Customer Reviews

Scotland the Best!: The One True Guide

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This book is a big hit with visitors and Scottish residents alike. Although the format is unconventional (lists of the best of X, where X ranges from upmarket hotels to spooky graveyards), it can be used to guide the tourist to the best that Scotland can offer. On the other hand, as a 'local', I've found it opened my eyes to places and things I might never have noticed on my own. And the witty commentary prevents the lists becoming too much like, well, lists....

The reviews of places to stay and eat are very accurate - I've had a lot of fun eating out in Edinburgh and elsewhere to check out the recommendations!

Only negative point - I find the map references irritating to interpret - the map section could be formatted and printed more clearly.

If you are going to Scotland, forget all the other travel books and buy "Scotland The Best." My family and I used it exclusively on two long trips to Scotland, mostly spent wandering around the Highlands and Western Isles. Irvine's book definitely has a point of view, which makes it entertaining reading. Most importantly, the reviews and recommendations are spot on. We found several places to eat, sleep and shop which no other book mentioned. And after you have visited Scotland, this is a great book to pour through as you plan your return visit (because you will go back!).

This book is a must for the Scottish visitor. I bought 5 books including Frommers driving tours (never touched it) and eyewitness guide (nice pictures, but we never used it). It was the only book we used. The book is outlined in several ways, either you can pick by the area you are, or certain interests. Either way, this is a book written by a Scot, and he knows the area very well. He covers everything from best waterfalls and scenery to best pubs, and the things you shouldn't miss. We felt like we had a guide with us the whole time telling us where to go for the best Scotland has to offer, and everything he said was right on! We found so many places off the beaten path, that as a tourist we never would have found on our own. This book is also very amusing and unbiased, as the author has a keen sense of humor and I found myself laughing several times at his honest approach. I believe this makes all of the difference when you want to have a good traveling experience. I would recommend this book to anyone who is going to Scotland, and also the Michelin map was extremely helpful. It got us everywhere without a problem!

AS a well-prepared traveller, I spend WAY too much money on books and then have to cart them around the whole time. This time, I bought five books on Scotland and Edinburgh. As we travelled for five days, I noticed the book I continuously had out was Scotland the Best! At one stop at one of the "bloody good pubs" by Glencoe, we sat at a table next to Morag and Ian, both Scottish, married 35 years. They saw our book, grinned, and pulled out their own. They said they used it every weekend and kept it in the glovebox. How much more of a recommendation do you need? Buy this book and all the updates!

Once you have a solid book on Scotland, (Fodors, Eyewitness, etc), then this book will bring more life and excitment to your base of knowledge. The authors pick what/where they like best in certain categories, and you will find places not listed in the main tourist books but worth going for if your travels take you near the vicinity. The "best of" topics are such things as graveyards; churches; castles; historical places; waterfalls; coastal villages; shops; beaches; golf courses; glens; and so forth, along with more information in detial on Glasgow and Edinburgh. Told with honesty and a sense of humour, is good for tourists and natives as well. 300 pages of great information, well worth it.