General: Scotland

'''My experience with Scotland''' I've spent two wonderful months in Scotland in summer of 2005, it seems so far away, but when I look at the pictures, I'm right back there...It was a wonderful experience both from the view of a tourist as well as a language student. I did think my English was kind of good even back then, but coming to western Scotland was a bit of a shock as the accent and dialect people speak there was much more difficult for ...
...London. Ok, so for the first week or so I had to keep my ears super opened and concentrate on everything they said. That was both frustrating as I had a job there and this was an extra hurdle to cope with, but also great fun as I have learnt (and by now also forgotten most of it, I admit) some dialect and I tried to absorb their accent. I loved the long and opened "a" in words like cab, rag, bag, Jack and wide somewhat muted "i" in short words sounding ...

jeaniecz 15.07.2008 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

Before I begin this review, I'd like to underline the fact that I first published this text on the French version of ciao! last August. I translate it now and may change some points. What's more, it's the first time I write an opinion in the "travel" section of ciao.co.uk so I may lack method and organization. I've decided to deal with my travel through Scotland day after day. ۞ Before leaving : For various reasons, goig to Scotland has been ...
...(discovery, hearing the Scottish accent, knowing if I'll be able to understand it and be understood by the locals). With three other people, we had been seriously talking about it for at least six months when we decided on the dates of our journey. At the end of July, 2008 we were off to Scotland ... We left early on the morning on July, 20th and came back at night, on August, 1st. I'll focus on 10 days of our journey, from July, 21st to July, ...

lily80 16.11.2008 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

Think of a Scottish place to spend a few days on holiday or even just for a short weekend break & it is doubtful that Aberlour will spring to mind. Which is quite a shame because this small village in North East Scotland has a lot going for it. Charlestown of Aberlour (to give it its proper title) is situated 56 miles south east of the highland capital Inverness, 60 miles North West of Aberdeen & 35 miles east of Aviemore. It means that should you ...
...hour twenty minutes driving time from most of these places. You are also close to the ski centre at the Lecht, dolphin watching on the Moray coastline & about two hours from Loch Ness. If that's not enough Aberlour is surrounded by beautiful countryside for walks, cycling & fishing, golf courses & whisky distilleries. You could drive through Aberlour in about two to three minutes flat & not notice anything, it's that kind of place, nothing stands ...

ScottishWestie 14.07.2008 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

Clearing a bookshelf I found the diary my friend and I had written when hitch-hiking through Scotland in 1964 (!), let me warn you, this op is a bit on the longish side, if you´re in a hurry, you´d better pass on . . . My friend from uni and I had come to London at the beginning of August to take part in a language course, but something went wrong and we could only begin in September. We had our youth hostel cards with us and a small rucksack each ...
...on a hitch-hiking tour. Where to? Why not to Scotland? We didn´t know anything about the country besides its position north of England and the usual clichés, we bought a road map and off we went. Crossing the border was disappointing! We, continental Europeans who had already travelled abroad had distinct ideas about what a border should be like: bounds and barriers and a policeman who´d put a stamp into our passport watched by an Alsatian with ...

MALU 08.06.2004 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

Charleston of Aberlour, or Aberlour, as it is mostly known as, is where my heart lies. I've been to lots of places, lived in lots of places, but it's always Aberlour that I get homesick for. How strange then, that although I know this tiny place like the back of my hand, could wander its streets and lanes blindfolded, I've never actually lived there. Aberlour is where my Father's family stay, and it's where we spent all the summers of our youth, ...
...by the river, and generally roaming wild. It is a place where I learned how beautiful nature is, and how harsh. It's where I learned how to tell a wild raspberry from a bramble, and where to source the finest specimens of pine cone (for tossing on an open fire before bed to sent a pine scent through the house). It is where I learned to fish for minnows with a jam jar and a crust of bread, and where I first saw the almost prehistoric grace of a Heron ...

phoenixgreen 11.09.2006 (08.10.2006) · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

It was the autumn half-term holiday last week, so for those with kids or connected to primary and secondary education in some way, it was a last chance to get fleeced by the tourist industry before the bargain basement off-season prices apply. Whoo-hoo, my daughter is now 22. Booo, I’m married to a teacher! Ruth and I tend to alternate between catching the last of the sun in the Med area and having a relaxing if calorific time usually in our beloved ...
...the UK’s turn this year, but we fancied somewhere else. I’m running out of places to see in The Lakes, and I’ll be bug****d if I’ll go to see all the Beatrix Potter memorabilia just because we’ve “done” everywhere else. Having been to Carlisle a few times whilst in The Lakes, I remember making a mental note that “Scotland can’t be far” – well the border at least, so despite the fact that Lakeland is far enough for any Londoner in his right mind to ...

BNibbles 26.10.2002 (27.10.2002) · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

~ ~ Scotland is a small country with a population of only around 5.5 million, roughly about 10% of the total population of the United Kingdom. But for a country so small, Scotland and the Scots have had an extraordinary influence on the rest of the world. She has a history that is one of the stormiest of any nation, has produced heroes and heroines of enormous stature and legend, and has been responsible for some of the world’s finest literature ...
...Her local products, customs, music and traditional dress – whisky, haggis, tartan, tweed, and bagpipes – are used and are common all over the globe. Scots throughout history, and in particular those who left their homeland to settle in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, have been superb propagandists for the land of their ancestors, and the land they will always love. ~ ~ Despite what most red-blooded Scotsmen would have you ...

the_mad_cabbie 26.12.2000 (04.10.2001) · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

Scotland in general – now there’s a topic one could get carried away with! The whole of a beautiful country in one opinion, well maybe not quite all of it! The first year that my partner, Dave, and I were together we were trying to decide where to go on holiday and I suggested the Isle of Skye. I had been before and had a reasonable holiday there, even though it was with my ex husband who was a pain in the neck (and sometimes lower down!). ...
...a good one. That was in 1998 and we had a wonderful time there. Last year (2000) we decided that we would like to visit Skye again, but this time do a bit of touring on the way there, and maybe on the way back too, if the money didn’t run out! Come with me on a brief but beautiful tour. We chose a basic route and I discovered information via the Internet and booked all the hotels and guest houses before we started so that we wouldn’t ...

SusanLesley 05.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

I travelled to Scotland from my old home in England 16 years ago and loved it – so much so that within a year, I had moved house to live here! I’ve toured my new home country with my family quite a few times now, and I never tire of the scenery, the people and the fascinating history. When most people think of Scotland, they think of the bagpipes and kilts of St. Andrews, but there is much more to the country than that. Here’s one ...
...place… ______________________________________________________ What We Mean By The “North and North East” ______________________________________________________ The North and North East of Scotland usually refers to the area around Aberdeen (my home!) on the second “bulge” of Scotland’s east coast. It doesn’t normally include the very far north of Scotland – that is normally referred to as the Highlands ...

freelancer1 13.06.2002 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

Scotland is a beautiful and historic nation. There are a variety of places worth visiting depending on what you are looking for. The home of tartan, bagpipes and Nessie? No, that is an outdated view the modern Scotland is a warm, welcoming, cultured and vibrant country. If you are after awe inspiring scenery then a visit to the Highlands and Islands in the north and west is essential. In particular Mull and Iona are worth visiting and can be reached ...
...burial place of many Scottish kings and a place of religious significance. There are ruins to visit and explore. The larger of the two islands, Mull is also a great place to camp with several campsites to choose from and some gorgeous beaches if the weather is warm. Back on the mainland a visit to the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is most rewarding. A picturesque historical city, the main feature which every new visitor immediately sees when they ...

setimerenptah 05.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

I used to holiday in Scotland a lot but eventually hoidays were not enough so I came to live here. Eleven years on and I still chose Scotland for my holidays. Scotland has just about something for everyone, fantastic scenery, a wealth of history and dozens of outdoor activities. Yes, it does rain some of the time but its also warm and sunny for much of the year. May, June and September are reputed to be driest months, they are also often the quietest ...
...July and August are the warmest months. Having got that out of the way – if you are thinking of going to Scotland, here are just a few ideas about where you can go. The borders area around Peebles are quiet and peaceful. The same can be said for Dumfries and Galloway. There is some gorgeous scenery around Galloway. If you want a city break Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness have plenty to offer. Edinburgh is a beautiful city with an amazing castle ...

Conicview 06.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

I recently spent a week in Scotland - my partner and I don't like hot weather so it was ideal! (The weather was actually very nice though). We drove up - 14 hours from South Wales! Directions courtesy of breathe.com routefinder. We stayed in a lodge in a small village called Cannich, a few miles from Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness. We spent quite a lot of our time here, investigating the 'monster'! There are various exhibition centres, gift shops, ...
...We went out on the Loch twice, the second time was with a man called Edwards - he has studied the Loch and its inhabitants for over 35 years, and has recorded the greatest depth - approximately 250 metres, near Urquhart Castle. The castle is mostly ruins but it is still a site to see, it costs about £5 to visit it but it has signs everywhere giving you its history, and you can get right to the bank of Loch Ness. There is a great big catapult (Trebuchet) ...

AliB 31.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

When it comes to tourism Scotland sometimes gets a bit of a rough deal. Tourism is now at it's lowest level for many years, though I couldn't say why this should be. The country itself is relatively small and only has a population of five million or so. For such a small country the range of attractions and historical sites is staggering. If you are a golfing enthusiast then Scotland, the home of golf, is definately the place for you. With many world-class ...
...will never be stuck for a round. If golf is not your thing there is plenty more to Scotland. The scenery is among the finest you will find anywhere in the world. The tranquility of the Mountains and wide open spaces is only a short journey from the hustle and bustle of the major cities. The people are friendly and welcoming and the hospitality is second to none. Scotland is a great place for a holiday, and while it doesn't enjoy the best of weather ...

Lad 22.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

This tiny island can be reached by ferries from Oban and Lochaline and from Kilchoan (in the summer only). The island is just 24 miles long and 26 miles wide. It's Western shoreline has lots of inlets and sea-lochs which gives it over 300 miles of coast. There are some really magnificent seaviews and towering, awesome looking cliffs, especially in the south-west of the island. Inland, the moors are covered in wildflowers and they rise to a height ...
...the island's highest point. There is just one town called Tobermory which is at the northern end of the Sound of Mull. It has a quaint and attractive waterfront and a yachting harbour. This harbour is the centre of seafaring legends about a sunken treasure that went down here, with a Spanish Armada galleon in 1588. At Craignure on the east side of the island is the Mull and West Highland railway which runs steam and diesel trains on a ten and a quarter ...

janharper 16.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland

As I prepare for yet another Hogmany here in Auld Reekie, it seems timely to share my thought on this city of my home, and I'm even more proud to say, my birth. We all know about Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and its Gardens and The Royal Mile among many other touristic and historic attractions, but what people dont realize is that not only is Edinburgh nice to look at, it is also great to live in. Although not one of the worlds most populous ...
...many to be very expensive compared to it's local alternatives (I will come to Glasgow later), as anyone who has lived here either as a local or a visitor or immigrant will tell you, these are far from character flaws. The weather is perhaps Edinburgh's most unsavoury feature (as I write there are blizzards predicted for tonight, not that even that could dampen the New Year celebrations), but if that puts you off then move to Majorca. However, this ...

Deiz 31.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of General: Scotland