A friend of mine is going to Scotland in the spring and asked me where she should go (since I'm a Britophile and resident travel "expert," thanks to PTE). But I haven't seen these episodes in a while so I'm a little fuzzy. If you've been to these places, where do you recommend she go? I want her to see all the best places because I'll be living vicariously through her while stuck across the pond.

Thanks

I've never been to Scotland myself, but I thought you might like to know that the Edinburgh episode of PTE will be showing this Saturday at 9:00 PM CST and also on Sunday at 1:00 and 8:00 AM.

Thanks! I'll be sure to watch it/pass that info on.

Well, I've never been there either but I'll post the Scotland links from Sam's Travel Guides:
PTE/Edinburgh
PTE/Glasgow
PTE/Scottish Highlands

I have to admit, if I ever have a chance to go to Scotland, the first thing I'd want to do is what Sam did in the Edinburgh episode: try a deep-fried Mars bar.

Kelsey!

The first time my family set foot in Scotland was 18 years ago when we arrived by train in Edinburgh with no reservations, even before there was a television show of the same name. A tall and jovial stranger approached us and offered a ride to a B and B. He quoted a good price, and his promise that we’d get more than a wee breakfast sealed the deal. “Three or four pieces of bacon, and that’s no lie!” He cheerily launched into a narrated tour of the city as our sons sat wide mouthed in the back of his car. We could decipher hardly a word of what he said, realizing that our language sounds quite a bit different when spoken by a Scot. About 15 minutes later, we were greeted like family by a lovely lady and the resident Yorkshire terriers, and ushered to a spacious room with huge windows and a very colorful plaid ceiling. On that quite typical rainy and foggy weekend, we sampled odd flavors of crisps and chalk-like candy, ate Chinese food, and covered all the must-see sights that Sam also checked off her list: Calton Hill, the Royal Mile, the Gardens and the Castle. A guard with our same last name shared with us the meaning of the Latin words on our Scottish pound coins, “Mess with me and you get it back double.”
My fondest and strongest memories are of those initial encounters with those friendly people, and that is what has drawn me back to Scotland again and again. My children learned that sometimes it is perfectly O.K. to accept a ride with a stranger, especially one who is Scottish.
Tell your friend to put herself in places where she can meet and talk to the locals, and take along sturdy waterproof boots and outerwear. Walk, walk, and walk some more, though train rides throughout Scotland are among the most memorable in Europe, especially when the train breaks down. Go where the day takes you, and meet some of the people who cross your path. I’m pretty sure Samantha has offered the same advice here someplace.

Can you tell I’m on vacation this week? Going no where though, except back in time here, I guess. Thanks for the opportunity.
Tell your friend to take you along next time. You never know when a Latin translator might come in handy.

It’s nice to see you all here,
Mother O.

Thanks, Mother O! That was really helpful, and I'll be sure to pass it on! And now I want to visit Scotland even more... I have no idea when that will happen.

Good tip about bringing rainboots... it would be terrible to be stuck on a trip with soggy shoes.

Scotland is a very interesting place. Because of the size of the country, you can travel most anywhere in little time. Once you;ve explored the sights in Edinburgh go to Princess Station and take a train out of the city. Glasgow is a short ride. The city itself isn't so pretty but a day there is nice. Or go north to Sterling and see the castle and the village. You can also rent a car in Sterling and explore....there are SO many places to go. how much time will your friend have for the whole trip and what type of sites interest her/him?
My husband and I have explored the main land and the Heibridean Islands (spelling may not be correct!) of Mull, Skye, and Lewis/Harris. We've traveled by train a little but mostly by car....even on the single lane roads.
I'd love to share information if you can narrow it down a bit.