Rick's 2 week "loop" - anyone done it as-is?

I looked up the Scotland loop. My opinion of it (based on 9 trips to Scotland) is too much city time, not enough time in the countryside. To be specific: assuming that 2 weeks is all the time you have available, I would cut out one day in Edinburgh and skip Glasgow. Possible adds: Kilmartin Glen, more time for Skye so you can add in Eilean Donan, Plockton, and if you are a brave driver the Applecross Road. Add a night to Glencoe so you can include a loop drive to Kilchurn Castle. We enjoy visiting Urquhart Castle although it can get very crowded and we also enjoy stopping at the Loch Ness information center so we can stock up on silly souvenirs for relatives' Christmas stockings. Inverness is pleasant along the river, but otherwise a traffic PIA. Spend a bit more time in the Cairngorms area and see the Kelpies before returning your car at Edinburgh airport.

I've never seen a Rick Steves itinerary that I didn't think allocated less than half the time I'd want at most destinations. Rick has to cater to vacation-starved Americans, quite a few of whom think they'll see more if they keep moving from one place to the next. (Not true.)

It's really worth thinking hard about days per stop when the trip is to Scotland. The weather in Scotland, especially in the west, can be iffy. Rain is a frequent occurrence, and if you allow yourself only one day at a place where your major plans are outdoors, you may get rained out. Oban, for example, averages 13 or 14 rainy days per month in June and July. Portree's even worse. Even though I allowed four nights in Oban and four nights in Portree or Kyle of Lochalsh, I still missed out on things I wanted to do because of weather challenges--and I was carrying as much protective clothing as was practical.

I would not assume there would be a significant additional charge for picking up and dropping off a rental car in two different cities. Though it could happen, it's definitely worth doing some rate exploration with AutoEurope. Two weeks isn't long; avoiding the need to return to your starting point could save you quite a few hours, and it might allow you to reduce the length of the car rental if your next-to-last stop is a place where the car isn't needed (Glasgow or Edinburgh).

I liked Glasgow as much as Edinburgh, and it's both cheaper and less touristy. However, for your timeframe I'd probably say to skip Glasgow. It's easy enough to get back to one of the big cities, not so simple to return to Skye because you've realized you should have allocated more time there.

That is some great advice from you both, thanks so much! I really would prefer not to switch lodging like 6 times, so I'll see if I can focus more on a few areas for 3 nights each.

I am not familiar with Rick's two week loop, but if it is the one he uses for his Scotland tours, then it is missing the most beautiful area of Scotland, which IMHO, is the Isle Of Skye. If you can add it, DO!

Lots of Scottish videos on Youtube, including Rick, to help you pick and choose

I must travel at a different pace, as I spent 4 weeks covering what RS covers in 11 days. I didn’t run out of things to see. St Andrews, Stirling etc was a separate trip.

That is great insight, I agree it seems to be a lot for two weeks.

Flights booked, this is happening. We have 12 nights, now the planning really begins! June 9-21

Great that you have booked your flights. Next I would look at accommodation options in the busiest spots you plan to visit. For example if you plan on coming to Skye you might find that many of the better B&Bs are already pretty full. Check out the Visit Scotland website for hidden gems that might not use the big providers like booking.com. In fact if you are planning to come to Skye - personally I would secure accommodation there first and then arrange other locations around it.

Best wishes
Skyegirl (Jacqui)

You are missing out on the most scenic part of Scotland., the far north west.
I would reduce the first few days and cut of Glasgow.