happycruizer Posted May 14, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 14, 2018 We are doing a British Isles cruise with 9 ports. Most have or are near a castle. Any recommendations which castles to visit. We are visiting Buckingham Palace and have been to Blarney. Thanks in advance for any help as I'm becoming very confused.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted May 14, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Which ports are you visiting ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happycruizer Posted May 14, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Which ports are you visiting ? We are visiting the following ports: Guernsey [st. Peter Port]; day already planned; Cork, Ireland; Dublin; Belfast; Glasgow, Orkney Islands [Kirkwall]; Ivergordon; Edinburgh; Normandy/LeHavre [day already planned] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted May 15, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Last year, we enjoyed the garden tour at Buckingham Palace a lot. We also went to Kensington Palace in London. They'll still have the exhibit called "Diana: Her Fashion Story" going on through this year. I'm planning on a boat trip up the Thames to Hampton Court for our trip in September. We might also go to Windsor Castle during our stay in London. Dublin Castle isn't much. We used the HoHo in Glasgow and enjoyed several museums. We did an excursion to Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness for a boat cruise, Clava Cairns, and Cawdor Castle from Invergordon. That was a great day. I think Edinburgh Castle is a must there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happycruizer Posted May 16, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Last year, we enjoyed the garden tour at Buckingham Palace a lot. We also went to Kensington Palace in London. They'll still have the exhibit called "Diana: Her Fashion Story" going on through this year. I'm planning on a boat trip up the Thames to Hampton Court for our trip in September. We might also go to Windsor Castle during our stay in London. Dublin Castle isn't much. We used the HoHo in Glasgow and enjoyed several museums. We did an excursion to Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness for a boat cruise, Clava Cairns, and Cawdor Castle from Invergordon. That was a great day. I think Edinburgh Castle is a must there. Thank you for your response. I was unaware of the "Diana" Exhibit or that we could visit Kensington Palace. Did you do an organized tour? Edinburgh Castle.....on my list. As this is a tender port for us, I am undecided about getting our tickets before hand.:confused: I am also looking at the Urquhart Castle/Loch Ness cruise. May I ask if you did the ship's excursion or booked on your won? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanexile81 Posted May 16, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 16, 2018 It's definitely worth doing a tour from Invergordon as it's small town but the area around is great. The cruise volunteers have a very good website which you will hopefully find useful. It suggests how to DIY Loch Ness and Urquhart castle, as well as Dunrobin Castle http://www.visitinvergordon.com/own.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare itsanita Posted May 16, 2018 #7 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Dublin Castle isn't much. We used the HoHo in Glasgow and enjoyed several museums. We did an excursion to Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness for a boat cruise, Clava Cairns, and Cawdor Castle from Invergordon. That was a great day. I think Edinburgh Castle is a must there. We have Dublin Castle on our to do list. Do you feel its not worth making the time? We will be seeing Edinburgh Castle, Cawdor Castle and probably Blarney Castle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernseycruiser Posted May 16, 2018 #8 Share Posted May 16, 2018 We are visiting the following ports: Guernsey [st. Peter Port]; day already planned; Cork, Ireland; Dublin; Belfast; Glasgow, Orkney Islands [Kirkwall]; Ivergordon; Edinburgh; Normandy/LeHavre [day already planned] For Guernsey, the nearest castle to the pier is Castle Cornet. About a 15 minute walk from the tender. If you can be there a midday, there is a ceremonial firing of the noon day gun. There are a number of museums inside. There are other Castles on the island, but not within walking distance or housing museums, however others are free to enter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted May 16, 2018 #9 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Dublin is a great city to wander. I recommend doing that over seeing a castle. Edinburgh castle is worth seeing, followed by a stroll down the Royal Mile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted May 16, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 16, 2018 One thing to bear in mind is that ‘castle’ as a word can cover anything from an ancient British hill fort, through ‘proper’ Norman and Middle Ages castles (walls, ramparts, keeps etc) to large country or manor houses with faux crenellations stuck on in the 19th century. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted May 16, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 16, 2018 A shame you aren't visiting Wales, we have some great castles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanexile81 Posted May 16, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 16, 2018 A shame you aren't visiting Wales, we have some great castles. I promise you there's PLENTY in Scotland!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted May 16, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Thank you for your response. I was unaware of the "Diana" Exhibit or that we could visit Kensington Palace. Did you do an organized tour? Edinburgh Castle.....on my list. As this is a tender port for us, I am undecided about getting our tickets before hand.:confused: I am also looking at the Urquhart Castle/Loch Ness cruise. May I ask if you did the ship's excursion or booked on your won?We stayed in Kensington and walked up for tickets. We had about a 15-minute wait. People who bought tickets ahead of time had a separate queue and got in ahead of us. I got us the earliest tickets for Edinburgh Castle, but we have priority tendering on Princess. It was a quick train ride from South Queensferry. We made it right as the castle opened at 9:30. Our tour to Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness boat ride, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns excursion was with Invorgordon Tours. The Princess excursions offered did not do all. The ones that came the closest were a lot more expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted May 16, 2018 #14 Share Posted May 16, 2018 We have Dublin Castle on our to do list. Do you feel its not worth making the time? We will be seeing Edinburgh Castle, Cawdor Castle and probably Blarney Castle.Dublin Castle was just OK. We had a rainy day our first day in Dublin, so being inside wasn't a bad idea. But coming after our tours of Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace, it wasn't that thrilling. I'm glad we had the overnight in Dublin and got two full days of seeing the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elaine5 Posted May 17, 2018 #15 Share Posted May 17, 2018 We are also on British isles cruise amd are diy via train to Stirling and going to Stirling castle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanexile81 Posted May 17, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 17, 2018 We are also on British isles cruise amd are diy via train to Stirling and going to Stirling castle. May I ask from which port elaine5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare georgiacat Posted May 19, 2018 #17 Share Posted May 19, 2018 You might consider the Explorer Pass from the Historic Scotland site. It seems to me that the purchase would be worth it if you only visited 2 of their castles on the list. You don't have to stand in line for the tickets. They are emailed to you. I think England and Ireland also have such a thing. It might save you money, depending on how many castles you wish to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elaine5 Posted May 19, 2018 #18 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Train to Stirling from Greenock for 65 gbp for 4 persons. You have to change stations in Glasgow. Ticket online include bus for change. But it is a short walk With 30 minute connection. So we are just going to walk between stations. We plan to walk up Hill to castle but I would assume their are taxis. We are taking a 9:39-11:09 and back on a 2:50ish-4:48. Giving us just under 4 hrs in Stirling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRS/NC Posted May 20, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 20, 2018 In Belfast, take a tour to the north coast (Atrim) & go to Giant's Causeway! Nature's own castle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oktober81 Posted June 3, 2018 #20 Share Posted June 3, 2018 It's definitely worth doing a tour from Invergordon as it's small town but the area around is great. The cruise volunteers have a very good website which you will hopefully find useful. It suggests how to DIY Loch Ness and Urquhart castle, as well as Dunrobin Castle http://www.visitinvergordon.com/own.html We did a tour with a rental car in Invergordon. You can only rent cars from 'Kens Garage', i think. We did a tour through the Highlands and also visited Dunrobin Castle. If you are interested in Whisky, there are some distilleries on the way! Sent from my KIW-L21 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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