I'd like to get some expert opinions on a possible itinerary for our first trip to Scotland in May. We're traveling with our adult son, so have some constraints because of his travel schedule. We arrive mid-day in Glasgow on a Saturday, and have 7 nights, but he leaves from Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon. Here's what I'm thinking:
Saturday - Tour the Trossachs, staying in Tarbet, Crianlarich or Tyndrum.
Sunday - Tour Glen Coe to the ferry at Mallaig, and cross over to Skye for 2 nights. (maybe Portree?)
Monday - Tour Skye.
Tuesday - More of Skye, then Skye Bridge to Eilean Donan Castle, maybe a side trip to Plockton. Overnight at Invergarry or Spean Bridge.
Wednesday - Travel road past Loch Laggan to A9 and south to Edinburgh.
Thursday - Sightseeing in Edinburgh and 2nd night there.
Friday - Travel to Stirling where we'll spend the night, then back to Glasgow for flight out on Saturday afternoon.
I realize this is just "skimming the surface" but we want to see as much as we can, without overdoing time in the car. Any input would be appreciated.

Are you flying in Transatlantic? If so it isn't such a good idea to plan a driving tour the first day. Jet lag/"wrong side of the road" driving can be anything from difficult to deadly.

(But if you are coming in from someplace in the UK or the continent, jet lag isn't a problem)

You are planning mostly driving for 5 days - I'd try to cover less territory and "see" more.

One minor thing - Eilean Donan is basically a 10 minute photo op - there is no reason to go inside. So don't base a day's itinerary on seeing it.

I just returned from a 9 day trip to Edinburgh, London and Paris and could have easily spent another 2 days in Edinburgh. Due to weather delays from the US, we missed a day and had only 1.5 days in Edinburgh. We spent most of our time on the Royal Mile in the main tourist sights but I regret not having more time to experience the culture of the streets branching off the royal mile and in the "new" town north of Princes Street. The people were wonderful and we wouldn't have traded the hour or two we spent chatting and learning in local pubs. One could easily spend 3-4 days in Edinburgh and enjoy every moment.

We are arriving after a week in Ireland, so jet lag won't be an issue. Sounds like we're trying to do too much, but I don't know what to cut out...Skipping Skye would help alot drive time-wise, but it sounds like one of the highlights. Any thoughts?

OK - w/ such a short flight your plan isn't so terrible.

Skye is wonderful - if I had to drop anything it would be Spean Bridge. But since driving on day 1 won't be a problem, you could manage that much. It is still a lot of driving - but not nearly as bad as some of the doozies that are posted on here.

Thanks for the input! We want some time to soak up the atmosphere, but always struggle to balance that with seeing as much as we can. I think it's hard to plan because the mileage looks so small compared to distance here...but I know the travel time is much longer.

Any input on this plan: Arrive Glasgow; 3 nights in Crainlarich, with one afternoon & the next day exploring the Trossachs; one day doing a loop drive through Glen Coe. 1 night in Stirling, then 3 nights in Edinburgh. Do you think less drive time is worth missing Skye?

Stirling can be seen in afew hours.

bm

Agree, Stirling can be seen in a few hours.

I would not miss Skye, but that is me.

I think your original plan is pretty good. Maybe try to push on a little farther on the Tuesday.

But understand that it does include a lot of driving. We looked into a guided taxi tour of Skye. That could give you a break from your own driving.