Scotland or bust

silver-eagle

silver-eagle

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~John
We're planning a trip to Scotland for March 07. I'm looking for hints and tips on hiring a plane, rules of the road, and other things to do. (Actually, we have lighthouses to see.)
What little I've seen, it looks like planes are about twice our current rate. Hints tips and a copilot would be nice.
 
silver-eagle said:
We're planning a trip to Scotland for March 07. I'm looking for hints and tips on hiring a plane, rules of the road, and other things to do. (Actually, we have lighthouses to see.)
What little I've seen, it looks like planes are about twice our current rate. Hints tips and a copilot would be nice.
Click to expand...

Never been there, but plan to do so, so it's good for me to start looking. I actually think a hot air balloon ride would be amazing there...

Here's some stuff on GA in Scotland:

http://ukga.com/forum/viewthread.cfm?forumThreadId=4403&showAll=true

I think this flying club at Perth could either accomodate your flight request or point you in the right direction. Perth is the main GA airport in Scotland:

http://www.scottishaeroclub.org.uk/

Have fun! Can't wait to see your report!
 
I've been to Scotland twice over the last 3-4 years, for about a week each time. I was in the Highlands both times (Inverness). They like to joke that they have two months of winter and 10 months of bad weather. If you get clear skies (and it may only be for a few hours each day), it's spectacular. I checked at the airport in Inverness, they have a club. I saw a 172 and a Tomahawk on the GA ramp, I think they belong to the club. Prices for rentals are very high compared to US, but it seems the opportunities are there.

As far as non-aviation: I was there on bidness, I used taxis (ended up being cheaper than renting (or as they say: hiring) a car. Also didn't have to learn to drive on the left side of the road. I took a couple of bus tours (between 4-6 hrs) around the country side to various locations.

Depending on where you go, it seems that most hotels are in town, within walking distance of the city center - pubs, shopping, and food.

Make sure to sample the local beers, and especially the whiskies.

I'd go back in an instant! ($$ permitting!)
 
I have been to Edinburgh lots of times. I like staying at either the Scandic Crown on the Royal Mile or out of town at the Dal Mahoy. Driving is not that bad but then I used to live in England so driving on the proper side was normal to me.

In Edinburgh there is lots of stuff to see and do, the castle, Rose street, the Queen's place, Aurthur' seat, the Whiskey Heritage musuem and of course Roslyn Chapel if you read the DaVinci Code you will know why. Outside of town there is a lot of beauty. The drive from Glasgow to Ed. is not too bad and I have done it several times. My fondest memory is being there for New Year's eve. They have a huge celebration that is much friendlier than the one in London and New York.

What ever you do, do not call Scotland England nor the people there English.
 
> What ever you do, do not call Scotland England nor the people there English. <

Heh, I forgot to add that to my post. Them's fightin' words.

I really enjoyed the people I met in Scotland. They work hard and play hard.
 
I've had some pretty good response from a local (Pirth) club. If the weather permits, we're flying! Price for rentals appear to be about twice the US rate ($175-200 per hour). The CFI I've been swapping emails with is willing to take us on a tour along the coast.
As to lodging, we have a cottage in Kirriemuir operated by the National Trust for Scotland (http://www.ntsholidays.com/AccommodationDetails.aspx?AccommodationId=37&NavPageId=54). This, by all we can figure out, is near enough to most everything we're planning on doing. Lighthouses, flying, and a couple of wonderful aviation museums are on the schedule. Here's one http://www.rafmontrose.org.uk/
and another http://www.nms.ac.uk/flight/home/index.asp . The latter has a Concorde. For me, it will be one of the highlights.
Transport provided by Virgin Atlantic. For anyone enamored with Orbitz or Travelocity, the price via Virgin's reservation line was $30 less.
Oh, but we're so ready for this trip.
 
"Welcome to All Things Scottish. If it's not Scottish, it's CRAP!"
 
silver-eagle said:
I've had some pretty good response from a local (Pirth) club. If the weather permits, we're flying! Price for rentals appear to be about twice the US rate ($175-200 per hour). The CFI I've been swapping emails with is willing to take us on a tour along the coast.
As to lodging, we have a cottage in Kirriemuir operated by the National Trust for Scotland (http://www.ntsholidays.com/AccommodationDetails.aspx?AccommodationId=37&NavPageId=54). This, by all we can figure out, is near enough to most everything we're planning on doing. Lighthouses, flying, and a couple of wonderful aviation museums are on the schedule. Here's one http://www.rafmontrose.org.uk/
and another http://www.nms.ac.uk/flight/home/index.asp . The latter has a Concorde. For me, it will be one of the highlights.
Transport provided by Virgin Atlantic. For anyone enamored with Orbitz or Travelocity, the price via Virgin's reservation line was $30 less.
Oh, but we're so ready for this trip.
Click to expand...

What gets those aviation prices up there so high besides European fuel?
 
Did vacation in Scotland in 2000 and it was one of the most enjoyable vacations I've had. Used bed & breakfasts and traced down locations associated with the historical Mac Beth (not Shakespeare's). Took us to some really out of the way places that are not on the tourist routes. Also visited a historical light house north of Aberdeen. I found flying powered planes to be about 3 times as expensive as here but gliders were a bargain.
 
silver-eagle said:
I've had some pretty good response from a local (Pirth) club. If the weather permits, we're flying! Price for rentals appear to be about twice the US rate ($175-200 per hour). The CFI I've been swapping emails with is willing to take us on a tour along the coast.
As to lodging, we have a cottage in Kirriemuir operated by the National Trust for Scotland (http://www.ntsholidays.com/AccommodationDetails.aspx?AccommodationId=37&NavPageId=54). This, by all we can figure out, is near enough to most everything we're planning on doing. Lighthouses, flying, and a couple of wonderful aviation museums are on the schedule. Here's one http://www.rafmontrose.org.uk/
and another http://www.nms.ac.uk/flight/home/index.asp . The latter has a Concorde. For me, it will be one of the highlights.
Transport provided by Virgin Atlantic. For anyone enamored with Orbitz or Travelocity, the price via Virgin's reservation line was $30 less.
Oh, but we're so ready for this trip.
Click to expand...



so basically, the number (in pounds) is the same number as we pay here, but the exchange rate is where it gets ya. pretty much like anything else you will see in England/UK.

20 pounds per person is considered a "cheap" meal. which sounds good until you realized you just spent 80 bucks at an Indian restaurant, dining with a friend. and no alcohol for that price either!
 
AuntPeggy said:
Nor Scotch. The people are Scots or Scottish. Scotch is a drink.
Click to expand...

Over there, they just call it 'Whiskey'. It did take me a minute or two to catch on to "Aye, how about a wee dram?" (Translation: How would you like a shot of the good stuff?)

I didn't have time to take the 'Whiskey Tour' which takes you around to several of the more well known distilleries. Maybe next time!
 
Matthew said:
Over there, they just call it 'Whiskey'. It did take me a minute or two to catch on to "Aye, how about a wee dram?" (Translation: How would you like a shot of the good stuff?)

I didn't have time to take the 'Whiskey Tour' which takes you around to several of the more well known distilleries. Maybe next time!
Click to expand...
While not doing a "Whisky Tour", we will be visiting Tullibadine and Glen Garioch (pronounced Geery). We've made arrangements for a private tour of both of them. Tullibardine isn't available in the US, but Glen Garioch is. It's a fine single barrel with a light smoky taste. I have a couple of bottles in stock.
 
Oh, man.

It really is an aquired taste, but you can really start to tell some of the subtle differences with a little coaching.

I got hooked on the stuff. Then I noticed my liquor store started raising the prices once they realized somebody was buying the single-malts.

I'll have to check the types/styles/brands I've tried and liked.
 
We're going for our 20th anniversary (Dec 2009), but will go the following April or May 2010 to get warmer weather. We did London in Dec '99 for our 10th, but it was COLD. We'll go late spring / early summer this next trip. We'd like to fly into London (British Airways' 777 was good to us and is about the only non-stop option from DFW) and ride the train up to Edinburgh. Any ideas on where to start looking for train information? Are there multiple carriers or just one?
 
will be there Thursday, can check around.
JG says she was on a "Fast" train from London to Edinburgh, sounds like what you want.

"Home Rule" (I plan to tell them to stick to their guns, if we did it, they can too!)
 
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