The Gathering

We've got our Passports to the Parade and all, and we'll get there just a day or two early, because we're going to stay long enough to take passage home (well, to NYC) on the QM2, which sails on the 15th of August. We're probably going to get a Scottish Freedom rail pass, which is good for 15 days. That actually leaves us a few days where we'll likely rent a car and go up to Crinan to have a look at the castle .... We don't actually know anyone else (except my aunt and uncle, and they're not planning to get to the Gathering), so we don't know what anyone else is planning to do, or if there are Clan events we shouldn't miss.  I've got a map spread out on my dining room table and am about to begin plotting an itinerary -- which will almost certainly change at least twice before I e-mail it to my travel agent (Dave at Scottish Routes dot com). Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? This is our first trip to Scotland, and with it taking a little more than a month, no doubt our last major travel for a few years -- trip of a lifetime and all that. (We have got ourselves all kilted up for the formal night on the ship ....) Thanks for any wisdom any of you share! My e-dress is Ashleen@Comcast.net Blessings, Ashleen in Tucson, AZ P.S. In preview this says I'm posting 1/1/70 -- it's actually 7/12/08!  And I'm sorry if the paragraphs aren't showing up.