Scotland Itinerary - Edinburgh to Skye

It looks like you're only spending two nights on Skye, which really is only one full day. That doesn't leave you much time for seeing much of the island. I would definitely add another night to Skye instead of Inverness.

I agree with Mardee. You really need another day on Skye.

Drive times are going to take you longer than any estimates on Google. And there's always a view or waterfall or something to stop at that you hadn't planned.

If you plan to see the train go over the Viaduct in Glenfinnan, allow a lot of extra time. Even in September, parking is at a premium.

Eilean Donan is okay for a quick photo op, but not worthy of an interior visit, IMO.

With Skye and Inverness you don't have time to even consider Oban and Kilmartin.

Are your flights already booked? Could you fly home from Inverness?

This is really helpful thank you and appreciate the input! My flights are booked but fully refundable if I need to change one. My main thinking of adding a night stop after Inverness would be to cut up the drive back to Edinburgh and stay in another town like Pitlochry or Aviemore, but I know Skye is a large place and there is soooo much to see

Another vote for an extra night in Skye. One night in Inverness is more than enough. Don’t bother with the inside of Eilean Donan. It’s a reconstructed pastiche. Best view from the Dornie community centre car park.

Drive to inverness stopping at Eilean Donan Castle, Urquhart castle, Culloden and Clava Cairns, stay in Inverness

I agree with both jeanm and Skyegirl about just staying long enough at Eilean Donan Castle to get a look at the outside. And really, Urquhart Castle is the same. You can go inside, but there's not a whole lot to see except ruins.

So you could just make your way from Skye to Inverness, passing those castles along the way and getting a nice look at them, then stay in Inverness for the night. The next morning, head out to visit Culloden and Clava Cairns on your way to Edinburgh. Clava Cairns is only about a half mile away from Culloden and doesn't take much time to see.

After that, make your way leisurely down to Edinburgh, as it's not a terribly long drive. And if you want a place to stop for the night outside of Edinburgh, I would recommend Dunfermline, which is a lovely town that holds Dunfermline Abbey, a gorgeous place to visit. I visited both Dunfermline Abbey and Nave and it was well worth seeing. If you go, park at St. Margaret St. car park right up the street. I also enjoyed a walk through Pittencrieff Park, which was donated to the city by Andrew Carnegie many years ago, and it's beautiful. Also, the body of Robert the Bruce is located in the church next to Dunfermline Abbey, and that's worth a visit to see.

From there, it's about 20 to 30 minute drive to Edinburgh. I don't know who you're renting your car from, but if you rent it at the airport, you might want to just spend the night at an airport hotel there. That way, when you're heading back, you could stop at the hotel, drop off your luggage even if you can't check in yet, then return the rental car, head into the city if you want to visit a few more sites, then head back to your hotel that evening and catch your flight the next day. Without luggage to weigh you down, you could take the bus or a tram, which is very convenient and inexpensive.

On my last night, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on my last night and highly recommend it. It was really spacious, great pillows, very clean, comfortable bed and lots of towels. It’s a quick 3 minute walk to/from the airport. They also serve dinner. You just go down to the bar and order it, then it’s served to you at the table. Breakfast is included and has great hours. You can get a continental breakfast starting at 4 am, and a cooked breakfast starting at 6 am. Lots of food options there as well. The staff was very nice and very helpful. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

Another vote for more time on Skye - I think you will really regret only having that single full day on this spectacular island.

The drive from Inverness to Edinburgh down the A9 is full of interest.It’s about 3.5hrs without stops but you’ll want to stop and explore often.
My own preferences on a road we drive most months (albeit heading for Glasgow once at Perth) are:

Aviemore/Cairngorm.Beautiful - have a look at Loch Morlich, perhaps drive up to the ski centre to enjoy the mountains , or do the short walk to the Green Lochan (Lochan Uaine.)

House of Bruar is an excellent upmarket shopping emporium with an excellent waterfall walk behind the attractive buildings. It also does a first class roast lunch from 12noon, semi buffet style.Beautiful(If expensive) place for Scottish gifts too.

Pitlochry is a lovely Victorian town, very busy certainly and tourist focused but with some lovely shops and plenty of cafes though my favourite overlooks the Dam.Nice walks by Loch Faskally too.

Dunkeld is another lovely old town, much smaller, not quite as busy.A fine Cathedral, some stunning 17th century houses, a great walk by the River Tay, a famous salmon river and an excellent bakery, the Aran bakery.

On the edge of Perth, lies Scone Palace.

Why not use the extra day for Skye and then keep Inverness to one night? That gives more time for Storr, Fairy Glen and Quiraing without making the rest of the route too packed. The Inverness to Edinburgh drive is manageable in a day, with a couple of stops along the way if there is time.