Scotland R&R - where to choose?!

I'd head for Aviemore. Easy to get to by train and only about a 45 min. train ride on from there to Edinburgh. Aviemore is a nice village. You can take the funicular up Mt. Cairngorm or walk/hike up. There is a restored steam train you can ride on and see the countryside along the Spey River (it does round trips from Aviemore). The Rothmurchie Estate has canoeing, horseback riding, and other similar activities. There is a reindeer preserve and a Heather center. Oh, and they have a small local microbrewery that gives tours and samples. You can get to several wonderful whisky distilleries by bus or train (we enjoyed Dalwhinnie the best). And you can also take the train to the village of Blair Atholl and walk down to see Blair Castle.
We have especially enjoyed staying at the Cairngorm Hotel. It is across the street from the train station. Looks like a small castle outside and a Scottish hunting lodge inside. Its pub/restaurant serves THE BEST food.

I would head north. There aren't many big cities in Scotland. :) Have you asked your tour if you can leave the tour prior to the return to Glasgow? Also, will you have a car or do you want to rely on the train. If you are relying on the train and just want to stay in one place for two or three days, I would look at Aviemore as Toni suggests. I also like Pitlochry. Look to see what is playing in the Festival Theatre while you're there. It's nice to walk along the Tay. There are two distilleries to visit. One is the smallest in Scotland. I enjoyed seeing the Explorer's Garden a number of years ago. It's probably even better now. It's an easy train ride to Blair Castle. I stopped once on my way to Inverness. I left my luggage at the hotel that is near the train station. They were very nice about it. :) Or, if you wanted to go for a walk in the hills, go to Dunkeld and Birnam on the trail. If you have a car, I can give you some wonderful suggestions for drives that are just gorgeous. Pam

Toni and Pam, Thank you for taking the time to offer your suggestions and thoughts! I think I'll look closer at Aviemore! It looks like an ideal place to hang my hat for a few nights. The Cairngorm Hotel looks amazing, but outside of my budget. I'll look elsewhere for a place to stay. Thanks again! Mary Cecchini

If you like Ft. Bragg, CA, you'll probably like Aviemore. It has the feel of a smaller Ft Bragg to me.

Stonehaven! http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stonehaven/stonehaven/ It's just a couple hours from Edinburgh by train, so not much more from Glasgow. You can visit Dunnottar Castle or swim in a heated salt water pool if you get there by 1 Sept (http://www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk/). I stayed at the Glennifer, http://www.gleniffer-stonehaven.co.uk/, just a short walk from the rail station. Loved the quality at The Bay Fish & Chips and had a 'to die for' strawberry tart from Robertson Bakers! I visited for a quick weekend before flying home and it was a lovely relaxing visit. I very much want to return.

Betsy and David - thank you very much!