advice on roadtrip from edinburgh to skye
 

I've read that mileage in scotland does not equal actual travel time. I was wanting to get sage advice on my plan: I'll be in Edinburgh for a few days and would like to rent a car and drive to isle of skye, leaving Edinburgh early in the morning and staying the night on Skye, then heading back to Edinburgh around noon the next day.

Does this sound feasible?

I guess you could do it but you'll be driving the whole 2 days. Mappy shows it's 7 hours (I used Portree as destination) each way and I always add about 25% extra time plus you'll need stopping time for food and health breaks.

I've done that drive but took several days to do it and stopped overnight several times.

"<i>drive to isle of skye, leaving Edinburgh early in the morning and staying the night on Skye, then heading back to Edinburgh around noon the next day.</i>"

Utterly pointless. The drive alone (for a first timer) via Mallaig will take about 7 hours w/o ANY stops. Not at Glencoe, Glenfinnan or anywhere. (a bit less via the bridge) So w/ even a short rest break and maybe 1/2 an hour for lunch you are talking about 8 hours over via ferry and and 7 (w/ any stops) back via the bridge.

These times are to Portree -- now, you may not want to visit Portree specifically but I assume you want to do more than just cross on the ferry, step foot on Skye, turn around and go back w/o driving to someplace ON Skye. So count on an entire day to and most of a day back.

Ok, google maps was telling me 5 hours but I know that is not always accurate.

So, here's where I need some more help - what would be a good place to go to see the beauty of the highlands but won't be a full day drive from Edinburgh? Somewhere I can stay overnight and then head back the next day.

W/ such a short time I'd seriously consider one of the good tours out of Edinburgh (and I'm not generally a 'tour person')

http://www.rabbies.com/tour_scotland.asp and http://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/edinburgh_tours/ Are good companies w/ day and overnight tours

Good suggestions Janisj, I like the options they have.

I think you could do it in about 5 1/2 hours, but I wouldn't. What's the point?

If you go with a tour, good. If not, think about Loch Tay, Loch Earn, Callander. Overnight at Killin or Kenmore