Frommers ShortCuts - Argyll & Southern Hebrides, Scotland: Lesley Ann Rose, Michael Macaroon, Vivienne Crow

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ISBN 9781118271186 (ebk); ISBN 9781118271193 (ebk); ISBN 9781118271209 (ebk)

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About the Authors

Lesley Anne Rose is a travel and script writer who has lived in and explored Scotland for a number of years. She has written guidebooks, articles, travel columns, and website copy for various publishers and organizations on areas as diverse as Florida and Malta, Canada, the Caribbean, and the U.K., where she specializes in the Lake District and Scotland. While she enjoys writing about independent travel, food, traveling with children, the arts, and eco tourism, her real passion is cycling and exploring new places by bicycle. Lesley Anne has seen her scripts produced in regional theatre and teaches travel and creative writing. Lesley Anne is responsible for the chapters on The Best of Scotland, the Trip Planner, Edinburgh & the Lothians, the Borders & Dumfries & Galloway, Glasgow & the Ayrshire Coast, Fife & the Central Highlands, and she wrote the planning chapter with Michael.

Michael Macaroon is a writer who specializes in travel and the arts, and has written a variety of books and many articles for newspapers and magazines. His Scottish ancestry is on his maternal side: his great-grandfather was a grazier in the Borders, and his grandfather ran an unsuccessful ice-cream business in Glenrothes. Michael wrote the Scotland in Depth chapter, Suggested Scotland Itineraries, Argyll & the Southern Hebrides, Aberdeen & the Tayside & Grampian regions, Inverness & the West Highlands, and the Hebridean Islands.

Vivienne Crow has been a journalist for more than 20 years. She specializes in travel and the outdoors, and has written for a variety of publications including The Scotsman and The Sydney Morning Herald. She is the author of nine guidebooks, and currently lives in northern England, about 8 miles from the Scottish border. Vivienne wrote the chapter on the Orkney & Shetland islands.

Frommers Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).

In addition to the star-rating system, we also use eight feature icons that point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:

special finds those places only insiders know about

fun facts details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun

kids best bets for kids, and advice for the whole family

special moments those experiences that memories are made of

overrated places or experiences not worth your time or money

insider tips great ways to save time and money

great values where to get the best deals

warning travelers advisories are usually in effect

The following abbreviations are used for credit cards:
AE American Express
DISC Discover
V Visa
DC Diners Club
MC MasterCard

The Best of Scotland

Scotland delivers on every expectation of a deeply romantic land filled with misty lochs, fields of heather, and moody mountain ranges, while its thoroughly modern cities are welcoming cultural hubs. Whether youre in the heart of Edinburgh at Hogmanay, alone in Iona Abbey, or teeing off at Carnoustie, youll experience a nation that champions its history and believes in its future. Our picks of the best include many world-famous attractions as well as a few well-kept secrets.

Note About Maps

This guide contains dozens of maps of varying sizes and complexity. If you find it hard to read a map on your device, use the zoom function to enlarge. You can also download and/or printout PDFs of all of the maps in this guide. Go to www.frommers.com/go/ebookmaps and click on the title of your guide.

Scotland

THE CITIES Scotlands cities are among the most dynamic in Europe. Edinburgh never fails to dazzle with its Old and New Towns, port of Leith, and some of the nations top cultural attractions. Equally vibrant Glasgow claims the top art galleries, best nightlife, and unbeatable shopping. Stirling links Scotlands high and low lands and is a magnet for history lovers.

THE COUNTRYSIDE Strewn with royal palaces ( Falkland in Fife), ruined castles ( Caerlaverock in Dumfries and Galloway), Neolithic settlements ( Skara Brae in the Orkneys), and modern feats of engineering ( Neptunes Staircase near Fort William), the wilds of Scotland have something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from mountain ranges, river valleys, and rugged moorland where top golf courses, first-class fishing, and limitless hiking blend with tales of clan feuds and a rich variety of wildlife.

THE COAST Mainland Scotland alone claims 6,158 miles of coastline. Add on the shores of its many islands and it would take a lifetime to discover all the deserted beaches of the Hebrides ( Tiree, Harris, and South Uist ), the sea lochs of the west coast ( Linnhe, Sunart, and Etive ), and craggy cliffs to the east ( East Neuk ). Unbeatable coastal walks lead from Eshaness in Shetland and excellent sea fishing lies off the shores of Portpatrick.