I don't mind the glimpse into Scottish politics at all. Everyone's vivid descriptions of the countryside makes this really endearing.

An alternative to the 'Whisky Trail', there's also the 'Castle Trail' where one can flit between some superb National Trust or privately owned stately homes throughout the north and northeast. The camping option so superbly done by brizzle is a great alternative if the budget limits the Bed & Breakfast stopovers. Maybe a combination of camping, say 2 nights in the tent and the 3rd night in a B&B (or hotel) for a shower!

Does anyone know if there's any mini camper-van rentals in Scotland like they have in New Zealand? I do recall that there's some really excellent 'caravan' grounds throughout Scotland and that would allow maximum mobility and choice; camp out in a tent, sleep in the camper-van or grab a B&B for the odd night.

An alternative to the 'Whisky Trail', there's also the 'Castle Trail' where one can flit between some superb National Trust or privately owned stately homes throughout the north and northeast. The camping option so superbly done by brizzle is a great alternative if the budget limits the Bed & Breakfast stopovers. Maybe a combination of camping, say 2 nights in the tent and the 3rd night in a B&B (or hotel) for a shower!

Does anyone know if there's any mini camper-van rentals in Scotland like they have in New Zealand? I do recall that there's some really excellent 'caravan' grounds throughout Scotland and that would allow maximum mobility and choice; camp out in a tent, sleep in the camper-van or grab a B&B for the odd night.

An excellent idea NanLaew.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/campervans.shtml

If you take this route then I'd recommend visiting the villages on the west coast. Very picturesque.

An alternative to the 'Whisky Trail', there's also the 'Castle Trail' where one can flit between some superb National Trust or privately owned stately homes throughout the north and northeast. The camping option so superbly done by brizzle is a great alternative if the budget limits the Bed & Breakfast stopovers. Maybe a combination of camping, say 2 nights in the tent and the 3rd night in a B&B (or hotel) for a shower!

Does anyone know if there's any mini camper-van rentals in Scotland like they have in New Zealand? I do recall that there's some really excellent 'caravan' grounds throughout Scotland and that would allow maximum mobility and choice; camp out in a tent, sleep in the camper-van or grab a B&B for the odd night.

An excellent idea NanLaew.

http://www.walkhighl...ampervans.shtml

If you take this route then I'd recommend visiting the villages on the west coast. Very picturesque.

As a non-thai-reader, one of the things i like about Scotland is the great information that the National Trust provide at almost every ruin and pile of stones around Scotland. I was going to mention my two favourite castles, but they are probably nothing special; only convenient for my dear old mother's home.

Anyway, I am sure that you will find interesting ruins with evocative stories wherever you end up. Bizarrely, and completely irrelevantly, there was a bloke riding a penny-farthing round the standing stones in Harris whenever we were there; though that was thirty years ago, and he's probably moved on by now...

Anyway, pass on my best regards to my dear old mother, should you run into her,

SC

This post has reminded me that we must return to Scotland in our next trip to the UK, it really is a beautiful country.

When we went there last time we went into a really nice Thai restaurant near Edinburgh Castle, my good lady couldn't resist the urge for a Thai fix, though they didn't have the haggis flavoured somtam I had promised her.

Bumped into Charles Kennedy outside the restaurant and had a chat with him, always liked him, his downfall was such a pity.

Double post, sorry.

This post has reminded me that we must return to Scotland in our next trip to the UK, it really is a beautiful country.

When we went there last time we went into a really nice Thai restaurant near Edinburgh Castle, my good lady couldn't resist the urge for a Thai fix, though they didn't have the haggis flavoured somtam I had promised her.

Bumped into Charles Kennedy outside the restaurant and had a chat with him, always liked him, his downfall was such a pity.

I've never had samosas to match those of Scotland, wherever I have roamed. Perhaps it is the accompaniment of a Sunday morning, a can of Irn Bru and a hangover that sets them off so well...

SC

This post has reminded me that we must return to Scotland in our next trip to the UK, it really is a beautiful country.

When we went there last time we went into a really nice Thai restaurant near Edinburgh Castle, my good lady couldn't resist the urge for a Thai fix, though they didn't have the haggis flavoured somtam I had promised her.

Bumped into Charles Kennedy outside the restaurant and had a chat with him, always liked him, his downfall was such a pity.

I've never had samosas to match those of Scotland, wherever I have roamed. Perhaps it is the accompaniment of a Sunday morning, a can of Irn Bru and a hangover that sets them off so well...

SC

We've been spoiled in many ways. I still can't tolerate walking into a chip shop if there's a queue of less than half a dozen people. I wonder what's wrong with the place?

Even if all I want is a box of cornflakes and twenty regal king size.