traveling to Scotland for first time

You may not get useful answers on this page. I suggest you research your trip by google.com the towns you want to see; ask for sights or attractions or hotels. Read about them and make your decisions.

Ted: We can give more useful advice if you tell us a little more about your trip and preferences.

The best way we've found to get to know locals is to visit markets and samller stores in small towns and villages. Inverness and Aviemore are great starting places for Scotland. Lots to do, great places to eat and drink and wonderful people to get to know!

Hi Ted,
We went to Scotland back in September and had a wonderful trip. We started out from England and stopped to see Caerlaverock Castle in the southern area. Our first stay was in the Trossachs region in a town called Lochearnhead, near Callendar. We stayed at Tigh-Na-Crich and it was wonderful, probably the best B&B of our trip. We explored the Trossachs region, including Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond...beautiful area. We then travelled on to Fort William where we stayed for 1 night on our way to the Isle of Skye. Our 1 night was spent at Cuil-Na-Sithe (corner of heaven) where we met the friendliest woman in Scotland, Aly, our hostess. The bed here was super comfy and Aly is the best! This area of Scotland is also nice with Ben Nevis. We took the Road to the Isles drive out of Fort William to Mallaig to catch the car ferry to Skye. The Isle of Skye is a beautiful place with lots to do and see. We stayed at the Luib House here which was a good starting point for us. There is a restaurant called Creelers in Broadford, not far from Luib, that has the best seafood gumbo if you like spicy, spicy food. After exploring Skye we drove over the bridge to the Inverness area where we stayed at a place called the Roadside Croft. Cathie is a nice lady and make a great breakfast that will last you the whole day. This a good place for seeing Culloden or Fort William. If your focus will be Inverness, you may want to find somewhere a little closer to town. Inverness town was great, it was one of my favorite times, I wish that we had had more time there. From Inverness we spent our last 2 days in Edinburgh where we stayed at the Pillars House. Edna is a great woman and will help you with anything you need.
Please let me know if you would like any further info. I love to talk about our trip and I am happy to help if I can. Happy travels!
Amber