6 days in Scotland in October

We visited Scotland back in 2002, so it's been a while since we've been there. With that in mind, here are some things to consider.

I suggest you set aside at least two days for Edinburgh, with day trips for the rest. Have you driven in the UK before? It's really not that hard to adjust to driving from the right side, but if you are a timid driver you may not be comfortable. We drove all around Scotland with no problems.

A car in Edinburgh is more of a hindrance than a help. We stayed in Linlithgow and took the commuter train into the city. You could also do the same. Another possibility would be to do Edinburgh first or last, picking up the rental car for the rest of the trip.

If you stayed in the country for some or all of the trip, you could stay in one B&B and make day trips. I suggest a trip to Stirling Castle would be well worth it. I also recommend a visit to the Dunkeld/Birnam vicinity. There you can see the actual Mr. McGregor's garden and visit the Birnam Wood mentioned in MacBeth. You can stand amongst the very trees Shakespeare wrote of. They are still there!

Most of our B&B's, including the one in Linlithgow, were working farms. Often they were empty nesters who rented out a room or two. The one in Linlithgow raised Clydesdales and there was a mare who was a week overdue. She was the largest horse I've ever seen! These types of places are usually cheaper and a lot more fun. I can't remember if this is the actual B&B, but Bankhead Farm is the kind of place we preferred: http://www.bankheadguesthouse.com/about-us/.

I just got back from Scotland and can second the suggestion to visit Stirling. In addition to Stirling Castle (which we liked much more than Edinburgh Castle) there are a number of interesting places to visit just outside of Stirling, such as Doune Castle, the Falkirk Wheel, and the little historic town of Culross. I stayed in the Victoria Square Guest House in Stirling and can highly recommend it. It is in a lovely old Victorian House, is within walking distance of Stirling Castle, and has parking if you have a rental car. It is probably possible to take a bus to Stirling but having a rental car would make the places outside of Stirling accessible. We picked up our rental car at the Edinburgh Airport after spending 3 nights in Edinburgh. We also liked the Dunkeld/Birnam area a lot, though there are lots of interesting places to visit in that general area north of Edinburgh- read a few guidebooks for suggestions. All are a short drive from Edinburgh. In Dunkeld we stayed at the Athol Arms Hotel, an historic hotel that had a framed copy of Queen Victoria's bill when she stayed there in the 1800s. I agree that picking a few places to spend a couple of nights is much better than trying to see too much.

Definitely rent a car - the freedom and flexibility out weigh any concerns. In October the roads wont be a full of folks on holiday. Bear in mind Scotland is small though you cant assume 70mph/100kph even on the "major" roads. From Edinburgh you can drive to Loch Ness/Fort Augustus in a little over 3 hrs. Make a day of it and stop in Pitlochry to tour Edradour Distillery and/or Blair Atholl to see Blair Castle - beautiful and a great little town. See parts of the great Glen on the way to Loch Ness. Spend the night in Fort Augustus and drive to Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness the next day. Had back thru Fort William, Glencoe (Skyfall country) and Loch Lomond. That's an easy 3 day trip and magnificent tour of the highlands. Ive stayed at the Old Pier House in Fort Augustus, and will be staying at Ewich House in Crianlarich near Ben More this October. Also stayed at the Firs Guesthouse in Blair Atholl.

Wonderful suggestions. Thank you!