Pipe Pickup Travel Question (U.K.)

Uilleann Pipes
1

I’ve just exchanged emails with Ray Sloan and my 1/2 set will be finished around the end of February!!

Being the crazy American that I am, I’m thinking about going over and picking up the pipes in person. (Hey, how often do you pick up a set of pipes?)

My question to our C&F friends in the UK is regarding the best place to fly into…
It seems that Glasgow, Edinburg and Manchester are all about the same distance to Hexham (100 to 150 miles). London is quite a bit further (300 miles).

Advantages are that prices seem lower going into Manchester (plus I’ve been there once before) by about $100. However, I can get a “last minute” package deal with air + car considerably cheaper out of London.

I’ve driven on the left side in multiple trips to Ireland, so that should not be an issue.

How much of a drive is it from London? (Mapquest says 5 hours).

Is there a better way to do this (i.e. train from London?)

Any advice would be appreciated. (er, about the travel..)
Regards,
Gary

2

I’d get the train every time.

3

Try flying to Newcastle, it’s not more than 30 miles from Hexham. Driving from London will probably be a nightmare, last time I drove to Grimsby, which is probs about 1/2 way, that took me 5 hours. It’s the M1 motorway, Englands crowning achievement in “route stupidity”. Or pay for Ray to bring 'em over?? If you go via Edinburgh/Glasgow at least there’s some nice scenery about…

Alan

4

Snoogie, a flight to Manchester, then to Newcastle by plane or train,
pay for the petrol, and I’ll taxi you to newcastle and back to Manchester,
hows that for a deal. :slight_smile: :sunglasses:

5

Wow! :boggle: I might even throw in a pint or 3…in addition to the petrol.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll do some more searching and let ya’ know.

Regards,
Gary

P.S. Certainly Ray would be happy to post them…but how much fun is that?