We are planning a day trip from Edinburgh. We want to visit Culross, then then drive towards the Highlands. We would love to see villages, gardens, lakes, mountains, castles, and maybe a cathedral. No cities. We want to end the trip going to the lake of Menteith where my ancestors are from and then spend the night in Stirling.

What sights do you suggest for the middle part of our day trip? We basically would like an interesting drive with a few stops. We are definitely not trying to see it all in one day! We are aiming at maybe an eight hour day.

Thanks for your help.

http://www.secret-scotland.com/
have a look at this website, they can plan tailor made self drive tours for you,normally the do more than day tours but may be able to do something suitable for you.they do charge a fee but it is pretty reasonable as far as I am aware.

This will only work if you're prepared for a long day and can make an early start. After Culross, I'd tear up north on the M90/A9 towards Pitlochry, then onto the Queen's View for the amazing scenery. Then up to Blair Athol for a look round the castle. Then drive south west along the shores of Loch Tay into the Trossachs. Down to Callander to Lake of Menteith, then finally over to Stirling. About 170 miles / 4.5 hours driving. Gives you a taste of everything on your list apart from cathedrals.

Probably not on your long day trip, but don't forget that the royal yacht Britannia is very near Edinburgh and can be toured: http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

Thanks for your helpful replies. We have actually been to Pitlochry and Blair Castle and seen the beautiful Queen's View, so what would you suggest instead of that? Pitlochry, etc. was our last year's day trip which we really enjoyed. Now we would like to go a l title farther into the highlands, maybe.

Southeast to Holy Island Lindisfarne Priory, however, watch the tide tables to avoid being stranded, but that is the magic part.

How about Roslyn Chapel?

The Borders and Lindesfarne is not at all doable for one who wants to get to the Lake of Menteith.

Saraho: If your family connections are near the Lake of Menteith, I'd concentrate on that area. Doune Castle, maybe as far north as Killin/Falls of Dochart, quick stop at Balquiddar for Rob Roy's grave, - but mostly definitely take the launch out to Inchmahome Priory. That would fill your day.

In fact I'd stay there instead of in Stirling - either at the Lake Hotel or Inchie Farm B&B on the lake or in Callander or Aberfoyle.

Stopping in Culross will slow you down but if you get an early start, should be doable.

Visit the "castle" in Culross, even if hardly a castle.

Janisj, you are right - I am sure we would not have time for the Borders on this day trip, but hopefully another time.
The reason we are staying in Stirling is that the other couple we are traveling with have not been there yet. I believe that Menteith is only eight miles from Stirling, and my husband and I can come back there the next day to go to the Priory while the others are exploring Stirling. My husband and I spent a couple of nights in Stirling two years ago. I thought we could all spend a short time in Menteith at the end of our day trip since our friends are interested in seeing the lake briefly before they spend the next day in Stirling.

I would like to visit Doune Castle and your other suggestions sound very interesting. Do you have any more suggestions for our day trip since my husband and I will have time to concentrate on the Lake of Menteith area the next day?

Saraho

We stayed in Callendar for the first few days of our trip last year. See if my trip report (and blog link within) are of help:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

First 4 days were:

Day 1: Drive from Derby to Callander with stops at Falkirk Wheel, Doune Castle
Day 2: Stirling Castle, National Wallace Monument, Bannockburn Battlefield and Visitor’s Centre
Day 3: Trossachs (Ben A’An walk, Inchmahome Priory, Bracklinn Falls (Callander) walk)
Day 4: Drive from Callander to Portree via Killin (Dochart Falls), Glencoe, Glenfinnan & Mallaig/Armadale ferry

>>Visit the "castle" in Culross, even if hardly a castle.<<

It's not a castle, it's a palace.

Thanks, I'm looking forward to reading your trip report.

Now we are thinking about going to Culross, Lake of Mentith, Killin and the Falls of Dochart, drive along Loch Tay, Dunkeld Cathedral, and the Hermitage and Ossians Hall, then on to spend the night at Stirling. How does this sound? We may want to add Doune Castle.

We will just spend a short time at the Lake of Menteith since my husband and I are going back there the next day. Our main stops will probably be Culross and Dunkeld.

I am not sure how much we will be in the mountains. Would we have time to go to go further into mountain scenery?

To help you out a bit time wise - skip the Lake of M. the first day. W/o going out on the island it really isn't a 'must'. The boat trip out and wandering around Inchmahome makes ALL the difference.

W/o Inchmahome your day trip plan is more doable.

Thanks, Janisj. I think you are right. If we skip the lake, then do you think we would have time to drive part way into the Cairngorm mountains. I have heard how spectacular the scenery is.