Our family will be in Edinburgh for the Festival Fringe, as our two oldest boys will be performing, we then have 9 days to travel in and around Scotland.. our boys are 17,15 and 10. The oldest and my husband hope to golf once. We will be returning to the US through London on Day 9. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.. I am overwhelmed with information and can't find a travel agent that specializes in the area and is available to help. Thanks so much!!! As a family we are pretty active.. we would like some outdoor adventures, but then do enjoy comforts in accommodations (air conditioning, wifi)

Believe me you won't need air-conditioning in Scotland (you'll understand when you get there...) Seriously though, there are loads of things to see and do and there are many posts here suggesting possible itineraries. You don't need a travel agent, it's easy to plan your own trip and book hotels / B&Bs etc around your own personalised itinerary.

ok, if you like to walk, the Lake district [perhaps a little busy that time of year] or the Yorkshire dales might appeal. you could then head down towards London via Norfolk - [flat but beautiful], wales -very hilly especially the north - or the cotswolds [very pretty but perhaps of less interest to the boys].

or spend all you time in Scotland [walking, golf, castles] and fly back to London to finish your trip there.

good luck to the boys at the Fringe!

As I mentioned on your other thread -- I'd spend the whole time in Scotland and maybe fly down to London a day or two before your flight out to get a glimpse of th ecity.

a/c in Scotland?

(Even if by some miracle it is hot - there won't be a/c)

What sort of budget for your accommodations?

When I took my nephews (then 14 and 11) we had 15 days.

Five days in Fort Augustus on Loch Ness. Explored Urquart Castle, Culloden, Cawdor Castle, Highland Wildlife Park, Cruise on Loch Ness (Nessie did not appear.), Eileen donan Castle were the highlights for the boys.

Two full days on Mull--cruise to Staffa Island, Iona hike and visit to the Abbey where Macbeth and many early Scottish Kings are buried, small railway trip, Duarte Castle, supper of fish and chips on the pier at Tobermory.

Three days near Bamburgh Castle (actually it is in Northumberland which is England)--Bamburgh Castle, beach below the castle, Farne Islands to see birds, out the causeway to Lindisfarne and hiked to castle ruins, watched the tide come in and cover the causeway, down to Hadrian's Wall to see the museum and walk a short way on the wall.

These are just a sort of quick view of the highlights the boys still remember, so I am thinking, they might be of interest to your boys. Our actual itinerary in order was Oban, Mull, Fort William, skye, Foort Augustus, stirling, Edinburgh, Bamburgh. We didn't book ahead, just went to tourist office to book rooms as we went. It worked for us and was fortunate as it left us free to stay for highland games in Fort augustus which we just happened to find out about at TI.

Of course, you will have to book ahead in Edinburgh during festival.

have a great time and come home with wonderful memories.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! We will enjoy the Festival and then head to Italy this trip.. but will be back at some point. Greatly appreciate all of the tips and advice!