Thoughts on itinerary for Scotland portion of trip?

If you are OK with this amount of driving, then you've obviously thought out the itinerary. It's that bit different than the ones we often see on the forum. Another day (at least) might have been helpful but it works IMO for the time you have.

On a tour you might benefit more from the guiding part of it- but I don't have a vested interest in 'selling' you a tour versus self drive. Swings and roundabouts.

My only observation (apart from that the Stirling to Loch Lomond Road is the A811, vice the AB11) is that I think you are under estimating the amount of time you will spend in Stirling (I assume at the Castle) leading to a lateish lunch.

In early July Loch Lomond is going to be busy, busy- especially Luss (if that is where you mean for lunch). My own inclination would be to route through the Trossachs rather than Loch Lomond- Callander, Lochearnhead, Crianlarich. But if you don't mind the busyness then by all means do the Loch Lomond route.

Either on the evening or next morning do take the time to explore Fort Augustus- especially at the canal locks.

I agree with isn31c, the B811 isn't the most scenic route and lunch options on the way will be limited. If you go via the Trossachs you could stop in Callander for lunch and maybe even consider Loch Katrine or Loch Earn for sightseeing. It'd be a more direct route towards Fort Augustus and equally (more?) scenic IMHO.

Fort Augustus is very pretty and the loch gates are well worth a look. You can also walk through the grounds of The Highland Club (resort) to the banks of Loch Ness.

I know you’ve said you like to pack your trips full of activities/sight seeing and don’t mind a lot of driving /travelling, but I’m a bit concerned you haven’t factored in how long it will take to cover distances in Scotland. They may not seem far on a map but will take a lot longer to cover than you might expect. Driving in Scotland can be slow... Also don’t forget to allow time to find somewhere to park and then reach where ever it is you want to go and then get back to the car. That can easily add 30 minutes to drive times.

I’m looking at day 3 - what is the earliest time you can pick up the car rental and what time can you realistically leave Edinburgh? It is going to take an hour to drive to Stirling. What are your plans for that. Are you intending to visit the castle? If so you need to allow at least two hours for this. If so, it could well be lunchtime by the time you leave Stirling.

I’d agree that Callendar makes more sense than the detour round via Loch Lomond - its another 30+ minute drive from Stirling. A detour to Loch Katrine is going to add on another 60+ minutes. Callandar to Fort William is going to be about three hours PLUS any stops on the way... (what about Glen Coe?)

Day 4 - you are looking at 4+ hours driving. What are your expectations of "Inverness to explore'. Much as I like Inverness, I'm not sure whether it will repay time spent exploring here and you may feel disappointed.

@isn31c: You're right! It is A811, not AB11. I had it right in my excel spreadsheet but didn't transfer it over to this correctly. Sorry about that.

The first accommodation we'll actually be staying at is an apartment not a hotel, so I was planning on packing lunches and snacks to save on cost and time instead of having to fight with crowds over restaurant spots (saving that for dinner time). So when I mention stopping somewhere for lunch, it'll be either in the car in a parking lot or at a little picnic area/walking around.

I saw Loch Lomond on multiple websites saying it was a 'must see' destination which is why I added it, but if you all say to go through Callandar (A84) instead then I'm down for it!

@wasleys: Yes, I was planning on checking out Stirling Castle and allotted 2 hours for that. I believe the earliest pickup time for the rental car is 8 AM. Yes, Glencoe is one of the small stops I have on my list for the drive from Stirling to Ft. Augustus. Two other stops would be Ft. William and Invergarry Castle.

Inverness exploring includes Urquhart Castle and Culloden Battlefield. It's not going to be that long of a stop, more of a "I've been there!" kind of thing on my bucket list.

To give a little background, some of my work trips I drive 6-8 hours one way then back the next day with 1-2 stops. So 4+ hours of driving with multiple breaks to enjoy sites sounds great to me haha.

Don't bother with Fort William which is a large modern service centre with little to attract (unless you need to stop off in Morrisons to stoick up on food.)

Urquhart castle will probably need abnout an hour. Culloden Battlefield - is this a quick look at the site of the battle (a large open area of not much) or are you intending to visit the Visitor Centre (well worth while) and do the guided tour which is included in the price of the Visitor Centre (definitely worth it). If so then you need to allow 90-100 minutes, If just viewing the battlefiled, then 15 minutes as a tick list exercise (but with little understanding of just what a disaster it was for the Jacobites). If the later, then you could consider a visit to nearby Clava Cairns which are thought to have been the inspiration for Craig na Dun in the very popular TV series ’Outlanders’. They are magical.

I hear what you say about Loch Lomond and am not unsympathetic. In that way it is a bit similar to the status of the Cotswolds vis-a-vis London.

Just driving along the main highway in high season is not in my own opinion going to show you the best of Loch Lomond (and Luss Village certainly isn't). I think you really need to do a boat trip or a walk on the east shore to properly experience the area.

If I was going to stop for a picnic lunch on the A82 along the Loch I would choose either Tarbet (the little park by the boat pier) or Inveruglas- in July likely the latter.

But I would far prefer to turn off at Tarbet for the two miles down to Arrochar on Loch Long, then back up to Tarbet. There are also a couple of nice cafes in Arrochar Village with good loch views.

But the Trossachs route is my clear preference.

In Callander villlage a lot of people eat their lunch in the town square, but I think I would park at the main Car Park at the old station yard then walk through the village to the river Teith for lunch. It's quite nice down there. See also the first and third of the easy walks on here- https://www.visitcallander.uk/walking

Be prepared to cut something out of your itinerary in the event it takes longer to drive from one place to another, or, you spend more time than planned at a location.