Is my June itinerary too busy?

It sounds like a pretty sound itinerary for a first trip. You'll wish you had more time, but you seem to have planned pretty reasonably. You'll get to find out if you both like "busy" trips.

After seeing Edinburgh Castle, Stirling will cause deja vu (IMHO). Doune Castle might offer more variety.

If the steam train is actually running (never ending drama), you can see it at the station in Ft.William and drive to Glenfinnan in time to see it go by. Then you might see it again in Mallaig.

Many folks here think Eilean Donan is a nice (free) selfie spot but the tour is a little underwhelming.

Urquhart was excellent in our opinion, though a little crowded. Lots of buses in the carpark. But you can tell we like old ruins more than posh castles.

Depending on your flight out, you might spend the last night in Stirling (maybe rearrange stops ) or maybe Culross (if you like Outlander). Checking back into Edinburgh, taxis, etc. takes more time than driving in the morning if you have time.

It's a whirlwind trip and you'll be spending a lot of time in the car. Whatever Google Maps says is your driving time in the Highlands, add 30%. Also watch some videos carefully regarding driving in the Highlands and single track roads in Skye. If you you've never driven outside of the US before you're in for a surprise. Not only driving on the other side of the road, but unfamiliar signs and considerably narrower roads.

I understand wanting to see everything in a trip of a lifetime, but sometimes less is more. It wouldn't be hard to spend 3-5 days in Edinburgh. I do highly recommend Stirling Castle. We spent about 4 hours there in 2022 and it was the highlight of our trip. While Edinburgh Castle focuses on military history, Stirling focuses on royal history. Both are castles, but focus on completely different topics. We enjoyed Stirling far more.

You understand your travel style more than me, but with such a short trip I'd probably cut out either your Inverness and region days or Skye.

It is a sound and workable itinerary, covering the high spots of Scotland. (Eilean Donan Castle is the iconic photo opportunity, however the inside doesn't live up to the outside.)

On day 8, be prepared to flex and cut things depending on time. I hate to add thiongs to an already full day but do consider a stop to admire the Falkirk Wheel (about 20 minutes drive from the Kelpies), which an example of 21st century engineering at its best. It is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift, built to reconnect the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. These were originally connected by 11 locks but when the canals were no longer used commercially, the locks fell into disrepair and were demolished. In the 1990s there was a resurgence in interest in the canals for leisure use. The Millennium Project was put forward to restore the two canals and the link between them. The total budget came to over £84 million and included an innovative rotating lift between the two. It is a stunning piece of engineering. Have a look at the short and speeded up video here.

Advice to add 30% to google driving times is sensible. That also allows time to find somewhere to park and then walk to where ever/whatever it is you are visiting and then back to the car afterwards. Driving in Scotland can be quite slow at times and it will take longer to coiver distances than you might expect.

If planning on this June, start to book accommodation asap. Places like Skye book upm quickly and many may already be fully booked or ask for a minumum of three nights booking.....

Hi, iscotbowie,

First of all, congratulations! Scotland is a wonderful place to visit for your honeymoon. Mrs A and I had our honeymoon there. I don't want to think how long ago that was, but Richard Nixon was still President! And we're still married!

Anyway, as the others have already pointed out, your itinerary is certainly doable, and doesn't appear to be too rushed. On day three, if you have time, you might want to consider a boat trip on Loch Lomond, leaving from Luss Pier.

On day four, as you're planning to visit Skye after visiting Glenfinnan, be sure to make a reservation for the Mallaig to Armadale ferry. I don't know which ferries will be servicing that route while you're there, but two that they've used in the past are relatively small, so a reservation is pretty much a necessity. Otherwise, you'd be doubling back through Fort Willam, with a long drive to the Skye bridge.

On day five, in addition to the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools, you may want to consider visiting the Falls of Rha and the Fairy Glen. Both are close by one another. The Quiraing is another possibility. All these sites are on the north end of Skye. If you're planning on hiking to the Old Man, you may only have time for one or two of the other sites. The one advantage that you have is that you're arriving near the summer solstice, so you'll have broad daylight until about 10:00 p.m.

Day six: As others have pointed out, Eilean Donan Castle is pretty much best for exterior photo ops. It's a 20th century castle, having been rebuilt in the early part of the century. When you stop in Fort Augustus, be sure to check out the canal locks. They are more interesting than Loch Ness. Urquhart Castle is definitely worth a visit, as you'll be going right by it anyway. As you'll most likely be arriving in Inverness in late afternoon or early evening, consider the Ness Islands walk after dinner, especially as you'll still have more than enough daylight left.

On day seven, Castle Stuart is now a luxury hotel, so unless you're staying there or have familial connections, best to leave it off your itinerary.

On day eight, if you're planning on visiting Blackness Castle, you may as well travel a few miles down the road and visit Midhope Castle, which was used as Lallybroch during the early seasons of Outlander. Midhope is not open to the public, as the interior is unsafe, but it will give you ample opportunity for exterior photo ops. You may not have time for all you've planned for your last full day, but if you don't plan on visiting distilleries, give Pitlochry a miss.

I hope that helps in some way to make your honeymoon plans a little easier. Make sure that you have your lodging reservations completed, especially for Skye.

Very best wishes for a long and happy marriage!

Mike (Auchterless)