In the summer of 2017, while I was in Glasgow for the year, my family came to town to for a holiday. I suppose that is the perk of someone overseas.
By default, I was the planner for the 12-day trip, which was pretty easy for someone who has been in Scotland for almost a year. If you look at the map of Scotland, there isn't much to consider what to do. Also, I would advise to visit in warmer months. My friends and I did a road trip up to the highlands during winter of 2016. That epic trip with snow blizzard (which pre-coincide with my 30th birthday) would justify another blog post (after I dig out the photos).
Scotland is unique and rich in culture. Part of the reason I refrain myself from picking a university in England was to stay in somewhere new to me.
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| The Scottish Highlands - Glencoe National Park |
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In summary, our family Scotland trip itinerary looked something like:
- Day 0: Family arrive in Glasgow.
- Day 1: Scottish Highlands road trip to Glenshiel. Staying at Ratagan for 2 nights, visit Loch Ness on the way.
- Day 2: Day trip to Isle of Skye.
- Day 3: Visiting Glenfinnan and Fort William. Overnight in Kilmun
- Day 4: Drive to the ferry terminal at Dunoon. Take the ferry across the river to Greenock. Drive to Glasgow Airport to catch the 4.30pm flight to Belfast, Northen Ireland.
- Day 5: Explore Belfast, Titanic Museum.
- Day 6: Taking the ferry to Glasgow, transit train to Edinburgh.
- Day 7: Edinburgh
- Day 8: Edinburgh
- Day 9: Traveling from Edinburgh to Glasgow
- Day 10: Glasgow
- Day 11: Family leaves Glasgow.
There were 5 of us (younger brother unfortunately couldn't join), so renting a car (for 4 days) was a no brainer.
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| I conveniently set the drop off location to be Glasgow Airport. From there, we would fly to Belfast. |
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| Chose a 1.6L |
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| What I eventually got was a Nissan Qasqai 1.6 Auto - A perfect SUV for the highlands |
The journey from Glasgow Central to Ratagan is around 4 hours non-stop, and 270km.
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| Of course, we took our time, and stopped where we pleased |
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| Always take a photo of the mileage of your rented car |
Overall, the drive was truly amazing. The roads were in perfect, the sky though at times cloudy, was clear.
Glencoe is a place of history, wildlife, adventure and myth. The mountains were formed through violent volcanic eruptions, and then sculpted by massive glaciers. Fingal, the legendary Celtic hero, is said to have made his home among these towering mountains, while his poet son, Ossian, found inspiration in the landscape.
On 13 February 1692, 38 men, women and children of the MacDonald clan were murdered by a regiment of soldiers (acting on behalf of the government) whom they had welcomed into their homes. The tragedy of the Glencoe Massacre still has the power to evoke powerful emotions.
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| Was it really summer? |
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| Yes it is summer, but this is Scotland |
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