Might visit Scotland, need travel advice

[StraightNoChaser]

Looks like I'll be flying into London on or around May 31st to attend the Queen's 60th Jubilee with my family... however I will have a couple days to myself that I am free to do whatever I want... like visit some Scotch distilleries!

With only a Thursday, Friday and Saturday available to travel Scotland, I don't expect to visit every distillery I want. But I figure it will be just enough time to stop in to Islay, Campbeltown and some other islands off the southwest coast! I think most Scotch distilleries I want to see are going to be in that area anyway. (Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Springbank mostly)

So, my question is, how does one travel from London to Scotland (and around) alone? I've heard rail prices are a bit ridiculous right now but can't think of a better method short of flying. I've also wondered if tour groups leave from England to visit distilleries but I doubt there are any doing the route I'm most interested in.

Beyond that I'm more concerned about traveling from distillery to distillery... never used a lot of public transport in my life and I have no idea what the customs are like out there so I hope someone has advice!

Also, I'm going to need 1-2 nights accommodation up there, so recommendations on where to stay are welcomed! Thanks guys.

[macdeffe]

Getting from Glasgow to Islay is approx a 6 hour trip in itself..if you got a car, slightly longer with a bus. With three days I would say Islay is out of the question. Getting from London to Scotland will consume time as well, no matter which ways of transport you choose. I would lower my ambitions a lot. Depends a lot if wednesday and sunday is scheduled to travel to Scotland and Back

Renting a car is the easiest way to get around in Scotland

Steffen

[Smithford]

Agree with mac here. The way the ferry schedule is set up, it's almost impossible to go to Islay as a day-trip from Glasgow, especially if you want to visit distilleries. You could see most of the Islay distilleries in one day if you stayed on the island. Your itinerary would be Thursday travel from London to Glasgow and Glasgow to Islay, Friday distillery tours all day, Saturday travel back to Glasgow then on to London. That doesn't really leave time for Campbeltown or any other islands.

London to Glasgow:
Air - 1 hour (plus ground transport, airport time - checkin, security, etc... probably 3 hours in all) roughly $200
Train - 4.5 hours, roughly $100 (off-peak, look for discounts)
Car - 10 hours (depending on traffic & weather & stops) $50/day

Having done all 3, and considering your schedule, I'd suggest the train. Then rent a car when you get to Glasgow. Traveling Scotland by bus is great if you're there for a couple of weeks. With only 3 days you will need maximum efficiency.

If you are going to Islay, your travel plans will all revolve around the ferry schedule. Here's a link to the ferry schedule for Islay. Kennacraig is the land side departure terminal. There are two ferries, one goes to Port Askaig (near Caol Ila) and the other one goes to Port Ellen (near Laphroaig/Lagavulin/Ardbeg). You'll need to arrive at Kennacraig at least 1/2 hour before your sailing, and Kennacraig is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Glasgow airport.

Bowmore is half-way between the two ports. On a day trip, I'd do the southern distilleries and Bowmore. Stay at a B&B in Bowmore, since it's the only real "town" on the island.

This will be a costly few days. Check the price of the ferry - for a car and a driver it's over £110 ($175) for the return trip. Add gas, car rental, b&b, meals, distillery tour fees and it will all add up. Scotland (and the UK in general) is a very expensive place.

Look closely at your schedule and decide whether it really makes sense for you to do the whirlwind Islay distillery tour. If you have lots of money, and aren't afraid of driving in Scotland then go for it. If right hand drive and frequent, infernal roundabouts scare you, then consider alternate plans.

A much more relaxed 3 days in Scotland could be spent in Glasgow & Edinburgh, with a day trip on the train to Oban. The train ride from Glasgow to Oban is breathtaking, and the Oban distillery is a 2 minute walk from the train station. Edinburgh is a stunningly beautiful city where you can walk through centuries of history in an afternoon (again, steps from the train station). There's also the Scotch Whisky Experience at the top of the Royal Mile which is easily as informative as a distillery tour.

As you may be able to tell, I've been to Scotland several times. I love it there. And every time I go, I make the same mistake of planning to pack in way too many activities. It's a place that rewards a laid-back, deliberate pace, rather than rushing and checking points off a list. The people there are friendly, funny and straightforward. And they love Americans.

Here are a few more links to help with your research. If you have any questions, or seek more advice, don't hesitate to PM me. i'd be happy to help.

Alternatives for traveling to Islay:
http://www.islayinfo.com/travel.html

Islay distilleries map, with info links for each:
http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_whisky_distilleries.html

Places to stay on Islay:
http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_bedandbreakfast.html

Virgin Trains get you from London to Glasgow:
http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/
There's pretty much one train per hour from London Euston to Glasgow Central. Make sure it's non-stop for the quickest trip. Travel mid-day for cheaper fares.

The Oban distillery:
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.com/...ery/index.html
(Undiscovered Scotland is a GREAT website for tourists)

Oh ... and some of my pictures from Scotland:
http://www.panoramio.com/map/?user=9...1&tab=5&pl=all

[Stu]

Depending on your financial situation, you coould fly from London to Islay. I've seen people do that for Feis Ile, hwoever I don't know if they offer flights year around. When I used to go to Feis Ile (Islay festival) I used to leave a week before the event and stay a week after. IMO you'd be better off to concentrate on Lowland distilleries. In three days you could probably do Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie as well as Glen Turret. Another possibility would be Glen Turret, Balblair, and Edradour. Personally I like the second option better. I don't think I'd try to squeeze in more than three in the time yo have alloted, and I would give up hopes of Islay or Cambeltown. Feel free to pm me for more info if you want.

[macdeffe]

Hi Stu, I think you confuse Blair Athol and Balblair.

Your advice is very good, as there a quite a few distilleries near Glasgow - Edinburgh worth visiting

Apart from the ones you mention there is also Glengoyne which have one of the most varied and extended tour possibilities out there (check www. glengoyne.com) I haven't been there in several years so no personal experience with what they got now, but it looks exciting

Auchentoshan and Glengoyne is near Glasgow

Glenkinchie is near Edinburgh, their tour is standard but good

Edradour and Blair Athol is in Pitlochry. Between Pitlochry and the Edinburgh/Glasgow area you can also find

Glenturret (They focus mainly on Famous Grouse)
Tullibardine
Aberfeldy
Deanston

Steffen

[Stu]

You're right as rain, Steffen, thanks for correcting me. I've been to both several times, I guess Ihad a touch of old timers disease. I have to spend my last night in Glasgow to catch my flight, but I pick up my rental car and head for Pitlochary or some other small town in the boonies as soon as my plane lands. Glengoyne and Glen Turret both have nice tours as well.

[macdeffe]

I like Glasgow, especially for the pub scene. Bon Accord, Brew Dog especially

Steffen

[Smithford]

I like Glasgow, especially for the pub scene. Bon Accord, Brew Dog especially

Steffen

Agreed. And not just for the Scotch - there is a surprising amount of American Whiskey there. Last time I was in Glasgow (in December), I was able to sample Weller 19, VWFRR, Pappy 20, and a 4R single barrel that I had never seen before. All for between £4 and £7 each!

I still think the best way for a whisky lover to spend 3 days in Scotland is 1 day in Glasgow (bottle shopping and pub crawling), 1 day in Oban (highland scenery and distillery visit), and 1 day in Edinburgh (Scotch Whisky Experience and Castle/Royal Mile walk).

[Jonny.Applebury]

1 day in Glasgow (bottle shopping...)

Bottle shopping for stuff to buy and bring back stateside?

My wife and I are going to be in Scotland for three weeks a few weeks before StraightNoChaser. I've been wracking my brain (and Google) for the best ways to get bottles unavailable to me back to Wisconsin. Any of you guys giving advice about Scotland travel have any tips? I plan to (or would like to, at least) buy more than I would be able to fit in checked luggage.

The options I see:

1) Ship it back via FedEx, UPS, or other private shipper. I know certain vendors have rules and regulations for shipping alcohol. How do you make sure it gets through U.S. Customs? Signature-required (21+) packages are no problem as I have neighbors and friends who will accept packages for me.

2) Bring it with me on the flight back in checked luggage. Duty-exemption is 1 liter per person. What's the maximum allowed to go through U.S. Customs assuming I can supply enough luggage to carry it all and pay the extra duty upon re-entry to the U.S.

[Jonny.Applebury]

I found half of my answer. You can bring in an unlimited amount of alcohol for personal use. Interpretations of how much constitutes personal use are left up to your port-of-entry's State alcohol control board and the Customs officer.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...190/kw/alcohol

I'm still searching for more information on shipping alcohol back.