Scotland Meets Thread (formerly Scotland: A Brave Adventure)

[Calfan]

As another fan of the Outlander series (I am almost finished listening to Voyager) and a history buff, I am wondering about the possibility of visiting Culloden while we are in Inverness. To those who have already done the Scotland ABD, did anyone do this? Was there some down time in Inverness to make this feasible?

 

[paddles]

We are going to Stirling on our pre-trip I just got confirmation from the Balmoral that David (Paddles' driver) will be able to take us to visit Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument Thank you Paddles for recommendation.

Make sure you watch "Braveheart" again before your trip to feel inspired for that outing!

I really liked David - he was super nice and had lots of good information. Even though he's not an official tour guide, he knew plenty enough of the locales. And at Stirling castle and Wallace Monument, there are tours/talks you can take for free (after paying entrance).

If you leave early enough in the day, you can also go to the Trossachs to enjoy the views....we didn't have enough time and my kiddos were tired. David was nice enough to stop us by a McDonald's after Stirling castle so my kids could get lunch

 

[paddles]

As another fan of the Outlander series (I am almost finished listening to Voyager) and a history buff, I am wondering about the possibility of visiting Culloden while we are in Inverness. To those who have already done the Scotland ABD, did anyone do this? Was there some down time in Inverness to make this feasible?

My biggest inspiration for booking the Scotland trip was "Outlander", and I think I was incredibly interested in the history due to the series. My husband is lucky I didn't make him wear a kilt on the trip and call me "Sassenach"

In the Isle of Lewis, you visit a "broch" and I kept thinking of Jamie's "broch tuarach" and that it must be something similar.

At Inverness, I asked the guides if the bus driver could stop at Culloden to let a few of us off after Rothiemurchus estate (since that evening was time on our own) and they did. It was very interesting and I wish we had more time there. We arrived around 4:30 in the afternoon and it closed at 6pm, so we had to power-walk through the exhibit and grounds a bit. But it was very eerie and sad being there, and I definitely think its worth a visit.

 

[calypso726]

Make sure you watch "Braveheart" again before your trip to feel inspired for that outing!

I really liked David - he was super nice and had lots of good information. Even though he's not an official tour guide, he knew plenty enough of the locales. And at Stirling castle and Wallace Monument, there are tours/talks you can take for free (after paying entrance).

If you leave early enough in the day, you can also go to the Trossachs to enjoy the views....we didn't have enough time and my kiddos were tired. David was nice enough to stop us by a McDonald's after Stirling castle so my kids could get lunch

We are leaving at 8:30 am and depending on how long we take to tour the castle and the monument may indeed stop at Trossachs. We will play it by ear. I am pretty sure I can squueze in a viewing of Braveheart somewhere between the packing, planning and crossing off the to do list before we leave

My biggest inspiration for booking the Scotland trip was "Outlander", and I think I was incredibly interested in the history due to the series. My husband is lucky I didn't make him wear a kilt on the trip and call me "Sassenach"

In the Isle of Lewis, you visit a "broch" and I kept thinking of Jamie's "broch tuarach" and that it must be something similar.

At Inverness, I asked the guides if the bus driver could stop at Culloden to let a few of us off after Rothiemurchus estate (since that evening was time on our own) and they did. It was very interesting and I wish we had more time there. We arrived around 4:30 in the afternoon and it closed at 6pm, so we had to power-walk through the exhibit and grounds a bit. But it was very eerie and sad being there, and I definitely think its worth a visit.

My DH is Vietnamese. So even if I managed to convince him to wear a kilt "I dinna think he will make a verra convincing Scotsman for by" <said in Jamie's voice> Last month Diana Gabaldon was attending a historical novel society conference here in Florida. She held an impromptu hour long book signing for the fans at a local book store. About 300 people showed up. I saw 3 women wearing matching shirts that said "Call me Sassenach" Your comment made me think of that

There is a day long Outlander tour in Inverness that takes you to a place the resembles the description of "Lallybroch" I am looking forward to doing that next year. It also takes you to Culloden, but if we have a bit of free time and the bus driver is willing I would love to go Culloden on this trip. That would be an unexpected bonus

 

[Calfan]

At Inverness, I asked the guides if the bus driver could stop at Culloden to let a few of us off after Rothiemurchus estate (since that evening was time on our own) and they did. It was very interesting and I wish we had more time there. We arrived around 4:30 in the afternoon and it closed at 6pm, so we had to power-walk through the exhibit and grounds a bit. But it was very eerie and sad being there, and I definitely think its worth a visit.

Great to know. Thanks! If our timing is the same, I will definitely ask the bus driver to drop us off at Culloden.

I am not sure if we will make it to Stirling on one of our Edinburgh pre-days, but I still plan to watch Braveheart before the trip. It is currently at the top of the Netflix list!

 

[tufbuf]

This makes Scotland all the more exciting! I have better appreciation of the kilt after reading Outlander. With Jamir Fraser in it, who wouldn't? anyway, in our recent Med cruise, I saw two Scots wearing their kilt in full regalia during formal night. It looked fabulous! I didn't realize sporrans are huge! And they are varied just like women's purses.

Funny, I was just looking at a Braveheart DVD yesterday. The movie iis too depressing for me to watch all over again. The brutality those days, I cannot fathom.

 

[sayhello]

This makes Scotland all the more exciting! I have better appreciation of the kilt after reading Outlander. With Jamir Fraser in it, who wouldn't? anyway, in our recent Med cruise, I saw two Scots wearing their kilt in full regalia during formal night. It looked fabulous! I didn't realize sporrans are huge! And they are varied just like women's purses.

I wonder if they were wearing their kilts in the traditional manner...

Sayhello

 

[tufbuf]

I wonder if they were wearing their kilts in the traditional manner...

Sayhello

I shock my DD by telling her how they were worn in the olden days...

 

[sayhello]

I shock my DD by telling her how they were worn in the olden days...

Sayhello

 

[klangkat]

I shock my DD by telling her how they were worn in the olden days...

What makes you think that was just in the olden days?

Also, Braveheart is pretty inaccurate as a film and Mel Gibson's accent is not great. It may be a good watch, but it is not truly indicative of Scottish history or culture; it's a fictional film based, rather loosely, on historical events!

 

[tufbuf]

What makes you think that was just in the olden days?

Also, Braveheart is pretty inaccurate as a film and Mel Gibson's accent is not great. It may be a good watch, but it is not truly indicative of Scottish history or culture; it's a fictional film based, rather loosely, on historical events!

Ok, I did wonder about that too.... But know not who to ask...

That's what I heard about Braveheart too but you have to make it look good on film even if its a tad inaccurate, I guess.

 

[Roo's Kanga]

Even better than Braveheart - watch The Waterhorse !!!

 

[Calfan]

Even better than Braveheart - watch The Waterhorse !!!

I really liked that one. That is a good suggestion for a movie I can watch with the kids before the trip. Definitely can't watch Braveheart with them!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Starting to think about packing and wondering whether previous travelers needed anything more dressy than cords or colored denim? I'd rather not take slacks or a dress if I don't need to LOL.

 

[brett24]

Wow...514 posts later...I almost feel like I read an Outlander book (ordered them for my DW to read on the flight over..."I think" thank you all who mentioned the series)...

We leave on Thursday for London for a week before heading into Edinburgh to meet up with the group.

Myself, Brett (brett24), my DW, Julia and our DS14 and DD10 (turning 11 during the trip so we shall have at least two birthday celebrations).

This will be our first ABD and our first trip to Scotland.

I will make my effort to report back as every contribution here (good/bad/etc) has helped me adjust my planning and expectations (good/bad/etc)...I will say I'm glad I waited until right before the trip to dig a littler deeper...and knowing that this particular Adventure was/is a work-in-progress also allows me to keep some perspective. I think it is interesting that pictures were referenced/linked so infrequently in our "visual" age. It's fascinating to me how experienced some of our travelers are with the Disney brand and how the corporate response and interplay of the system(s) is changed so dynamically by this forum...by this medium...(I have a little marketing background)...

I do have one day pre-trip and two days post-trip cushion in Edinburgh and we'll have had a week to adjust to the time shift from Texas so the kids won't be as "shocked" as they could have been...I've learned my lesson traveling with a teen and tween into foreign lands (even if they do speak a variant of our English)...

I look very much forward to sharing a great adventure and meeting Terrie(calypso726), Wally, Monica(californiagirl09), Dave, Laura(calfan), Rob, Jane(janecamillacharlton), Paul and their family(ies) in person.

 

[Calfan]

Myself, Brett (brett24), my DW, Julia and our DS14 and DD10 (turning 11 during the trip so we shall have at least two birthday celebrations).

Two girls turning 11 on the trip. Very cool! I know my daugther will look forward to meeting yours. Looking forward to meeting you and your family and sharing this adventure. Hope your wife enjoys the Outlander books. Enjoy your time in London, and see you in Edinburgh.

 

[janecamillacharlton]

I look very much forward to sharing a great adventure and meeting Terrie(calypso726), Wally, Monica(californiagirl09), Dave, Laura(calfan), Rob, Jane(janecamillacharlton), Paul and their family(ies) in person.

Eager to know of another member of the early August group! That is about half of our group known to us now it seems. My DD(12) is glad to hear of four other early teen and late tween girls in the party (already).

I'm also trying to go through the Outlander books. I listened to the first a few years ago, and really liked it but needed a refresher. I don't think I'm going to manage to get too far since there is a great deal of work I need to try to finish before leaving for London on Monday. (We'll also be in London before the trip.)

Also, eager to hear the answer about whether people are bringing dresses/skirts for dinners. Last ABD tours I was on some people did seem to dress up a bit, but I don't mind either way. On the one travel review I saw it seemed that most guests were wearing kilts by the end of the trip!

 

[klangkat]

Ok, I did wonder about that too.... But know not who to ask...

That's what I heard about Braveheart too but you have to make it look good on film even if its a tad inaccurate, I guess.

I understand that things are often dramatised for films; otherwise they'd be a lot longer and slower moving... and less glamorous!
However, a lot of people feel that Braveheart still gives a 'feel' for Scotland.. but it doesn't. Main character isn't Scottish and the majority of the filming wasn't done in Scotland (it was done in Ireland). VERY little Scottish about it!

 

[calypso726]

Starting to think about packing and wondering whether previous travelers needed anything more dressy than cords or colored denim? I'd rather not take slacks or a dress if I don't need to LOL.

I was just about to ask this same question as I was wondering the same thing too I'm the person that doesn't think twice about packing 10 or more bags for 2 people on a week long cruise since we just drive to the port. The idea of narrowing it down to one checked bag, one carry-on bag and one personal is daunting to say the least

I know for sure I will not be bringing a dress though. I'd be quite happy to just have to pack jeans or cords.

Wow...514 posts later...I almost feel like I read an Outlander book (ordered them for my DW to read on the flight over..."I think" thank you all who mentioned the series)...

We leave on Thursday for London for a week before heading into Edinburgh to meet up with the group.

Myself, Brett (brett24), my DW, Julia and our DS14 and DD10 (turning 11 during the trip so we shall have at least two birthday celebrations).

This will be our first ABD and our first trip to Scotland.

I will make my effort to report back as every contribution here (good/bad/etc) has helped me adjust my planning and expectations (good/bad/etc)...I will say I'm glad I waited until right before the trip to dig a littler deeper...and knowing that this particular Adventure was/is a work-in-progress also allows me to keep some perspective. I think it is interesting that pictures were referenced/linked so infrequently in our "visual" age. It's fascinating to me how experienced some of our travelers are with the Disney brand and how the corporate response and interplay of the system(s) is changed so dynamically by this forum...by this medium...(I have a little marketing background)...

I do have one day pre-trip and two days post-trip cushion in Edinburgh and we'll have had a week to adjust to the time shift from Texas so the kids won't be as "shocked" as they could have been...I've learned my lesson traveling with a teen and tween into foreign lands (even if they do speak a variant of our English)...

I look very much forward to sharing a great adventure and meeting Terrie(calypso726), Wally, Monica(californiagirl09), Dave, Laura(calfan), Rob, Jane(janecamillacharlton), Paul and their family(ies) in person.

to the DISboards We are looking forward to meeting your family and everyone here as well. I think it is pretty awesome that most of our group is on the Disboards. I hope your wife receives as much entertainment and enjoyment from the Outlander series as we have

Eager to know of another member of the early August group! That is about half of our group known to us now it seems. My DD(12) is glad to hear of four other early teen and late tween girls in the party (already).

I'm also trying to go through the Outlander books. I listened to the first a few years ago, and really liked it but needed a refresher. I don't think I'm going to manage to get too far since there is a great deal of work I need to try to finish before leaving for London on Monday. (We'll also be in London before the trip.)

Also, eager to hear the answer about whether people are bringing dresses/skirts for dinners. Last ABD tours I was on some people did seem to dress up a bit, but I don't mind either way. On the one travel review I saw it seemed that most guests were wearing kilts by the end of the trip!

No dresses or skirts here. Slacks if I must, but would rather not, given the choice. If there is are some (CaliforniaGirl?) besides myself, that would prefer to stick to jeans and cords but does not want to be the only one, I will happily vow to wear jeans/cords to dinner the whole trip so you won't be alone

Where did you find the review with people wearing kilts? I would love to check it out!

 

[janecamillacharlton]

Where did you find the review with people wearing kilts? I would love to check it out!

Sorry I can't put a link - apparently I am not an experienced enough user to be allowed! But it is travelsavvymom and Scotland ABD and you should be able to find it. Picture 24 in the series of 25.

Just the kids in this picture but I would imagine some adults might participate as well. I know that many of the ladies got German dresses on our German ABD (though I did not). My DH has been told by his mother that he needs the Stewart clan kilt so I guess that applies for DD as well...