In July 2006, I am looking forward to my first ever trip to Scotland with my wife and two children (aged 3 and 1).I will spend a few days in London with friends and then drive to Lake district. From there onwards I have exactly 6 days available for seeing part of Scotland. I realise that 6 day is not enough time but this is the best I can manage.

Ideally I would like to do a loop around Scotland with a max driving time of 5 hours for the day. I am not particularly interested in historical places and City life, however would still like to spend the last day in Edinburg.

Driving along the coastal area (west)and through scenic areas is a preference.

I need suggestions on a possible itinerary and the recommended route that I should adopt

Thanks

Coming from the Lake District willbring you up the M6 motorway, crossing the border at Gretna (M74). Why not take the A75 from there, and follow the signposted Tourist Route to Ayr (Big brown signs, can't miss 'em) for starters?
From Ayr, carry on up to Loch Lomond (& beyond if you want), before cutting across to, say, Stirling/Callander area, then into Fife (St Andrews, Falkland Palace), then down to Edinburgh?

You really (REALLY) don't want to be driving for 5 hours every day. And 6 days is not long enough for a loop around all of Scotland - or even a major part of Scotland especially on the slow coastal roads.

From the Lake District (I am assuming you mean 5 nights/6 days): First stop/night in the SW near Dumfries/Kirkcudbright. Visit Threave Garden, Caeverlock Castle, Sweetheart Abbey, etc.

2nd stop/night either in Ayrshire (for Robert Burns sites/Culzean Castle/Crossraguel Abbey) OR press on to Loch Lomond. Stay in Luss or anywhere along the Loch. Boat trip on Loch Lomond.

3rd night near Ft William - not IN the town but somewhere near. See pretty lochsisde scenery, Glencoe, etc.

4th night near Callander - see lovely Trossachs scenery, Stirling Castle etc.

Then in to Edinburgh for the 5th (last) night and 6th day

oops - hit post too soon. That is just one option - another route would take you through the Porders and up the east coast into Fife etc. But w/ just 6 days especially w/ tiny children, you don't want long treks every day.

Thankyou all for your commnets!