If you are willing to take a longish train ride (4 hours form London to Edinburgh, then a bit more to Aviemore), I'd encourage you to visit my favorite Scottish destination... Aviemore. Should be very quiet now as summer tourists should be gone and the skiers haven't arrived yet. Lovely small village, very walkable. There is a local microbrewery that gives tours (and samples) and some of the best whisky distilleries are only a short bus or train ride away. We absolutely love the Cairngorm Hotel. It is right across the street from the train station and looks like a miniature castle outside and a hunting lodge inside. Their restaurant (and pub) serve great food and there are trivia nights and other 'homey' activities in the pub if you want to join in. Lots of good walks/hikes in the area and if you feel energetic, the Rothmurchie Estate has horseback riding and other outdoor activities. I think it is a perfect place to find a comfortable chair, sit in front of the fire in the lounge, spread a plaid over your knees and read away. Maybe in the afternoon take the gondola up Mt. Cairngorm and enjoy the views and a hot chocolate (or a hot toddy) in the restaurant at the top, then return to the hotel for a wonderful supper (hubby likes their fish and chips, I'm partial to their roasted chicken with skirlie- oatmeal sautéed with onions, bread saucs- 'stuffing/dressing', a kilted soldier- link sausage wrapped in bacon, and roasted potatoes. They also have other wonderful dishes). Before retiring, have a 'wee dram' of an amazing whisky... my favorites are from the local, Speyside distilleries, such as Dalwhinnie, Belvinnie or Glenfinditch, and maybe some homemade shortbread. You'll sleep deeply and well.
There are other things to do as well. Walk up to the local microbrewery and take the tour, visit the heather center (mostly a shop, but with good things.. and a nice restaurant where you can get 'authentic' clottie dumplings ( a traditional Scottish sweet treat). Visit the reindeer center. Hike Mt. Cairngorm (lots of choices from easy to harder and short to longer). Take a very short train ride to see Blair Atholl (village and castle) or train or bus ride to tour any of the many distilleries (Dalwhinnie is my favorite- it is also the distillery at the highest altitude in Scotland). There is also a restored steam train which does round trips along the Spey River. You get to see a nice bit of the local countryside on it.
