Help - only a few days in Scotland and wanting to get out of Edinburgh

Based on your trip being three days, I would say the itinerary is possible, but would pull in to a narrower circle around Edinburgh. Beyond the distilleries, are there things you specially want to see?

The highlands start much closer in to Edinbugh than you may think, the suburbs of Glasgow abut them, and Perthshire itself is largely in the highlands. There are plenty of distilleries in this narrower circuit. You would still probably need a car as public transport timetables would not suit on the schedule, but this would limit the driving. Otherwise you could easily spend all day in a car.

With such a sort bit of time, suggest you skip Perth and Inverness and just out and back to Ft William, there's plenty to see in this compressed drive. The roads in this area require concentration but if you are familiar with narrow lane widths and stone walls where the shoulder should be you have a good idea of what's coming.

Thanks, I will rethink and come back with something more reasonable.

Yes, I agree, you're packing in a lot. I too wonder what is pulling you to Perth.

One of my favorite places in Perthshire. Here's a suggestion--Take off drive to Stirling, check out the castle and then head north on the A84 toward Callander. You'll drive the Trossachs. You might want to stop at Balqhiddar and see Rob Roy Macgregor's grave. Join the A85 and drive toward Killin. You'll then drive up the north side of Loch Tay ending up in Aberfeldy. If you still want to explore you can drive west toward Weem and Fortingale and explore Loch Lyon before returning to Aberfeldy for the night. I stayed at Ailean Chraggan. Or if you're tired of driving you could walk the Birk's of Aberfeldy, which is nice walk up past a waterfall.

The next day you can drive over the mountain to Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummell via the B846. It's a single track road and it's quite beautiful. I've usually just driven out to the A9 with a stop of at Queen's View, but I just discovered a new great road! It's the B847 and it takes you on to the B8079 which takes you to Blair Atholl where you can visit the castle. You keep going south and you'll pass Killiecrankie Pass where one of many battles was fought. Ultimately you're into Pitlochry. In and near Pitlochry are two distilleries and the Explorer's Garden. I would spend the night here. From here you could go further south and see Fife or stay in Perthshire and spend the night in Dunkeld. There are some wonderful walks in the area.

Stirling is the biggest city, but I think that the castle is worth it.

Pam

Thanks, that is the kind of information I come here for, really appreciate it.

Through Perthshire - route? - are you talking the tourist road through Amulree, Sma Glen, Crieff, etc.

Here's the route from Edinburgh to Aberfeldy.

Here's the route to Pitlochry.

Also near Aberfeldy is the Cranog Centre which is very interesting.

Pam

Thanks for the help