In July 2008 my husband and I and our daughter (will be 18 then - our last family trip before she goes off to college) will be spending 2 weeks in Scotland. It is a timeshare exchange and we'll be based in Aviemore. I know it is way early to plan, but half the fun of the trip is planning and dreaming about it!

We had planned to fly into Inverness and rent a car, but would also like to see Edinburgh.

From what I have read, it would take us about 3.5-4 hours to drive to Edinburgh. So, it would be an 8 hour day of driving if we did a day trip. We do enjoy driving and sightseeing, so this wouldn't be too bad for us. But, would it leave us enough time to explore the city?

The other option might be to fly into Edinburgh a couple of days early and spend a day or two exploring while we get over the jet lag (we're from the US). Then rent a car and head to Aviemore where we will spend the next two weeks doing day trips and exploring the Highlands.

Does anyone have any advice or thoughts? Other options I may not have thought of?

Thanks!

P.S. We're a little nervous about driving on the other side of the road than we are used to. But, we love to explore independently and I'm afraid relying on public transportation would hold us back too much.

Hi,
I'd definitely allow yourself enough time to enjoy Edinburgh. I think you'd be kicking yourselves if you only allowed a few hours there - and driving down there and back from Inverness in a day would be exhausting and time consuming.
So, spending a couple of days in Edinburgh when you arrive sounds like a much better solution to me .

Are you staying the full two weeks in Aviemore? If so I would be very tempted to "eat" a couple of nights and just got to Edinburgh for a couple of days and then return to Aviemore for the rest of your stay. This will be more expensive, but you simply can't do Edinburgh as a day trip.

OR - If you have a day or two before or after the timeshare - fly into Edinburgh instead of I'ness and stay a couple of days there and then drive up to the resort. An enroute north you could visit Stirling, and/or Perth, and/or Blair Atholl.

I would suggest that you begin your visit in Edinburgh. The airport is only 20 minutes from the city centre - no need to hire a car just yet. Buses go every 20 minutes to the city centre. Edinburgh is a beautiful city with lots to see: the castle, Holyrood Palace, museums, art galleries, gardens. Edinburgh is a relatively small city and most things are within easy walking distance although the bus service is excellent and cheap. I would suggest that you take a bus tour leaving from Waverley Station around all the important and historic places in Edinburgh. I did it for the first time last year, even though I live here, and learned things about my city which I never knew. I think Edinburgh is a beautiful city. I'm sure you'll love it.
The drive up to Aviemore is pretty scenic especially the second half of the journey. I was up that way at New Year time and the scenery was amazing.
If you get the chance take a visit to Inverness (the capital of the Highlands).It's only a half hour drive from Aviemore It's a lovely city too and take a walk over the pedestrian suspension bridge. It's quite an experience walking over a moving bridge with the fast flowing river beneath you.(Especially if you've sampled the local whisky beforehand!)
Don't worry about driving on the "other" side of the road. Just think how we feel when we travel abroad. Virtually every other country in the world drives on the "other" side of the road.
Have a great time in Scotland . You will love it, I'm sure.

I agree with the other posters - spend time in Edinburgh. I would fly into Edunburgh and drive leisurely up to Aviemore.
You could easily spend a few FULL days here. It is a lovely place.
I would stop in Stirling and take your time and enjoy Breadalbane and the Trossochs.

** driving is a bit of a challenge, but you will be fine. I lived in Stirling when I was 21 when I was in University there, driving was a piece of cake. I went back about 9 months ago, -- it was a bit more challenging for me. DH did just fine. Take your time.
We used Enterprise Leasing - picking up in Edinbutgh. The associates were so helpful and courteous. The prices were competive as well.

I would agree that either a specific trip to Edinburgh for two or three days either prior to or after your time in Aviemore would be more beneficial.
If possible I would fly into Edinburgh and spend time there and on the day you are leaving for Aviemore hire a car ( you do not need or want to have a car in Edinburgh).

As you will be driving north through Perthshire www.perthshire-scotland.co.uk/perth
you may wish to take a short stop off at any of a number of places shown on the perthshire website but I would take a short stop at Killiecrankie www.contemplator.com/history/claverhouse
The House of Bruar www.houseofbruar.com which is about halfway on your journey would also make the ideal place for meal or coffee stop.
It is probable that by July the midges (similar to no see ums but with a bite) will be out so make sure that you have midge repellent.

I'd agree about spending a couple of days in Edinburgh - I wouldn't dream of travelling to Aviemore for the day. Even if you like driving you probably have no idea how long it takes to get anywhere here - www.theaa.com makes it just over 3 hours so I'd allow at least 4. Plus - are there actually any transatlantic flights to Inverness ??

Anyway, the only way I'd differ from previous posters is that I'd do Edinburgh at the end rather than the beginning - that way, you'll be near the airport for your flight back & not panicking if you get held up on a long drive. Although you may need to stay somewhere nearby for your first night, as it's probably unwise to do a long drive after a transatlantic flight.

I agree with Caroline. Go to Edinburgh at the end if possible. And you definitely need more than a day there.

Thanks so much for all the great advice! Based on all these responses, now I am thinking that we should probably plan for one full day in Edinburgh at the beginning and at least one full day at the end.

By the way, flying out of Boston, there seem to be almost no differences (prices, # of stops, flight times) between flying into Inverness or flying into Edinburgh. I don't see any direct flights for either. All have one stop in London.

Thanks again for all the great advice!

I agree - Edinburgh at the end makes a lot of sense. However - placing it at the beginning means you will have a couple of days to get over the jet lag car-less. It usually isn't a good idea to drive after an overnight flight(s)

You could fly into Edinburgh, or Glasgow for that matter, stay in Edinburgh a couple of days, then pick up the car when you are fully acclimated and drive north.

If you do hit Edinburgh at the end, I would plan a day/night in which ever city you arrive. Even if it is Inverness - stay the night there and don't drive to Aviemore until the next morning. You <i>might</i> be fine to drive - but possibly not and you won't know which it is until you actualy get there.

michellemd: We were posting at the same time. You are doing well to consider stopping in Edinburgh at the beginning or end of your trip. But I wouldn't hit it at both the beginning and the end. You could fly open jaw into Edinburgh and out of Inverness. That way you would have more time in Edinburgh. 2 or 3 consecutive days would be better than splitting it into two shorter stays. And open jaw means you don't have to back track.