I don't know if it's just the Fodors search function or what, but I find no information here about Kilmartin Glen.

We are really intrigued by the stones and are considering driving to Kilmartin after spending time at Stirling. This would mean choosing Kilmartin over Inchmahome, which I have read lots about in trip reports and do hate to miss.

Just to clarify, we would be driving from Edinburgh to Stirling, spending time there, and then driving on to Kilmartin for two nights. Does that sound reasonable?

Has anyone visited Kilmartin Glen and is it as amazing as it looks in photos?

I haven't visited Kilmartin Glen but it is on the todo list. There is some information and photos here. It sounds an amazing place.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...kilmartinglen/

I have visited Inchmahome. I think one of the attractions here is the boat trip to get there. It is a beautiful site and is very much on the tick list of many travellers.

Edinburgh to Kilmartin via Stirling is about three and a half hours drive without any stops. Adding in Inchmaholme only puts on another 16 miles or so. Depending on how long you want to spend in Stirling, It is feasibly possible to do Inchmaholme and then head onto Klilmartin as long as you are happy with quite a late arrival there. What time of yar are you planning to visit? In summer day length isn't a problem. You probably wouldn't want to be doing the drive in the dark.

Two days in Kilmartin makes sense as it would give you a full day to explore the area before moving on.

Been to Inchmahome countless times (including to scatter my parents ashes) and the Kilmartin area probably 5 or 6 times. (I know of many threads mentioning Kilmartin -- maybe the search function isn't working <i>again</i

I would very definitely try to do both. If you mean visiting Stirling Castle and then traveling on to Kilmartin the SAME day -- that would make for a very long day. The castle takes at least 2.5 hours and the drive on to Kilmartin would take about 3.5 hours.

I'd plan on doing Stirling Castle in the morning, have lunch there, drive over to Inchmahome in the afternoon and then stay the night In Drymen or Callander somewhere like that. Drymen to Kilmartin takes about 2 hours. Callander to Kilmartin - about the same.

It would involve two one-nighters -- but you could easily manage both.

That is what I was hoping to hear, Janis. It would be the only one-nighters of the trip so that should be all right.

ESW - we are planning end of May, 2016, so while not the longest days of the year, we should have good sunlight hours.

"Sunlight" being relative in Scotland, of course.

Oops - I meant to say the drive from Callander would take about 45 mins to an hour longer.

You'll have such long days -- at the end of May sunset will be nearly 10PM. So you'd have tons of time after the last boat back from the Island. I'd maybe choose Drymen or somewhere else near Loch Lomond. That way you could see the Loch in daylight and under moonrise, and maybe have a posh dinner at Cameron House.

I really enjoyed Kilmartin Glen, but I don't think you need two nights there. I think you can manage both that area and Inchmahome Priory as suggested by Janis.

The day we visited Kilmartin Glen, sunlight was about as relative as it gets. Lots of rain. But this made for some very atmospheric photos.

Looking at my map, that would definitely make more sense. Thank you!

Thank you, Nikki - that is reassuring.

When I was planning my trip in 2012, sheila was very helpful as ancient sites were one of my interests. Is she still here? I really wanted to see Kilmartin Glen, but you know, Scotland is a large and endlessly fascinating country, and I could not get everything I wanted in my itinerary. If you do go, please write a report, as I still want to see it. ;-)

Personally I'd base in Inveraray rather than Kilmartin; it's only 45 min. or so in the car, and Inveraray offers much more in the way of accommodations and conveniences. If you're coming from Stirling, Inveraray is under 2 hours in the car, and assuming you're visiting in the summer, daylight is quite long.

easenderusvi - that is exactly what we are facing! We plan to have a full 13 days (not counting travel) and it is definitely not enough. Have to make hard choices - quality time over quantity of places is our game plan, but it's so difficult!

Ah, well. Scotland will be there for another time.

Thank you for that thought, Gardyloo. I'm still leaning toward janisj's suggestion of staying one night in Drymen and another in Kilmartin. I realize we may have fewer lodging/dining options but I know we will want to spend a lot of time with the stones.