Planning a trip to Scotland -- any advice?

[Silversi]

Hey guys! Hope everyone is well this morning!

Here's a question for you guys. I'm planning a trip to Scotland next year, super excited! It's my first trip out of the states, and I can't wait. I was wondering if anybody's from there, been there, or ever wanted to go there that has any tips or advice that you wanted to pass along my way?

http://www.cietours.com/us/escorted_...and_glens_12d/

This is the trip that I plan to go on, will be there for almost two weeks. Since its my first trip abroad, and going by myself I wanted something that had a little more structure and a way to maybe meet some new people that were there to enjoy the same things. I plan to go next October.

Any suggestions anybody would want to shoot my way?

[Rosehawk]

It's been awhile since I was in Scotland. I love visiting. I only was able to spend less than two days there so I didn't get to see everything that I wanted to see.

Edinburgh has a lot to visit. The ghost tour is great! The tour guides that were on my tour were fantastic storytellers. The Scottish love their macabre.

You almost have to check out one of the distilleries there as the Scots are famous for their Scotch.

From Edinburgh, my group took a Ferry ride to an Isle that had a castle on it. We were able to rent out bikes and tour the isle on bikes. We walked a beach. I went in the summer though so by October you might not be able to. Even in the summer the Ferry ride was a bit rough due to the weather.

It sounds like the tour has a lot of fun stuff covered that would make for an awesome good trip. I did something similar, my first time to Europe and I wanted to do it as an organized trip. Good way to go as you can learn a lot about traveling abroad and meeting new people. The people I met is what made it go so much more unique and enjoyable!

Scotland is very beautiful and the people were really nice!

Have fun!

[JosephGracey]

I actually live in Scotland and while Edinburgh is great and has a lot of tourist attractions Glasgow has a lot of museums and has just opened up a new transport museum most of the museums are free all the free ones are in the link in the spoiler.

Spoiler:

http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/Pages/home.aspx

Also places like Fort William which has Ben Nevis the largest mountain in Britain which i believe you can walk up (although please don't quote me on that) and its quite easy to get there if you don't mind the travel time from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

[Susash]

I'm also from Scotland and depending what type of holiday you prefer will have a bearing on any recommendations you receive

Glasgow, along with he many museums as stated by JosephGracey, has many fine buildings. Loch Lomond has beautiful scenery, Scotland has lots of golf courses lovely parks etc, and of course lots of friendly people

Im sure you'll have a great time whatever you decide

[The Flyattractor]

Haggis.... Eat LOTS OF IT! Often.

[The Urban Spaceman]

any tips or advice that you wanted to pass along my way?

Take a raincoat.

[Linda06]

Wear waterproofs Always carry a brolly.

[Arica15]

Also a native Scot; and that trip seems to cover the basics however there are a couple of alternatives which would allow you to both go on a structured trip and freedom to explore :

[http://www.rabbies.com/]
http://www.haggisadventures.com/
http://www.scottishtours.co.uk/

If you are looking for any suggestions then here are a few which are a little less obvious:

Stirling. It's a great city, small and easy to get around but packed with places to visit. The Castle is really worth a visit (better than Edinburgh in my opinion) while the Bannockburn Centre and Wallace Monuments are also fantastic.

Rosslyn Chapel. Forget all the nonsense in Dan Brown's book; it's a marvel in its own right

Perthshire has so many historical sites that it's impossible to list them all but a personal favourite of mine is the Crannog Centre on Loch Tay.

www.crannog.co.uk

Oban and Argyll are often overlooked but have amazing historical sites as well as Oban being the port for the isles of Mull and Iona among others

If you are going to a lot of Historic Scotland or National Trust properties and entrance isn't covered in the cost of your tour (it often isn't) then there are a number of multi property entrance deals which will save you a lot of money.

If using the buses in Edinburgh make sure you have lots of the correct change.

No one is making the midgies up and they are every bit as horrid as people claim; best advice I know is cut down on the sugary foods and drinks and use Avon Skin So Soft dry oil.

Check out the Visit Scotland website; it has a lot of good deals, info and advice; and most of the popular tourist destinations have them (drop in centres).

I work in tourism in Scotland so if you want any more info or advice closer to the time just PM me and I'll help you if I can.

[Silversi]

You guys are awesome with the quick replies! Thanks so much! I'm so excited to go, I just wish it was sooner!

Rosehawk -- I'm really excited for the ghost tour--there's an extra day in Edinburgh that I'm staying that I might look into a second one if possible. Those are so much fun! Ah yes! Distilleries! My dad has already requested that I bring him back some fine Scottish Whisky. I know that the tour is going to take us to the Glenfiddich Distillery that I've heard is a really popular one. I'm not sure I'm a whisky fan--but maybe I just haven't had the right kind yet! LoL--I'm always up for trying something new! I'm so glad that you think an organized tour is a great way to start out a first timers' abroad trip. LoL--beats getting lost on a back road!

JosephGracey--I've heard a lot of great things about Glasgow! That's where my tour starts, and I'm planning on flying in a day early to start getting over the horrid jet lag. I appreciate your suggestions! Free things (especially museums!) are a great way to explore (and stay awake!!) Thank you!

Susash-- Thanks!! I know Loch Lomond is on the list, and after hearing the song of the same name, I've always wanted to check it out. I've heard its so beautiful!

The Flyattractor--haha, I have a friend that really liked it! ...I won't knock it till I've tried it. Going to Scotland not at least trying Haggis has to be a cardinal sin of some sort!

The Urban Spaceman--Yeah, I've heard the weather changes quite often! Thanks!

Linda06--Good idea too!

[Silversi]

Also a native Scot; and that trip seems to cover the basics however there are a couple of alternatives which would allow you to both go on a structured trip and freedom to explore :

[http://www.rabbies.com/]
http://www.haggisadventures.com/
http://www.scottishtours.co.uk/

If you are looking for any suggestions then here are a few which are a little less obvious:

Stirling. It's a great city, small and easy to get around but packed with places to visit. The Castle is really worth a visit (better than Edinburgh in my opinion) while the Bannockburn Centre and Wallace Monuments are also fantastic.

Rosslyn Chapel. Forget all the nonsense in Dan Brown's book; it's a marvel in its own right

Perthshire has so many historical sites that it's impossible to list them all but a personal favourite of mine is the Crannog Centre on Loch Tay.

www.crannog.co.uk

Oban and Argyll are often overlooked but have amazing historical sites as well as Oban being the port for the isles of Mull and Iona among others

If you are going to a lot of Historic Scotland or National Trust properties and entrance isn't covered in the cost of your tour (it often isn't) then there are a number of multi property entrance deals which will save you a lot of money.

If using the buses in Edinburgh make sure you have lots of the correct change.

No one is making the midgies up and they are every bit as horrid as people claim; best advice I know is cut down on the sugary foods and drinks and use Avon Skin So Soft dry oil.

Check out the Visit Scotland website; it has a lot of good deals, info and advice; and most of the popular tourist destinations have them (drop in centres).

I work in tourism in Scotland so if you want any more info or advice closer to the time just PM me and I'll help you if I can.

Sweet! Lots of good advice there! I highly appreciate it! I like the small details about the midges too--that's something I would have overlooked! Will they be very bad in October? Or are they a year round type of thing?

I think the tour I'm going on has an open bus on/off ticket for Edinburgh. Are those a pretty good way to see the city as well?

I'm thinking once I've gone there, I'll most definitely want to go back!! And then I might get off the beaten track and check out some other things like you've mentioned. I'm sure I'll be a braver to do so by then!

Thanks so much!!! I'll definitely email you closer to time!

[dipsofjazz]

I live in Edinburgh, and the open bus on/off ticket is a good way to see around the city.

The tour you've booked looks really good, with a nice variety of places to see and things to do.

You shouldn't have any problems with midges in October, but you should definitely bring waterproofs.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

[gashead]

Don't forget your camera if you visit Loch Ness, you never know...

[SeaBee]

For some stunning scenery Glen Coe takes some beating. There are some fantastic walks through a wide variety of scenery, although it might be better in summer. And, of course, a historic massacre occurred there.

[JosephGracey]

Yeah nothing like a good massacre.

[Susash]

For some stunning scenery Glen Coe takes some beating. There are some fantastic walks through a wide variety of scenery, although it might be better in summer. And, of course, a historic massacre occurred there.

Yeah the massacre of Glencoe, quite an eerie place now when you visit it