Many are attracted to Scotland because their forefathers had emigrated along with their family names, and Ancestor Researchers makeup a good proportion of each year's visitors. Then there are the golfers attracted to the wealth of distinctly difficult yet beautiful courses. Another large number of arrivals are for The Edinburgh Festival which every August hosts musicians, actors, dancers and entertainersfrom every part of the world.
I'll start my Insider Tips with some comments on Edinburgh in August. Firstly, although August is reputed to be high summer, it is also the month of thunder storms. Edinburgh is well prepared with marquees erected to protect outdoor functions, but you should bring something waterproof too. Also be prepared to pay for your constant entertainment. Yes there are street performers, a Book Fair, exhibitions on this and that, but from the smallest band playing in a pub through concerts, plays, comedians, dancers, to the Military Tattoo you'll be expected to contribute, and contribute generously. Then you'll need accommodation. The cheaper hostels will have been booked up six months in advance. The hotels and the little B&Bs are all out to test your wallet and are booked up well in advance too. However Edinburgh has good rail links to the closeby towns of Dunfermline, Linlithgow, Dunbar etc. where you can find accommodation at appropriate prices.
descriptionNow a similar argument applies to Golf Courses. The world renown links at St Andrews or North Berwick require a healthy bank balance to cover your charges and accommodation. Yet Scotland is full of very interesting and beautiful golf clubs where you will be made feel welcome at a fraction of the price.
Perhaps you have decided to tour the highlands and islands and thought the best way was to hire a car. But Scotland has very few highways. What there are consist of two-way wiggling roads, full of touring buses and caravans throughout the summer. Parallel to these roads are passenger railways which provide fabulous views of the terrain at subsidised fares. Where there is not a railway there will be a bus service, and it is perfectly possible to travel throughout the highlands and islands using public transport.
To the west of Edinburgh is the City of Glasgow. It has to be said that although there are theatres, concerts, opera and galleries in Glasgow, these are a dressing on what is an industrial centre where the industry has left, leaving many social problems on the streets. Drunkeness, drugs and violence are readily witnessed in Glasgow. Yet the city does have many visitors that remain unscathed, but one should be aware of the risks.
Down the River Clyde from Glasgow and out to sea are two easily accessible islands that provide vacation destinations every bit as good as the well known Isle of Skye and Isle of Mull. The Isle of Arran has high mountains and a road running around the coast. This is a favourite with climbers, geologists and outdoors enthusiasts. There are two large, cheap Youth Hostels on the island, many well priced bed-and-breakfast houses, a whisky distillery and a beer brewery. That sorts everyone out! There is also a fine castle, beaches, forests and good restaurants.
To the north of Arran lies the Isle of Bute. Here the countryside is predominantly pasture in small fields, lanes, woods and highlands in the north. The Arran mountains across the water provide simply stunning scenery. There is an ancient castle, spooky prehistoric standing stones and a Gothic Stately Home, Mount Stuart House, open to the public. Bute attracts hikers, bikers, anglers and yachtsmen. There is also bountiful birdlife, deer, seals, hares and goats. There are four golf courses, all inexpensive. Hotels and restaurants are affordable, and there is a bus service over a minor ferry into the Argyll highlands with routes to the other islands of the west.
Both Arran and Bute have good local bus services and frequent ferries to the mainland linked to the airports and Glasgow by train.
I hope this guides you in your planning and if the Edinburgh Festival is not important to you we find the best weather in Scotland is in June and September.
