The 2018 meetup was great fun. I'd like to start the discussion for 2019 already, so we can all save the date.

Some of us (including me) thought Edinburgh would be a nice location for the 2019 edition. It offers options nearby (New Lanark, Forth Bridge) and the chance to visit the Lake District, Orkney or St Kilda.

As September is too late for Scotland and August is a no go for Edinburgh (Tatoo Festival), I would suggest July. I personally would be happy with anything between 13th and 31th July, so I could bring my family (Swiss school holidays).

I am happy to hear other suggestions.

I would be in favour of trying to make St. Kilda the main event.
Have been to Edinburgh already, as have many other people.
Edinburgh also still is quite far from the starting points to St. Kilda.

St Kilda will take multiple days travelling to/from and would need buffer for weather conditions. So I don't think it should be the main event as it will take more than a long weekend.

Meeting up in Edinburgh over the weekend and doing St Kilda the week before / after seems more sensible to me. Especially seeing everyone will have to fly in via Glasgow or Edinburgh anyhow and it would function as the transport hub for Scotland.


Looking at your missing map, there aren't that many spots left. Essentially, Budapest or outside Europe Rabat, Tunis or Jerusalem.

Also, revisiting a good site can be fun, too. In any case, I would like the next meetup to include a highlight.

I think for those interested it is a good opportunity to visit St Kilda as there may be good numbers to get a private boat out there.

I guess you would be looking at about four days return from whatever your point of departure (if you factor in a one day contingency for the weather).

Driving time to the port on Skye is about 6.5-7 hours from Edinburgh, 6 from Glasgow or about 3.5-4 from the nearest international airport? in Inverness. Sailing time is four hours each way.

This site has details of the trip

I wouldn't join for the St Kilda portion of the meet up, it isn't a priority for me to visit and the time and money involved put me off.
But please don't let that stop others from arranging it, it could be a good opportunity for those interested.

If there was a meet up in Edinburgh I'm sure I would be up for joining.

As ever I would prefer to visit somewhere new, but there are worse things to do than a revisit to one of Europe's lovelier cities.

Missing August would be a wise idea logistically, though a visit to Edinburgh during the festival is thoroughly recommended, it is just more expensive and it would limit last minute accommodation hunting.

I don't think the usual early weekend in September would be that bad for a visit to Scotland, however June/ July would give you more daylight.

There are direct KLM flights to Inverness (and flights from London as well of course). It's also the starting point for those wanting to go to Orkney.
From Inverness to Stein on Skye (where St. Kilda boats leave) is a 3 hour drive.
I think St. Kilda would be an adventure and we could get enough participants together to fill a private boat of 12.
I rather have something 'special' for a meetup place. From the discussions this year, I believe that Svein, Randi and Craig wanted to come too.
Those that have not been to Scotland at all could always organize a pre- or post-meetup around Edinburgh.

Yeah I think the meet up is a great opportunity to get out to St Kilda, and if there isn't a pre-meet in say Edinburgh then Inverness would be the best place to fly into and out of.

I think it makes more sense as a specific destination rather than tacking it on to a trip to Edinburgh.

Certainly would be a more unique destination and a good opportunity for those that want to get there.

Count me in! for St Kilda. Would be extra fun with this Group. And I am also open for a pre- or post-meetup. I would surely try to combine it with other sites in Scotland. So far, I've only been to Edinburgh, but that was 20 years ago, so a revisit is overdue.

I too am interested in St. Kilda, Edinburgh, or anywhere else in Scotland as I have only been to most of the WHS sites around London.
Scheduling and circumstances depending on the actual date of course!

Thanks kintante! i really enjoyed the meetup in Vilnius and was a bit upset I could not make it to this year's meetup as I had already planned my holidays. St Kilda or anywhere in Scotland is great for me since I haven't visited and a visit to St Kilda would make the meetup extra special. Either way, I'm in for a St Kilda pre or post meetup if you choose Edinburgh.

Proposal:
Fr (Evening) - Pre Meetup in Edinburgh.
Sat - Visits to New Lanark, Forth Bridge, Frontiers of Roman Empire
Sun - Edinburgh and departure
Mon - Travel (Lake District, Durham, Orkneys)
Tue - Travel (Lake District, Durham, Orkneys)
Wed - Travel (Lake District, Durham, Orkneys)
Thu (Evening) - Official Meetup in Skye.
Fri - Trip to St Kilda by Boat.
Sat - Backup day for Boat trip.
Sun - Departure.

If the trip to St Kilda happens on Friday I would probably depart on Saturday to get back to Edinburgh in two trips instead of one massive trip.

As said, for me it wouldn't make sense to travel this far out to St Kilda without spending some time in Scotland. And I think having a simple to reach pre meetup (plenty of budget airlines go to Edinburgh from all over Europe) plus Iain hosting has a certain charme that St Kilda does not offer. Finally, I enjoy the occasional revisit.

Count me in, at least for St. Kilda part, though to be sure, due to other commitments I will have to know exact dates by the end of the year.

Good proposal I think. I am happy to organize the St. Kilda part. I think we have to set a date quickly, and hand out the 12 spots on the boat on a first come first serve basis. What about Friday 26th July for the 1st try at St Kilda? (that date is still open for a private trip on the Go to St Kilda website).

Just to say, as another Edinburgh based forum user, I'm happy to help out with the hosting side of things. St Kilda has been on my list for a while (its deceptively difficult to get to), and I'm available to get people to New Lanark, the Lake District and the Forth Rail Bridge if need be.

Is 12 a hard limit by the authorities? Or is this the size of a single boat, more boats being available especially if we charter it fully?

We should maybe do a preliminary check who would be interested. I don't think anyone would travel to Skye if there isn't a spot on the boat.

Genau Good Point Nan!