Taking the ferry from Belfast to Troon in Scotland. I have 6 nights in Scotland. <BR>-First 2 nights we will be in Edinburgh. We're set here.<BR><BR>-I'm thinking of then heading to the northeast for 2 nights. I very much want to explore the hills (hiking, exploring the countryside are likes of ours). Any thoughts on staying in Aberdeen or Bellater would be appreciated. I get the sense that Bellater is expensive. Where would you stay in the Northeast?<BR><BR>-Then 2 nights in and around the Trossachs, and Argyll before heading back to Troon for the ferry back to Belfast. I am open to doing 1 night near the Trossachs and 1 night closer to Troon to catch a morning ferry.<BR><BR>I would appreciate any suggestions re:<BR>Itinerary<BR>Places to stay <BR>Off the beaten path gems to see<BR><BR>Thank you<BR>

Ballater's not that expensive, but for proximity to the hills, you'd be better in Braemar, or on the other side of the Cairngorms in Nethy Bridge or Coylumbridge.<BR><BR>Aberdeen put an hour and a half drive onto the start and end of every day. (Having once got food poisoning RIGHT at the top of Ben Macdui, I can tell you the details of every one of those minutes.....).<BR><BR>&quot;The Trossachs and Argyll&quot; don't really go together in the same breath. I'd advise picking one or the other. A good option might be the Drover's Inn, half way up Loch Lomond. You could do the Arrochar Alps from there and take a run over the Rest and be Thankful into Argyll, if that's the way the mood takes you. It's also not a bad run down the west side of Glasgow and over the Erskine Bridge to Troon

Thank you so much Sheila.<BR>Do you have any recommendations of places to stay in/around Braemar, Nethy Bridge, or Coylumbridge?<BR>Am I focusing on the right areas to get some great natural scenery?<BR><BR>

Callater Lodge or the Fife Arms in Braemar<BR><BR>The Heatherbank in Nethy Bridge (there's a great place on the other side of the river, near Dulnain Bridge-name escapes me, but I'll look it up if you want. What sort of budget?

Per night budget - trying to stay under 80 GBP

Actually, under 70 GBP/night...

OK. Definitely Callater Lodge and (my brain must be going soft) the Heatherbrae. the others are too dear

OK. I think it's time to do some cuts. I'm refocusing to cut down on excess driving and make the most of a smaller area.<BR>Here's the replan:<BR>Day 1-Arrive Edinburgh in evening<BR>Day 2-Edinburgh<BR>Day 3-Morning in Edinburgh, then to the Loch Tay area and stay in Aberfeldy, Killin or Dunkeld (help). Make sense?Suggestions?<BR>Day 4-Drive along Loch Rannock on B846. And do some exploring around there. Stay in same place as previous night.<BR>Day 5-Head south to the Trossachs and spend next two nights there. Perhaps Drover's Inn.<BR>Day 6-Head to Troon to catch morning ferry back to Belfast.<BR><BR>Does this sound logical? Any suggestions to help fill in the gaps are most appreciated.<BR>

Why does this always happen to my beloved Deeside?<BR><BR>What yo propose sounds fine and to do the middle bit you should base yourself in Aberfeldy or Kenmore. The Ailean Craggan at Weem does really nice food and the Kenmore Hotel, where Burns scratched his name on the window pane is very historic.<BR><BR>have a great trip

Thank you sheila. I have all of your recommendations in my notes! <BR>Deeside was a very tough pull, but I am always fearful of trying to do too much, which I would regret in hindsite.<BR>Next trip for Deeside!