smbarton32

After spending a week in London, we will fly to Inverness on Saturday, July 4, arriving around 2pm. We have a total of five nights for Scotland (I know, not nearly enough) and depart from Edinburgh early July 9. We are a family of 4 (kids ages 11 and 13).

We are thinking of renting a car for a few days in the Highlands and then return it in Edinburgh. I would love to go to Isle of Skye but am thinking it may not be feasible for this trip. Do you have any suggestions for a good home base for three nights in the Highlands? Scenic Drives? Special outdoor activities kids will enjoy? We prefer to keep lodging under 150 pounds per night.

Thanks in advance.

ESW

It is feasable to do Skye from Inverness, but it is taking you the wrong way from Edinburgh. There is plenty to do and see between Inverness and Edinburgh.

What sort of things do the kids like doing/seeing.

I'm assuming they will want to do Loch Ness for Nessie. Urquhart Castle is a nice place to explore:
http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/t...-others/140378

One place they may enjoy is Fort George, which was built after the battle of Culloden to control the Highlands. It is an amazing defnsive structure with ditches and ramparts. The Living History talk is particularly good. Information and pictures here:
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/nairn/fortgeorge/
http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/t...-others/140378

Go for a trip on the Funicular railway up Cairngorm.
http://www.cairngormmountain.org/funicularrailway/

This is possibly on of the nicest drives. Achnasheen is an hours drive from Inverness. The drive is 84 miles so can be done easily in a day and still have plenty of time for stops.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...don/index.html

On the way between Inverness and Edinburgh, this scenic drive also makes a good detour.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...och/index.html

Michael

For things to see between Inverness to Edinburgh, you might want to take a look at my trip report, where we went from Nairn (close to Inverness) south toward Edinburgh: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tland-2007.cfm

Michael

For the kids, check out the Falkirk Wheel: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/4409221353