A Visit To Scotland - brainstorming

Dont dismiss Glasgow and the west coast.Kelvingrove Museum houses Dali's Christ of St John on the Cross,worth a visit to Glasgow just for that ,but The Burrell in Pollok Park recently won the best museum in the UK it houses an amazing eclectic collection donated to the city by William Burrell ,including a couple of Rodin sculpures all set in beautiful park .Then Loch Lomond is just 20 miles away with scenery and the Ben for climbing ,not as high as Ben Nevis but the views from the top are outstanding and the wee village of Luss on the loch shore is my favourite place I was married in the church there ,although it can be busy in summer.Stirling Castle is about 20 miles from Glasgow and has a huge place in Scottish history and its a just a few miles from the Wallace Monument ,climb to the top of that and get a certificate and great views of the surrounding countryside
Loch Awe just a wee bit further up the road has an amazing church .You can reach Oban and Fort William easily for ferries( contrary to a previous post ,ferries are running at 97% on time,the other 3% is down to weather usually. Glenfinnan Viaduct as seen in Harry Potter ,Spean Bridge Monument to the Commandos who were first trained here in WW11 ,Rob Roy Mc Gregors Grave at Balquidder he was a sort of Robin Hood character and much to much more to mention l .Enjoy it when you come and remember theres no bad weather just the wrong clothes

I love the Black Isle, the East Neuk, and the Machar, although not all in one trip!

Island-wise, Arran, Colonsay, and Tiree are all great, but my favourite is perhaps tiny Kerrera isleofkerrera.org/see-and-do

I know I am biased but I love St. Andrews, having been brought up near there. I love the sandy beach and the shops. Times have probably changed but it used to be possible to buy 100% woollen cardigans and jumpers for a lot less than eg London prices.

I agree, lovely as Edinburgh is, it will be hell on earth there at this time of year.

In Fife, so close to the sea, fish suppers to die for, so fresh.

I have only been to Glencoe in the middle of winter so cannot comment.

VisitScotland website (Scottish national tourist board) offers excellent advice re midges, ticks and other intermittent pests. They don't like wind, rain or sunshine so aren't as great a problem as people believe. If caught in a swarm it is unpleasant but the vast majority of visitors (and residents) haven't experienced this. There are plenty of repellents available. If they were as bad as being suggested how would the indigenous population cope!

You do need to be aware that you can't "do" all of Scotland in one visit. It is bigger than you think, and travel from one wonderful place to another can take some time. You are best to choose one region and really explore that. You can always come back again!

I agree *Blondiescot". Dumfries and Galloway is lovely as are parts of Fife and Lothian. Skye is packed out with tourists. The Outer Hebrides are interesting but there seem to be problems with ferries at present. Wait a year or so for them to be sorted out. Island hopping takes a bit of planning. Edinburgh will be diabolically busy for the next couple of months. It's much nicer in the Spring and Autumn.

Depends what you are looking for, to be honest. Everyone talks about the Highlands and beyond and yes, they are definitely worth visiting, but places such as the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and the Lothians are often overlooked and have plenty to offer as well. Same with Fife, especially the East Neuk. And yes, as a proud Scot, I am biased, but Scotland as a whole is beautiful. Wherever you end up, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Glen Coe is very atmospheric.

SueDonim

Apart from Edin/Glasgow, Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire are lovely, especially if you’re into castles and gardens. Beautiful coastal areas, too.

Agreed. There are also a lot of distilleries in Moray. 😉

Depends what you want. Culture, shopping and cafe society, go to Edinburgh. Scenery and the great outdoors, the Cairngorms, the Northwest coast, and the inner isles. If you're a whisky fan, tour Speyside and do the odd distillery tour. Inverness and Loch Ness also worth a visit.

If you're lucky with the weather and in rude health and fitness, a day spent scrambling up Ben Nevis rewards the effort with magnificent views. A less strenuous option is to take the Cairngorm mountain railway. Pleasant cafe/restaurant at the top.

A wee word of warning which, not surprisingly the Scottish tourist board don't mention, avoid the mountains and the west coast from June to September, as you're likely to be eaten alive by midges. If you must go then, pray for a breezy day.

The Outer Hebrides. If you start from Glasgow you can get a plane to land on the beach at Barra - an experience not to be missed. You can pick up a hire car there and then gradually make your way up through the Uists (South and North) , Harris and Lewis. Why would I recommend it? Because it's an adventure which needs planning carefully (ferries, accommodation etc.) and I just love islands.

Apart from Edin/Glasgow, Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire are lovely, especially if you’re into castles and gardens. Beautiful coastal areas, too.

We have never been but were just talking about going to the Highlands or Isle of Skye so will look forward to what is recommended.
We just love fantastic scenery really

The Clyde islands Arran and Bute. Both are beautiful. The gardens of Mount Stewart House are worth visiting.
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are good for shopping and a visit to the Glasgow Necropolis is really interesting with a guide to tell you about all the burials. Not what a lot of people would think of doing.