Ireland - Adventures in getting lost

Ireland 2015

The Gap of Dunlow

Overview:

Ireland has two faces.  It's most recognisable one is its traditional face - ancient customs, tragic history  and images of cottages, villages and old pubs.  The other face, is its modern fast online communications, cell phone coverage and a modern outlook on many things in day to day living that make travelling in Ireland easy for the average tourist.
 I have never been to Ireland before, so it was an all new experience.  We went to only two big tourist destinations, Dublin and the Giant's Causeway, and skipped the Blarney Stone in Blarney Castle.  Our goal was to see Ireland as the Irish see it, and explore the places that are dearest to the hearts of Irish people.  This took us to small villages, out of the way ancient monuments and some of Dublin's best hanging out spots.  Imagine, if you will, a one month holiday where you tried to avoid crowds as much as possible, and you will see what we were aiming for.  As a physically active older couple, our highlights were the Giant's Causeway, Sleive League, The Burren, Ardmore, the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park, and the west coast trail, including the Cliffs of Moher. Sure, a few of these places attract hordes of tourists, but even then, we mostly tried to do things another way.  More about these places later. Generally, our plan was to land in Dublin, rent a car to drive once around the island, then

Dublin welcome

spend a few days in Dublin before doing a one week pet sitting gig in County Clare near Galway, then fly back out of Dublin.  The total time spent in Ireland was  25 days - longer than most tourists' trips, but we wanted to get our flight money's worth.

Weather

Yes, it rained frequently, according to locals, more than it had in the previous two summers, but getting wet in Ireland is par for the course, so rain gear is essential. As in Scotland, the rain came and went pretty quickly, which makes day plans chaotic.  Tip: always plan for indoor and/ or outdoor activities for each day in any destination. Fortunately, we never got bored in the rain, because there was also lots of indoor things to do,and we dressed well for the rain.

Car Rentals In Ireland

Irish rental  car companies have a bad reputation for adding on costs. This is only partly true.  If you do your homework before you get on the plane, you can avoid a lot of grief.  We rented from Avis, so prior to booking we checked out their "Terms and Conditions" to make sure there were no surprises.  By knowing their rules before you get there, you have a 'leg to stand on' if you need to challenge what the agent says at the rental company.  The only 'surprise' at Avis was the 30 euro charge for declining their collision damage and theft insurance (covered by my Visa card).

General points about Ireland    

Ireland is a land of great contrasts.  First, it has a widely varying landscape from mountains to rolling hills to plains. The vegetation varies too, although it is pretty well always green.  The bustling cities of Dublin and Belfast contrast dramatically with the quiet of Donegal and the western mountains.

Donegal shoreline

 Travelling too is a contrast, with major highways from the big cities arcing out to areas in the west and north that are defined by extremely winding narrow roads that are very difficult to navigate.  Wherever you go, you will come across great hospitality and lots of pubs. We stayed in one village where there were six bars on their only street.  History is everywhere, from megalithic tombs  to famine museums and stories about the uprising and the 'troubles'.  The Irish are very proud of their past, and holidays there could be based just on this one aspect of their culture.  Our adventure was a combination of historical and physical - hiking and learning about the historic Ireland.

Clouds rolling in atop the Slieve League

Tips:

• Dress for all weather
• In summer, we found that most accommodations did not turn any heat on in spite of the particularly cold summer this year.  Adjust for that by taking an extra bedtime layer.
• Ensure that you get Sat Nav/ GPS coordinates or a street address with a number, or both, for any private accommodations you are staying at. Directions to accommodations, on AirB&b from hosts are often particularly vague.  It must be part of the culture, but one host told us, once we had finally found his place by comparing the picture of his house to one on Google Earth,while using satellite internet on the roadside, "you should have asked for Pat's place when you got into town."  Not a word of a lie!  And the town had 20,000 people in it, and there were no numbers on the houses in his street, which wasn't actually the street name in the directions.  Another set of direction led to a neighbourhood which had no numbers on the houses, while a third house had no numbers on houses, but multiple dead end streets in the estate with no names for the streets. 
• Watch out for the M50 toll road which rings around the west side of Dublin.  The toll charge is very small, but you must pay it online by the next day, or at the Spar store at the airport.  A very convenient road, but inconvenient payment system.  Other major roads are sometimes toll roads, but the charge is modest.  Beware,  on the major highways, you can forget which country you are in. For the real Irish driving experience though, take the backroads and leave lots of time.  The advantage of the backroads is that the opportunities to pull over in this village or that trailhead or beautiful vista are boundless.  We sometimes took four hours  to travel a two hour trip, solely because we encountered so many great places along the way. 

Ireland's Regions   

Ireland has six 'regions' ,  five of which we visited, and four of which will be described here.  In this blog, the focus will be on the West Coast, the South West, Dublin and Northern Ireland.

Links to individual spectacular places will be posted as they are written... soon

Ardmore -County Waterford


A beautiful seaside village which has all the charm you might expect from a small Irish community .  Heres the wikipedia description

Tips for Renting Cars

Tips for renting Cars

Rental cars give you a lot of freedom, except in cities which have high parking charges or  good public transit.  My experience?  Use public transit in London, Edinburgh, Rome, New York, San Francisco New Orleans, anywhere on the Amalfi Coast, absolutely use transit in Naples where the bikes and scooter drivers are insane, and most other cities. We always rent a small car, because, at least in Europe, fuel prices are very high.

Tip:  If the public transit system has a downloadable transit map with routes shown,  and a clear description of passes, schedules etc.  and lots of routes, then do not rent a car. Your wallet will thank you for it.

Tip:  Book well in advance.  Most rental agreements can be cancelled a few days in advance with no penalty.

Tip:  Read the "rules and regulations" before you rent a car online.  A few minutes of this will bore you to tears, but it will be worth it.  Note that some companies will not rent to you over a certain age, or they will charge a premium on seniors.  Others only charge extra for under 25's.

Tip:  Before you rent, check out your credit card coverage. You may be able to waive the rental car company insurance coverage because you have most of the insurance coverage you need to drive in their country.  In Ireland, Avis charges a 'waiver' fee of 30 euros, but it is far less than the cost of their insurance.

Tip:  automatic transmission cars cost a lot more to rent, however, if you can't drive standard, don't expect to rent one and learn while you are touring.  If you are not used to driving on the left hand side, you have enough to worry about.  Even I, raised on the left hand side of the road, had to constantly remind myself which side to drive on...

Tip: pull your camera out, and take lots of pictures of the car and the rental building and make sure the date feature on your camera is turned on, before you drive away - especially if there is existing damage to the car, and make sure they acknowledge that damage by signing the damage report that you completed. It pays to be suspicious of some of the rental car dealers, so let them see you taking pictures:  it may keep them honest, even if (like my most recent rental) they don't like it. Ironically, in all cases, I have never seen them do more than a cursory examination of the vehicle when I returned it.

Tip:  if there are just two of you, a compact economy car is probably all you need for you and your luggage.  Avoid two door cars,  which are way too small for you or your luggage.

Edinburgh on a budget

Edinburgh  

It sounds a little bit strange describing any destination in Edinburgh as being a 'hidden attraction', but many tourists seem to hit the big ticket items, while not really exploring the city itself.  Using Tripadvisor and other big name online guides has advantages, but experience teaches that adventurous older tourists may want to avoid the big crowds some of the time, and the hidden gems and quiet spots provide a huge relief from the bustle of big name attractions.  Going to most cities gives you the opportunity to use your sense of discovery so you might stumble across fantastic experiences.

The Castle is the biggest attraction, drawing in huge crowds, but the 'Waters of Leith' and places like it seem to get passed by, although they have every bit as much appeal to the inquisitive and active traveller. I spent two weeks this summer exploring the backwaters of Edinburgh, and found much to please the eye and mind.   Tip:  one of the best ways to discover the best of Edinburgh is to talk with the locals, (they are very chatty) whether it is on a street corner or in a pub.  You might start talking about one thing, then finding out about the undiscovered city. Here are a few ideas about travelling and staying in Edinburgh.

Accommodations  

SYHA Edinburgh Central

Edinburgh is a very expensive city to stay in, year round.   My first choice for accommodations has always been the SYHA hostel in central Edinburgh which is within five minutes walk of Princes Street and ten minutes from Old Town. This accommodation has small dorm rooms, private rooms  and prices which are vastly below the cost of nearby hotels.  It is very modern, has a restaurant and lounge, a cafeteria as well as a well stocked self-catering kitchen, a bar and great security.  The rooms are very comfortable and clean.  You also will meet many travellers of all ages.  If you are not 'crazy', then cost wise, this is the best accommodation in Edinburgh. The only down side is that there is no parking.   There are other hostels in the center, but they tend to be less comfortable and are mainly geared to backpackers.  My other choice for accommodation (this year) was a pet sitting gig, which lasted for two weeks and was totally free. Located in Corstorphine, a lovely suburb, it was a twenty minute bus ride from the city center.  Bus passes are inexpensive and well worth the price. Tip: In Edinburgh, the local bus system is so good that having a car is pointless and expensive.  Bus drivers are very helpful and will give you directions.  There is also a free transit map provided by Lothian buses, and they also have a free downloadable app that gives bus routes and times.  While you are in Edinburgh, day trips are easy and fantastic  using the intercity bus system.   Whatever you do, do not miss a half day trip to the Kelpies.

Weather
Scotland, as you will appreciate, is billed as rainy.  Edinburgh is no exception, although while visiting you might be lucky and hardly get any rain at all. Fortunately, if it does rain, there are lots of things to do.

Edinburgh Castle   
This is the big tourist attraction that all visitors want to go to.  It can be booked online, or you can line up for tickets.  Either way, there is a line up to pass through the gates.  Give yourself about two hours to see the castle,  It is worth the visit, however, if you want a better experience in castles, get to the Edinburgh Bus Station close to Princes street, and get on a bus for Stirling Castle which is west of Edinburgh in the lovely provincial town of Stirling.  Whereas Edinburgh Castle has barracks, gaols, military museums, and the Scottish Crown Jewels (Scotland's Honours), it also has huge lineups for everything. Stirling has regal halls, kings and queens' bedrooms and a lot more history, with a lot fewer tourists. It also costs less to get in.  Tip: Both Edinburgh and Stirling offer concession prices for seniors. 


 















The Festival
In August, Edinburgh has the Edinburgh International Festival, the biggest one in the world.  Absolutely fantastic, with thousands of performers, it is well worth the visit, but book very, very early, because there is no room in the city to accommodate all of the festival goers.

Old Town

Edinburgh Old Town

Early evening on the Royal Mile

Edinburgh's Old Town, which is south of Princes Street and includes the castle, Holyroodhouse (Queen's residence) at one end of the Royal Mile  and Edinburgh Castle at the other end, is the most fascinating part of Edinburgh, although the Mile it has become a major tourist trap.One of the most facinating features of the Royal Mile are the closes and wynds (alleyways) that branch off from the street.
They do look like alleyways, but they lead into the heart of Old Town and all sorts of hidden restaurants, pubs, shops, museums and curiosities of architecture.



You will be accosted numerous times by people selling things.  The usual tourist stuff, and tours promoters, and there are also some pretty amazing street performers to keep things entertaining.
However, the buildings are old and interesting, the area has lots of history and stories about internationally famous characters and writers and it is one of those places you may spend several days getting to the heart of.


The Literary Pub Tour  

The Tour starts in the Grassmarket

I can't say I am much for tours, but this one was good.   In many cities I have travelled, there have been options between fixed price walking tours and the free ones. I have done both,  but generally have found the free ones to have been as good or better. In Edinburgh, I went on the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour (fixed price).  Two 'actor' guides argue while walking you through locales which are associated with Scotland's most famous historical writers, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson, describing where they hung out and the antics they got up to. On a scale of 1 to 10, this tour was around a 7.  Tip:  wear good walking shoes, and expect the tour to include a couple of breaks in restaurants and bars.  They actually end up in a bar.


Free Old Town Tours  

On the free tour in Old Town

Depending upon who guides you, the places you visit and the historical information you get can vary.  One year I went, the tour extended geographically beyond the best of Old Town, while this year it was rather more limited.  The quality varies, but then again, because the tour guides work on gratuities, you get to choose how much you pay at the end.  I have taken Sandeman tours in Edinburgh, New Orleans and Paris, and they are usually good.





Waters of Leith

This urban hike is one of Edinburgh's hidden gems, taking you from the countryside to the heart of the city and beyond, and is a total break from tourism.  There are numerous entryways to the path along its route, giving you the opportunity to do side trips all the way if you so choose, or you could simply start from one od these entry  ways within the city.  However, for much of its length, the path along the river is a beautiful and restful walk among forest and old buildings and scenery that will make you forget you are in the heart of Scotland's capital.

The most definitive argument that you should not miss this is that Edinburgh's locals frequent it daily for rest, exercise and relaxation.  It takes an afternoon to walk the approximately 12 miles from the suburbs to the harbour.












Greyfriars Church Yard and the J.K. Rowlings connection

What's not to like?  A graveyard with bars on some of the sites to prevent grave robbing (Burke and Hare frequented this place) , tombs and gravesites for many of Scotland's most famous people, and the inspiration for many of the characters that appeared in the Harry Potter series.  In spite of this,  the graveyard is not a busy place, and you can feel removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Just a few minutes away from the Royal Mile and Old Town, this is a very special place.

The Greyfriars Kirkyard has a long and interesting history to it, involving Covenanters, body snatchers, ghosts and the story of Greyfriars Bobby.  Before you visit, make sure you check out this history, or go on one of the tours that walk you through it.


Arthur's Seat

close to the top

The best hike in the heart of the city, and the best views for miles.  Arthur's Seat is a large hill which hangs over the south east side of the city and takes an hour to climb up.  It is a strenuous hike, and can be even more strenuous is you choose the wrong path up it. Good hiking shoes will work well for this, take some water with you, and be aware that it could rain at any time.

A view over the city

A lot of people, locals included do this hike, because it takes you 'out of the city' without ever leaving it.  If you want to cheat a bit, there is a road that goes around the seat, Queen's Drive, which you can take, then follow parking signs. But the real fun is to take your time walking the whole way up from the parking lot next to Holyrood Palace at the bottom of the Royal Mile.





Calton Hill

A slightly less breathtaking walk looking over the city is the one you take into Calton Hill Park - a few short minutes from Princes Street.  Calton Hill has a number of monuments and places of historical interest at the top, and it provides a nice view of the city.  There are numerous paths to the top.








The People's Story Museum  

Another hidden  gem, The People's Story Museum (built in 1591) tells, through displays and models, about the lives of ordinary people living in Edinburgh from the 1800's onward. Call it a labour museum.  If you want to learn about the lives of the city's rich and famous, then this is not for you.  So many museums neglect this side of history, that this one stands out as a great example of life in bygone days.  Another thing, like many other Edinburgh museums, this has free admission.

Edinburgh Writers' Museum


The Edinburgh Writer's Museum celebrates the life and times of three of Edinburgh's most famous writers, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott.  If you want to know how these writers lived, see samples of their work and some of their possessions, then this old museum is a great visit for about an hour.  Conveniently, it is located off the Royal Mile in Old town by walking through Lady Stairs Close (a close is a short, narrow passageway) 



Other Places of Note in Edinburgh

The Grassmarket
St Giles Cathedral

The Debating Chamber

The Scottish Parliament Building at the bottom of the Royal Mile

Outside of the City

Many visitors take a day or two out of the city to see the rest of the country.  Scotland is not a large country, very small in fact, and there are numerous day trips on buses which take you to the Highlands, Fife and St Andrews, Glasgow and the border country.  While these trips are easy to take, visitors will not get as deep an experience as what they would if they rented a car and drove to those places themselves.  Whatever you do, do not miss a trip by bus or car to the Kelpies near Falkirk.

Eilan Donan and Kyle of Lochalsh - on a budget - on the Great Scottish Adventure

Travelling is often not a straight line adventure.  

Ratagan Hostel

Booking accommodations that meet your budget can be very problematic if you don't book early enough.  For some places (the Isle of Skye is absolutely such a place)  even booking six months in advance can be a problem when you are on a tight budget. You may find you don't get all the dates you want, and what you do get forces you to adjust your route and itinerary.  Our goal,  to stay in hostels on  the Isle of Skye during the 'high season' (from June to October) created just such a problem.  Tip:  A good guide to budget accommodations on Skye

Sometimes, doubling back can be fun, even necessary when scheduling an itinerary that has tight accommodation time lines. If you have to rush through an area to get to tightly scheduled accommodations, some special places may not get your full attention. example: Going to the Isle of Skye involves passing through the Kyle of Lochalsh area twice:  once going onto Skye, and once leaving it.  Tip:  if, for such reasons, you need to pass through an area twice, save special places for the second time through. Eilan Donan was one such special place.  And so was Plockton, a village with some really picturesque view, charming people and some easy local  hikes.



What do you do when your day is spent doubling back to where you started?  We decided on filling in spots we bypassed and doing some mild hiking.
On Day 2, we briefly visited Eilean Donan without actually going inside, so this time, we did the inside bits, and got a much better view of the place.

Eilen Donan - a private home with tours

Eilean Donan
It is most important to point out that you are allowed to take pictures outside, but not inside this 'castle'.  Actually, it isn't a castle so much as a residence for a wealthy Scottish family.
 It was rebuilt in the early 20th Century after being knocked down during previous military engagements, so is more of a re-creation than anything else.  However, it has a marvellous history that is revealed by the displays throughout the building  It has a wonderful feel to it, but you have to like old furniture and stone walls. And the views are terrific. Tip:  The best time to visit is early in the day, or later in the afternoon when the tour buses from Glasgow and Edinburgh have come and gone. Tip:  Regardless of which Scottish venue you are visiting, always check to see if they have a 'concession' price, which is what they refer to when talking about Senior's discounts.  You can shave 10-20% off of just about all admission prices when you ask.  Eilean Donan is one of those places.  

Tip:  If you are looking for the best places to photograph this iconic building, there is a layby on  a bend in the road just east of the castle, or on  the shoreline just west. Early morning or later in the evening give you better photo opportunities too.

Plockton shoreline

Plockton is a beautiful little fishing village 15 minutes drive north, which just happened to be one of the filming locations for the popular TV cult series Hamish McBeth.  

It has a wonderful shoreline and lots of places to park yourself to relax and enjoy the view. It has a few good local  hikes through forest to lookout points overlooking Loch Carron.  Tip: wherever you travel, look for local events to stumble across.  In Plockton, we came across a weekend craft show that was small, but was extremely well represented by regional crafters.  We also visited one of the local gift shops and had a great chat with the owner, who produced some old memorabilia of the show Hamish McBethh

Tip:  It was raining off and on during our visit.  As you may probably have heard, it rains in Scotland, but during the summer, not nearly as much as you might suspect.  Even so, you have to dress for the weather.  You are most likely to only need something to ward off the rain, as the rest of your clothing will keep you warm.  And always understand that the rain is likely to stop shortly after it starts, so light rainwear is likely all you require:  something that can be stowed away in a bag should do nicely. 

beautiful moss enriched forest walk above Plockton

There are some great trails just above the village, which do not require poles or boots, and take you round the headland and across the top of the village. As a temperate rainforest, you will most likely see moss all  over the place, which makes these hikes particularly verdant, with lots of flowers.

During low tide, it is also possible to walk out to one of the offshore islands, but you had better time it right to beat the tide back in.  Otherwise you will be calling for local boaters to give you some help.  As so many of Scotland;s coastal villages are subject to tidal variations, it is really important to pay attention to tidal tables.  There are some beautiful shoreline walks which suddenly become impassable due to risen tides.  Tip:  check locally to find out when the tides come in.  Tide charts for the UK

Other places to check out in  the area:  Kyle of Lochalsh, the Balmacara Estate (easy shoreline hike), 

Glen Shiel to the east (which offers terrific hiking for all levels),   Tip: The SYHA hostel in Ratagan  is a great place to stay (dorms and private rooms too),and is the start of a great hike to the west along the shoreline to an iron age broch on a headland across the loch from Eilen Donan. 

Adventures For Older Travellers Begins! Travel for Seniors - the Overview

Start here!

Hi Fellow Adventurers.  

I have been messing about with travel blogging for a couple of years, and finally decided to focus beyond the 'I did this' and 'I did that' thing and venture into the online realm, where  I pass on tips and words of advice to people who want to travel like me.  I may even pick up some ideas from you, as you tell me about your own experiences.  Enjoy this blog, use the tips and imagine yourself in the places shown  in the photos.  It could happen. 

In a few words, these posts will focus on travel tips for the budget conscious, older folks like me who want adventure, often physical, and who want to live slightly outside of their comfort zone.  I focus on places that are often 'off the beaten track'.  Why?  Two reasons... First, they are usually not jam-packed with other tourists - usually only the dedicated, curious adventure traveller will go there.  Second, because there are fewer tourists, the cost of accommodation tends to be less.  However, the places I go to must be worth going to.. I have been doing this for three years now, and am having a great time, sometimes travelling alone, and sometimes with my wife Dianna.  Most of my travelling has involved outdoor activities - mainly hiking, although big cities and cultural travel has also been really important.  If you get something out of this blog, please let me know.  If you want to add something, let me know too. We are all learners in the travel world.  Please use the links provided to explore, especially for places that you may have dreamed about visiting.

(many of these blogs - especially the older ones are going to be deeply revised over the next month - to provide much more in the way of tips about the places visited and less about the daily itinerary.  I will be recommending best places to visit, including web addresses for further reading, and providing as many Tips as possible that you will find useful)

Travel Basics:  Accommodations, Hiking and gear, 
Scotland hiking in the Highlands
    Accommodations for thrifty adventurers in the Scottish Highlands
    Hiking the Scottish Highlands - Tips for the cautious traveller on the adventure of a lifetime
    Why for cautious people - and why the Scottish Highlands?
    Hiking on Skye - the great adventure
    Tips on what to do in the Kyle of Lochalsh area
    Route tips - from Glencoe to Skye
    Mostly transportation tips for travelling in Scotland

Other Scotland
    Edinburgh - hidden gems for thrifty travellers
 
Ireland and the wonderful Irish
The American Southwest: Special Places and Tips
    Some Death Valley musings
    Some Joshua Tree NP musings
    Some Grand Canyon musings
    West of Albuquerque in the Painted Desert
    On the road musings
 
Beautiful British Columbia: Special Places And Tips
New York City on a budget
Italy on a budget: Special Places and Tips
The France that most North Americans do not get to see: Special Places and Tips
    Cadouin in Central France - a place to branch out from 
    St Jean De Pied Port
The Southern Canadian Rockies: Special Places and Tips
California Dreaming: Hiking and visiting on the coast

Southern Ontario - local hiking and trails
    Near Guelph - Starkey Hill 

Accommodations For Thrifty Adventures In The Scottish Highlands

There are many low cost accommodation options  in the Scottish Highlands for adventurous tourists and hikers.


Tip:  Time of year  -  If you can do so, avoid the 'high season', which basically runs from June to September.   Outside of this period, there are many more choices, and the prices are lower. Also, air fares are significantly cheaper.

Hostels offer both shared dorms and private rooms.  The advantage of shared dorms is simply that you meet fellow travellers easily and can strike up some interesting friendships.  If you book one of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association hostels , in spite of their name,  you will discover that most of the guests are older, serious hikers and bicyclists and families - surprisingly few 'youths', especially in the off seasons.   If you are more into privacy, the private rooms are just fine too, but a little pricier. These hostels also have good, well equipped self catering kitchens  with fridge space.  So you can save a bundle on eating in.  For those nights you want someone else to cook, they usually offer prepared meals for both meat eaters and vegetarians for a reasonable price.

The hostels have quiet rooms as well as lounges and places to relax.  They may offer bike rentals, lots of advice on hikes and places to visit. All bedding is provided, and sleeping bags are not allowed. Cost:  around $20.00 (Cdn) for dorm bed or $45.00 (Cdn) per private room. Edinburgh and Glasgow are more expensive.
Tips:  limited places to plug your devices in.  Internet available by the hour. Travel with a 'dongle' for your own wifi.  There are a few places where the internet signal is limited or unavailable.

Bed and Breakfasts in Scotland are a booming business,  and prices vary dramatically.  One of the best deals, if you can find one,  are the Airb&b private guest homes.  However, in the Scottish Highlands they are harder to find.  Still, the hosts are generally very professional, welcoming and provide real value for money.  Most homes in Scotland nowadays are much more modern than they might have been twenty years ago, so they offer the same kinds of comforts that typical North Americans are used to. Tip:  before you book, check out as many reviews as you possibly can.  Regular B&B's often  appear on Tripadvisor while Airb&b have their own guest reviews on their site.  As an additional source of accommodations, you might want to check out Undiscovered Scotland, which also provides you valuable information on many of Scotland's smaller villages and towns

House and Pet Sitting
Many people do not know this.  It's as if it was a secret, but there are numerous opportunities on the internet to get free accommodations through house sitting or pet sitting.  I have taken on quite a number of these arrangements, both  in North America and in Europe (including Scotland).  Why look after somebody else's house?  Because accommodation is free.  In exchange, you commit to keeping the place clean and look after their pets.  Not so difficult if you are a pet lover.  It may even provide you with animal companionship on those long hikes.  Check out trustedhousesitters.com

Hiking the Scottish Highlands -Tips For The Cautious Traveller on the Adventure Of A Lifetime

Hiking in Scotland is Amazing!

A country with many great sights and hikes

For those who like hill walking and hiking, Scotland offers just about the best you can get.  It's a great place to go if you want to be just a little bit out of your 'comfort zone',  and offers few of the negative challenges that turn people off hiking for life.  Follow the links below to navigate to more detailed pages. 

Why Scotland for Hiking?

Isle of Skye

Ballachulish woodland walk

So,what makes this special, you ask?    And why for 'cautious 
adventurers?   First, there are hikes for everyone, both supremely challenging and a 'walk in the park'.  Proof of this is in the wide variety of people hiking in Scotland - from the seriously engaged 'Munro' counter to families with children and dogs, and many, many people in their fifties, sixties, seventies or older.   Almost everywhere you go will provide stunning scenery, panoramic views and a sense of wonder.  For English speakers, there are no language challenges, so,when you run into a spot of bother as people inevitably do, getting assistance is straightforward and friendly.   

Accommodations

Scotland is also a place where there are accommodations to suit every pocketbook, from self-catering hostels with dorms and private rooms, and campgrounds, B&B's,  luxury digs that are as good as the best as Europe can provide.  more information

Weather

Sunny Days are common - in spite of the rumours.  And, when it rains, it is mostly short lasting 

Finally, a lot of visitors have misconceptions about Scottish weather:  like it rains all  the time. This is not close to true, unless you are particularly unlucky, or go at the wrong time of year. This summer (2015) was a particularly wet one (compared to the last few years).   Even then, rain was highly intermittent and didn't last for more than a few minutes on most days, and was no wetter than most places in north western Europe.   Well prepared travelers easily  get past this with light rain gear.   more information

Getting Around

Getting around Scotland is very easy, using public transport bus and train.  In fact, using the train in Scotland can be an amazing part of the experience, given that some of the trains travel along iconic routes. Taking ferries is also a great experience, and a necessity if travelling to the islands to the west and north.  However, if you are prepared to drive on the left hand side of the road, a rental car gives you much greater opportunity for spontaneity, and allows for the sudden change of plan that is impossible when on a bus or train, and it shortens travel times dramatically.    more information

Where to go?

This depends on the focus of your trip.   I have some biases, so take the following with a grain of salt.  This link will  lead to a few comments, but also some web sites that will stimulate your interest. 
The Scottish Highlands

OtherPages:
Adventures in Seniordom - Planning and Day 1,  2015
On the Way to Skye
The Isle of  Skye