Scotland for Backpackers

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: All I can say about this book is awesome. I recently took an extended backpacking trip to Scotland and used this book as the basis for planning my trip. Along with some other books, which were recommended in Scotland for Backpackers, I planned and executed the best, most fulfilling trip I've ever had in my ten years of backpacking in Europe. If you're thinking of backpacking or even going to Scotland BUY THIS BOOK.

Rating:
Summary: Hosteling in the Highlands
Review: I'll admit I was a little disappointed when this book first arrived in the mail. I had ordered it based on the outstanding reviews it had received. My first thumbing through left me wondering if it was going to be at all useful. It certainly is!

I was impressed that the book included several hiking recommendations, it's something I've found lacking in other guides and something that attracted me to this book. The recommendations include maps, route details such as time, accomodation, and the difficulty of the hike. I would in fact have liked to see more hikes, and more maps. On a few occasions they suggested picking up leaflets, which I'm sure is quite practical, except when you're actually trying to plan your trip!!

Unlike some guide books, "SCOTLAND for backpackers" didn't praise or recommend everything. They're not reluctant to say an something is overpriced, or to recommend ducking attractions. When your time and budget are limited this is a definite must in terms of determining the quality of a guide.

Keep in mind that this is a backpackers guide, it's probably the only guide book you'll read that includes listings of where to purchase second hand clothes or use crap as an adjective. One amusing section on hitch hiking recommends: "guys, be clean shaven, unless you've got a really impressive beard. Smile, but not menacingly." Can they be serious?

I was disappointed with the way the book was organized. All the information that you usually find at the start of a guide came last: the history, general information, anbd some of the imformation isn't well covered. In the treatment of the Trossachs they claim "this area can't be rated highly enough" and then go on to give it less space than they've allocated to discos. In trying to cover everything they end up watering down several important places and the writing just isn't strong enough to make up for it.

Still, there's a lot of charm to this book and if you're interested in hosteling, hiking, and looking for good value I'd recommend you purchasing this book.

Rating:
Summary: Hosteling in the Highlands
Review: I'll admit I was a little disappointed when this book first arrived in the mail. I had ordered it based on the outstanding reviews it had received. My first thumbing through left me wondering if it was going to be at all useful. It certainly is!

I was impressed that the book included several hiking recommendations, it's something I've found lacking in other guides and something that attracted me to this book. The recommendations include maps, route details such as time, accomodation, and the difficulty of the hike. I would in fact have liked to see more hikes, and more maps. On a few occasions they suggested picking up leaflets, which I'm sure is quite practical, except when you're actually trying to plan your trip!!

Unlike some guide books, "SCOTLAND for backpackers" didn't praise or recommend everything. They're not reluctant to say an something is overpriced, or to recommend ducking attractions. When your time and budget are limited this is a definite must in terms of determining the quality of a guide.

Keep in mind that this is a backpackers guide, it's probably the only guide book you'll read that includes listings of where to purchase second hand clothes or use crap as an adjective. One amusing section on hitch hiking recommends: "guys, be clean shaven, unless you've got a really impressive beard. Smile, but not menacingly." Can they be serious?

I was disappointed with the way the book was organized. All the information that you usually find at the start of a guide came last: the history, general information, anbd some of the imformation isn't well covered. In the treatment of the Trossachs they claim "this area can't be rated highly enough" and then go on to give it less space than they've allocated to discos. In trying to cover everything they end up watering down several important places and the writing just isn't strong enough to make up for it.

Still, there's a lot of charm to this book and if you're interested in hosteling, hiking, and looking for good value I'd recommend you purchasing this book.

Rating:
Summary: READ AND TAKE NOTES!
Review: Never been to Scotland? No problem. My fiance and I are planning a backpacking trip through Scotland for this summer and did not know a thing about the country, what to do there, the food,or places to stay. This book tells all. He and I feel competent about where we are going and where we are staying. The book gives insight into what to see (and what to skip). It has helped us with every leg of the journey, from when to go to where we should stay. READ IT AND TAKE NOTES! It is by far the best travel guide!

Rating:
Summary: READ AND TAKE NOTES!
Review: Never been to Scotland? No problem. My fiance and I are planning a backpacking trip through Scotland for this summer and did not know a thing about the country, what to do there, the food,or places to stay. This book tells all. He and I feel competent about where we are going and where we are staying. The book gives insight into what to see (and what to skip). It has helped us with every leg of the journey, from when to go to where we should stay. READ IT AND TAKE NOTES! It is by far the best travel guide!