Ideal itinerary for Scotland

Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to explore the Highlands due to time constraints. I loved Edinburgh and recommend about three full days to get to see it properly. When I planned my Scotland trip, I was given the same advice over and over, and my experience confirmed it was true: Be sure to give yourself enough time to see what you want and to get where you want. Whether walking through Edinburgh, driving Scottish roads, or traveling by train, add a little extra time to your estimates. Even though I am an experienced traveler in Britain, I was rushed to complete even my minimal itinerary.

Good advice Matt! I think we're going to end up staying four nights in Edinburgh with a side trip to St. Andrews.

Tod - After Edinburgh head on up to Inverness. From there you can take day trips to the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the Highlands.

Toni from Charlotte will probably reply to your post. She is very knowledgable on travel in Scotland and will have some very good suggestions.

First- Joel thank you for the complement! Yes I love Scotland and we have traveled parts of it extensively. I agree that 2-4 days in Edinburgh is good. Then I would suggest train to Aviemore (my favorite small village) in the Caringorm Moutains. We love to stay at the Caringom hotel across from the station. It is a small hotel that looks like a miniture castle. I'd suggest 2-3 days there. There are lots of things to see and do- restored steam train for views of countryside and the Spey river area, local micorbrewery that gives tours and samples, trip on funicular up Mt. Caringorm, hiking, canoeing, etc. and there are distilleries close enough to tour (Strathayla, Dahwhinnie, all the Campbletown ones, etc), you can also see Blair Athol, etc. Then train to Inverness and stay for the rest of the time. Again LOTS to do- Culloden battlefield and Clava Cairns, cruise on the firth, cruise up Loch Ness and tour Castle Urqart, days trips to Isle of Skye, Glen Coe, Great Glen, etc. Then from there to Iona. In Inverness we stay at the Royal Highlander (again right next door to the station) Oh- in Edinburgh we stay at the Royal British- across Princes St. from Waverly Station. Feel free to private message me.

I have a few more places to suggest that you can easily reach by train. First, Stirling Castle. This can either be done via a day trip out of Edinburgh or you first stop on the way out of town. The Castle is wonderful and its situation in the geography is spectacular. You can quickly understand why important battles happened here! Also, if you want to do little hiking and hear a little Scottish session music, stop off at Dunkeld and Birnam. The town is historic and is on the Tay River. There are lots of walks and you can stop off at the Music Bar in the evening to hear some tunes. The sessions are informal and more apt to happen in the latter half of the week. Stop off in the TI to get info about the walks.

Just up the rail line is Pitlochry. In Pitlochry is the Festival Theater. Check their schedule to see if there is play or a concert that would be interesting. I heard Aly Bain, the premier fiddler from Shetland play there. Also, the next stop (I think!) is Blair Castle. This is a great castle to tour.

Then go on to Inverness and enjoy the sights that Toni mentioned.

BTW don't forget Glasgow! It's got some great sights, museums, and the music scene is wonderful.

Pam

Great information! Thanks to all of your input and I'm excited to explore Scotland and everything it has to offer!