3 nights in Scotland, Edinburg or highlands?

If you have a car, the Highlands would be great. There was so much to do in Edinburgh when we there, though, that we took the three days, with one of those a drive out to St. Andrews.

I would rent a car if we went north. I was thinking maybe Inverness? Any suggestions....thanks

Check out Rabbie's Tours (http://www.rabbies.com/edinburgh_tour_departures.asp). I just did two tours with them in May and it's a great company to work with. They have everything from one day to nine-day tours covering most of Scotland including the highlands.

Thanks Tamara, did you go to Pitlochry by chance? Looks like an easy day trip for a taste of the Highlands?

Car is not 'required' to see Inverness and surrounding areas. You can take the train- it's not too long a ride. Inverness has one of the best Tourist Informaiton Offices I've ever seen. There are lots of great day trips- Cullodean Field and Clava Cairns, Elliean Donnan Castle, Isle of Skye and Great Glen or Glencoe, cruise up Loch Ness with a stop at Urquart Castle ruins and the village of Drumnadrochit..... and lots of others. Inverness is my favorite Scottish city. If you want a more rural setting, consider Aviemore (even a shorter train ride ) in the Caringorm Mts. Lots to see and do- funicular (or hikes) up Mt. Caringorm, a restored steam train that does round trips from Aviemore along the Spey River, lots of distilleries reachable by train or bus or 'whisky taxi', a local microwbrewery that gives tours (and samples- hubby liked the Caringorm Gold and the Blessed Thistle ales/beers), a reindeer preserve, a heather center, the Rothmurchie Estate has canoeing, walks and hikes, horseback riding and more.... you get the idea. With your short time, I think I'd do Aviemore for 1 or 2 nights and train back to Edinburgh.
By the way, in Inverness we stay at the Royal Highlander Hotel- attached to the train station. In Aviemore we LOVE the Caringorm Hotel- across the street from the station. It looks like a minture castle on the outside and a scottish hunting lodge inside. AND it has THE BEST FOOD!!!!!!

Thanks Toni! It sounds amazing.....way too little time to do all I'd like but oh well. Will look into both places. Tough decision. Thanks for your input.

Watch your daylight. As you move to the end of October the days are getting shorter, faster in the north. I have stayed in Pitlochry and enjoyed it. I've also stayed in Dunkeld and Killin--all three were good. Also, if you do get a car, Aberfeldy is nice. Pam

Thanks Pamela, It's such a short time that I'm leaning towards staying in Edinburg and taking a day trip. Save the highlands for the next holiday and do it properly. It sounds like there are so many amazing places to visit!

Sherri, There is so much to see in Edinburgh, I would agree with the plan to just day trip. There are good tours that can pick you up from your B&B and return you there at the end of the day. All the best,
Marty

If you want a taste of the Highlands, you can get in Perthshire. See what the weather is like. If it's sunny and beautiful, take the train to Dunkeld / Birnam. Visit the cathedral, then go for a walk to the Hermitage or further if you energy and the weather is good. Perthshire is beautiful. Pick up a Rosamund Pilchard novel and you'll insist on visiting. ; ) There's a great pub in Dunkeld, The Tay Bank, but I'm not sure what the latest train is back to Edinburgh. Pam

Thanks Pam! That's a great idea. The best of both worlds...

Here's the link with the walks. http://www.visitdunkeld.com/dunkeld-walks.htm