How many days in each place?

Take a Rabbies tour to the Highlands from Edinburgh. Assuming that you normally drive in the US, driving on the other side of the road will be challenging for you. I would not add Ireland but areas of Wales that are easily accessible by train from London might be a destination you would want to consider. I have been to Dublin but not Belfast and I prefer Wales.

Jessie,

Why not do some guided tours while in Scotland since you have apprehension about driving solo in the UK? I traveled solo to Scotland with 4 nights in London at the end of my 20 day trip and also did not want to drive. So, I found a reliable touring company using small buses or 16 seat vans. The company, Rabbies, is well regarded and I recommend them for some of your time in Scotland. I took a one day tour out of Inverness to Culloden, Clava Cairns and Glen Afric and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the small group (10 of us). Also, the 4 day tour in the Western Highlands and Isle of Skye was fabulous. That tour was out of Edinburgh. Here is a link:

https://www.rabbies.com/en

Jessie, are you using any travel guidebooks to plan your time in the UK? Rick Steve’s puts out very good guides that could help with your planning. Also, take a look at his travel videos for the countries you are interested in.

Agree that adding Ireland might be too much for this trip. Especially since you are already sounding overwhelmed. I just wouldn’t add any more cogs in your wheels - too complicated

Thank you for all the tips everyone!

Re: Rabbies, I was considering their Isle of Skye 3 day tour! But I am a bit apprehensive, since I really need some alone time in nature and I am doing this trip as more meditative than to socialize. I was thinking of skipping Skye and just taking transit to Glencoe and spending a couple of days there, maybe using it as a base I can do some hikes from.

Would that be worth it? Or is Skye really that amazing?

Jessie, I understand about wanting alone time and just now read your other postings that discussed your situation. So, maybe not a 3 day tour but perhaps a couple of 1 day tours? There was some time, especially on the Culloden, Clava Cairns and Glen Affric tour where the participants had the opportunity to venture on our own for a small hike (especially at Glen Affric). Just a thought.

I was too insecure to plan my own independent tour of the Highlands - especially without driving and being a solo female traveler. If the day tours aren’t for you, how about taking the train from Edinburgh to Stirling? Or, even a day trip to Glasgow from Edinburgh? I very much enjoyed Glasgow’s architecture and the maritime/transportation museum on the river.

Edit to add info link on Glen Affric to give you an idea of the area the Rabbies tour included. The guide gave the group at least an hour to 90 minutes to do a walkabout/hike. Not sure how you could do this without a tour if you were not driving.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/glen-affric-p333811

Jessie, I would skip the day trip to Paris - it would take you awhile to get there and you would lose a whole day without much to show for it. I would also skip Ireland - you just do not have enough time.

I have never been to Scotland before so I'll let the others speak about your proposed destinations but I can tell you that I am also planning a 26 day trip there in May (traveling solo and female). However, I will be in Scotland the entire time. I'm starting in Glasgow, then will spend 3 nights on the Isle of Arran, 4 nights on Mull, 4 nights on Skye and a few nights on Harris and Lewis, and then will head from Ullapool down to Culloden, Clava Cairns, then up to the coastline and will drive along the eastern coast, stopping at various places along the way, including Cruden bay, Slains Castle and who knows what else, eventually winding up in Edinburgh. I will be renting a car once I'm outside Glasgow.

SLOW DOWN! Don't try and do Paris or Belfast/Dublin this holiday.

Also make sure you have allowed days to travel between places. Distances may not look far on a map but will take a lot longer to cover than you might expect. Two days in York is effectively 3 nights.

You will need a full day to get to Holy Island. Have you checked out safe crossing times? The island is reached by tidal causeway and the tides do come in very quickly. Stick rigidly to these times. York to Holy Island is going to be 3+ hours drive, so check if you will have time to cross in the morning. Holy Island to Edinburgh is going to be 2+ hours drive. You won't be able to do this in one day and are going to have to book accommodation either on Holy Island (recemmended as it is completely different feel in the evening after the day trippers have left) or on the mainland.

How are you planning to get to Orkney? Overnight ferry from Aberdeen, or ferry from Gills Bay or Scrabster.? If either Gills Bay or Scrabster, you may need to add in an overnight before catching the ferry.

3 days on Orkney again is effectively 4 nights. If you work out in nights, you may find that you haven't many spare days to play with and certainly not the ten you think you had.

London - 5 days = 6 nights

York 2 days = 3 nights

Holy Island 1 day = 2 nights

Edinburgh 3 days = 4 nights

Inverness 2 days = 3 nights.

Orkney 3 days = 4 nights (plus an extra night ? depending on ferry sailings)

Aberdeen 2 days = 3 nights.

I think that has just about filled up the holiday.

If you haven't yet found the Undiscovered Scotland website, it is a wonderful source of ideas of things to do and see. Starrt with the relevant map page and follow the lin kjs to text pages with photos and information. It is much better than any guide book.