Expert: Willie Wallace - 4/28/2005

Question
Mr Wallace,
We are going to be in Scotland from the 24th of August. We have a few days in Edinburgh and will attend the Tattoo. Then we go over to Invergarry for 2 nights intending to see Loch Ness on the first day. Then our only full day there drive over to the Isle of Skye and back.
Next day we drive to St Andrews for three night so one of our party can try to get a tee time on the old course and to do some sightseeing. Is there anything we should be sure not to miss in any of the areas we will be visiting.
Thank you
Maureen Hainsworth  

Answer
Hi Maureen,

Sorry for the slow reply, but I was away.

There is a single track road which goes up the East side of Loch Ness.  Not quite as close to the bank of the Loch all the way, but you and a few locals using it, as opposed to you and a thousand tour coaches belching out fumes?  Your choice.  Loch Ness is just one of thusands of lochs in Scotland, all different all beautiful.  The difference?  Some stupid story about a mythical monster and about 1,000,000 visitors a year.  Try some of our other lovely lochs.  

When going to Skye, take the Road to the Isles to Mallaig, from Fort William.  Cross on the ferry with beautiful views of Skye and out to the islands of Rhum and Eigg and even more beautiful views back to the totally uninhabited and remote mountains of Knoydart.  Come back across the hated bridge and by Eilan Donan Castle to Invergarry.

Stay at

http://www.glengarry.net

The best priced hotel in Scotland, probably.  A steal for what it is offering!

Put your husbands name down on the Ballot every day at St. Andrews.  This is done on the internet, is very easy and about 50% of all places on the Old Course are allocated by ballot.  If he goes on it three days running, he's virtually certain of gaining a spot.  

http://www.standrews.org.uk

Otherwise, line up at 06:00 and wait for the Starter to arrive, he will allocate him a spot with some other people.  Basically, anybody not playing as part of a foursome has to accept anybody else the Starter puts with them.  It's a good way of meeting new friends from other parts of the world and who cares who you are playing with if you are playing the Old Course???

Your husband will probably find it quite easy to get a tee time on Carnoustie, another Open Championship course, less than an hours drive away, on the other side of the Firth of Tay.

Visit the pretty little fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife, the corner of the county to the South of St. Andrews.

Falkland Palace is worth a visit, as is The Secret Bunker.  For the best day out possible, visit the beautiful city of Edinburgh.  A rare example of the two words, "beautiful" and "city" being meaningful when used in the same sentence.  Both The Old Town and The New Town of Edinburgh are World Heritage Sites.  Very few places have two WH Sites!  A castle, a Palace and Three Cathedrals, not to mention seven hills, a bonzer port area and millions of great cafes, restaurants and bars!

To get the absolutely best deal for car rental, you should come to me at

http://www.rental-cars-scotland.com

Finally, a useful site for information about all of Scotland and millions of links to absolutely everything

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.com

Have a great time and I hope this was in time to help you!

Willie Wallace
http://www.celticlegend.co.uk