Can someone advise me as to the best (most interesting, scenic, etc.) single day driving route from Inverness to Edinburgh, any particular sights to see along the way, and the driving time involved. Also, are either Balmoral or Stirling castles worth visiting?

I personally would give Balmoral a miss unless you are a royalist. It is expensive and you only see the ballroom and the grounds. The grounds are nice, but you can get just as good a view further down the river. <BR>The countryside around Balmoral is well worth seeing, e.g. the Queen's View

We are taking a trip in the opposite direction and have looked at several different routes. We would love to hear from someone who knows the area and could advise as to which route is best.

As a former Elgin resident and having given this some thought, I decided that I would advise either travelling down A9 via Pitlochry or round by A82 and past Loch Lomond. Both of these routes will take you half a days drive (4+ hours ish). You are, after all, travelling through Scotland which is a big empty place full of scenery, so I think both have something to offer. If pushed I would plump for the A82, as you will pick up both the grandure of Glencoe and the ever changing lochside views as you wind past Loch Lomond in the south and Loch Ness up by Inverness. On the downside, the speed at which you can travel is reduced because you will be on a winding narrow road with limited opportunites for overtaking. On the other hand the A9 is the 'main route' to the north and is swifter. However, it is obviously the main route north/south for the lorries (trucks) also and as it is only a single carriageway in places, a couple of them will slow you down too. But then again, you are on holiday and presumeably not in too much of a hurry. As I used to drive home after visiting family in the south, this route felt to me as though we passed through the heart of the Highlands especially Drummochter Pass (the high bit with dodgey weather!). <BR> <BR>It really is a toss up as to what you want. Are you travelling home from a different airport or can you 'do' the other leg on your return trip? <BR> <BR>Stirling Castle is a good one and is/could be worth a visit , again it depends on what you want from your holiday. <BR> <BR>Finally, have a look at <BR> <BR>www.aboutscotland.com <BR> <BR>I clicked on 'touring' from their homepage and they have a clickable map that covers the two routes I have mentioned (as well as others) in sections with details of length and tourain as well as places of interest along the way. You should be able to make a decision about what things interest you. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful trip, when do you go? <BR> <BR>Jane <BR> <BR>PS Having lived in US for a short while, when you are in Inverness head East along A96 if you have the chance and visit Johnstons of Elgin, for some superb woollen and cashmere - I have seen nothing like it here (or do I shop in the wrong places??!!)

The A82 route mentioned by Jane is certainly more scenic, albeit slower. My take on the question would have to do with (1) how long and where else in the Highlands have you been, and how did you get there, since your question involves the southbound route - you may have had a bellyfull of scenic, slow, lochside roads and be ready for the A9's higher speed by the time you head south; and (2) will you be doing the driving, because the A82 can be lovely unless you're at the wheel looking up the backside of a series of buses or trucks waiting for the brake lights to come on. Especially on weekends, it can be a frustrating road because of traffic and difficulties in overtaking.

Sorry for not replying. I found the question woolly (that's a self criticism) and I was sure someone else would. <BR> <BR>Here are some options:- <BR>Drive north over the Forth Road Bridge and up the M90 to Perth. At Perth take the A93 through Blairgowrie to Glenshee, and down to Braemar and Deeside. This is where Lizzie Windsor has her summer place, much beloved of American tourists. It's also in a beautiful location and therefore worth the visit. Just at Crathie, which is where you will find Balmoral, if you're daft enough to want to, there's a sign to Royal Lochnagar distillery. (old Scottish joke- How deep is Lochnagar? Ha, ha, ha...it's a mountain!!! Well it's funny if you're five)It's not the best whisky in the world but there's no such thing as a bad malt and it does a good tour. <BR> <BR>Come back onto the A93 and continue east a few miles till you see signs ponting left to Tomintoul. Take that road and go over Gairn Shiel to Corgarff then turn left towards Cockbridge and up over the Lecht to Tomintoul. <BR>By now, you have crossed two of Scotland's highest roads, and it's not yet tea time. There's a very good whisky shop in Tomintoul (much better than the tourist trap on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh)and, incidentally, there is also a very good wood carver. <BR> <BR>Go back on your tracks a bit and follow the road down to Dufftown. Here you will find Glenfiddich distillery. Still not my favourite dram, but probably one of the best sellers in the world and almost certainly the best tour. <BR> <BR>Follow the road down to the Spey at Aberlour (or Charlestown of Aberlour, to give it its Sunday name)You are right in the heart of Speyside, on the Whisky trail. If you want to see more, almost every second distillery is open to the public. If you have a favourite, ask at one of the tourist offices if they do a tour and just go along. The Macallan is pobably the best Speyside whisky, but Aberlour itself is a good second. Follow the river to Grantown then go up to Nethy Bridge on the south bank. Outside Nethy Bridge you will find Abernethy Forest and Loch Garten which is a huge nature reserve and is worth stopping at to see the Ospreys. <BR> <BR>Drive on to Aviemore, close your eyes so you miss it (a travesty of 1960s planning) and go stright up to Inverness on the A9.

And a third:- <BR>Leave Edinburgh, cross the Forth Road Bridge- see the rail bridge on your right half a mile east- one of the wonders of the modern world. Stop at Kinross and go out to Loch Leven castle where Mary Queen of Scots was incarcerated. Go on to Vane Farm on the other side of the loch (bird reserve, cafeteria for lunch) Cross over to the Fife Coast) at about Leven and drive from there along the coast through Lundin Links, Lower Largo (the home of Alexander Selkirk, the model for Robinson Crusoe) Pittenween, Anstruther, and Crail to St Andrews. Lots of lovely harbours, and beaches and golf courses, St Andrews has the West beach where they filmed the opening sequence of “Chariots of Fire”), the Old Course (where Golf was invented), the Golf Museum, the Cathedral ruins, the oldest University in Scotland and the best ice cream shop in the east of Scotland. You might also want to see Culross and Falkland in Fife. <BR>Cross the Tay Road Bridge (Parallel to the road bridge again you will see the railway bridge, which is not quite so famous as the one which went before it and which fell into the river under the weight of a train in a storm in the 19th century- you can still see some of the piles sticking out of the water) into Dundee and do Discovery Point where Scott's ship Discovery is. Apart from that and perhaps the Unicorn, Dundee is the armpit of the Universe, so get the hell out as soon as possible. After a quick detour to Glamis castle, come up the coast road to Stonehaven and stop at Dunnottar Castle, just south of the town for a run about. This is where the (Scottish) Crown Jewels- known as the Honours of Scotland-you should have seen them in Edinburgh Castle-were hidden. In Aberdeen, things to see and do include Satrosphere, the Maritime Museum, Codona's (a permanent funfair at the beach) cinemas, leisure centre etc etc. Take a walk around old Aberdeen and the University area in the evening. The city is known as the Granite City because….rumour has it…that we, the inhabitants, are exposed to more radiation than people anywhere else in the world because it has relatively high trace elements in granite. The buildings are very grand in late Victorian neo-gothic style. Come into the town and miss it out if you don't. <BR>Go out the A93 to Crathes castle and gardens, then cut over past Craigievar castle, supposed to be the model for the Disney cartoon castle emblem, and down into Donside at Alford. Then drive up to Lumsden, and Rhynie, then cross the Cabrach to Dufftown, where you will find Glenfiddich distillery. Go on to Tomintoul which i mentioned above and splice this route in with that one. <BR>Now, as I may have mentioned before, Inverness is not my favourite town to visit. It’s not got much to recommend itself except its setting. So, leave Nethy Bridge and drive down the Spey to Craigellachie then north to Elgin, and visit the castle. Very good shopping (but expensive) at Johnston’s of Elgin-cashmere a speciality. Then go on to Brodie and Cawdor castles. Brodie is a lovely little gem and has attached a place called Brodie Counytryfare, which is worth shopping browse round. Cawdor is most famous for its Macbeth connection (“Hail Macbeth…”and all that). Then you should stop at Culloden to see the battlefield which is very special. Nearby are the Clava Cairns, a prehistoric site of renown. You will have passed the fort built at Ardersier to keep the revolting Scots down. <BR> <BR>That gives you a wide range of east coast options

Thanks to everyone who replied. We will be going to Scotland in the middle of June. We will be traveling on A82 and our first night will be spent a Loch Lomond. The second night at Inverness, and then we will be returning to Edinburgh on the A9. Are there any particular distillaries worth stopping at along this route?

sheila - tomintoul? That baby is snowed in 11 months of the year isn't it???

Shiela's advice is great. We have done those areas and the countryside is beautiful. As you leave Elgin, you will have an opportunity to visit Pluscarden Abbey. Whatever you do, don't miss this. You will seldom see anything so beautiful, so serene, so overwhelming in it's simplicity. We have been there twice and when we go to Scotland again, we will visit Pluscarden Abbey again. <BR> <BR>I believe Elgin was more interesting to walk than Inverness. Got a good look at small town living in the Highlands. Lot's of charming B&Bs. <BR> <BR>We enjoyed the "Whisky Trail". Stopped at Dallas Dhu, a Scottish Historical Sight. No longer in operation but beautiful buildings and a very nice tour. Lots of ancient copper and old distillary equipment. We were told it could open again. Bloom went off Scotch Whisky in the 70's, but, of course, single malts are very much back in vogue again. Had an opportunity to buy some 35 year old Whisky and I have been nursing it ever since. Can't buy it in the States. Also stopped at Johnny Walker (Distillery has a different name; escapes me), very prestigeous, and Glenfiddich, the best tour. Be careful of the "wee dram" samples at each tour. After our third stop, we had to pull into a picnic area (the road-side is full of really nice picnic stops) and take a nap. Still got into Edinburgh early evening, although, in our first trip we stayed over at Perth. You will love the area and the Scots are such great people. They really go out of there way to be nice and helpful.

Top for Lisa. By the way, Dallas Dhu is operational again. Saw a 12 year old at Beverages and More the other day. No 35 year old though.

Drove from Callendar to Inverness and back in one long day. The part I liked the best was from the south end of Loch Ness over the mountains to Callendar - very rugged, giving an isolated feeling

Please remember that the best sights in Inverness are outside Inverness. I would be sure to see Culloden field, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's forces were massacred by the Hannoverians in 1745, Cawdor Castle (sorry Macbeth never lived there), and Clava Cairns (interesting ancient burial site). They are all just east of Inverness and can be done (all 3 of them in a day). <BR> <BR>I agree that Balmoral is basically not worth it because you only see the ballroom. It is for royalty freaks only. <BR> <BR>Stirling Castle is, on the other hand, wonderful. You might also want to see Bannockburn and the Wallace Monument. <BR> <BR>I recommend Crathes Castle east of Balmoral. The painted ceilings are fabulous. <BR> <BR>There is so much to see in Scotland that you will have to pick and choose. <BR> <BR>I have been to Scotland 3 times and cannot wait to go back. It gets my vote for the country with the friendliest people.