Scotland trip

[Zaukrie]

We failed to get to Iona and Lewis (I particularly wanted to see the stones at Callanish) because storms made it unsafe for the ferries. North West Scotland is the closest thing the UK has to a wild frontier, and transport can be vulnerable to the often unpredictable weather, as well as mechanical failure (the region is completely ignored by Westminster, and Holyrood aren't much better). That's why I dislike the modern requirement to pre-book everything. You really need to be able to react to the conditions and change plans as the situation changes.

Given the area is 100 percent dependent on tourism and fishing, you'd think they'd invest in ferries that didn't breakdown? But I'll avoid posting about politics....

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Given the area is 100 percent dependent on tourism and fishing, you'd think they'd invest in ferries that didn't breakdown? But I'll avoid posting about politics....

In order to invest, you need to be allocated money from the government in the first place…

The Scottish reputation for engineering comes from constantly having to repair stuff that is over 50 years old!

It’s probably not political to simply state that the issue of ferries was crucial in recent elections in Shetland.

But even modern ferries can’t put out in a storm.

 

[Zaukrie]

I cannot recommend going inside eilean donan. Not worth it at all. No photos. 20 th century decor. Outside is beautiful.

 

[Morrus]

Dang you are not having a good holiday! Hopefully something will work out for you.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I cannot recommend going inside eilean donan. Not worth it at all. No photos. 20 th century decor. Outside is beautiful.

We saw it as we were driving by but didn't stop. Sounds like we didn't miss anything.

If you're heading further south, Doune Castle (featured heavily in Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, plus Game of Thrones and Outlander) is nice. The audio tour really helps to elevate it, showing you what each spot was used for.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I cannot recommend going inside eilean donan. Not worth it at all. No photos. 20 th century decor. Outside is beautiful.

I found it quite interesting, it’s a very cool castle. But it was about 40 years ago when I was there so I don’t remember much of the interior. I guess it’s been continuously occupied, which is why it’s in good nick. It was in Skyfall if I remember correctly.

 

[Zaukrie]

Dang you are not having a good holiday! Hopefully something will work out for you.

It's actually been great! But with hiccups.

The three golf courses near campletown were really fun and very well maintained. We got the true windy links experience in the their round.

When the ferry was cancelled, we stayed in Oban. Drank great whisky, took a very nice boat tour, and saw two very good castles.

We also stopped in Stirling Castle, which probably rivals Edinburgh for interesting.

I merely posted about eilean because I was waiting on my wife to use the toilet and saw free Wi-Fi....

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

When the ferry was cancelled, we stayed in Oban. Drank great whisky, took a very nice boat tour, and saw two very good castles.

Other than the whiskey, Oban didn't make a great impression on me. But I think that was more the combination of staying at a bad Airbnb and the pouring rain. Oban distillery makes some very nice whiskey.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

We also stopped in Stirling Castle, which probably rivals Edinburgh for interesting.

Stirling, like Edinburgh, is a proper military fortress. Most of the other castles are really just fortified houses.

I seem to recall Eileen Donan translates from Gaelic as “Isle of the Hermit”.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Other than the whiskey, Oban didn't make a great impression on me. But I think that was more the combination of staying at a bad Airbnb and the pouring rain. Oban distillery makes some very nice whiskey.

That would be whisky. They don’t make whiskey in Scotland!

I’ve only ever passed through Oban on my way somewhere else.