I am planning a trip to Scotland for our group of 8, July 22 - August 7. I have volunteered in Edinburgh and the Dundreggan Rewilding Estate so I have not visited enough of Scotland to feel comfortable with some of the planning. The quirk I have is that 3 of our men will need depart early, on Friday, July 31. I want the whole group to have great experiences. We all love history, culture, beautiful environments, small outdoor hikes, etc. So my question really focuses on what should we see before the men leave that would wow everyone. I do not want to hurry through an endless number of sights at a reckless pace. I would prefer that we do a few things well. But again i want our group to love Scotland and consider seriously the possibility of returning for a second go around. We will rent a car This is the itinerary I am considering for the first nine days in Scotland before the men fly home early. Will the first nine days wow them enough or should I make changes to my plans?:
Day 1, Thursday, July 23 Edinburgh - Arrive i ( sleep Edinburgh)
Day 2, Friday, July 24 Edinburgh - Morning guided tour with local; afternoon free (sleep Edinburgh)
Day 3, Saturday, July 25 Edinburgh - Rosslyn Chapel, Arthur's Seat, etc. (sleep Edinburgh)
Day 4, Sunday, July 26 Drive to St. Andrews via East Neuk; watch some of the Highland game, wander around town
(sleep St. Andrews)
This is where I know I need help:
Day 5, Monday, July 27 Morning golf related tours in St Andrews; depart noonish for Ft. Wiliam via Falkirk Wheel, Stirling
Castle, beautiful scenery, (sleep Ft. William)
Day 6, Tuesday, July 28 Afternoon Jacobite Train to Mallaig and on to Skye (sleep Skye)
Day 7, Wednesday, July 29 Guided tour of Skye, (sleep Skye)
Day 8, Thursday, July 30 Morning Jacobite Train back to Ft. William; afternoon activities in Ft. William, (sleep Ft. William)
Day 9, Friday, July 31 3 men return late afternoon to Edinburgh for flight home; remaining have gay of leisure, free
choice, etc. in Ft. William, (sleep Ft. William)
Day 10, Saturday, August 1 Visit Glencoe, Lock Ness, return to Ft. William (sleep in Ft. William)
Day 11, Sunday, August 2 Depart Ft. William via Culloden for Aviemore (sleep Aviemore)
Day 13, Monday, August 3 . Depart Aviemore via Balmoral to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park (sleep Loch Lomond)
Day 14, Tuesday, August 4 . Depart Loch Lomond to Glasgow (sleep Glasgow)
Day 15, Wednesday, August 5 Tour Glasgow (sleep Glasgow)
Day 16, Thursday August 6 . Afternoon return to Edinburgh outskirts near airport (sleep Edinburgh)
Day 17, Friday, August 7 . Flight home
A few considerations:
1) I am looking for a manor house/resort type accommodation for our time in Ft. Williams so we can all settle in a bit and really" soak up" Scotland; any ideas?
2) I really want to see Culloden so we will go to Culloden
3) Is it worth it to go to Balmoral? I know it means a lot of travel time that day to get the castle in and get to the Loch Lomond area by nightfall.
4) I am looking for experience ( pubs with great music, foresting for food, and eating it, visits to farms to see Highland coos, working farms that offer accommodations, etc.)
I will appreciate all comments. I do not have enough experience in Scotland to think I know what best to do.
Thank you!