Scotland, not my idea of a holiday destination.

[Langtoftlad]

Obviously you haven't been of the usual tourists routes in Scotland as it is absolutely breathtaking, you mentioned the Alps, also the German this the French that and the Italian this, but you are comparing what Scotland has as one country against basically the whole of Europe, in Scotland you can see amazing mountains, lochs, lake's castles and beautiful golden sand beaches especially up the north west or the western islands, you can see sea eagles puffin various birds of prey not to mention an abundance of stags, otters, mink etc it has the best fishing by far if your into that sort of thing, and if you ever decide to tour Scotland visit the Western isles you won't meet a nicer friendlier more helpful bunch of people anywhere in Europe. And don't be put off by the SNP crap and the anti English rhetoric that they spout most of Scotland are not nationalists.

You forgot the midges... not sure Germany, France, Italy nor Switzerland have those

 

[Tonydom]

Yes you are right forgot to mention the dreaded Scottish midge but unlike these little critters https://www.euronews.com/green/2021...g-through-europe-how-can-we-protect-ourselves the midge will make you itch and possibly give a small skin reaction if you are alergic

 

[Wabs]

Yes you are right forgot to mention the dreaded Scottish midge but unlike these little critters https://www.euronews.com/green/2021...g-through-europe-how-can-we-protect-ourselves the midge will make you itch and possibly give a small skin reaction if you are alergic

Maybe ,,but midges are seasonal,,and I personally prefer Scotland out of season, better all round,,probably my favourite go to place on the planet.

 

[pelican]

Ok, I have a fever and may be a little delirious but bare with me.

I've seen various people mention Scotland as an alternative destination to Europe this year due to the covid situation and I always think 'why bother?'.
If you only ever holiday in the UK then fair enough you might be impressed but if you have ever toured Europe its a little bit mediocre.
If you live down south it takes longer to drive there on over-crowded roads than it does to get to France, and if you live up north then the lake district is closer.
Yes it has mountains but nothing compared to the Alps. It has lochs but again a bit underwhelming once you have been to southern Germany or the Italian lakes.
Castles? yes but again not quite as great as the German ones or the French Chateaux. Thats without taking the unpredictable, mostly GREY weather into account and the bloody (literally once they have had their fill) midgies. I made the mistake of camping in a tent near Perth once, that lasted one night).

Anyway that's my thoughts, I'm sure not everyone will agree.

PS I lived and worked in northern scotland for six years including Skye for a short while so I do have some knowledge.

Sounds like you like the Bling

 

[fordsabroad]

Yes, horrible place. No character, no scenery. I mean this castle isn't even finished

View attachment 512804

Great picture, Where is it please?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Itsmcb]

Great picture, Where is it please?

Near Stonehaven, just south of Aberdeen.

 

[Wabs]

Stonehaven?

 

[Itsmcb]

An alternative, some might say more realistic photo.

 

[monzer]

Great picture, Where is it please?

Dunnotar Castle. Hidden gem in the North East.

 

[BillyKontiki]

How human beings can be strange.... You have curls you want straight hair, you have blue eyes you wish you had black ones... and so on! I have lived in France my whole life or nearly. I didn't visit all of France, but still, since I am 11 years old I have been dreaming of Scotland. I finally went there twice. Plane, train, bus, a beautiful manor ... haggis...and I only wish to go back . I love the fog on the lochs, I like the mystery of the scottish battles punctuated by the drums in the distance and the music of both Robert Burns's poetry, and bag pipes. Alps will never make me dream the same way. I've been on the Lochness once with rain, and once with sun... and I prefer it with the rain. The ruins of the Urquhart Castle are so moving.
We all seem to never really be happy with what we have.....

Very we’ll put.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wack]

Ok, I have a fever and may be a little delirious but bare with me.

I've seen various people mention Scotland as an alternative destination to Europe this year due to the covid situation and I always think 'why bother?'.
If you only ever holiday in the UK then fair enough you might be impressed but if you have ever toured Europe its a little bit mediocre.
If you live down south it takes longer to drive there on over-crowded roads than it does to get to France, and if you live up north then the lake district is closer.
Yes it has mountains but nothing compared to the Alps. It has lochs but again a bit underwhelming once you have been to southern Germany or the Italian lakes.
Castles? yes but again not quite as great as the German ones or the French Chateaux. Thats without taking the unpredictable, mostly GREY weather into account and the bloody (literally once they have had their fill) midgies. I made the mistake of camping in a tent near Perth once, that lasted one night).

Anyway that's my thoughts, I'm sure not everyone will agree.

PS I lived and worked in northern scotland for six years including Skye for a short while so I do have some knowledge.

No sure if you've heard of the pandemic that's been going on for the last 18 months or so but it's been quite a big thing

Some people get 2 weeks off work so say they decide to go to Europe and have a great time looking at lakes and mountains

Then they get ready to come home , skint but happy , only there's a problem , they take the required test so they can enter the UK but no, they test positive in a foreign country having spent all their money.

They then may have to isolate in a special hotel for up to three weeks €€€ and have more tests €€€, they've missed their flight / ferry so have to re book ,€€€ , their boss isn't happy and they sit head in hands, why didn't we go to Scotland.

 

[Landy Andy]

I don’t know of one person who has failed the test before coming home, but I do many that have had a great time, and financially are far better off having had a holiday abroad than the UK.

For us 2.5 weeks away only paid for four nights at aires and they were all under €11. ET via frequent traveller and less fuel than to Scotland. All good.

 

[Ukbandit]

Don't forget the fashion for a good night outView attachment 513051

Bare ankles showing ohhh yum yum.

 

[The Lobster]

Maybe emigration to Europe might be an option for you

It was until my freedom to move was removed from me. But actually Scotland is still part of Europe... even a Tory can't change geography.

 

[Cie]

If Scotland is for you, try the North East Coast. The midges are not around that much. As you’ve seen, Dunnottar Castle at Stonehaven is great. This is our local beach at Fraserburgh. Our summer weather has been pleasant too, no sweltering hot days nor the high winds that much of the UK had.
If you head this way, maybe pop into to our newly opened £5 per night stopover
<Broken link removed> stopover

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tonydom]

Don't really understand this freedom to move being bandied about I'm old enough to remember going on camping holidays with my parents to Spain/Germany and visiting an uncle who had permanently moved to France before the creation of the EU and as far as I'm aware I can still do this I can visit any part of EU and if I wish to permanently move to any European country I can as long as I meet their criteria yes there is more red tape but that's just the way it is in the vast majority of countries.

 

[monzer]

If Scotland is for you, try the North East Coast. The midges are not around that much. As you’ve seen, Dunnottar Castle at Stonehaven is great. This is our local beach at Fraserburgh. Our summer weather has been pleasant too, no sweltering hot days nor the high winds that much of the UK had.
If you head this way, maybe pop into to our newly opened £5 per night stopover
<Broken link removed> stopover

I'm fishing out of Fraserburgh today. We're leaving harbour at 1pm but next early trip I will book in to your stopover to save a mad rush up from Kintore in the morning

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Yip, just south of Stonehaven and was in a tee-shirt and shorts the last time I was there!

I was there just ten days ago

 

[Tonydom]

I'm fishing out of Fraserburgh today. We're leaving harbour at 1pm but next early trip I will book in to your stopover to save a mad rush up from Kintore in the morning

Going to take big bear out on her maiden voyage around about 20th August hoping to head up west coast and do some freshwater loch fishing then head over to the east and take in some sea fishing. So will be sure to try out your site. Would like to have done it this week as van in now complete but heading to IOM later this week for a few days in a hotel

 

[Ingwe]

I think Scotland is beautiful and they nearly speak English.

Yes, almost. And, of course, the Scots have close links with the French. This clearly explains your liking of Scotland.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gary217]

Don't really understand this freedom to move being bandied about I'm old enough to remember going on camping holidays with my parents to Spain/Germany and visiting an uncle who had permanently moved to France before the creation of the EU and as far as I'm aware I can still do this I can visit any part of EU and if I wish to permanently move to any European country I can as long as I meet their criteria yes there is more red tape but that's just the way it is in the vast majority of countries.

I agree back in the old days it was harder to get to Europe and stay (probably in your parents time), but then it got a lot easier and you could go for as long as you want or even just move there with no hassle, and now you can't. That's the loss of freedom of movement which out of all the changes is the worse one - and it is in both directions as we now have skill shortages in this country and my wife and I can no longer stay in Europe for 6 months (without applying for a visa which I have no idea whether we would get). Simple to understand really.

 

[Gary217]

I think the OP might have written this with tongue in cheek to keep us who live below the border from wanting to go there. However, in comparing Scotland to Europe he is so right, it just does not come anywhere near close to the beauty and climate of Europe. If compared to the rest of the UK (which is a pretty low bar to get over) some bits of Scotland do rank highly although it's nowhere near as nice as Wales, but having tried to relax on a deserted sandy beach in Scotland getting sand blasted by the sand in the gales, or visiting 'beauty spots' in the pouring rain and also suffered the horrible wail of bagpipes at every tourist spot car park (how can anyone ever, ever think that bagpipes is an attractive sound..??) it certainly wasn't one of our 'must go back' trips. Then of course there's the food...haggis done in 100 different ways for the tourists or perhaps a deep fried mars bar. No, I won't be trailing the 7 hours or so back up there, we'd much rather turn southwards head off across the channel for good weather, good food and almost unending variety of great places to visit.

 

[Tonydom]

Yes, almost. And, of course, the Scots have close links with the French. This clearly explains your liking of Scotland.

Not this Scot, I'm British born and bred I tell ppl I was born in Scotland and made in Britain courtesy of 10 years spent in the army

 

[youbecome1]

Ok, I have a fever and may be a little delirious but bare with me.

I've seen various people mention Scotland as an alternative destination to Europe this year due to the covid situation and I always think 'why bother?'.
If you only ever holiday in the UK then fair enough you might be impressed but if you have ever toured Europe its a little bit mediocre.
If you live down south it takes longer to drive there on over-crowded roads than it does to get to France, and if you live up north then the lake district is closer.
Yes it has mountains but nothing compared to the Alps. It has lochs but again a bit underwhelming once you have been to southern Germany or the Italian lakes.
Castles? yes but again not quite as great as the German ones or the French Chateaux. Thats without taking the unpredictable, mostly GREY weather into account and the bloody (literally once they have had their fill) midgies. I made the mistake of camping in a tent near Perth once, that lasted one night).

Anyway that's my thoughts, I'm sure not everyone will agree.

PS I lived and worked in northern scotland for six years including Skye for a short while so I do have some knowledge.

Wow! I couldn’t disagree more wholeheartedly.
My wife and I did the NC 500 at the end of June and beginning of July and had a fabulous time. Yes, it’s a long way from the South East, but so is the Alps. The west coast is spectacular, especially from Durness to Ullapool. Almost sensory overload it’s so lovely. Handa Island’s Puffin colony was amazing. Weather is always a factor. We were lucky. One bad day. we had plenty of blockbuster days too. See some of the pics. Make your decision.
I’ve been to Austria, Germany, Italy, France and Spain and all their mountain areas. They’re different but equally special.
Be open minded. It’s worth it!

 

[deleted79651]

Wow! I couldn’t disagree more wholeheartedly.
My wife and I did the NC 500 at the end of June and beginning of July and had a fabulous time. Yes, it’s a long way from the South East, but so is the Alps. The west coast is spectacular, especially from Durness to Ullapool. Almost sensory overload it’s so lovely. Handa Island’s Puffin colony was amazing. Weather is always a factor. We were lucky. One bad day. we had plenty of blockbuster days too. See some of the pics. Make your decision.
I’ve been to Austria, Germany, Italy, France and Spain and all their mountain areas. They’re different but equally special.
Be open minded. It’s worth it!
View attachment 525182View attachment 525183View attachment 525184View attachment 525185View attachment 525186View attachment 525187View attachment 525188View attachment 525189

We're lucky to live only 7 miles or so by road from the Bridges. The Queensferry Crossing is spectacular in every light, and the Rail Bridge is also a wee bit special ...

Steve

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[vectisroamers]

Just returned from fantastic trip around the coast, beautiful scenery, friendly people,good weather for most of the trip and no midges.
The only downside was Ullapool which is a typical tourist resort where they just serve up terrible fish and chips and bad coffee knowing that you are only there once so they dont care.

 

[Gizmouk]

Best part about Wales is the bypass - the M5

 

[Gellyneck]

Wow! I couldn’t disagree more wholeheartedly.
My wife and I did the NC 500 at the end of June and beginning of July and had a fabulous time. Yes, it’s a long way from the South East, but so is the Alps. The west coast is spectacular, especially from Durness to Ullapool. Almost sensory overload it’s so lovely. Handa Island’s Puffin colony was amazing. Weather is always a factor. We were lucky. One bad day. we had plenty of blockbuster days too. See some of the pics. Make your decision.
I’ve been to Austria, Germany, Italy, France and Spain and all their mountain areas. They’re different but equally special.
Be open minded. It’s worth it!

Hey you! Stoap encouraging folk tae come up here!

It's oors an were keepin it a secret!

 

[555 FRY]

Ok, I have a fever and may be a little delirious but bare with me.

I've seen various people mention Scotland as an alternative destination to Europe this year due to the covid situation and I always think 'why bother?'.
If you only ever holiday in the UK then fair enough you might be impressed but if you have ever toured Europe its a little bit mediocre.
If you live down south it takes longer to drive there on over-crowded roads than it does to get to France, and if you live up north then the lake district is closer.
Yes it has mountains but nothing compared to the Alps. It has lochs but again a bit underwhelming once you have been to southern Germany or the Italian lakes.
Castles? yes but again not quite as great as the German ones or the French Chateaux. Thats without taking the unpredictable, mostly GREY weather into account and the bloody (literally once they have had their fill) midgies. I made the mistake of camping in a tent near Perth once, that lasted one night).

Anyway that's my thoughts, I'm sure not everyone will agree.

PS I lived and worked in northern scotland for six years including Skye for a short while so I do have some knowledge.

Oh dear, totally utterly disagree. Do agree it takes all sorts but we absolutely love everything about Scotland. The scenery matches or is better than anything we’ve seen anywhere in the world. What else can I say, we’ve done the NCR ten times and walked the West Highland Way 25 times. Scotland forever in our book.

 

[The general]

The only downside was Ullapool which is a typical tourist resort

Disagree , if you catch it at right time fantastic place , spainish trucks loading up great fish ! Local fishing boats unloading Ferries coming and going , the whole vista , historic place . And Tesco’s to replend ready for onward journey !

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}