Relatives visiting Scotland from America-what should be on their To see and do list?

[alkaz]

Hi Everyone,
We have 9 relatives (teens to adults) visiting us from Utah for our wedding in May :inlove: We have been busy coming up with a list of what they should see and do while they are here in Scotland. They will also be visiting Paris for 2 days and London for 2 days. We were just wondering what you wonderful dibbers would say are Must See's and Must Do's while they are here-there are probably obvious things we haven't even thought of! We kind of take Scotland for granted as we are here all the time, but what do you reckon they are going to find really interesting? They arrive a few days before the wedding so we want to be organised and keeping them entertained while we are putting the finishing touches to our wedding plans! We are hiring a minibus for their second day so we can just all head out together-but where too!?!?! :) I should mention we are in Central Scotland-near Glasgow. Suggestions for their trips to Paris and London are welcome too!

As ever, your help and advice is much appreciated :wave:

[Diane]

Can't help with Scotland but I would say whilst in London they should ride on the Eye and take in a West End show.

Diane x

[martin]

If you travel through to Edinburgh try the Edinburgh Dungeon tour (if they like ghosts) or visit Mary Kings Close.

[Chelle27]

The wonderful scenery up in the Highlands (if they can travel) - can't be topped IMO. A boat ride on Loch Ness or the cable car up Anoch Mor.

[gasmark7]

travel up the west coast. beautiful scenery. Agree with Martin, Edindurgh Dungeon tour is good fun.

[Chesterbhoy]

A trip on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott up in the Trossachs on Loch Katrine. This is easy reach from Glasgow by minibus. This is an amasing place and one day I will move back north to scotland and try to find a house in this area.

If they like sport the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park.

There is an amasing drive that that could be done in 2 days from Glasgow. That is up towards Ben Nevis, to Fort William & to Mallaig. Get the ferry across to Isle of Skye. Visit the Talisker Whisky Distillery on the Isle of Skye and possibly Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (Scotland’s Gaelic College). Then take the bridge back over to the mainland and drive around Loch Ness towards Inverness and stay the night. Next day drive down through Aviemore, Pitlochry, Perth & Stirling. I have done is on a number of occasions and you see scotland in all its wonder.

[ElaineD]

What about the Glasgow Science Centre?

[loadsapixiedust]

Edinburgh Castle, Britannia, maybe take the city tour on an open topped bus weather permitting, also a similar tour of Glasgow.
Loch Lomond
New Lanark
If they have time why not send them on a Highland coach tour for a few days, they would see a lot of the beauty of the country that way.

[alkaz]

Some fantastic suggestions that we never even knew about! We are tempted to do them all ourselves without any visitors! Thank you very much guys! I will need to have a look into them all and send my relatives on the details so we can get it all arranged.

We really appreciate all your suggestions-it's such an important visit as we haven't seem them for years and we really do want it to be special for them.

Thank you :thumbs-up

[Emma Y]

Try the visitscotland website, there are ideas on there. All the ideas mentioned already are fab, you will be spoiled for choice !

Emma :wavey:

[KK_Cat]

Keeping a list of these myself, thanks. I've never been to Scotland, but it is on my to-do list. Maybe next year I'll bring the car over for a week/10 days or so.

There just aren't enough holiday weeks in the year :( ;)

[wombat]

Hi Alkaz,

You are right, we do take what we have for granted.

Knowing the Americans they would love to see something with History.

Other than that, beautiful Edinburgh, wonderful Loch Ness.

You know Scotland better than me, I hope this helps.

LOL

Paul:wavey:

[shamu1]

:wave: another one which will be good as there are teenagers coming is M&DS THEME PARK AT STRATHCLYDE COUNTRY PARK :wave:

[1968hammer]

Stirling Castle - classic

[1968hammer]

Definitely STIRLING CASTLE

[andi30]

Caithness Glass visitor's centre near Perth.

[pluto66]

Definitely Loch Ness and if you have time the Isle of Skye

[floridafunshine]

We're in the North-east of Scotland and have taken American visitors on the Distillery Trail which they seemed to really enjoy.

[alkaz]

Thanks again guys, I can't believe there are so many things we haven't even considered! I am keeping them updated with your suggestions :)

[magick]

Take a trip up the A9 , good stops include Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Aviemore (maybe a stop over) then onto Fort William, Loch Ness then down the West Coast, absolutlely loads of things to see and do. Distilleries, wildlife parks, water sports, golf, fishing, walks, monster hunting!! , ferries to the islands, and of course what is free to all the stunning scenery. This is just a few of the things to do I am sure you can finds lots more on visiting the many web sites available. Im sure they will have a great time whatever they get up to. No trip to this country would be complete without a visit to our capital EDINBURGH it has many visitors attractions both good (Castle) and bad (Dynamic Earth-was left disappointed with this).
A good day trip might include the Fife coastal route including Anstruther for fish and chips and St Andrews for the history and Dundee for Discovery and Sensation(good interactive science centre).

There really is a lot to consider, I just hope the weather is nice for them.:thumbs-up

[TH1]

How about Culzean Castle? They might enjoy seeing Eisenhower's Apartment there, and the grounds are fantastic. There's also New Lanark, which is interesting.

[Rea]

Take them along the old road from Fort William to Mallaig. The scenery is stunning. They could have a go at walking up Ben Nevis.

[laulau]

ok here is some of my fav's loch ness uquhart castle (meet my dbf that where he works lol) i love castles and glamis in fife is a must it where the queen grew up it is just lovely.... the drive form Inverness to fort William what a scene... edinburgh castle ... i have lived in edinburgh and loved all the attractions ( i used to work as a actor in the Edinburgh dungeon so was happy to hear all the comments ) i would do one of the ghost walking tour in edinburgh lovely way to see the old town! sounds silly but the fourth of forth tourist love that! could always go haggis hunting!!! lol oh the cairgorms take a ride up to the top in a cable car!
xxx

[lthewliss]

Definitely New Lanark, but I'm biased cos that's where we're getting married! But Glasgow on the open top bus is good, as is the People's Palace, Kelvingrove, shopping.......:D Stirling Castle (and Edinburgh) is good too - hope they have fun!

[Scotty]

I'll second Stirling - a great day out, get them up the Wallace monument as well - then pizza at Corrieris!
Linlithgow is nice for tourists Palace, St Michaels and the peel - if its a Wednesday in the Summer there is scottish country dancing in the Palace courtyard - great fun and theres always a good mix of locals and Tourists www.scotchhop.co.uk/ www.linlithgowtours.net/
Edinburgh has loads to do
Day trip to Arran
Oban
Blair Atholl
St Andrews
I prefer Loudon Castle to M&D's - down Kilmarnock way
Lake of Menteith - take a picnic
Inchcolm Island - under the Forth Bridge again take a picnic

My Relatives always want to visit Glasgow Fort cos there arent any shopping centres like that near them (in Leeds! I find that hard to believe)

[McDuck]

Just strolling up and down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is like stepping back in history. The sights and atmosphere are amazing (until you get to the monstrosity at the bottom, that is.
There are great museums like the museum of childhood that the younger ones might enjoy.
A tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia is very enjoyable and our friends across the pond seem to like the royal family.

[alkaz]

Excellent-thanks guys. I am sending all your suggestions on to them as we need to come up with an itinerary soon!

They have asked me about a steam railway trip: the Jacobite Steam Train that goes from Fort William with a stop in Mallaig and back. Has anyone been on this? I know there is also a steam railway in Aviemore.

Thanks again for all your help :thumbs-up

[magick]

Been on the Aviemore to Boat of Garten steam railway, it was a nice experience, great scenery, lots of things to do in this area too, Cairngorm Funicular railway, Landmark Visitor centre, Highland Wildlife Park, watersports galore, also a stay at one of the Macdonald Hotels in Aviemore is worth it. :spin:
Pretty sure the Fort William to Mallaig railway would be spectacular as well. might do that myself this year

[Scotty]

Theres a steam train in Bo'ness, however its not the greatest (sorry if theres anyone involved with it on here!) It is a bit closer than Ft William however.
The Falkirk wheel is worth a visit too, quite an impressive bit of engineering.

[The Hills]

i love castles and glamis in fife is a must it where the queen grew up it is just lovely.... xxx


Must point out Glamis Castle is in Angus, NOT Fife. Also it was the Queen Mother who grew up there not the Queen!!!!

If you do visit the castle what about visiting Forfar for a "Forfar Bridie" and Kirriemuir for some Kirrie Gingerbread.

Kirriemuir is also the home of JM Barrie, writer of Peter Pan.

[patm]

Kelvingrove museum is great for all ages! Also there is the botanic garden not that far away! Don't forget the Art School, my kids go to school near there and we always see tourists lapping up the CR McIntosh designs;) Why not try Iona, it is either a very long day trip or broken up over 2 days, but I think there are regular buses for day trips from Glasgow via Oban.
Pat