[Closed] So you think you know about Scotland?

'My aunt lives in Scotland, she says it's quite nice'

😉

BBSB - tremendous, good work.

You almost make it sound as if someone else is to blame for your ignorance.

No I don't think I do actually. I think the fact that I live in a city with five airports, plus things like the cheapness of flights to exotic places abroad, and that I understand it's a bit cold and wet in Scotland, has meant that I've preferred other locations for holidays. Scotland is also very spensive for accommodation and that, so that's another factor.

I agree that things are very London-o-centric down here, and maybe not enough recognition is given to Scotland (or indeed Wales and Norn Iron).

I will freely admit that Scotland is not very high on my list of places to see. Expensive, generally crap weather, a common perception that some Scots are hostile towards the English (reinforced by anecdotal evidence), a culture very close to the one I already know, nowt really in the way of food and drink that's particularly exciting (a wee dram is nice mind), and nowhere near the wealth of art and architecture available in other places.

Few years ago I had the option of visiting Edinburgh or Barçelona. It was a no-brainer.

Apparently, it rained in Scotland more or less the whole time I was in Spain, enjoying the sun....

I'm happy for people to try to convince me Scotland is a place well worth visiting though.

nowhere near the wealth of art and architecture available in other places.

TROLL

I'm happy for people to try to convince me Scotland is a place well worth visiting though.

It's not a troll. London alone has a greater wealth and diversity of architecture than all of Scotland put together*. And on these terms, would you compare somewhere like Glasgow or Edinburgh to Barçelona, Paris, Rome, Prague? New York?

From my home, I can be in one of the aforementioned Yerpean cities in less time than it would take me to get to Scotland by train, certainly, and a fair bit cheaper to fly to.

I'm merely making the point that for me at least, other places are more appealing.

Maybe they are better at promoting themselves....

Why? Scotland's great and you coming here probably wouldn't improve it any.

Nice. Thanks. You're really selling it....

*Prove me wrong.

I will freely admit that Scotland is not very high on my list of places to see. Expensive, generally crap weather, a common perception that some Scots are hostile towards the English (reinforced by anecdotal evidence), a culture very close to the one I already know, nowt really in the way of food and drink that's particularly exciting (a wee dram is nice mind), and nowhere near the wealth of art and architecture available in other places.

Oh dear...

It's funny, you might think someone interested in mountain biking would be interested in seeing some of the most stunning scenery in the world (and yes I've travelled reasonably extensively thanks). I guess not. Edinburgh and Glasgow are both pretty culturally vibrant too. AND Scotland in general is more 'progressive' politically than England (well the south anyway).

The dozens of European, American and Asian tourists you see in the more popular bits of Scotland seem to be enjoying themselves BTW.

i'd rather visit scotland than london.

Sorry elfin, i'm being honest here, me no likey london.... i've given it many chances, visited lots of different parts of it for lots of different reasons.. but i always go home and breath a sigh of relief when i get away from it

i had a horrible holiday in scotland when i was a kid and haven't been back since, so i'm thinking i should probably give it a second chance.

Grum; I've mountainbiked in Yerp, America and Australia. One thing I do like is nice weather. Whilst I'm sure Scotland has many uniquely wonderful experiences to offer me, so do other places, and they're more appealing TO ME PERSONALLY.

I'd like to visit Scotland at some point, sure, but as I've said, it's not that high up the list for me. That's not to say it ain't worth visiting, just that I'd naturally be drawn to other places.

Of all the people I know in London, not many of them have ever visited Scotland. They have however visited the four corners of the rest of The Earth.

So, is it just us? Or does Scotland need to work on it's PR a bit more? This ain't a dig at the place, merely questioning how we can see it as more appealing.

i'd rather visit scotland than london.

Sorry elfin, i'm being honest here, me no likey london.... i've given it many chances, visited lots of different parts of it for lots of different reasons.. but i always go home and breath a sigh of relief when i get away from it

Fair enough. An honest onion, I've no problem with that. I always love coming Home, but then we're all diffrunt, in't we? Which is good, no?

Of all the people I know in London, not many of them have ever visited Scotland. They have however visited the four corners of the rest of The Earth.

I genuinely find this very sad - oh well, their/your loss I suppose.

So, is it just us? Or does Scotland need to work on it's PR a bit more? This ain't a dig at the place, merely questioning how we can see it as more appealing.

Nah it's just because people are swayed by the glamour of going on expensive foreign jaunts and taking environment wrecking long haul flights, rather than looking at the glorious beauty available on their doorstep. It doesn't sound as impressive to **** on about a camping trip in Scotland as it does about an amazing beach party in Thailand or whatever. 😐

Scotland is also very spensive for accommodation and that

Prove it. It can be as expensive or as cheap as you like.

Expensive, generally crap weather, a common perception that some Scots are hostile towards the English

Cheaper than London. 'Some people are hostile to some other people' - you live in the East End don't you?

a culture very close to the one I already know, nowt really in the way of food and drink that's particularly exciting

Evidently not the case on the culture front. Dissing Scottish food and drink? Get over your own preconceptions.

nowhere near the wealth of art and architecture available in other places.

You really do have no idea about this do you?

would you compare somewhere like Glasgow or Edinburgh to Barçelona, Paris, Rome, Prague? New York?

Yes - yes I would.

You are a Cockney Troll and trolling quite hard. Please book a thread where you and TJ can fight over the North South divide for our amusement.

Fair enough. An honest onion, I've no problem with that. I always love coming Home, but then we're all diffrunt, in't we? Which is good, no?

we're all different indeed, i'd be out of a job if people weren't different!

Why? Scotland's great and you coming here probably wouldn't improve it any.

Nice. Thanks. You're really selling it....

Glad you think so, but what surprises me about this thread as a whole is the general idea that Scots give a monkeys about what the English think. I don't, why should I? Why do you think I'd be remotely interested in "selling" it to you? You've never been here yet feel qualified to comment on it - fair enough - talking shyte about things you have no experience always was one of your specialities.

BTW - do you still live in the East End, or have you and your family been relocated to make way for the toilets at the sponsors bar?

That's OK Elfin, it's not mandatory to like Scotland, we don't mind if you choose not to visit.

But back on topic, didn't somebody quite smart say something about history being written by the winners ?

I was amazed, being from the Colonies, about how much more I knew of British History than British folk are taught in school about any of the Colonies. And we saved your arses in at least two wars.

See, I think you've nailed it there Grum.

I genuinely find this very sad - oh well, their/your loss I suppose.

It is, it is, I'm sure. I've had some very kind offers to visit from people on here, and must really make the effort to come up, see it for meself. But you must appreciate that for most folk, holidays are a luxury, and you're gonna think carefully before spending money. If somewhere else offers 'better value', then we'll probbly go there.

One thing that does appeal to me about Scotland is that there are some really nice folk on here what live there, who I'd be more than happy to ride with. So I'm not being completely negative.

(although I suppose one could argue that New Zealand history is shorter thus takes less time to learn !)

Elfinfred lives in an East End pit but doesnt think Scotland is worth a visit.

This where I grew up

[img] [/img]

Then I moved here

[img] [/img]

...and went climbing here

[img] [/img]

hels - Member
(although I suppose one could argue that New Zealand history is shorter thus takes less time to learn !)

Elf - shame most of your prejudices are wrong. For example Edinburgh has at last as much sun as London. Scottish food can be great - some of the best seafood in the world which is why none of it goes to London - mostly to France and Spain where its appreciated.

Its culturally and politically different from the south of England. Having lived in London as well as Scotland I know where I prefer - yet you have closed your mind to Scotland despite never visiting.

Git yer ass on a train. Only takes a few hours / few quid. Open your mind

Barçelona,

i learnt everything i know about scotland from the documentary 'Braveheart'

there's a disproportionate amount of ginger people and as an added insult they're not allowed to train with real weapons, just logs and stones. also i didnt notice any helmets apart from robert the bruce who was a baddy, and the english who are all baddies and rapists.

mcboo - Member
Elfinfred doesn't think Scotland is worth a visit.

To be fair, if you live in the SE then Scotland really [i]isn't[/i] worth a visit - as Elf said, it's far cheaper/quicker to travel to Europe and have a holiday in a completely different culture/environment.

That's not being anti Scot, just geographally aware 😉

it's far cheaper/quicker to travel to Europe

You can get to Glasgow on a train from London in 4 and half hours - not too many places in Europe you can get to quicker than that.

Prove it. It can be as expensive or as cheap as you like.

Whenever I've looked into travel and accommodation in Scotland, it's always seemed very expensive compared to other places.

Cheaper than London. 'Some people are hostile to some other people' - you live in the East End don't you?

Yes I do, and I find most people I meet are fine. Fancy that, eh? I'm sure I'd find the same in Scotland, yet the myth of [i]some[/i] Scots being unfriendly towards the English is a bit off putting, and there are people on this forum that don't help to dispel this myth, it has to be said.

Evidently not the case on the culture front. Dissing Scottish food and drink? Get over your own preconceptions.

Sorry, I'm not feeling the 'Scottish food and drink' thing much. Granted, I am ignorant in this respect, but I've never seen a 'Scottish' restaurant anywhere I've ever bin (nor have I seen any specifically 'English' ones for balance). Apart from Aberdeen Steak House. Does that count? I'm merely stating that for me personally, food and drink isn't something where Scotland has a particular appeal. Apart from the whisky....

You really do have no idea about this do you?

Well having studied stuff about architecture and art, and having a keen interest in those subjects, if I were looking for a holiday which involved these aspects, I'd probbly look elsewhere first.

You are a Cockney Troll and trolling quite hard. Please book a thread where you and TJ can fight over the North South divide for our amusement.

Glad you think so, but what surprises me about this thread as a whole is the general idea that Scots give a monkeys about what the English think. I don't, why should I? Why do you think I'd be remotely interested in "selling" it to you? You've never been here yet feel qualified to comment on it - fair enough - talking shyte about things you have no experience always was one of your specialities.

See, all I'm doing is expressing my honest onions, as Phil has done re. London. Notice I don't have a problem with him for that? I'm not attempting to insult Scotland or Scottish people at all, far from it. i'm merely being open and straightforward with my views.

I think it's a shame you can't take my comments for what they are, and instead try to twist things into a personal attack on me. I'm sure if this were someone else saying such things you'd not be quite as hostile...

That's OK Elfin, it's not mandatory to like Scotland, we don't mind if you choose not to visit.

As I've said, I find it regrettable that I don't know more about Scotland, it's history, it's culture and it's people. And that I don't feel more inspired to visit what others think is a wonderful place. I genuinely wish I shared their enthusiasm, and am looking to try to develop a greater personal enthusiasm for a country right next to my own. In the same way that I love North Wales, for example.

That's all. I hope at least someone can understand what I'm going on about....

Fair enough Scotland isnt cheap. If you want cheap, take yourself on a trip to Benidorm, soak up the local culture in the company of our Iberian cousins. And enjoy the local cuisine, I hear they eat something called Sausage and Mash, sounds lovely.

You will be missing out on this though.

http://www.airds-hotel.com/content/page.php?page_id=0&sub_id=6

Sorry, I'm not feeling the 'Scottish food and drink' thing much. Granted, I am ignorant in this respect, but I've never seen a 'Scottish' restaurant anywhere I've ever bin

It's more about the great ingredients that are available locally in Scotland - game, seafood etc - some of the best anywhere.

Glad you think so, but what surprises me about this thread as a whole is the general idea that Scots give a monkeys about what the English think. I don't, why should I? Why do you think I'd be remotely interested in "selling" it to you?

Scots can be a bit touchy can't they ;). I like my area of England and want to show it to friends from down south etc who've never been and go on about it being 'grim up north' etc - I imagine some Scottish people (the ones who aren't touchy) might feel the same.

BTW there's lots of bunkhouse/ youth hostel accomodation in Scotland that can be had for pretty cheap, or B+Bs often aren't crazy money either.

Well having studied stuff about architecture and art, and having a keen interest in those subjects, if I were looking for a holiday which involved these aspects, I'd probbly look elsewhere first.

[img] [/img]

Super-mega-ultra faaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiil.

See, all I'm doing is expressing my honest onions, as Phil has done re. London. Notice I don't have a problem with him for that? I'm not attempting to insult Scotland or Scottish people at all, far from it. i'm merely being open and straightforward with my views.

I think it's a shame you can't take my comments for what they are, and instead try to twist things into a personal attack on me. I'm sure if this were someone else saying such things you'd not be quite as hostile...

I mean it's not like your past behaviour would suggest you were a wind up merchant.....

Do you need a themed restaurant for the food to interest you? Quite a poor level of food appreciation, but if you need that sort of thing, fair enough. I've found the best restaurants reflect their surroundings and locally available produce, but you are the well-travelled one here.

mcboo - you saved me the time by posting CRM's picture - thanks.

Fred - more than just I think you troll and this is further evidence. You have no knowledge (evident in this thread) of Scotland and have never been there, yet gob off about a lack of this and no appeal of that. What do you think it reads like?

Elfinfred lives in an East End pit

Fair enough. 😆

but doesnt think Scotland is worth a visit

Where did I say it 'wasn't worth a visit'? I din't.

[img] [/img]

😉

Fred - more than just I think you troll and this is further evidence. You have no knowledge (evident in this thread) of Scotland and have never been there, yet gob off about a lack of this and no appeal of that. What do you think it reads like?

I think you're seriously misinterpreting what I'm actually saying.

I'll reiterate:

When choosing a holiday, Scotland does not feature high in my list of possible destinations, due to my perception that there is little to appeal to [i]me[/i] in terms of what I look for when [i]I[/i] travel.

I am willing to accept that I am ignorant of the place, yet I am open to having my onions about the place changed. Hopefully this could happen if I were to ever visit the place.

Just because I'm honest about it's lack of appeal TO ME PERSONALLY, does not make it a place 'not worth visiting'. I have no great desire to visit a number of places, yet appreciate that other do. As I said, we're all diffrunt.

I'm not attempting to insult Scotland or Scottish people at all, far from it. i'm merely [s]being open and straightforward with my views.[/s]expressing an opinion on something i know nothing about. Again.

<<waves at mcboo>>
born there too. gf stays near methven so spending a lot of time there the noo.

I'm sure if this were someone else saying such things you'd not be quite as hostile...

Elf. £114 4 hrs 15 on the train return. Where else you going to get to that cheaply that quickly? thats city centre to city centre not to some godfawsaken place like luton
🙂

come open your mind

Methven! You know the village shop? Used to be a Spar? My great-uncle Sandy Cross (war hero, joiner) built that with his own hands, ran it for years. He's buried in the cemetary beside the Crieff Road.

Methven (wipes tear)

Elf. £114 4 hrs 15 on the train return

Elf. £114 4 hrs 15 on the train return. Where else you going to get to that cheaply that quickly?

Barçelona. Total of I think it were around £70 return, including transfers. And takes less time door to door.

Barçelona.

there's a spar on the right hand side (heading toward creiff) and the post office on the left. post office looks more "home made"
apaprently methven was kind of rough for a while but is ok now.
chatni is the best indian i've ever had. also a decent looking real ale festival weekend after next
there's a new development on the north east side of town though, 200+ houses which might have an impact on the town

Great road riding from Methven, fantastic loop from there through Little Glen Shee. Only for Genuine Scottish Hard-Men though.

Elfin you stick to Epping Forest son.

And takes less time door to door.

Bollocks.

buchanty spout, cross the river then back down the other side of the glen, via harrietfield and on to pitcairngreen 9a lovely little piece of rural england thet fell on perthshire) poss stop at pitcairngreen inn, tnen back toward harrietfield, head toward methven and on to the glenalmond road.
nice trip.
hard? sma' glen to aberfeldy and back. (maybe later)

don't know when you were lat in the area, but the creiff roads a bit mental these days - love it on a motorbike though

And takes less time door to door.

Bollocks.

yes, you'd almost think he didn't know what he was talking about and had made it up, wouldn't you?

........or this

[img] [/img]

Grum; took me a total of just over 4 hours. DLR to Stratford then train to Stanstead, total of about 55 mins. Then 1 hr check in etc, 1hr30' flight, 20 mins or so through customs in Bar[b]ç[/b]a, then a 20 minute bus journey.

Would take me about 40 mins to get to Kings Cross, 10-15 to find platform etc, then 4hrs 15 to where was it, Glasgow? Then transfer to wherever? So that's over 5 hours.

yes, you'd almost think he didn't know what he was talking about and had made it up, wouldn't you?

What was that you were saying about commenting on something you know nothing about? 😉

Flight was forty pounds return with Sleazy. DLR was a pound or so, train return to Stanstead was twenty pounds or so, bus from Bar[b]ç[/b]elona yafut was actually it was free cos the ticket machine weren't working! 😀