group and where? Thanks in advance!

Got ours too! I guess there are no more choices on items as we received four backpacks (rather than the different things we requested).

 

[calypso726]

Received our boxes today. Very exciting. Also ordered some GBP from the bank, so feels like lots of progress toward the actual trip now. One question for those who have already taken this trip: the spiral booklet does not indicate what time the welcome events start at the Balmoral on day 1. Does anyone remember what time they met the group and where? Thanks in advance!

Woo Hoo ABD boxes! Ah, thanks for the reminder. Ordering GBP on our list.

Got ours too! I guess there are no more choices on items as we received four backpacks (rather than the different things we requested).

We didn't even know there was an option to choose anything else.

The first night starts at 6:30pm on a second floor suite in the Balmoral.

Oh good to know! Thanks!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We didn't even know there was an option to choose anything else.

Yep, there was a packable travel blanket and a messenger bag option. We picked one of the messenger bags and one of the blankets along with two backpacks for the four of us, but only four backpacks arrived. I'd seen something about the change in one of the earlier threads, but someone had said that if you had been given the option to choose you would get the different things. I guess they ran out.