My wife and I are planning a 2-week trip in May to the Highlands and Skye -- flying into Edinburgh and spending a week or so driving over to Loch Lomond, Inverary, and Kilmartin, then up through Glencoe to Fort William, then four days or more based in or around Portree for driving and hiking around Skye. After that, we plan to drive straight back to Edinburgh and spend a few days there before flying home. My question is this: If we were to stop somewhere for the night and a walkaround between Skye and Edinburgh, where would be recommended? Should we head down through the Trossachs and Stirling? Go NE to pick up the A9 at Laggan and go through Cairngorms? Or are there other out-of-the-way places between Skye and Edinburgh the community might point us toward? Specific sights or lodging? Am also curious to know whether our overall itinerary is realistic in terms of travel and sightseeing times -- this is our first time in Scotland. Thank you!
www.visitscotland.com is a great gateway site for planning your trip with many photographs that showcase the many different regions of Scotland with historic sites, natural scenery and accommodations and transportation. We did follow themes when we drove there: go to as many Campbell Clan Castles as possible, and following sites connected to Mary Queen of Scots. Follow your own special interests. Skye has become very popular. Secret Scotland is another site that describes out of the way places. There are other parts of Scotland that are equally fascinating! Bon Voyage!