Scotland

Pros: Beautiful, rich in history, charming
Cons: Can be expensive

"You take the high road and I'll take the low road. And I'll be in Scotland a'fore ye!" There are many paths that will lead you there and all of them offer their own special charm. Stirling is a bit off the beaten track but well worth a...

Pros: Magnificent championship golf course in Scotland's seaside links tradition
Cons: Getting there

By tradition, all 18 holes of the 6228-yard championship course at Machrihanish are known by their names rather than their numbers. The first tee, called "the Battery," is situated on a small rise overlooking the hole's spectacular water...

Pros: Beautiful scenery
Cons: Personally....a poor choice in excursions

It sounded like the trip of a lifetime in the brochure; two glorious weeks hiking the West Highlands of Scotland. I saw Braveheart. I saw Rob Roy. My mother has sung the score to Brigadoon more times than I care to acknowledge. I could relate to the...

Pros: Ancient stone circles, views to die for, solitude
Cons: Costly to get to, but worth it

Are there sheep? Granite peaks and rolling moors dotted with heather? Lots of green in every view? Rugged coastline and awesome golf courses? Pleasant, smiling folk with burry accents?

It must be Scotland!

No, just The Isle of...

Pros: Much to see and do!
Cons: Lots and lots of walking!

I have been to Edinburgh twice now, I still have not seen it in it's entirety! I love this city! I really do not think I could ever visit it too often. If you are a "Royal Family" buff there is much here for you. If you love mystery and...

Pros: easily accessible, budget conscious
Cons: none

Located on the Western Coast of Scotland, is the tiny Island of Cumbrae, Scotland's most accessible island. A very small island, it is only eleven miles by bicycle all the way around. In order to reach this Isle, you must go to the town of Largs, a...

Pros: Once in a lifetime experience
Cons: Cooking for yourself, making your own beds.

Do not pass up the chance to "own" your very own castle, even if it is only for a night or two! When you travel to Scotland, look into the self-catering castles. These are castles that are available to you and your family for lodging like no...

Pros: No fakery of any kind, great history lessons, and spooks, honest!
Cons: Lots of walking! (but worth it)

Because we had our teen-aged grandson along, and because we're inveterate history buffs with a taste for romantic adventure, we hit several outstanding castles on our recent trip to the UK. Future reviews will look at Blair Castle and...

Pros: Everything
Cons: Not Going

I can remember landing at the Glasgow Airport on September 10, 1998. It was rainy as usual, but my curiosity had the best of me. I remember my classes started in October, so I didn't have much time to tour Scotland. I wanted to emerge myself in the...

Pros: Scenery and nostalgia
Cons: none

"Cruel is the snow that drapes Glen Coe..." so starts the ballad that describes the sad tale of the most famous glen in all of Scotland. It was the month of February, winter of 1692 when 40 MacDonalds were murdered by their guests, the...

Pros: Rich history, beautiful landscape, very friendly citizens.
Cons: Very few "sunny days" throughout the year, travel options sometimes limited.

My family had the pleasure of living in Scotland for three years. And while we missed some of the conveniences that our hometown in the United States, we did enjoy our brief stay in our "second home".

As a military family, you can expect to...

Pros: Located at the center of tourist travel.
Cons: None

"By yon bonnie banks, and by yon bonnie braes, where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond," I think everyone has sung this song in their life and time. What a lovely place it describes!

Loch Lomond is the largest body of...

Pros: Access to castle, beautiful surroundings
Cons: Closed to visitors inside during off-season

Nestled among rolling berns of lush, green grass, lies Caerlaverock Castle. Only minutes from the town of Dumfries, in the Borders, this castle remains my favorite in all of Scotland.
The castle is unique in that it is triangular in shape, with...

Pros: Lovely setting, convenient gift shop & tea room
Cons: No shelter in rainy weather

Located in the quaint village of New Abbey, is the noble ruin of Sweetheart Abbey. Near the town of Dumfries, this abbey is one of the most visited ruins in the Borders area of Scotland.
Built as a monument to marital devotion, Sweetheart...

Pros: Guide was very knowledgeable
Cons: Far away from any large town, long drive

Near Forfar, near the east coast of Scotland is Glamis Castle. This castle is famous for being the birthplace of the Queen Mother, and the seat of the Bowes-Lyons family for generations. The Queen Mother still makes visits here, according to the guide....