Hey everyone, It seems like there are plenty of users on this site from the UK so I feel like you guys may be able to help me more than I can help myself with google and travel books. I'm traveling to Scotland by way of London this coming September (Sep 14th -28th) and trying to do some research for my trip. I was looking for any recommendations you guys may have to check out around those areas for someone that has never been. One of my main goals while im over there is to experience a proper rugby game. I don't really care if its uni, amateur or pro, I don't have a ton of money, nor do I know the schedule but could you guys give me a recommendation for a team or league to check out in Scotland? I'm also a pretty big F1 fan, is there anything worth checking out in the UK that is f1 related as a fan? Also, is it pretty wet & cold in Scotland during September? NOAA says its about 5 deg C at night there on avg, but I trust nothing weather related. Thanks!
It's always wet and cold in scotland. Rugby wise the two teams you have in Scotland are Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Gunners. So look up those teams and you can buy tickets through them. As for what to do in scotland depends what you are after. Hitroric parts are mostly around Edinburugh and Stirling while for scenery and hiking you'll have to go further north.
I'd be more inclined to see Glasgow than Edinburgh when it comes to Rugby. That's because Edinburgh play in the biggest stadium in scotland, and thus it is always almost empty, so there is no atmosphere. Alternatively you could go and see Newcastle or Sale, which shouldn't be too bad a train journey, though could be prohibitively expensive. If you are going through London, you could go and see a Harlequins rugby game quite easily, and that should be better rugby than in Scotland as it's a lot more competitive. Let me know if you go through Northampton - I have a season ticket for that rugby club and could probably help you out with getting tickets easily, it's a great stadium and crowd too, especially for a newcomer. I wouldn't get your hopes up for the weather.
Sale is closer to Hampshire than it is to Edinburgh. The British Grand Prix has obviously been and gone but the Goodwood Revival is being held the weekend you arrive. It would mean travelling in wrong direction 40-50 miles south west of London so might not be much use to you, just putting it out there. The one time I went to Edinburgh it was a September it rained so hard.
The Jim Clark Museum. http://www.discovertheborders.co.uk/places/30.html It's a bit off the beaten track it being in the borders. I went last year. It's quite a small exhibition but very good. If your Edinburgh bound you could check it out. Also in Edinburgh is the National Museum of Scotland. They have an exhibition which includes a Stewart Team F1 car. Other motoring activities could be a trip to Knockhill. Scotlands racing track http://www.knockhill.com/. There's a few to get you started.
Glasgow are also better than Edinburgh tbh, so for the better experiance I'd definatly go to Glasgow. I'd also rather not go and see Sale or Newcastle tbh, Newcastle are in the championship and Sale well.. are just Sale (and also play their Games in / outskirts of Manchester).. Checking the Rabo fixtures for that period in scotland (other Rabo teams are Welsh, Irish or Italian) on the 14th Edinburgh host Zebre (new Italian team) so really wouldnt be that good of a game to see tbh depends on ticket pricing though tbh. On the 21st Glasgow host Connacht which wont be a bad game tbh, then the 28th its Glasgow hosting Zebre. So out of all those I'd go for Glasgow v Connacht tbh, will have the better rugby imo.
the internationals are sadly in november so you`ll miss the scottish team play the boks , all blacks and wallabies...
What are your interests? A lot of Scotland is different depending on what sort of things you're into. If you have anything in mind, I'm sure there'll be something we can find you for it. Cheers Enterobsidian
Check the F1 collection at Donington Park next to East Midlands Airport. Easy to get to. Loads of cars there etc.
Apart from Harlequins home matches. You're right about everything else, as London Irish (Reading), London Welsh (Oxford), London Wasps (High Wycombe) and Saracens (Notionally Watford, but realistically just about anywhere - they've plaid home matches in Dubai...) don't play in London. As Julian M mentioned, come to Northampton - It's a cracking place to watch rugby. That's from another two season ticket holders (Me and Mrs Goo)
Thanks a ton guys. Im researching everything that has been suggested! Have any suggestions for a distillery or well stocked whiskey bar?
Wrong country to visit if you want to see a real ruby team lol. Try and see of you can pop down to Woking and check out McLaren F1 headquarters as it is quite impressive
Leicester? Leicester?! LEICESTER!! [Shudder] You'd really inflict a visitor to our fair shores with a visit to Wellbad Road? Forshame. Not really - Sarries - If you can find where they're currently playing that is - is just the Boks in disguise.
Why would you send someone to a supposed rugby ground which is really just a bit of grass on a big roundabout?
The best distilleries are further north, up towards Aviemore and Speyside you get great clumps of them. There are LOADS of good bars in Edinburgh either specialising in whisky or just having a vast selection along with a good selection of proper beers.
Go to Murrayfield and across the road you have the Murrayfield pub. Remember going there about 12 yrs ago dressed in a kilt with a Springbok jersey watching Scotland against the All Blacks wow what a day that was. Watched the other game on TV at the pub Aussies versus the Boks. Atmosphere there is awesome.
