Scotland for the first time

Hello First Timer! Some ideas for you: 1) the British pound is currently at $1.30 US Dollar which is the lowest in some time (good news for the Dollar), so you should be able to buy souvenirs for a pretty good price. I've spent maybe $20 on a nice woolen scarf in Inverness and $20-40 on various things like whiskey, jams, cookies, calendars. I'd plan to have at least $200-$250 to spend on souvenirs. Remember you have to pack the liquids in your checked baggage and don't make the mistake I did in 2008 and try to board the plane with a package of single malt scotch minis (each one was less than 4 oz, but there were six of them, so I had to go and repack them in checked luggage). 2) Depending on how many days you have to sightsee on your trip, the points of interest NOT to miss, IMHO, are: a) Edinburgh castle and the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse; b) St. Andrews ruins of the cathedral and the golf course with the view out to the North Sea; c) Loch Lomond and a visit to the picturesque village of Luss (one of the prettiest I've seen); d) Stirling Castle tour and visit to the William Wallace monument; e) Eileen Donan castle (most photographed), Loch Duich in Glen Shiel, which offers a really interesting tour and the caretakers have a wonderful Facebook page; f) taking the "Harry Potter" train (Scottrail) from Ft. William to Maillaig and the CalMac ferry to Skye, and if possible to Iona (the abbey); g) Inveraray Castle, Argyll & Bute (family home of Clan Campbell since 1701, open to tours and extremely well-preserved Gothic palace with gorgeous gardens; h) Inverness & Culloden Moor Battlefield & Visitor Center re: Battle of 1746. And, if you like Diana Gabaldon's series, Outlander, sign up for an Outlander Tour by one of the local guides.

Thank you so much!
I have booked a ticket for the Jacobite train! You have given me a great amount to look up!
(Also thanks for the pricing reference I wasn't sure if saving 400-600 for souvenirs was too much, I will use that extra for trying different foods instead!)

I agree with much of the advice by the previous poster. I would add that on the north shore of Loch Ness, it's worth stopping to see Urquhart Castle (they have walking tours included in the entry fee a few times a day, and costumed interpreters all along) and, a couple of miles away, the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition (fairly scientific & factual immersion in the history of "Nessie" sightings). Also, slightly to the east of Inverness is the town of Nairn -- very close to Cawdor Castle. It is more attractive than Inverness, IMO.

Near Peebles are a number of Woolen Mills. My wife bought some nice items (good quality) at one of them. Consider researching where they are and stopping for a visit if you want a scarf.