We're going to Scotland

[ULTRAGOTHA]

I searched several ways for a thread I thought I started a while ago on this, so please move if necessary.

DW, her mother and I are going to Scotland in September. (Yes, I am taking my MIL on a "honeymoon". But she's always wanted to go to Scotland and is 92 so this is a big treat for her!)

I have some questions for the Scots/Brits amongst us.

Are there any good used book shops near Inverness, Oban or Ullapool? Or even somewhat around the main airport in Glasgow? I'm trying to fill in the gaps in my British editions of paperback Terry Pratchett novels while I'm there.

Also, do you know if the 12 volt socket for recharging electronics is the same in a British car as in an American car? In American cars, they are standard equipment often disguised as a cigarette lighter. Are they standard in the UK also? I know the electrical sockets are different shape/voltage but am hoping the ones in the cars are the same. I've hired cars in Scotland before, but didn't pay attention to the cigarette lighter.


Here in the US, there's a car hire firm called "Rent a wreck" which is much cheaper and just as reliable as most major car hire firms. Is there such a firm near the Glasgow airport? We'd be hiring a car for 12 days.

Thanks so much!

[Eddylizard]

Dunno about your other questions, but yes, a Brit car will have the same 12v (lighter) socket as a US one. They are standard fitting in all cars; the newer ones don't have lighters as standard nor can you plug a lighter in - they are a few mm smaller, but still accept the electronics chargers.

Enjoy your Hols. I've only been to Oban once, but I loved it.

[Moku]

Originally Posted by ULTRAGOTHA

Are there any good used book shops near Inverness, Oban or Ullapool? Thanks so much!

Ho yes! Leaky's on Church Street in Inverness. Can't vouch for their Pratchett stock... but I could pop in one day and have a look It's a great place, its in an old Church, has a great cafe, a woodburning stove and a cast iron spiral staircase.
There are also a couple of charity bookshops, oxfam amd Blytheswood Care... all in the same bit of town (Like Inverness is big enough for that to make any odds ;-)

So, are we having a Scotland meet?

[Floater]

Originally Posted by Moku

So, are we having a Scotland meet?

I'll be in and around Inverness 25-27th September, but on the other hand I'll be quite busy during that time.

[Embra]

ULTRAGOTHA, I can't advise on practical things as I've not been local for a while now, but it looks like you're planning on driving through the North, which should be brilliant. There is some stunning scenery: take your time pootling about in the Highlands and around the coast: it's worth it.

Are you planning on going to any of the islands? I can only recommend the walking on Mull, but maybe your MIL wouldn't fancy it!

[Floater]

Originally Posted by Embra

ULTRAGOTHA, I can't advise on practical things as I've not been local for a while now, but it looks like you're planning on driving through the North, which should be brilliant. There is some stunning scenery: take your time pootling about in the Highlands and around the coast: it's worth it.

I can second that.

Originally Posted by Embra

Are you planning on going to any of the islands? I can only recommend the walking on Mull, but maybe your MIL wouldn't fancy it!

If you're into whisky a visit to Islay is a must, but from what you've asked it seems you won't go that way.

[Cinnamon]

Originally Posted by Floater

If you're into whisky a visit to Islay is a must, but from what you've asked it seems you won't go that way.

However, since Oban is specifically mentioned, there's a distillery there.

[Floater]

On Wednesday I will fly to Stansted (London for the non Europeans) where the original plan was to pick up a rental car (el cheapo, working in the business is an asset) and go to Inverness with stopovers in York and Falkirk.

Yesterday I got a phone call from my driver who said that something had gone wrong with the car booking and we will have to resort to other means of transport. So now we'll take the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street station in London, train from St. Pancras to something called East Midlands Parkway station (somehow I don't like the look of the station) and coach to York, train to Edinburgh (and Falkirk) and then coach to Inverness (together with two friends that were going to share the car with us).

Luckily he managed to get a car in Inverness so we can go back to Stansted via Scarborough as were the original plans (together with two other friends).

It will be great to be in Scotland again.

[Mosherette]

Originally Posted by Floater

something called East Midlands Parkway station (somehow I don't like the look of the station)

It's very very new, if that helps. Probably not much though; it's allegedly the train station for East Midlands Airport (or whatever it's called this week) but you still have to get a bus from it to the place where the planes are. Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station is a sight to behold as well. Honest guv.

Wave to me as you go between J26 and J27 of the M1

[Floater]

Originally Posted by Mosherette

It's very very new, if that helps.

I have already come to that conclusion myself.

Originally Posted by Mosherette

Wave to me as you go between J26 and J27 of the M1

Will do. In what general direction? Nuthall? Bulwell? Kimberley? Hucknall?

[Mosherette]

Somewhere between Hucknall and Bulwell should do it!

[Christie]

Couldn't you just take the train from St Pancras (or King's Cross) to York and then pick up a rental car?

[Jay Tea]

Originally Posted by Floater

So now we'll take the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street station in London, train from St. Pancras to something called East Midlands Parkway station (somehow I don't like the look of the station)

Ratcliffe is indeed a splendid sight, great visitors tour as well. Unit 1 at Ratcliffe is the first UK 500MW coal-fired unit to run for 250,000 hours - 28.5 years of continuous generation

It will be great to be in Scotland again.

Give my regards to Inverness...

[Floater]

Originally Posted by Christie

Couldn't you just take the train from St Pancras (or King's Cross) to York and then pick up a rental car?

No rental cars free until Inverness. Besides my chauffeur likes his beer too. One other factor is that the last time we had planned to travel between London and York (or rather the other way round) the tickets would have cost us an outrageous sum. I think it was over £100 each. This arrangement cost us £5,50 each.

Originally Posted by Mosherette

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station is a sight to behold as well. Honest guv.

Originally Posted by Jay Tea

Ratcliffe is indeed a splendid sight, great visitors tour as well. Unit 1 at Ratcliffe is the first UK 500MW coal-fired unit to run for 250,000 hours - 28.5 years of continuous generation

I just realised last night that I passed there on the M1 last January. The cloud pillars rising from the cooling towers were magnificent.

Originally Posted by Jay Tea

Give my regards to Inverness...

I will. Do you want me to down a pint for you at the Loch Ness Beer Festival?

[ULTRAGOTHA]

You must go to the Oakwood restaurant between Inverness and Lochend.
The food is out of this world.

[Floater]

Originally Posted by ULTRAGOTHA

You must go to the Oakwood restaurant between Inverness and Lochend.
The food is out of this world.

I believe you. Unfortunately the itinerary is quite full. Pub crawl on Friday night. A Hash run in Inverness on Saturday followed by a haggis dinner at the Benleva hotel in Drumnadrochit and then the Loch Ness Beer Festival at the same place. A hangover run on Sunday, which will also be the inaugural run of the Inverness, Scotland, Hash House Harriers (I had to point out Scotland as the event is organised by the Inverness Hash House Harriers in Stockholm).