Planning a UK vacation (specifically England and Scotland)

[TrojanSkyCop1]

--howdy gang,

As some of y'all might recall from some of my previous posts both here on WT and/or on Facebook, I was scheduled to take a Ship Security Officer Course in Spain for the purpose of parlaying into maritime security, i.e. anti-piracy, employment. Specifically, I was slated to fly into the UK (London Heathrow, paying for my own airfare) on 31 October, and from there get flown by the propsective employer (who would fund the airfare for this portion of the trip) into Spain for the SSO course, then return to Heathrow on 05 Nov and fly back to the US from there.

Well, now this prospective employer is engaging in some fishy correspondence (among other things, they're claiming they never recieved my check, even though fedEx delivery confirmation shows it was received and signed by the company director over a month ago), so it looks like Spain is a no-go for now.

But as the saying goes, when life deals you lemons, make lemonade. With that in mind, I'm thinking of converting my would-be Spain business trip into a UK pleasure trip instead, since I'd already bought the UK plane tix. What I would like to do is check out (1) the British Museum, (2) Stonehenge, and (3) Hadrian's Wall...and also (4) make my ancestral pilgrimmage to Scotland, specifically (5) Kircudbrightshire (where my family name originated) and (6) Loch Ness (to look for the Monster, of course).

The kicker is, I'm trying to cram these activities into a 5- or 6-day span, and I've got 5 days before my trip starts. So then, ANY advice and guidance you chaps can give me on getting at least some, if not all, of these activities done?

I figure I can take care of the British Museum when I first arrive in London. Any hotels (or bed & breakfasts) in the city that you can recommend that are decent quality but won't cost me an arm and a leg?

And as far as getting to Stonehenge, Hadrian's Wall, and the Scottish locales...do I take a train originating in London? Do I book a tour bus instead? Or should I just contact a travel agent to try to figure these things out in short notice?

It's a lot to chew on, I know, but any advice you lads 'n' lasses can give would be TREMENDOUSLY appreciated. Cheers and God bless...

P.S. I'm not going to bother asking about weapon carry options out there, since we all know what a bloody NPE that country is....

[sharkeyJ]

The best advice I got was to use the booking agencies in the train stations to get hotel rooms. They were able to get good rooms for good prices when I went in 2002 and they were able to steer me away from problems like the rugby finals being in Edinburgh when I was trying to get there. I would go there and book a room for the next destination before the train left.

Trains will get you anywhere, although you'll need buses or cabs to get you to Stonehenge or Hadrian's wall.

If you are staying in the Hadrian's wall area, Haltwhistle is a charming little town with a hotel above the pub that was nice. Food was good too. You may even luck out and be there for karaoke night. I didn't partake but it was fun to watch them loading the speakers and equipment throught the streetside window.

Hope that helps,
Sharkey

[TNVolunteer]

You could easily spend most of your time in the British Museum but if you give it a full day you will still get to see some amazing stuff. Stonehenge, while not a day long activity in itself, traveling there and back to London turns it into a full day.

If you are in London first, I would agree with your suggestion seeing the museum first. The next morning you could take a train to the SW to some village near Stonehenge. A bunch of those places have bus tours to the 'henge leaving out of them. I think timing may be a bit tight in terms of getting there in time to make the tour though. Bath may be a good place to check and is something of a touristy town so there is plenty of lodging there if you do not want to return to London that evening. Will have to leave it up to others for suggestions on stuff to the north. I will say that traveling by train in the UK is easy and convenient and would be the way I would elect to get around.

If you decided to forgo Stonehenge, you could spend the extra day in London and there is plenty to see there, the Tower of London being close to the top of that list along with Westminster Abby. Its also pretty neat if you happen to catch the Horse Guards/Household Cavalry doing something. That's over near Whitehall.

As for lodging, everything is fairly expensive IMHO. If you want to lay out some cash, The Arch Hotel in London is nice but on the pricey side.

Safe Journey

[JeffC]

You're going in a season when it rains a lot in the UK. Stonehenge is better seen on TV IMO. There is an awful lot to do in London that can take up a few days. The National Library (next to the British Museum) is very well worth a visit. Looking at the Magna Carta and other important pieces is a wonderment.

I would agree that Bath is worthwhile as it is truly a beautiful place and the countryside getting to it is also spectacular. Bus trips and train trips are good ways to get places efficiently.

One of the best things about London is the food. Stay away from "traditional" British fare but the Italian, Indian, Chinese and my favorite, Malay restaurants are terrific.

A trip to Harrod's is also a fun thing. Yup, pure commercial shopping but sort of a spectacular example of commerce as it "should" be done. Again, visit the food courts.

I have been there a number of times and my impressions have always been the same. You can see the famous places better in a documentary, but the people and local culture is very worthwhile.

Most of all, have fun!

-jeff

[Jack Rumbaugh]

Fed Ex me some Scotch!

[MercMH]

Hi

You have some traveling there! I would probably hire a car at the airport assuiming you bring your driving Licence this should be doable, go to stone henge (a little out of your way), drive up North see Hadrians wall, go North West to Kircudbright then North to Loch Ness.

Depending on your funds etc I might suggest flying on your way back or you are going to spend several days of your trip just traveling. Public transport here is poor!

Gets dark here a little after 1800 (1700 after Sunday due to day light saving) and I guess being "closed season" heritage sites may close at 1600.

Remember if you drive, we drive on the correct side of the road (the left side, with on coming traffic being on your right).

This is a no Weapons allowed as far as carry is concerned. In fact carrying a non weapon with the aim of using it to defend yourself is a no no! Just you and your wits essentially.

Matt

[Walk-Softly]

One of the best things about London is the food. Stay away from "traditional" British fare but the Italian, Indian, Chinese and my favorite, Malay restaurants are terrific.
-jeff

Love this and so true. Anything ethnic beats the traditional fare.

Also consider the Imperial War Museums (there are at least three). Spectacular history there, if strangely skewed to omit any Japanese atrocities. The Nazis get rightfully savaged for the Holocaust, but the Japanese militarists don't get much condemnation for Nanking, Bataan or the millions of Asians they murdered. The soft-pedaling on Japan was evident at all the Brit museums - including the war museums.

[fldback]

Our mutual friend "Boomstick" lives in Croydon. I can only imagine what kind of mischief he could get you into while you're there. :wink:

[DonSmithnotTMD]

I was plotting a trip to Wales once and found that a Eurorail pass came out cheaper than train tickets.

[DonSmithnotTMD]

This is a no Weapons allowed as far as carry is concerned. In fact carrying a non weapon with the aim of using it to defend yourself is a no no! Just you and your wits essentially.

Matt

Just curious if there's any regulation/weirdness about flashlights.

[Mike Heckathorn]

If you are willing to go to scotland, go to edinborough (excuse the probable misspelling), stay at The Point hotel. Scotland is the most fun. London is cool, but scotland it's cheaper and had all the history with friendlier people. (no offense to any londoners here)

[Mike Heckathorn]

Just curious if there's any regulation/weirdness about flashlights.

Not positive, but if I had thumped a guy in london with my e2d (and the opportunity was there), pretty sure I would still be in jail... At least it would have been better than the hotel room I was in.

[pangloss]

My wife and I went to Scotland in 2008. Driving by car was much much slower for us than in the US. We rented a car in Aberdeen and drove to Oban via Inverness and Loch Ness. We weren't on a schedule and didn't hurry, but I never expected the drive to take 13 hours. It made for a long day, especially since I had to sleep in a chair on the ferry from the Shetland Islands the night before.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but the UK is not a knife friendly country.

[TrojanSkyCop1]

Love this and so true. Anything ethnic beats the traditional fare.

Also consider the Imperial War Museums (there are at least three). Spectacular history there, if strangely skewed to omit any Japanese atrocities. The Nazis get rightfully savaged for the Holocaust, but the Japanese militarists don't get much condemnation for Nanking, Bataan or the millions of Asians they murdered. The soft-pedaling on Japan was evident at all the Brit museums - including the war museums.

Yep, the Imperial War Museum is definitely on my list, as is the HMS Belfast.


Our mutual friend "Boomstick" lives in Croydon. I can only imagine what kind of mischief he could get you into while you're there. :wink:

I have already touched base with "Boomstick" and we are plenty on getting together tomorrow evening and raising a few pints of bitter! :beer:

Anyways, for the first 3 days, I'm booked at the Ruskin Hotel B&B in Bloomsbury (right by the British Museum) and for the remaining time, I'm booked at The Lovet, Loch Ness in Ft. Augustus (so hopefully I'll be able to spot Nessie whiledoing me ancestral pilgrimmage:finger:). Thanks to all for the suggestions.

[MercMH]

You can carry anything that isn't illegal or if you have good reason if it's dodgy to them (e.g. folding knives that lock, good reason could be required for work, whilst working would be fine but after work and having it on your person and you would be in trouble.).

However if the authorities deside you were carrying something that is a non weapon with the intention to use as a weapon then you are in trouble. So a small flashlight fine, but carrying a great big heavy one and then getting into an altercation could quite likly end with you in as much trouble as your attacker. Another example is the defence pens you can buy, could land you in trouble here potentially!

Matt

[TrojanSkyCop1]

Yep, the Imperial War Museum is definitely on my list, as is the HMS Belfast.


I have already touched base with "Boomstick" and we are plenty on getting together tomorrow evening and raising a few pints of bitter! :beer:




Done, done,and done:

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(Unfortunately, I didn't arrive at the HMS Belfast in time to actually go aboard her)

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(Me and Boomstick at the Spice of Life pub in SoHo)

Boomstick also took time to pose with my mini-celebrity mascot, Kemal the Camel:

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[TrojanSkyCop1]

I also hit the British Museum my first night in London,where they had this new exhibit, "Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam." Out of morbid curiosity, I checked it out.....

.....and couldn't pass up the opportunity to pose in front of some hadji scimitars:

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Andf Kemal decided to channel one of his ancient ancestors:

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[TrojanSkyCop1]

If you are willing to go to scotland, go to edinborough (excuse the probable misspelling), stay at The Point hotel. Scotland is the most fun. London is cool, but scotland it's cheaper and had all the history with friendlier people. (no offense to any londoners here)


Anyways, for the first 3 days, I'm booked at the Ruskin Hotel B&B in Bloomsbury (right by the British Museum) and for the remaining time, I'm booked at The Lovet, Loch Ness in Ft. Augustus (so hopefully I'll be able to spot Nessie whiledoing me ancestral pilgrimmage:finger:). Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Scotland indeed proved to be highlight of me trip (though I didn't make it to Edinburgh,nor did I make to Kircudbrightshire or Renfrewshire, from whence my family name originated).

Did the Cruise Loch Ness boat trip, whereupon I managed to capture Nessie (she's a lot smaller in real life than I expected her to be):

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And then there was Castle Urquhart:

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Drumnadrochit:

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[TrojanSkyCop1]

"FREEEEEEEEEDOM!!!!"

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Fort Augustus Bridge:

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And the Caledonia Canal:

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Overall, one of the most wonderful and adventurously awesome vacations I've ever had the pleasure to take! :finger::woot:

[Walk-Softly]

Great to see you had a good trip. Very happy to see the poppy on your jacket in front of the HMS Belfast!

[VincitOmniaVeritas]

For what it is worth, to basically answer the question about torches/flashlights again, I've always carried a Mag in my suitcase and never had a problem (checked baggage, not carry-on). I keep a smaller, better version in my bag (SureFire E2E), and if asked state that I don't want to be left in the dark like all those poor people during the London bombings should something awful happen. I go in and out of the UK all the time, always have it in my carry-on and have never once been questioned about it in Customs.

[TrojanSkyCop1]

Great to see you had a good trip. Very happy to see the poppy on your jacket in front of the HMS Belfast!


Yes, there were a couple of British soldiers promoting the Poppy Campaign at London Euston Station. I was more than happy to donate a few pounds.

[boom-stick]

Our mutual friend "Boomstick" lives in Croydon. I can only imagine what kind of mischief he could get you into while you're there. :wink:

FTR, we didn't go STRAIGHT to the seedy underbelly of strip clubs and lapdancing bars that is Soho..... ok, ...yeah we did.... but we walked the long route round to get there!!

[fldback]

FTR, we didn't go STRAIGHT to the seedy underbelly of strip clubs and lapdancing bars that is Soho..... ok, ...yeah we did.... but we walked the long route round to get there!!

Glad to see ya'll had a good time. My turn will come!

[TrojanSkyCop1]

FTR, we didn't go STRAIGHT to the seedy underbelly of strip clubs and lapdancing bars that is Soho..... ok, ...yeah we did.... but we walked the long route round to get there!!


Glad to see ya'll had a good time. My turn will come!

What happens in SoHo, stays in Soho...:firedevil: