Inverness to Blairgowrie and Fife

Actually , I'm even more exhausted after reading your itinerary . Let me consider the first part of your post . Driving down through the Cairngorms via Braemar is a very beautiful drive ( a stop in Braemar is worth a couple of hours ) The landscape is striking. Mostly barren moorland with a rugged beauty . I would do it ( have done so in the past ) Also , I would dawdle in Grantown and Tomintoul on the way down . Find lodging in Dunkeld or Pitlochry that night ( book ahead ) You could then proceed through the East Neuk to Edinburgh . The rest of your plans are way too frenetic for me . You'll be spending more time rushing around and only seeing fleeting glimpses of places that should be more slowly savored , I would cut back on the rest of your plan , go more slowly . I've made a number of trips to Scotland , and covered much of the area , going back come September and will be in the Highlands for a month on this trip before heading back to London for the rest of the trip

I'll just chime in to recommend Glamis Castle. We drove there on the back roads from Blairgowrie, which was lovely. We took the guided tour (excellent) and enjoyed our lunch in the cafeteria. We wished we'd had more time and better weather to explore the gardens.

Also, in case you didn't know, as we didn't, locals pronounce it "Glahms." One syllable.

Thank you epltd - I appreciate the thumbs up on Glamis Castle and mentioning that the drive there is lovely. Did you happen to stay in Blairgowrie?

And Steven, thank you as well for your insight. 3 days in Edinburgh, 2 days in Glencoe, 3 on Skye and 2 in Inverness so far, makes us happy. Just trying to get clarity for the last 2 - 3 days we'll have. I would LOVE for us to take it more slowly, but alas, we only have two weeks. How great that you get to spend a whole month exploring!

I've removed our itinerary outline from my initial question, so I can focus on getting some help toward the end of our trip. :)

Unfortunately having removed the route I'm not clear now on the last part of your revised route.

If you only have a day left after Dunkeld, as it seems, I would either do Glamis, or St Andrews and then wind my way down through the East Neuk, maybe ending the day at Dunfermline Abbey and Palace.

Glamis doesn't open until 10am, so it doesn't matter how early you are up starting at Glamis that is your morning and early afternoon gone.
If you choose Glamis you could twin that with Scone Palace.

To me personally St Andrews/the Neuk and Dunfermline feels like the better day, to make better use of the early start.

Dunkeld and Blairgowrie aren't that far apart, so it probably doesn't make much difference where you pick... I enjoyed Glamis Castle too (much more interesting than Scone) . Glamis Castle is by guided tour only which takes about 50 minutes. Allowing for time to explore the gardens and have lunch, that is effectively a full morning.

Driving around the coast through St Andrews, Crail and Anstruther etc to Edinburgh Airport is going to be 2.5 - 3 hours plus any time for stops. Adding in Culross is going to add another 45 minutes to the drive. You won;'t have a lot of time to explore and enjoy the different places. So keep a check on the time and modify as necessary.

Thanks so much for these suggestions, they are indeed helpful!

Depending on how long our drive is from Inverness down to Blairgowrie or Dunkeld, and if we stop to explore, etc...perhaps we might be able to visit Glamis Castle in the later part of that day. We would then have the next day to rise early and enjoy the small towns of Fife. (Don't think we feel the need to stop in St. Andrews)

Anyone want to chime in regarding favorite route from Inverness south?...straight down A9 or "Scenic" drive going by Ballater and Braemar?

Thanks again!!