Scotland--Where to go?

Road Trip! I'm going to Scotland for the first time next week. I will be staying for two weeks. I fly into Glasgow and will be driving to the Orkney Islands. Any "must see" suggestions for me, my traveling companion, and my camera? Thanks in advance!

I was up in Orkney last year, and had a great time. One thing that I would definitely recommend is to go to the airport in Kirkwall and take the island trip. Basically turn up about 30 mins before the scheduled flight, and if there are spaces, you can sit on the plane for the round trip. I did it and got to sit in the co-pilot's seat and see a lot of the islands. Very cool!

Where you driving to? If you come up to the North East (Aberdeen area) then there is tons of locations. The Grampian region has been described as Scotland in minature.

Stone Circles, lots of ruined castles/kirks, lochs and rivers, etc.

On the way up you have Stirling (with the Trossachs), Perth and even RRS Discovery in Dundee.

if you happen to go up or down the west coast, try to find Smoo Cave. It's a different sort of place, and very photogenic IMHO, of course. Sort of off the beaten path, but we loved it.
Orkney is great. Have an Orkney Fudge Sundae and dedicate it to me, please! You won't have any trouble finding photo-ops.

If you go by the Loch Lomond way all the way through Glencoe / Fort William and so on,on your way there the whole country is a peace of beauty,just keep your camera handy and shoot.

I'll second that Dimitri, and indeed John and I are headed through that way tomorrow on a mission to feed the midges (and perhaps get a few shots too).

This is really helpful, I'm writing as fast as I can (ok, I'm printing as fast as I can!)

Here's a couple of threads with photos from my trip to Orkney:

• Marwick Head
  
• Italian Chapel
  
• Ring of Brodgar
  
• Sunset on the Stones of Stenness
  

• Buachaille Etive Mor
  
• Moody Mountains
  
• Black Mount Panorama
  

What's that famous castle? Eileen or something? I want my own photo of that so bad.

First thing that went through my head was, stop at every distillery you can. If you're not a fan of whiskey now, you had better be by the time you leave. You canNOT visit Scotland without having a wee dram at least.

Whiskey aside, you really can't go wrong. I'm not from there so I have no specific suggestions on where to go. Dunottor (sp?) is worth climbing around through if you make it to the NE. it's near Stonehaven which is south? of Aberdeen. Aberdeen is a very cool city. Most of the buildings are granite and there are some awesome ones. Balmoral was cool, which is a royal castle. It's a little touristy but neat to see. I'm hoping to go back next year. I can't wait!!!

rudgej wrote:
To be honest though, just search for Scottish photos on the forum, and you'll see many fine photos of much higher standards than mine. They should give you some inspiration on where to go though.

John, The photos are beautiful. I like Black Mount very much. Thanks for sharing them.

Another question: what should I expect in terms of weather? How warmly should I dress? In California, it is very warm right now--shorts and a t-shirt weather. Should I forget about bringing my summer clothes?

I wouldn't worry about bringing warm clothes but would pack long sleeved tops and jeans/trousers and a light rain coat, we've had really dry weather lately but that could all change in a matter of days

Expect temps of 14 to 20 Deg C 55 - 70 Deg F

where are you travelling to Orkney from ? I'd like to help you with places to visit but wouldn't want you straying to far from where you want to end up.

Thank you. Weatherwise the clothes to wear will partly depend on how acclimatised you are to Californian weather. I'm heading up north tomorrow and will basically wander around in jeans and a t-shirt (of course I'll keep a jumper and waterproof jacket in the car). If you check out Metcheck and put a town in such as Kirkwall, it is forecast to be around 12-14degC next week, so perhaps a bit cold for you.

When I was in Scotland, I flew into Glasgow and some relatives took me to Loch Lomond. The next day we went up to Stirling (to visit the castle, but I wish I could have spent days in the area... so gorgeous and full of history) and I caught the bus to Inverness. Perth as I recall was very nice too. I then went up to Ullapool and the Isle of Lewis, but I think that's a different direction then what you plan on doing.

And don't forget about Edinburgh!

rudgej wrote:
(of course I'll keep a jumper and waterproof jacket in the car). If you check out Metcheck and put a town in such as Kirkwall, it is forecast to be around 12-14degC next week, so perhaps a bit cold for you.

jumper 1 |ˈjəmpər| noun 1 a collarless sleeveless dress, typically worn over a blouse.

jumper1 1
2 Brit. a sweater.

3 historical a loose outer jacket worn by sailors.

Good thing for the dictionary! Since you are a man and haven't talked about sailing, I believe it is fairly safe to say that you take along a "sweater" in my lingo.

You've been so helpful! Thank you!

Anywhere on the west coast is breathtakingly beautiful. Sorry not being west coast bias, it's just I've never been to the east coast lol
Oban and Fort William or beautiful, get up early and go down to the loch and catch some otters, or the Smoo caves up in Durness