Scotland 2018 - the highlands and more
We have had interest in this trip from many folk who wish to both perform and come along as guests. To date, we have confirmed that we will leave Ottawa on August 12 and return on August 23. We have booked flights with WestJet and You need a valid passport.
We are staying at the self catering accomodation at Bainfield, near the Castle, at Napier University. The address is 6 Bainfield Drive. All rooms are ensuite, the building has an elevator and Sainsburys on site, and there are tons of amenities close by. It is close to the Haymarket Train Station.
Current travel plans:
Sunday, August 12 Arrive Ottawa airport at 2 pm, check in and depart at 5 pm
Monday, August 13 arrive at Glasgow Airport at 8:10 am, coach to Edinburgh and store luggage at the University. Return for 3 pm to collect keys and check in. Relax, and attend a gatthering
at the PM's flat to review details of the trip and other questions, and then an optional visit to the Grassmarket after to enjoy a unique view of the Castle from below and have a quick look around.
Tuesday, August 14 chanter and pad practice at the PM's flat at 10 am, pipes and drums in the park after. Afternoon off, and optional evening at the Eagle Pipers at the Scots Guards Club at 7:30 pm for pipes, pies and pints - all are welcome!
Wednesday, August 15 -chanter and pad practice at Beth's flat and then over to the park for practice on full instruments. Time TBC
Thursday, August 16 - We are playing at the Palace of HolyroodHouse at 2 pm. Arrive at 12:30 pm for a tour, arrive dressed.
Friday, August 17 Pre Worlds Parade in Glasgow, lunch with Lord Provost Eva Bolander at Glasgow City Chambers. Travel through by coach leaving at 10 am.
Saturday, August 18 World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Green - coach booked for a 6 am departure. 2 coaches are traveling through, 1 parking on the Green, the other in the outer park.
Sunday, August 19 - day off in Edinburgh. PM is busking on the Royal Mile at 6:15 pm! Pack for departure on Monday for the Highlands!
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Monday, August 20 - depart at 9 am and travel by coach to Loch Lomond, lunch in Oban, performance at GlenCoe, onto Fort William for the night
Tuesday, August 21 - Depart Fort William and head to the Isle of Skye, play in Portree, visit Loch Ness on the way home, play at Culloden, and stay in Inverness.
Wednesday, August 22 - Visit and perform at Balmoral Castle to do a private morning performance for Her Majesty The Queen, and then head back to Glasgow, check into the Normandy Hotel (or other accommodations) near the airport to stay the last night. Arrive at the Glasgow Airport the following morning to return to Canada- 6:30 am departure for the airport.
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Highland dancing information - visit www.toeandheel.com and www.sobhd.net for information on events and registration.
If you are booking a group trip, family trip or solo journey to Scotland, email our friends at Flight Centre for the best prices and service; contact Nicole Walter at nicole.walter@flightcentre.ca from anywhere in the world, and she'll give you great help. Tell them the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band sent you, and you'll get the best of the best!!
Here are some helpful hints and information to make our upcoming trip to Scotland its best.
Before you go...Make sure you have your passport. Good idea to make a photocopy of it and leave it at home in case you lose it. Leave it in your room in your flat, and only bring it out to visit venues requiring id. Don’t carry any liquids in your carry on bags. Don’t travel with your knives or pointy objects in piper’s maintenance kits. Pack your earplugs for the plane, and something to read. Bring a sweater on board in your pipe case – helps you snuggle up and sleep. Some flights do not provide meals, so make sure to plan to purchase something to eat/drink at the airport.
Take out trip or health insurance before you go if you wish. Leave Beth's number with your friends back home and let them know that if they call to leave a message, they should leave their name too. To ring her from Canada, come back here for Beth's #
Put Beth’s UK number on your luggage tags in case they misplace anything and can then get in touch. Label everything with your name on it.
Pack your music. Pad, chanter and sticks are all required for practices in the flats.
What to pack... Scotland gets rain. Pack a raincoat, an umbrella, and a good shopping bag. Comfy shoes are a must - you'll do lots of walking. Your wardrobe may have hangers, or may not, depending on the previous tenant. Pipe band folk - roll up your kilt to save the pleats from getting wonky, and lay out your jacket/vest carefully in your suitcase. They are hard to iron! You can bring up to 50 pounds in the first bag before getting charged extra, so weigh your bag before you go. 2nd bag is yours to pay for, so if you plan on doing a lot of shopping when there, partner up with other folk to combine items for that bag - saves you some money. Just be aware of what's in the luggage.
The uniform items: Bring your glengarry (make sure your badge is sewn on), 2 long sleeved and 2 short sleeved white shirts, your necktie, jacket, vest and kilt, sporran, belt, 2 pair of black band hose, flashes, skean dhu, shoes and your Inverness cape.
In your Flat: You will have a room with ironing board/iron, mop, broom. There are laundry facilities in each building, and there is a weekly cleaning person that comes in. They change sheets weekly, and you are provided with linens and towels in each room. Kitchens have flatwear, plates and cups – kettle, fridge and stove – some have microwaves, but not all. Some have toasters, but not many.
There is a hot water meter in the kitchen. Last one to bed should turn it on so you have hot water in the morning. Don't forget an alarm clock as well.
Great idea copied from the MacCulloch School – your flatleader should post paper on the front door of the flat along with a pen. When folk go out, they can leave a note so others know where they’ve gone to. Makes all the difference in a day’s enjoyment! All flatleaders need to get Beth their flat number, and who’s staying in each room in case of damage, or things left in rooms.
Flats at Napier University all have 8 rooms and are all ensuite. Linens and towels are provided.Right across the street is a mall with places to accommodate groups for meals. Visit them at www.fountainpark.co.uk
All flats have free WIFI now and it is a good idea to copy down your passwords for email accounts so you can access them there. Electrical current in Scotland is 220, not 110 like in Canada, and their plug ends are a different shape. Most electronic items like phone/camera/laptop chargers can accept 220, but the plug won’t fit in the receptacle in Scotland, for this you will need a simple adapter that does not step down the power. Check your device to see what range it accepts, it is usually noted right on it. Other devices, small appliances like hair dryers, will need an adapter that also steps down the power to 110, or else they will melt. When you arrive at your room, inspect the flat for any previous damage, or stains to the carpet etc, document them if you have a camera and report them to your flat master, this way the band will not be held responsible for damage incurred by the previous guests. This has been an issue in the past.
Shopping: There is great shopping in Scotland. There are a lot of charity shops nearby, and a Sainsburys downstairs to pick up a few things. Tesco and LIDL are great for food as well and there are some close. If you wish to pick up any small appliances, visit the Argos shop on the North Bridge. Visit www.argos.co.uk for information.
Here are some helpful hints and information to make our upcoming trip to Scotland its best.
Before you go...Make sure you have your passport. Good idea to make a photocopy of it and leave it at home in case you lose it. Leave it in your room in your flat, and only bring it out to visit venues requiring id. Don’t carry any liquids in your carry on bags. Don’t travel with your knives or pointy objects in piper’s maintenance kits. Pack your earplugs for the plane, and something to read. Bring a sweater on board in your pipe case – helps you snuggle up and sleep. Some flights do not provide meals, so make sure to plan to purchase something to eat/drink at the airport.
Take out trip or health insurance before you go if you wish. Leave Beth's number with your friends back home and let them know that if they call to leave a message, they should leave their name too. To ring her from Canada, come back here for Beth's #
Put Beth’s UK number on your luggage tags in case they misplace anything and can then get in touch. Label everything with your name on it.
Pack your music. Pad, chanter and sticks are all required for practices in the flats.
What to pack... Scotland gets rain. Pack a raincoat, an umbrella, and a good shopping bag. Comfy shoes are a must - you'll do lots of walking. Your wardrobe may have hangers, or may not, depending on the previous tenant. Pipe band folk - roll up your kilt to save the pleats from getting wonky, and lay out your jacket/vest carefully in your suitcase. They are hard to iron! You can bring up to 50 pounds in the first bag before getting charged extra, so weigh your bag before you go. 2nd bag is yours to pay for, so if you plan on doing a lot of shopping when there, partner up with other folk to combine items for that bag - saves you some money. Just be aware of what's in the luggage.
The uniform items: Bring your glengarry (make sure your badge is sewn on), 2 long sleeved and 2 short sleeved white shirts, your necktie, jacket, vest and kilt, sporran, belt, 2 pair of black band hose, flashes, skean dhu, shoes and your Inverness cape.
In your Flat: You will have a room with ironing board/iron, mop, broom. There are laundry facilities in each building, and there is a weekly cleaning person that comes in. They change sheets weekly, and you are provided with linens and towels in each room. Kitchens have flatwear, plates and cups – kettle, fridge and stove – some have microwaves, but not all. Some have toasters, but not many.
There is a hot water meter in the kitchen. Last one to bed should turn it on so you have hot water in the morning. Don't forget an alarm clock as well.
Great idea copied from the MacCulloch School – your flatleader should post paper on the front door of the flat along with a pen. When folk go out, they can leave a note so others know where they’ve gone to. Makes all the difference in a day’s enjoyment! All flatleaders need to get Beth their flat number, and who’s staying in each room in case of damage, or things left in rooms.
Flats at Napier University all have 8 rooms and are all ensuite. Linens and towels are provided.Right across the street is a mall with places to accommodate groups for meals. Visit them at www.fountainpark.co.uk
All flats have free WIFI now and it is a good idea to copy down your passwords for email accounts so you can access them there. Electrical current in Scotland is 220, not 110 like in Canada, and their plug ends are a different shape. Most electronic items like phone/camera/laptop chargers can accept 220, but the plug won’t fit in the receptacle in Scotland, for this you will need a simple adapter that does not step down the power. Check your device to see what range it accepts, it is usually noted right on it. Other devices, small appliances like hair dryers, will need an adapter that also steps down the power to 110, or else they will melt. When you arrive at your room, inspect the flat for any previous damage, or stains to the carpet etc, document them if you have a camera and report them to your flat master, this way the band will not be held responsible for damage incurred by the previous guests. This has been an issue in the past.
Shopping: There is great shopping in Scotland. There are a lot of charity shops nearby, and a Sainsburys downstairs to pick up a few things. Tesco and LIDL are great for food as well and there are some close. If you wish to pick up any small appliances, visit the Argos shop on the North Bridge. Visit www.argos.co.uk for information.
Edinburgh flats - napier university at 6 bainfield drive
A great event to take in is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Tickets and information is available through this link: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/
Purchase your tickets before heading over to make sure it's not sold out the night you want to go. Link is here for purchases: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets
You can also look at this page for good information on packages: https://www.theatrebreaks.com/edinburgh/shows-edinburgh/royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo-breaks
Purchase your tickets before heading over to make sure it's not sold out the night you want to go. Link is here for purchases: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets
You can also look at this page for good information on packages: https://www.theatrebreaks.com/edinburgh/shows-edinburgh/royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo-breaks
Travel from Edinburgh
If you're keen to explore the UK or Europe, visit www.edreams.com for information on well priced airfare from Edinburgh. Our location at the University flats is close to the airport shuttle spot downtown.
Megabus provides excellent and very affordable coach travel too; visit www.megabus.co.uk to have a look at prices starting from 1 pound!
Some great day trip sites to research: www.rabbies.com www.timberbush-tours.co.uk www.highlandexplorertours.com www.getyourguide.com www.city-discovery.com
Megabus provides excellent and very affordable coach travel too; visit www.megabus.co.uk to have a look at prices starting from 1 pound!
Some great day trip sites to research: www.rabbies.com www.timberbush-tours.co.uk www.highlandexplorertours.com www.getyourguide.com www.city-discovery.com
Details
It is a good idea to exchange your money here at home. You can access your account at bank machines in the UK. It is a good idea too to alert our credit card company if you're travelling over there so they're aware there might be different spending patterns and not put a lock on the card.
Take out travel and health insurance - you never want to get sick far away from home but if you do, you want to have coverage.
Pack your full uniform - including 2 long sleeve and 2 white sleeve shirts. Do not forget your inverness cape. Everyone must have and bring one - if you need to borrow one, ask a friend. Pack all your white hose and laundry soap.
You shall have your own room key and front door key to the flat. There are laundry facilities on the premises. Make sure you pack a good umbrella, a raincoat, and good walking shoes.
Take out travel and health insurance - you never want to get sick far away from home but if you do, you want to have coverage.
Pack your full uniform - including 2 long sleeve and 2 white sleeve shirts. Do not forget your inverness cape. Everyone must have and bring one - if you need to borrow one, ask a friend. Pack all your white hose and laundry soap.
You shall have your own room key and front door key to the flat. There are laundry facilities on the premises. Make sure you pack a good umbrella, a raincoat, and good walking shoes.