Scotland for one week

If you don't mind driving - a LOT of Scotland can be seen in a week. Stirling is a great place to stay with Edinburgh, Glasgow,St Andrews, etc. all within reach. We would probably drive up to Inverness and stay the night though - taking a different route back. I enjoy all of the castles and sure would have enjoyed snooping around them as a teenager or have times changed that much? Enjoy your trip.....we'll be driving around Scotland in May!

Pamela will kick in on this I sure- and she will encourage you to "drive the wee roads of Scotland". But we don't drive when we are there- and we've been alot. We love to use the trains. There are a few parts of the highlands that are not quite easily accessable by train, but lots of it is. We usually take the train from London to York (stay one night) then on to Edinburgh for a day or two. Then train to Aviemore (great little village in the Caringorm Mts.- lots of outdoorsy things to do). There are cottages there to rent if you really want a base. We like to stay ate least 2 or 3 days there and you could easily stay longer. Then train to Inverness- this a a wonderful place to base yourself for the Highlands and some of the islands. Lots of good day trips (if you drive, on your own, but there are some very good companies that do small van trips- check out Puffin Express for one). I could stay in Inverness for 4 or more days and not get bored.

We've been to the UK (England, Scotland and parts of Wales)more than 40 times. Feel free to private message me if I can be of more assistance.

You can see a lot from Stirling. I love Inverness and I would base in two places, but I don't think that you have to. From Stirling you can get to: The Trossachs - beautiful lochs, Rent Bikes at Loch Katrine and take the steamboat out and bike back. Perthshire - Drive up to Aberfeldy and walk the Birk's of Aberfeldy, then drive out Glen Lyon to see beautiful Glen. A long trip to the West Coast to Oban and Glencoe St. Andrews You could even drive to Jedburgh in the Borders. These would be long days. Driving time 4-5 hours. An alternative is to divide your time amongst Edinburgh/Stirling, Inverness area and west coast either Skye or Fort William area. Pa

Nothing to do with this question, but I wondered if Pam is originally from Edinburgh, Warrender Park Crescent to be exact. I ask this because I had a friend called Pam who moved to Maddison many years ago, well...........I just wondered. Perhaps a bit too much of a coincidence.

No, I have family who are from Orkney, but not Edinburgh. Sure wish it was so. ; )

Pam...my family also originates from Orkney. My grandfather was a lighthouse keeper there.

I have driven from Edinburgh, to Stirling, to Skye, to Inverness and back in a day. Very long day, but doable. I didn't get to see nearly as much of Skye as I wanted. I highly suggest going north of Inverness at least once - it is beautiful country.

Sandi, I have quite a few blogs on things to see in Scotland/Wales/England and Greece on my blog (www.DivorceYourTravelAgent.com)

Thanks for the replies! I am still thinking of the week in a cottage in Stirling, but not convinced yet. I like the idea of seeing more of the HIghlands, but hate the idea of packing up and moving every day. I guess we have some time to decide that part. :)

You might consider a compromise-move every other night which is what we did in June. After a night in the Borders at Melrose (we were coming from England), we did two nights Fort William (for Glencoe), two nights Skye, two nights Lewis, two nights Wester Ross, two nights Invermorriston (on Loch Ness), two nights Edinburgh. Since you are planning less days, you could close the loop by eliminating Lewis and Wester Ross. If this interests you, send me a PM and I will be happy to supply more details. Leaving our accommodations never took us more than twenty minutes; it wasn't that complicated.

Cynthia - you have got it right. Sandi - you have two teenage boys...I think to REALLY see Scotland you have to get on the many paths. Lots of hiking in all of the Highlands-and in all of the locations Cynthia mentioned. Also, hiking in Scotland can get "serious" in terms of weather, and type of route, etc. It all depends on what your experience level is and what you want to do. In terms of driving, Having driven thousands of miles all over the UK - Scotland is probably the EASIEST there is. Less traffic...good roads...even the narrow ones have lots of pulloffs. Plus, it is generally open with few trees. Driving in, say Devon, with narrow lanes bordered by stonewalls that the driver and passenger can touch are another matter! :)