Scotland in a week
 

My husband and I have one week this summer.. somewhere between July 20-August 10 to get away on our own. We thought about Scotland.. Anyone have thoughts about one perfect week..
We would fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow and would like to go somewhere from there where we could be in the countryside and walk…

One week is not time to do more than a tiny bit of Scotland so you need to be very selective where you go. If you avoid August you will have an easier time finding accommodations. The Edinburgh Festival and the Military Tattoo start Aug 1 and the Fringe on Aug 8 -- so Edinburgh gets extremely crowded in August. And even late July - since some performers/staff start to fill places even before the festivals begin.

What research have you done - what places have you considered visiting. We could design an itinerary for you but that really doesn't work. If you start with some basic ideas we can help you w/ the details.

Thanks so much..
we haven't done a great deal of research but the 3 Lochs way and the West Highland Way seem to make sense based on their proximity to Glasgow..
I read that the 3 lochs way can be done in 3-4 days…
I am wondering what walk you might recommend based on our limited time frame…either of these.. something else..

best site for walks in Scotland is

www.walkhighlands.co.uk

Have a look at the long distance walks if you want to walk for a few days.

Are we talking hill walking or just walking in the countryside? You can do long distance walks such as the West Highland Way but you need to have a good level of fitness. Alternatively for hill walking, you could base yourself in the Stirling area which has the Trossachs (Ben A'an, Ben Venue and Ben Ledi) to the west, the Ochil hills to the east and the Pentland Hills to the south west of Edinburgh. Assuming you have a car, none of these are more than 1 hour away from Stirling so you can choose a different area each day.
As stated above the Walkhighlands web site gives you excellent descriptions of the routes including photos.

Hi..
Any recommendations for a hotel in Edinburgh for 2 nights in July?
We will travel to Stirling or Callendar from Edinburgh.. any thoughts on which is a better choice? Also hotel recommendation in either location?

>>Any recommendations for a hotel in Edinburgh for 2 nights in July? <<

What is your budget?

>>any thoughts on which is a better choice? Also hotel recommendation in either location?<<

I'd stay in Callander myself - it is more central to the general Trossachs area and there are a lot of B&Bs to choose from. Driving in/out of Stirling every day can be congested/busy.

Thanks janisj... could spend $300-350 US per night in Edinburgh..
Any recommendations for places in Callandar?

You have a normally generous budget - but if you mean late July you are inching near the festivals/Tattoo so could be very date specific. Consider this one -

http://edinburgh.frasershospitality....campaign=Brand

Steps from St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile

As for Callander - this is the poshest place in town -- their standard rooms which are VERY nice are w/i your budget - and depending on the specific dates the superior rooms might be.

http://www.romancamphotel.co.uk

But there are several B&Bs and hotels for much lower rates.

Janisj.
I will check out fraser and roman camp ..
Have you heard of Carriden House.. looks nice on the website and well-priced.. in Callander.

It looks very nice and quite economical, but I personally wouldn't stay there. It is less than 20 miles from Edinburgh and about 10 miles from Edinburgh Airport. - practically a suburb and not far enough west to make a good base for touring the Trossachs. Good for Bo'ness and Linlithgow and the Falkirk Wheel - -

Oh - that is if you mean Carriden House in Carriden/Bo'ness . . . Which is not in Callander.

I am not aware of a Carriden house in Callander - do you have a link?

http://www.carridenhouse.co.uk
maybe you are correct.. it is close to edinburgh...

Yes -- that's the one - it is almost 40 miles from Callander.

thanks for all of your help janisj..
we are staying at the fraser suites and the roman camp also an inn called ardanaiseig...
recommended by a scottish friend..

Ooh - I've always wanted to stay at the Ardanaiseig!

It is pretty remote though - takes about 1/2 an hour just to get out to the main road (about 11 miles by single track road) . I would be a FABULOUS place for a relaxing getaway. So might make difference whether you want to stick close and be pampered . . . . or use it as a base to see other bits.