Where to stay before dropping of rental car?

Yes, I just realized I forgot to put where it was and updated my post. The rental office is at 16-18 Bankhead Dr, Sighthill, Edinburgh. I'm not leaving yet - I still have 2 more nights in Edinburgh and then will spend the last night at Glasgow (the Holiday Inn Express at the airport).

Sorry , I just deleted my post

steven, did I accidentally delete your post? Yikes!!!

Oh good, I thought it was me. 🤣 But then I realized I can't delete your post. Sorry, it's been a long day.

Still , an easy drive over the bridge , and hotels right where you want - look here - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sighthill,+Edinburgh,+UK/@55.9297125,-3.3118115,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4887c69c4d696577:0xffacd473cecaba16!8m2!3d55.9272685!4d-3.2993817!16zL20vMDhwZ2Yy

No , I deleted it , when I saw your edit , didn't want to give you bad information

If you're coming across the Tay Bridge anyway what about Kirkcaldy or Burntisland on the coast, or even one of the towns in the East Neuk.
Or maybe stay on the A90 to Perth, then pick up the M90, then overnight in Dunfermline, hopefully getting there in time to see the Abbey. That's maybe an hour on from Dundee.
From Dunfermline you're almost straight onto the Forth Bridge, next morning.

One other thing to keep in mind , with a ten AM drop time , you will likely encounter early morning rush hour traffic headed into the city , allow adequate time

That sounds like a great idea, isn31c - I was sort of hoping to stay outside of Edinburgh but just wanted to make sure I had enough time to get in there in the morning. And I like the idea of seeing an abbey - I love old churches and abbeys and cathedrals. Thanks!

steven, yes, that's a good idea - I'll get up early if I have to.

I had to take my car in to a dealership there when I worked in Edinburgh. I can tell you stories, they would be really, really boring.

Checked the map. It is just inside the A720, Edinburgh City Bypass, as suspected. You would want to stay west of Edinburgh, so depending on how you are willing to risk it at that time in the morning I would suggest the following.

Linlithgow - up the M9
Kinross - up the M90
Inverkeithing
South Queensferry
North Queensferry
Dumfermline.

Kinross and Linlithgow are the most historic, but also the furthest from Edinburgh. I would add that the connections between the M8, the M9, the M90, plus the A8 and A90 with the A720 might be worth a tour on Google Street View.

Thanks, MC - I think I like Dunfermline. I can visit the abbey and the tomb of Robert the Bruce, there's a Premier Inn there at a very good price, and it looks close enough for me to make it without too many problems. I will check out Google Street View, though - that's a good idea.

My go to hotel in that area is the Hilton North Queensferry. From there I wander down the hill into the village and eat at the Wee Restaurant - which is absolutely fabulous. It would make a lovely last night stop on your trip. There are bound to be B&Bs in North Queensferry too but we always stay at the Hilton for it's quiet rooms and lovely views of the Forth bridges.

It's an easy drive to your car hire drop off point, but allow a bit of extra time for rush hour traffic crossing the bridge.

Jacqui - that sounds lovely! The Hilton is a bit pricey for me as I like to keep my accommodation costs under €125 if possible, but I might check into some of the other B&B's around there, though. Regardless, The Wee restaurant looks really good! Even if I stay at Dunfermline, I could head down for dinner there. Thank you!