Scotland day out ideas

piddleypops

We are staying in Balintore, Angus in Scotland next August for a week. We know very little about the area so would appreciate any recommendations for things to see / places to go. It will be myself, my husband, our 19 year old daughter and 14 year old son. Although we will most probably visit the large towns and cities, we much prefer being away from the crowds and enjoying the countryside and local ways of life. TIA

daveyjp

Arbroath for fresh smokies out of the paper, beach and cliffs further north.
If its wet Dundee for V&A Scotland, HMS Unicorn and RRS Discovery
Pitlochry for the dam and fish ladder.  Edradour Distillery just out of town, is one of my favourites.  There are others in the area.
Pass of Killicrankie and Soldiers Leap
Drive through the Pass of Glenshee to Braemar and Balmoral is stunning.  Glenshee Ski Centre will get you into the mountains.
St Andews isn't far if golf is your thing.

basketcase

Depends on your interests.

BTW, Dundee also has the Verdant Works - an Industrial Museum which tackles the history of the former jute mill and its workers.  And, Dundee being Beanotown, there is - of course - a Beano Museum!

Have a look at the National Trust for Scotland website.  There's loads of stuff on there - Historic Houses, oodles of Castles, Barry Mill (a working water mill) JM Barrie's birthplace, gardens/grounds will be open and (as you'll see) a range of beaches, hills etc are also under their care.

If you're National Trust members entrance is free.  If you're not, consider joining as NT & NTS have reciprocal arrangements.  NB: NTS membership is cheaper!

CULROSS - 16th/17th Century village, been used a lot in films and was Cranesmuir in Outlander.  There are tours based around this if that floats your boat.  Culross Palace is open - and free to NTS/NT members, and there are various demonstrations (herbal recipes etc).  In Fifeshire, but well worth a visit.

The Montrose Basin is a SSSI, Nature Reserve etc

Stirling isn't too far and has the Castle, the jail etc.  Pitlochry Theatre has a Summer Festival (and unless it's gone downhill, it's varied and very good).

Loch Leven (Mary Queen of Scots & a bird sanctuary), Scone Palace.  The Falkirk Wheel for a boat trip on the world's only rotating boat lift.

Edinburgh and Glasgow are only an hour or so's drive or there are trains/park n ride.  Vast amounts to do in both.

sheramber

What attracted you to that area if you know little about it?

Mr.Generous

How far to Carlisle?

Only joking before anyone complains!!

Eldi_Dos

piddleypops said:

We are staying in Balintore, Angus in Scotland next August for a week. We know very little about the area so would appreciate any recommendations for things to see / places to go. It will be myself, my husband, our 19 year old daughter and 14 year old son. Although we will most probably visit the large towns and cities, we much prefer being away from the crowds and enjoying the countryside and local ways of life. TIA

Well chosen, Loch of Lintrathen is a lovely place, pop into Kirriemuir of a evening I am sure you'll have a ball.

piddleypops

sheramber said:

What attracted you to that area if you know little about it?

It was the accommodation - I wanted to book somewhere special and unique. We have booked a week at Balintore Castle. We have always wanted to visit Scotland and hopefully this area looks central enough to possibly visit a few things within an hour or twos  drive. 

daveyjp

The area is where I would advise anyone who has never been to Scotland to go on their first visit.

As you have worked out a 1-2 hour drive and you can see a lot.  Roads are generally quiet so you can cover good distances if you stay off single track routes,

If you are going in the second half of August the Scottish schools will be back which is also a bonus.

clarkyson

You can visit Balintore Castle, House of Dun, wildlife at the Angus Glens

piddleypops

daveyjp said:

The area is where I would advise anyone who has never been to Scotland to go on their first visit.

As you have worked out a 1-2 hour drive and you can see a lot.  Roads are generally quiet so you can cover good distances if you stay off single track routes,

If you are going in the second half of August the Scottish schools will be back which is also a bonus.

I hadn't even considered that Scottish schools may be back. A nice surprise!! 😂