I'll be visiting Scotland for 7 days in May 2019. Staying up in the town of Ballater. Planning on playing golf two days down in Edinburgh area but looking for ideas on sightseeing. Will be renting a car and enjoy driving thru countryside. Could use recommendations for places to dine for lunch and dinners.

If you are 7 days in Ballater -- my guess is you are staying at Craigendarroch. If so, you will love it.

However it is NOT a base for playing golf near Edinburgh. I am a bit curious where you are playing that is 'in the Edinburgh area'. But just as an example -- Ballater to Prestonfield Golf Club is a 3+ hour drive each way.

You will not run out of things to see/d near Ballater. It is the center of the Deeside scenic area and the Castle Trail. It is not too far from the coast - a little over an hour's drive from Stonehaven and Dunnottar. And about the same from Dufftown or Grantown on Spey for the Whisky Trail

Not going to golf's Mecca - St Andrews? Also a sweet seaside university town.

Pal: the OP did NOT say they aren't playing St Andrews. Merely posted 'near Edinburgh'. I suspect they think St Andrews is near Edinburgh. In fact (which you likely don't know) St Andrews is, by at least an hour, closer to Ballater than Edinburgh is . . . So let's wait to hear where he is actually playing.

Yes we'll be playing the St. Andrews. I believe it will be about a two hour drive south from Craigendarroch.

Curious are you playing the Old Course and if so was it hard to get a slot? Some friends talk about doing that. Thanks.

Actually still working on getting the tee time. If not we'll try for Carnoustie. Thinking we'll do a day trip to the Aberdeen coast one day, Angus and Fife area the day we do St Andrews, north to Inverness area another day west towards Loch Lomond another day.

You are probably aware that a key deadline for applications to play the Old Course in 2019 is tomorrow (although there are several ways to get a time).

https://play.standrews.com/

That is what I thought you meant. St Andrews is not near Edinburgh really. And no, it is not an hour's drive from Ballater/Craigendarroch. More like 2 to 2.5 hours each way. Carnoustie is about a 2 hour drive.

(I have stayed at Craigendarroch three times and have arranged rounds for traveling compnions at both St Andrews and Carnoustie several times - but not while staying at Craigendarroch)

>>Angus and Fife area the day we do St Andrews,<<

That is a tough lift. 2.5 hours drive to St Andrews, say 2 hours for a general walk about, 4-ish hour round and 2.5 hour drive back. A REALLY long day w/o Glamis or anything else.

>>west towards Loch Lomond another day.<<

Also not really doable - Craigendarroch to even just Luss on Loch Lomond is a nearly 4 hour drive each way.

Craigendarroch is a wonderful place to stay but it is not a base for places as far south as St Andrews or Loch Lomond.

LOL, can't believe my witty, tongue-in-cheek posting about wild Haggis got removed.

Sometimes, just very occasionally, people who normally try and post useful up-to-date info based on recent travel experiences, and hours putting together Trip Reports for the benefit of others deserve a bit of a release valve.

So whoever it was, get a life.

LL

I enjoyed it, but thinking too many people today have lost their sense of humour. Some on this site have trouble with trouble with the facts so, perhaps. it was too just to esoteric for them

Maybe -- just maybe -- it was feared that since the OP thinks Craigendarroch is an hour from St Andrews, they would also believe a story about haggis hunts in Fife.

janis he is pretty close to your estimate of 2.5 hours.