Scotland garden trip, with birding (1 Viewer)

[Oregonian]

We have tickets for Scotland! We'll land in Edinburgh in late September, and have two weeks. Current plans are to spend a few days in Edinburgh, a few days in Glascow, a couple days in the Isle of Arran, and a few days the Aberdeen area. In no particular order but for flying in and out of Edinburgh. We thought we could go by train and rent a car as appropriate, like in Aberdeen to visit places like Deeside and the Ythan Estuary. About the Isle of Arran, where there is a nice garden at Brodick Castle, should we try to rent a car, or find a guide to drive us about, or are taxis (or Uber) not too dear?
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

If you've some specific things you're keen to see around Aberdeen, let me know and I'll try to suggest spots. Deeside may be fairly quiet in late September, as most migrants will have left. It should be good for raptors and resident forest birds e.g. Crossbills should be around. The coast will have a lot more birds and the Ythan will be good. It's potentially an interesting time of year for migrants and seabirds.

 

[LittleBitOfBreadNoCheese]

I've used buses to get around Arran and found them quite useful.

 

[david kelly]

We have tickets for Scotland! We'll land in Edinburgh in late September, and have two weeks. Current plans are to spend a few days in Edinburgh, a few days in Glascow, a couple days in the Isle of Arran, and a few days the Aberdeen area. In no particular order but for flying in and out of Edinburgh. We thought we could go by train and rent a car as appropriate, like in Aberdeen to visit places like Deeside and the Ythan Estuary. About the Isle of Arran, where there is a nice garden at Brodick Castle, should we try to rent a car, or find a guide to drive us about, or are taxis (or Uber) not too dear?
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Cheers,
Jeff

If you are in Edinburgh then there is the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh. I understand that Velvet Scoter is a target for you, then Musselburgh is a must, the sea wall of Levenhall Links are the best place in Britain to see that species, it’s good for other species too such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, etc.. The best resource for birding in Scotland is the free app from the Scottish Ornithologists Club “Where to Watch Birds in Scotland”.

David

 

[Oregonian]

If you are in Edinburgh then there is the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh. I understand that Velvet Scoter is a target for you, then Musselburgh is a must, the sea wall of Levenhall Links are the best place in Britain to see that species, it’s good for other species too such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, etc.. The best resource for birding in Scotland is the free app from the Scottish Ornithologists Club “Where to Watch Birds in Scotland”.

David

Thanks, I just downloaded the app, and it looks quite helpful!

 

[Oregonian]

Thank you all for information, we had a great trip! The bus system was magnificent. Two days in Edinburgh included the Royal Botanical Gardens and Musselburgh, though the seas were choppy and I couldn't find a Velvet Scoter. Bar-tailed Godwits and a bonus Barnicle Goose were nice. Then a bus ride to Inverness, where we rented a car and drove, on the left without crashing, over to Gairloch and Skye, then Granton-on-Spey. After we returned the car, we spent a couple days in Inverness, then Sterling for two days before taking a bus direct from Stirling to the Edinburgh airport. Pink-footed Geese were lifers in Nairn. What a great call they have!
Photo of a robin on Skye attached, because I loved seeing them all the time. So confiding!

 

[delia todd]

I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip over here Jeff.

Aren't our Robins delightful, always brightens my day when I see one.