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Scottish Questions. I am looking to book a trip to Mallaig from Crianlarich at the end of June going by steam train and a one night stay somewhere. Could you please contact me and help me find a good deal as this is a gift for both my grandparents. Thanks Rachael Ferguson
westcoastrailways.co.uk run the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig. They run 2 trips a day from Fort William. You can check availability for the dates you require and also book online. Book soon, as they get very busy. A good place to stay in Mallaig would be the family-run West Highland Hotel.co.uk They offer extras for special occasions and most rooms have sea views! Check the scotrail.co.uk website for your Crianlarich train times. But it all seems do-able. Hope this helps?
Scottish Questions. My father Charles Edwin Coltrain 07-19-1921 born in Martin County NC his father Ira Tillmon Coltrain told them that they were irish, indian,etc. I'm working on the Coltrain family tree do you have any information on any Coltrain family members in Scotland? It has several spellings etc Coltrane, Coltrain, Coltran, Codrain etc. any information would be helpful thanks so much. The writting and pictures on this website are beautiful I would love to visit one day.Tina Marie Coltrain, USA.
You might want to try www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk It is one of the largest online sources of original genealogical information for Scotland. They have a free surname search on their home page. There is one match there for Coltrain in the 1841 census. But it does seems to be a very rare spelling in Scotland. Coltrane and Coltran throws up a few more matches but not many. There are no results for Codrain. To dig deeper you will need to set up an account and add to credits to access other records. But it isn't too expensive. I have researched some of my own family records this way.The website House of Names.com seems to give a bit more information suggesting the name Coltrane was first found in Galloway in south west Scotland. It says that the name could also be spelt Colthart, Colthard and many other ways! Stuart Reid at scottishroots.com is an experienced researcher who might also be able to help you trace your family tree.
I hope this is useful and I hope you do manage to visit our beautiful country one day. Thank you for your kind comments about our website.
Scottish Questions. My husband and I plan to spend 2 weeks in Scotland this September. Because my father was born in Arbroath we want to spend a few days in that area. What sights/experiences do you suggest?Nancy Smith
Arbroath Abbey is a must. It is famous in Scottish history for its association with the Declaration of Arbroath, when in 1320 Scotland's nobles affirmed their right to independence from England. For lovely seafood, try the But n Ben Restaurant at Auchmithie, a former fishing village a few miles north of Arbroath. Try some local Scottish food such as the famous delicacy called an Arbroath smokie (an oak-smoked haddock) - the Smokie Pancake here is delicious!
You could take the cliff-top path from Victoria Park in Arbroath if you fancy walking. Inland, discover the area's Pictish history at Aberlemno and Meigle. You will be intrigued by the range of Pictish sculptured stones depicting animals, birds, hunting and battle scenes. But what the symbols all mean raises a lot of other Scottish questions!
Northwards, discover the Montrose Basin Local Nature Reserve noted for its birdlife. In September, look out for lapwing, redshank and curlew and even the first returning pink-footed geese (they are winter visitors!)
Just inland from here is the House of Dun, a beautiful Georgian house featuring superb plasterwork, and also attractive walled garden and woodland walks. There is also a nice restaurant and shop selling local Angus crafts. In September, it is open Wed-Sun 12-5. For more gardens, check out the glorious gardens at The House of Pitmuies - the herbaceous border will still have plenty of colour - and also visit the stylised walled garden at Edzell Castle dating from 1604.The Angus Glens offer great walking plus at Kirriemuir you can visit the birthplace of JM Barrie who wrote Peter Pan. It is also open Wed-Sun 12-5 in September.
For a beautiful beach walk, try Lunan Bay, a few miles north of Arbroath and St Cyrus, 5 miles north of Montrose. Also near here, we like the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre. This was Britain's first operational military airfield. The displays are fascinating as are the famous ghost stories! Open in September Wed - Sat, 10am - 4pm.Of course, Arbroath is a good base to reach the cities of Aberdeen and Dundee as well.
Scottish Questions. Hi. I will be in Scotland from noon June 1, through end of day June 6th. I have a car reserved, and a mapped route, I just don't know if it is realistic? I need help with suggestions on what is "do-able" in a day, and what to cut, if that is the case. Here is my plan. Arrive Edinburgh, noon, June 1. head to Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, Perth. (I read about Culross, is it worth a stop?) Overnight Perth, June 1. (Is this a good amount of travel in a day, or too much?)Head straight up A9, seeing some sights enroute (Blair Castle). At Inverness, see Culloden, Cava Cairns, Stuart Castle, Cawdor Castle. Sleep Inverness area June 2nd. (B&B suggestions?) From Inverness toward Skye (see Eilean Donan Castle) Skye 2 nights (3rd and 4th of June). Back via A82 , Glencoe, Loch Lomond, ending in Edinburgh, drop car the 5th, stay in Edinburgh night of 5th and 6th, fly home 7th.
Thank you in advance for your help! Tracy, New York.
The problem is you need time to see the attractions you have mentioned. Scotland does offer a lot to see even if we are a small country. Here is what I suggest. My comments are mixed in with your revised tour ideas - which I have put in italics. (We often get Scottish questions relating to what is feasible to see in a given time frame.)
June 1: Arrive Edinburgh, noon, you could head west to Culross - it is lovely, this will take about 30 minutes from Edinburgh airport - but this will take time away from Stirling Castle - so since you can't do it all, I suggest you drop Culross and head straight to Stirling - about 40 mins drive from Edinburgh airport. The castle is well-signposted and you can park up at the castle. Castle stewards will direct you - there is lots to see here, especially the restored palace and great hall - you will be at least an hour if not longer (nice cakes in tea room!) - then Stirling to Doune Castle will take about 20 minutes - it closes at 5.30pm and the last ticket is sold at 5pm - so you need to watch your timings. The movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed here. You could then head to Perth (45 mins) for your overnight stop - it is a lovely small city on the banks of the River Tay. There are quite a few nice guest houses and B&Bs in Perth.
June 2 - Head straight up A9 - it is 115 miles from Perth to Inverness - allow 2hr30 if not stopping. Seeing some sights en route (Blair Castle - 50 mins from Perth - yes interesting plus nice cafe and shop and walks - you need an hour at least). You might find the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore really interesting too - but you need 2 hrs here minimum!PM Culloden, Clava Cairns,( you don't need to visit Castle Stuart as it is a luxury castle B&B, not a visitor attraction - though you might chose to stay here?! - and you won't have time for Cawdor Castle.) Inverness area June 2nd. (B&B suggestions? - I have sent people to Bluebell House which is very nice.)
June 3 From Inverness head west toward Skye - take the A82 south past Drumnadrochit - you will see Loch Ness enroute - no monster sightings guaranteed though! Then head west at Invermoriston on A887 and drive through dramatic Glen Sheil to see Eilean Donan Castle - allow 1 hr 30mins to drive this.The village of Plockton is lovely if time - evergreen palm trees grow in the main street and try Calum's Seal Trips for a some wildlife spotting! Skye 2 nights (3rd and 4th of June). If weather good, I would recommend driving down to Elgol - for a breathtaking view of the Cuillin Mountains (one of the best views in Scotland). Talisker Distillery is super if interested in whisky.
5th June: Head south via Armadale on Skye - take the ferry across to Mallaig (best to book with Caledonian Macbrayne) and drive on the famous Road to the Isles with its Bonnie Prince Charlie connections south to Fort William. Take the A82 south through dramatic Glencoe and across Rannoch Moor, then south down along the shores of Loch Lomond - then you could head east back to Stirling on the A811, ending in Edinburgh, drop car the 5th, stay in Edinburgh night of 5th and 6th, fly home 7th.
Yes - this is do-able - but you may still find there is more you want to see - you will need to come back again! Have a great trip.
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