Hello all, My husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland for September 2026. Thinking we would fly into Edinburgh on overnight flight arriving morning of Sept. 8th and taking Tram to Haymarket Train Station and staying 3 nights (Sept 8th, 9th, and 10th) in the West End which might offer places to stay with some charm and for easier access from airport then back to airport to pick rental car Sept 11th after our Edinburgh stay. We are late 60's early 70's but we love to walk and fit so getting to the Old Town and navigating hills will be manageable keeping in mind jet lag...... Then we are heading up to Pitlochry for 2 nights (Sept 11th & 12th). Thought the Highland Games in Pitlochry on the 12th would be a unique and fun experience. I believe arriving to Pitlochry after picking up our car at the Edinburgh airport (vs navigating drive out of Edinburgh) on the 11th could be achieved earlier in the day, we could do a hike out of town in the afternoon to see some sites then enjoy the Games on the 12th. We have already booked our accommodations as availability was very limited. We have also booked two nights in the Isle of Sky for September 14th and 15th to explore that area also due to limited available accommodations at this time. My first question is this: we are leaving Pitlochry Sept. 13th and a 1 night stay needed that night and we do want to see Culloden Battlefield and exhibits as well as Clava Cairns . It would appear that Inverness is the logical place to stay (for Isle of Sky drive as well) but I can't quite figure out which day to see the sites? I originally wanted to drive to Ballater when we leave Pitlochry and explore that area and ending up near Inverness and see sites then but I think that is to ambitious? So perhaps getting a good start from Pitlochry and up A9 directly and see Culloden etc. in afternoon then head to Sky next day makes better sense. Thoughts? Question #2: We ideally want to drop car off the day before we fly out of Edinburgh on Sept 19th so when leaving Sky we do want to see the usually sights along the way but I am thinking staying in Glencoe for 1 night then off to Sterling for 1 night would break that long drive. We do want to see Sterling Castle and other near by sites. Then on Sept 18th head to Edinburgh, drop off car, stay in airport hotel then fly out Sept. 19th. We do like to stay in one location for a few nights to relax so maybe an additional night and fly out 20th might allow that so where would additional night stay be best? Thanks inn advance!
Posted by
53 posts
in 2024 we did something along the same itinerary. we started in Edinburgh for 2 nights then rented a car through Celtic Legends. We went to Pitlochry for the highland games and stayed at the Scotland Spa Hotel, close to the main street and a few blocks from the place the games were held. They have a restaurant where you can get breakfast and dinner. At either 11:00 or noon the pipe bands parade down the main street to the grounds. We spent Friday and Saturday night and went to St Andrews on the Sunday and stayed 2 nights. From here we went to Inverness and stayed two nights driving out to Culloden and Clava Cairns. Drove to Skye stopping by some places along the way but didn't stay in Skye. Then drove to Stirling by way of Glencoe. I wish we had stayed 2 nights in Stirling. Stirling was my favorite castle. We also went to Doune Castle where some of Monty Python's Holy Grail and Outlander was filmed. Back to Edinburgh for 2 more days, We came to Edinburgh by train from London so we stayed the first time near the Royal Mile and walking distance to the train station. The second time we stayed near Edinburgh Castle. We picked up and dropped off outside the city but not at the airport..
Posted by
NC
711 posts
Our first trip to Scotland has been some years ago, before the bridge. For us, Skye was magical and well worth our two night stay there…and more. So, would suggest at least a one night stay.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2050 posts
Another convenient area to pick up your rental car is Sighthill. We booked our car through Celtic Legend. They use Arnold Clark Car Rental. Compare rates at both. Celtic Legend added free GPS and a 2nd driver at a lower rate. Both companies were easy to work with.
Is there something specific you want to do in Ballater? Depending on any additional stops, with an early start you might have time for Ballater and Culloden/Clava Cairns. Sunset will be 7:40ish.
Any chance you can get an extra night on Skye? You really only have a day and a half.
Glencoe -are you planning hikes or mostly soaking up the views?
Maybe 2 nights Stirling area. One day for the Castle and area. Then on your drive from Stirling to Edinburgh more exploring, perhaps St. Andrews and a stop at a fishing village or 2 in Fife.
Enjoy your planning!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for responses…I was thinking Ballater and area seems to be a pretty place to explore (maybe a short hike near a Locke) after leaving Pitlochry but a round about way to get to Inverness for sure. But is it worth the gander? We would perhaps want to do shorter hike in Glencoe but definitely take in the sites. I did want to see Lake Lemond however that seems that would be heading more south and closer to Glasgow but was not considering Glasgow, this trip anyway. I may do 2 nights vs 1 in Sterling which may allow us to “chill” and maybe more options for downtime and things to do if weather is a challenge. We are from Vermont so we are used to” if you don’t like the weather wait a minute…”. Cheers!
Posted by
Delaware
1707 posts
Hi, betsywigg,
If you're going to be in Ballater, there is a good hike around Loch Muick (pronounced "mick"). The first half of the walk is easy - it's on paved roads as far as Glas-allt-Shiel, which is the "widow's house" which Queen Victoria had built in 1868 after the death of her beloved Prince Albert. After you cross the streams which feed in to the south end of the loch, the east side to return to the car park is a bit rougher. The path is well marked, and well travelled, so you can't get lost.
The entire hike is about eight miles, and should take a little over three hours to complete. There is a pay and display car park at the trailhead, where you'll find the only toilets on the hike.
If you get to Ballater, you will enjoy the town. It is lovely. The Loch Muick hike is really good, too.
Best wishes,
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks JeanM for input and rental car info. And thanks Mike, I did see there was a hike around Lock Muick which did catch my eye earlier so good intel. That area sounds intriguing to us from a visual aspect.