We have the chance to visit Scotland for the first time in ours lives. We have 5 days from 24 July to 29 July. We want to explore Edinburgh and the Highlands. From the wonderful threads on this forum, in particular the contributions of janisj, we learnt that Fife, the Trossachs and Loch Lomond would be places to see. We think of staying in Edinburgh for 3 nights and then to move to a hotel in the countryside. We prefer beautiful, historic hotels with pools.

For Edinburgh, we think about the following hotels:
- Holyrood
- Balmoral
- Caledonian Hilton
- Carlton
- Roxburghe
Any recommendations?

For the countryside hotel, we have found
- Cameron House on Loch Lomond
- Paramount in Stirling
- (Gleneagles is too expensive, besides, we do not play golf)
Any recommendations? Other hotels? Other places?

Thank you for your help.

I dont think you will fit in much else if you have only 5 days and intend to spend 3 of them in Edinburgh. The distance from Edinburgh to the Highlands is further than you think. Especially if you are depending on public transport. Even if you have a car, you will need to spend more time in rural Scotland and less in the city if you want to get any kind of a taste of that fabulous country. Cant help with hotels, -sorry. We stayed in hostels.

Thanks. We have the chance to add one or two days, so we will have at least two if not three full days in the highlands.

There is nothing wrong with the choices you are making but

Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Fife are NOT in the Highlands

The Holyrood is brand new, the Balmoral is wonderful (but has no pool), the Cally is good but has no pool, the Carlton is good but has no pool and the Roxburgh is good but has no pool. If it's a possibility for you, then go with the balmoral- no brainer.

Cameron House and The Stirling Paramount are recent conversions to hotels. neither are in the Highlands. The Paramount is in the centre of a town. Cameron House is meant to be very nice.

Have a look at the Hilton at Dunkeld House, the Craignedarroch or Inverlochy Castle at Fort William, or, if the pool thing's not that important, the Ardaneisaig, Kinloch House, or the Crinan Hotel

Actually, the Carlton does have a pool. However, if you're expecting a lovely outdoor pool you will be very disappointed. The pools in these hotels are for swimming laps and are usually part of a health club.

Your ideas are fine - but as Sheila says - the Trossachs/Fife/Loch Lomond are not in the highlands. They are all lovely though.

Cameron House is brilliant. I haven't stayed in the hotel but have stayed in the lodges in the grounds. Just a wonderful place.

If you can't add two more days - then I would do 2 days/nights in Edinburgh, 1 day/night in Fife (check out Rufflets outside of St Andrews) and 2 nights at Cameron House.

If you can add two more days you could do Edinburgh > St Andrews > head up to the Craigendarroch in Ballater for 2 days/nights > then down to either Cameron House or the Dunkeld Hilton.

Ballater would be a good base for lots of lovely highland scenery, castles etc.

oops. I grovel to the Carlton (where on earth did they put it?)

We liked the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh and agree that the Cameron House is special.

Thank you for your tips.

Would you recommend a day trip into the highlands?

I shall never understand why people choose to spend around 300 pounds a night to stay in a hotel in Scotland when there are hundreds of bed and breakfast places available for a tenth of that price. Are going to see Scotland or are you going to check out some ridiculously expensive hotels. It is only a bed after all.

Following your recommendations, we have booked the Balmoral and Cameron House. Thank you for your advice.

&quot;<i>I shall never understand why people choose to spend around 300 pounds a night to stay in a hotel in Scotland when there are hundreds of bed and breakfast places available for a tenth of that price</i>&quot;

The same reason some people have a brand new Jag and others are happy w/ an 8 year old Escort. Both will get you there - just depends on what you like.

I've stayed a Cameron House and in 15 GBP B&amp;Bs. Both have their place.

Sheila, you go down in the elevator (lift to you!) and I don't remember which low floor it's on. They have a health club too that my brother told me is quite good. It'll always be Patrick Thomson's to me, though!

Ah! It's in the station, then