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Old 04-27-2006, 08:17 PM   #1
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I need help deciding how to get around Scotland on the first round of my trip. I plan on walking etc in big cites but am curious how to see the sites in rural Scotland.. The 3 day bus tour costs 150 American but I would like to find an alternative. Any suggestions?
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Old 04-27-2006, 10:16 PM   #2
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I may do one of those this summer. Ive only heard good things about them, both Haggis tours and MacBackpackers. Best way to see Scotland in a short period of time.
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Old 04-27-2006, 11:13 PM   #3
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If you're not short on time, perhaps you could consider just taking the local buses, rather than something organized - we've got some scots on the boards, what do you guys think?



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Old 04-28-2006, 09:17 AM   #4
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I leave on May 15th so I'm trying to find out pretty quickly. I'll be booking this bus tour w/ Haggis in the next two days (if I do book it) but am wondering about the other alternatives.

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Originally posted by tumblezweedz@Apr 28 2006, 12:13 AM
If you're not short on time, perhaps you could consider just taking the local buses, rather than something organized - we've got some scots on the boards, what do you guys think?


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Old 04-29-2006, 07:49 PM   #5
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Bump - Which tour is better? I was originally considering Haggis and almost booked it but I had not heard of MacBackpackers.. I like the personal attitude of Haggis etc etc

Let me know

D


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Originally posted by Peramoure@Apr 28 2006, 10:17 AM
I leave on May 15th so I'm trying to find out pretty quickly.* I'll be booking this bus tour w/ Haggis in the next two days (if I do book it) but am wondering about the other alternatives.
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Old 04-30-2006, 01:19 AM   #6
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It's your own trip,depends on what you want to do,what you want to see,what sort of culture and lifestyle you want to see and yadda yadda yadda...


i would probably recommend jus doni it all yourself,doin the normal cities in the central belt like edinburgh,glasgow then go to stirling,perth and dundee and st. andrews if ya want,maybe go to ayr,troono,famous golf course there also,and then go up north,go through fortwilliam past ben nevis then fort augustus up along side loch ness to inverness,then go north to wick,thurso,john o' groats,maybe go to orkney and shetland,then you could go accross the north frm right to left,then go down the west coast,as your goin back down south you could come see me ,reelin ya in,....and then maybe at ullapool,thats north of me,you could then take the main road all the way back to inverness and cut accross to aberdeen (tried to get that for ya turisty),then from aberdeen you could then go down the east coast which is when you could see dundee,st andrews.


now thats maybe just a general "tour" of scotland,i could probably ive you some other ideas maybe,but it all depends on what you want to do and want to see,give me some info,and ill give you some more advice
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Old 04-30-2006, 02:19 AM   #7
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I think you'll be fine on your own, taking local buses or trains, too. However, if there's a lot you want to see in a short time, and this coach tour covers the ground you want, then I imagine you'll squeeze more in that way. Of course, you likely won't have any control over how much time you have at each site. It may be file off the bus, take pictures of a castle, listen to a tour guide talk for a few minutes, then get back on. If you're on your own, you can explore the castle to your heart's desire, taking the time to wander around at your own pace. You just won't get to as many sites relying on public transport as you likely will on the tour.

Close call. I'd say go with what your gut instinct is telling you: Quality vs. Quantity (although as a friend of mine says, "Quantity has a quality all its own...)

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Old 04-30-2006, 02:39 PM   #8
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Ok - another question! :-) I'm 22. I have this need to rent a car somewhere but it looks like the minimum age in all of the places is 23. How lenient is this? I could totally book a car in Scotland instead of the tour and just drive all over for four days. I've never been overseas before so I feel like this tour would probably be good to get my feet wet; It will be the first 4 days of the 31 we will be in Europe. Anyway, let me know. Thank you guys for all of your help.

Dave

Quote:
Originally posted by worldwidemike@Apr 30 2006, 03:19 AM
I think you'll be fine on your own, taking local buses or trains, too.* However, if there's a lot you want to see in a short time, and this coach tour covers the ground you want, then I imagine you'll squeeze more in that way.* Of course, you likely won't have any control over how much time you have at each site.* It may be file off the bus, take pictures of a castle, listen to a tour guide talk for a few minutes, then get back on.* If you're on your own, you can explore the castle to your heart's desire, taking the time to wander around at your own pace.* You just won't get to as many sites relying on public transport as you likely will on the tour.

Close call.* I'd say go with what your gut instinct is telling you: Quality vs. Quantity (although as a friend of mine says, "Quantity has a quality all its own...)

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Old 04-30-2006, 02:43 PM   #9
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Eh and also I sent you a message Extreme on your myspace. :-)

Mine is www.myspace.com/DaveyNew
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Old 05-01-2006, 02:04 AM   #10
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Well, if you can afford it, then driving will provide you with the best of both worlds: Complete independence from a pre-dictated scheduled and ability to cover lots of ground. Check out the prices online. If you can afford it, great.

As for renting a car at your age, well, it doesn't hurt to ask. Some agencies may have a surcharge or whatever for those under 25...

Start attempting online reservations and see what comes up...personally, I'd "google" car rental Scotland and try out the hits.

Feel free to ask particulars, too, we have a couple Scotsmen on these boards!

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Old 05-01-2006, 05:50 AM   #11
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yarr,dood,i jus dl aim and added ya,its great havin accounts for these things whether you dont have em on your pc/mac/lappy or not..ill wait and then talk to ya
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