Trip to Bonny Scotland

[Beast of Barnsley]

My partner and I are contemplating a trip to Scotland for a few days.

We will be travelling up mid February for a few nights. We've been to Scotland once before and stayed in Luss. From there we visited Loch Lomond and then drove across and spent a night in a Hotel in St Andrews.

My question to you Scots is:-

Where would be an ideal place to stay (as a base) so we can see as much as we can within a few days. I would like to visit one or two of the Open Courses (Troon, Carnoustie etc) but it's not essential.

Neither of us are particularly interested in the night life, we prefer a nice restaurant. So any suggestion there would be appreciated too.

Also, I may be tempted to bring up the bats. So if anyone fancies a game we could organise before our visit.

Many thanks in advance

[True Blue]

My partner and I are contemplating a trip to Scotland for a few days.

We will be travelling up mid February for a few nights. We've been to Scotland once before and stayed in Luss. From there we visited Loch Lomond and then drove across and spent a night in a Hotel in St Andrews.

My question to you Scots is:-

Where would be an ideal place to stay (as a base) so we can see as much as we can within a few days. I would like to visit one or two of the Open Courses (Troon, Carnoustie etc) but it's not essential.

Neither of us are particularly interested in the night life, we prefer a nice restaurant. So any suggestion there would be appreciated too.

Also, I may be tempted to bring up the bats. So if anyone fancies a game we could organise before our visit.

Many thanks in advance
Beast, can you not postpone it until the end of Feb and then meet us at The Roxbughe on 01Mar and Cardrona on 02Mar. The missus can spoil herself in the Spa at Cardrona!!!
It will be on the way home!

[Beast of Barnsley]

Unfortunately not. Mine and my partners hols are booked already.

We are on leave from Sat 16th until Sunday 24th February and plan on having just 3 or 4 nights up there.

[McStumpy]

I'd suggest somewhere like Perth or Stirling - both big enough to offer facilities / amenities, but central enough to allow day trips to west or east coast.

[Cliche Guevara]

I'd suggest somewhere like Perth or Stirling - both big enough to offer facilities / amenities, but central enough to allow day trips to west or east coast.

Id agree with Alan on this one, though would plump for Perth over Stirling.

Perthshire is the gateway to the Highlands and Perth is handy for trips to Carnoustie, Montrose (5/6th oldest course in the world; a walk through the dunes and course there is fantastic) or a drive down to Fife.
Perth is also handy for Gleneagles, which is worth a visit as you can walk the estate and get real close to the Kings, Queens and PGA courses even if you don't play. Stirling is only a 30 min drive if you want to site see.


All that and the added bonus of Glasgow being only an hour away.

[McStumpy]

All that and the added bonus of Glasgow being only an hour away.


I've always admired your sense of humour, John ;)

[Planet_Boom]

What about Aberdeen? Lots of great courses about that you could play...probably for a fraction of the cost of the more famous courses. Either that or go somewhere in Moray, more golf and its the whiskey capital of the world - this would be my choice if I wanted a quiet retreat with nice food and great golf.

[shanker]

What about Aberdeen? Lots of great courses about that you could play...probably for a fraction of the cost of the more famous courses. Either that or go somewhere in Moray, more golf and its the whiskey capital of the world - this would be my choice if I wanted a quiet retreat with nice food and great golf.

Is that for the Irish stuff?

Regardless Islay is the Whisky capital of the world and has a pretty mean golf course at Machrie. It is a bit remote for anything else though.

[True Blue]

Have to disagree with you John. Stirling would be a better place to stay as there is far more to see in and around the town. Can't remember too much to see in Perth. Stirling is still on half an hour from Gleneagles and is at the gateway to the Trossochs. Also it is more or less inbetween Edinburgh and Glasgow should the desire take you there!

Really depends on what you are after Mr Barnsley, history, technology, golf, country etc!
Place I have stayed at for many a year is:

http://www.lochend-chalets.com/

They do 3/4 night stays at this time of year and I can recommend the A-Frame Apartments. Incredibly peaceful and with views to die for.

[Beast of Barnsley]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Looks like the Stirling area is favorite.

We are looking for "things to do" within an hours drive from our base. We would probably visit St Andrews as we both enjoyed it there. We enjoy walking, Kim's not really one for sightseeing to be honest, but she does love to shop, as my credit card found out when we visited the Belfry!!

Any suggestions on what to do while we're there would be appreciated as well.

Ta

[True Blue]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Looks like the Stirling area is favorite.

We are looking for "things to do" within an hours drive from our base. We would probably visit St Andrews as we both enjoyed it there. We enjoy walking, Kim's not really one for sightseeing to be honest, but she does love to shop, as my credit card found out when we visited the Belfry!!

Any suggestions on what to do while we're there would be appreciated as well.

Ta
Keep her away from Edinburgh and Glasgow then as it is crawling with good shops! My wife spent a fortune in a shop called Ness in Edinbugh, me and my son spent ages next door in The Armoury looking at machine guns, maces, f-ing big swords etc - talk about a nutcases paradise!
Lots of walking to be done around Stirling, Ochills, Ben Lomond (guess you have done this if you stayed in Luss), Ben A'an, The Trossochs, Queen Elizabeth National Park. In Stirling there is the castle and The Wallace monument that has stunning views from the top.

[Big Jock]

Agree that Stirling is your best bet-They have a decent shopping mall there-not too big. If you want more choice of shops then head to Glasgow. New Silverburn Shopping mall is pretty good and you have Princes Square and Buchanan Galleries in city centre.

[Cliche Guevara]

I've always admired your sense of humour, John ;)

Nothing funny about that statement my good man, just wanted to ensure that he didn't get salt n sauce with his chips...:tongue:

[McStumpy]

Nothing funny about that statement my good man, just wanted to ensure that he didn't get salt n sauce with his chips...:tongue:


For anyone who hasn't had salt & sauce with their chips - you are missing out on one of life's treats. Salt & vinegar pales by comparison.

[shanker]

For anyone who hasn't had salt & sauce with their chips - you are missing out on one of life's treats. Salt & vinegar pales by comparison.

You are indeed, however there's not a lot else worth going to Edinburgh for.:laugh:

[McStumpy]

You are indeed, however there's not a lot else worth going to Edinburgh for.:laugh:


Count to 10... let it lie... count to 10 again....

[Cliche Guevara]

Count to 10... let it lie... count to 10 again....

You can count to 10!...did you go to school in the west Alan?