How to split time between places?

If you are heading straight for the Highlands why not take the other sleeper train straight to Inverness or Fort William (different sections of the same train), and pick up a car there?
That one departs at around 2130, rather than the 2330 for the Edinburgh one.

As I am still at very initial planning phase, I am still figuring out what should I cover. If reaching to Inverness would make sense to cover some nice part of Highlands, it looks good idea. I can pick rental car from Inverness, do some round trips and drop car at Scotland, will that be good?
How is other day allocation is looking?

These night split questions are always really hard when we know nothing about the interests or the personality of the enquirer.

Inverness is known as The Capital of the Highlands and the sleeper (night train) arrives there at around 0830, so you have saved a good 1/2 day drive, and are starting where you want to be.

I am a strong proponent of the train BUT, in the interests of level dealing, would point out that on 17 March you could take an early/mid evening flight from London to Inverness, rent the car at INV apt, sleep in Inverness then set out next morning. It would also be cheaper overall than the night train, but you lose the night train experience. Swings and roundabouts.

What do you propose doing in London?- 2 1/2 days in London, many would argue is not adequate, but we don't know your plans.

Likewise 4 days is arguably not really long enough for Highland Scotland, especially to take in the Western Isles.

There is an argument for RT air into and out of Edinburgh. Front end the Edinburgh time there on arrival/jet lag recovery etc. Then after 2 nights or so in Edinburgh set out for whatever Scottish itinerary you opt for. It gives you a more useable length of time in Scotland. End the last day at EDI apt (off rent the car on 23 March evening) then sleep at the airport given your c6am check in time on the final morning.

Leave London for another time, when you can mix it in other places in England/Wales. That, of course assumes this is not a one off trip, that you will be back.

Thanks much for your suggestions.
Regarding interest, we are not much heavy on history, but natural places, scenery, scenic drives and architecture attract us.
Taking flight, instead of night train also can be good option. We can consider this and start fresh on 18th morning.
Returning back to this part of world is a bit of hassle, so trying to explore what we can get. For this short time in London, we will touch only major spots, may be tour bus.
Considering our interest and (maybe) weather in mid March, which part of Highlands can you suggest?
I was going through some posts and a rough route/plan can be, Inverness, Portree, The Storr, Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Edinburgh in 4 days.

Inverness, Portree, The Storr, Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Edinburgh in 4 days.

That is a lot to cover in four days and isn't going to allow much time to see or do much on the way...

Don’t underestimate driving times. Distances my not look far but driving in Scotland is slow. On many roads average speeds will only be about 40mph. If using Google maps it is advisable to add 25 % to their driving times AND then add on time for stops.

Also factor in day length. In Mid March sun set will be around 6.30pm and it will be dark by 7pm.

Scrap the idea of Loch Lomond and concentrate on Skye. Consider just doing a circular route to Skye - using the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh on the outward journey and the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig for the return This takes you through Fort William which is just a short drive from Glencoe.

Possibly allow 2 nights for Skye and one for around Fort William (for Glencoe).

If this is for 2024, you will need to book accommodation asap. Skye gets very busy and accommodation does book up quickly.

If you can arrange a one way car hire from Inverness, then drive to Edinburgh from Fort Willaim/Glencoe. to drop off the car. If you can’t, return to Inverness to drop off the car and then take the train to Edinburgh.

I think your child would enjoy more time in London rather than just the scenic drives of the Highlands. I would forget the rental car and do a one-day Rabbies tour from Edinburgh. (Do you have experience driving in the UK?) The Tower of London, British Museum, possibly the zoo, which has animals we hadn't seen in American zoos, all were of interest to our daughter on trips at ages 4 and 18. Your child may also enjoy the concept of people buried in the floor at Westminster Abbey.

If you’ve never been, it’s all a guess. Decide what you’d like to see and how much time you think you might spend at each place. You’ll inevitably spend more time at some places and less at others.

I think for 9 days and 3 major areas, you have a pretty good plan, especially since you like nature more than cities. isn31c has given you a good suggestion to consider about the overnight sleeper destination - and once you see about a rental car and decide where specifically in the highlands you want to go, you may have a better option than stopping in Edinburgh. But either works.

Unlike cala, I can see a child loving Scotland very easily. There are plenty of places to stop and explore and run. The key is to not overpack the days with driving - but you can overpack them in any city with things a kid won’t enjoy.

Check weather for Skye in March, compared to other locations, to see if that is where you want to concentrate.

As mentioned, days are short and driving in the dark can be treacherous for those who don’t know the roads (plus you can’t see the scenery). For that reason, it might make sense to base somewhere like Fort William or Inverness to have more meal options after you return from your day.

Obviously you will only be getting a sampler - and you cannot see all the places you listed outside of Edinburgh. But it’s a place to start your plan, whittle it down, and later decide if you want to come back for more. And you are already doing the wise thing and booking multi-city flights. You have a decent beginning plan.

@wasleys : Help me to understand your suggestion. After getting to Inverness, I will stay 2 nights in Skye and 1 night at Fort William. This will allow me to some drives/time in Skye area and later drive to Fort William and on the way places.
I am yet to see how car prices will work for one way drop (Inverness to Edinburgh).

@Cala : Initially we had no plans for London, but we added extra couple of days for London. I agree, he will enjoy in London more, trying to balance both parts :-)

@TexasTravelmom : I am realizing, time is not enough to do justice to all places. I am trying to be in nature for more time and use my camera there, but mid March weather can be some of decision maker. So gathering a reasonable route first :-)

Help me to understand your suggestion

Companies like Arnold Clarke (or Celtic Legend their representative in the US) allow you to pick up a car in Inverness and drop it off in Edinburgh. Many people do this. There is an increased charge for this - try doing a dummy booking on their website to see how much it would cost and then balance out the extra cost against the cost of the train fare between Inverness and Edinburgh.

I get the idea of quote of one way rental car from Inverness to Edinburgh and that is fine with me. After some more hours of browsing forums, I can see two options :

One way from Inverness to Edinburgh : [Inverness - Skye - The Storr - Fort William - Glencoe - Edinburgh] - https://maps.app.goo.gl/mwcTMRHNCRjqPdRt5

Round trip form Edinburgh to Edinburgh : [Edinburgh - Stirling - Callander - Glencoe - Fort William - Mallaig (ferry) - Skye - Portree - Oban - Inveraray - Edinburgh] - https://maps.app.goo.gl/yeK5YJJ4ka6GkEuN9

You could equally well do Route 1 via the Mallaig ferry and the A830 to Fort William to pick up the route you have mapped. You don't need to do the Skye Bridge both ways.

The via Callander route can be very congested at times. In theory you are coming in the 'right' direction but 22 March is the Saturday before Palm Sunday, so the start of Easter Holidays.

At Crianlarich you can turn right and route via Loch Lomond then Stirling or Glasgow.

Which route would you prefer between one-way vs round-trip ?
Looks like I should be able to able to cover and see this much in my short time.

I think the second route will be pushing it . There's more driving so you will spend more time sitting in the car and seeing Scotland through the windscreen. It's not much fun for the driver as they will need to concentrate on the road rather than the scenery and I hope the 8 year old doesn't get too bored. Slow down. allow time to stop and enjoy places.

Stick to Plan 1 but follow isn31c's suggestion and use the Armadale to Mallaig ferrry and then drive to Fort William (superb drive and you will also have chance to see Glenfinnan viaduct with its links to the Harry Potter films... ).