Hi all! This is mine and my husband’s first trip to Scotland (or anywhere in Europe, for that matter!). We are flying into Edinburgh and will arrive early the morning of Aug 28 and have sketched out the itinerary below. We would live some feedback from you experts on whether this is doable. We hate sitting around and we are history buffs (also a long-time Outlander fan) and foodies, if that helps!
Day 1: explore Edinburgh, sleep in Edinburgh
Day 2: explore Edinburgh, visit Roslyn Chapel, sleep in Edinburgh
Day 3: head west to Stirling, then Loch Lomand/Trossachs area, ending up in the Dunoon area, may try to attend Gig at the Gathering
Day 4: Cowal Highland Gathering, another sleep in Dunoon area
Day 5: (Sunday) drive north to Inveraray, Oban, Glen Coe, Ben Nevis, Glenfinnan, sleep Fort William area
Day 6: Eilean Donan, then drive east to Loch Ness (just want to say we saw it), then Culloden, Clara Cairns, etc. sleep in Aviemore area
Day 7: explore Cairngorms (Highland Ponies?), Macallan Distillery tour; sleep again in Aviemore
Day 8: head back to Edinburgh via Pitochlery, Perth, last evening in Edinburgh
Is this too much? Too little? I am sad we aren’t visiting Skye, but I don’t think there’s time. Are the Cowal Highland Games worth it enough to make it worth our time to spend two nights in the area? Any other feedback welcome!
Thanks in advance!