Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Scotland - The Logistics

We did Scotland using Untours and what a wonderful experience that was.  I guess it was almost a year ago we decided to go, we looked at the properties available for just two people and the two week period we wanted to travel.  We then booked it with Untours and other than our finding the flights, they took care of the rest: booking the rental property, reserving the car, arranging for airport to car rental transfer, supplying us with GPS and cellphone, and stocking the kitchen with groceries.  We were pleasantly surprised to find there was an orientation to Scotland the day after we arrived.  Untours has many properties in Sterling and vicinity, but that arrival week we were the only ones so didn't have to share the orientation with anyone.

Our flat was the only one in Dunblane.  Others were in Stirling and Bridge of Allan.  We had a two bedroom here in this old mill building on the Allan Water.





The flat had the three large windows on the far right, first floor in the building below.



There was a lovely walk on both sides of the river.


We met Val, our Untours coordinator at the Dunblane Cathedral that first Thursday and were given a tour by a member of the church.  More on this cathedral in another post but cathedral dates to the 13th century and the lower part of the tower to the 11th century.



When we came out the sun was shining.


Val took us to a local restaurant for coffee/tea and scones where we met Padraic who regaled us with poems about Rob Roy in both English and Gaelic.


We popped in to the Dunblane Museum.  More on that another time.  Tennis champ Andy Murray is from Dunblane.


He's responsible for this mailbox being gold.

We then walked over to the Leighton Library, the oldest private library in Scotland.


Robert leighton (1611-1684) was Bishop of Dunblane and left his collection of books to the town along with funds to build a library.





Our last stop was for tea at Another Tilly's Tea Shop where Val answered all our questions and some we didn't even think to ask.


Much more to come on our trip, but I can't say enough about how wonderful Untours and Val were for us.  After that orientation we felt ready to explore on our own the land of the Scots.



7 comments:

Silver in AZ said...

New to your blog (hi!)....wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing!

Fun60 said...

You stayed in Dunblane, a place I have not yet visited. As Andy Murray is my favourite sportsman, Dunblane is high on my list . Can't wait to see where you went next.

Tom said...

...looks great, but you drove a rental car on the left side of the road?

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

Excellent!

Molly said...

That looks like a great place to stay, the view out of the windows must have been fabulous

Mollyx

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I really am impressed at Untours.... That would definitely be the way to go IF George and I ever did that. I do NOT enjoy big group tours ---so this way would be perfect.

Looks like you were in a gorgeous area... I have Scottish ancestors --so visiting there would be a DREAM...

I'm looking forward to MORE of your photos and words.
Hugs
Betsy

Photo Cache said...

Wow, what an incredible trip. I have to look up Untours.

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