We're two couples visiting Scotland for the first time. We'll be staying in Glasgow on a Sunday night, renting a car and arriving in Edinburgh on Thursday. We want to see the countryside, visit a castle or two, meet some of the locals and just enjoy ourselves. We're exhausted reading through the books, and I really love the advice i've gotten from Fodor-ites. What would you suggest for an itinerary for the three nights - towns to stop in and mid-range B&Bs?

For the castle of your dreams hit Sterling Castle on your way into Edinburgh - it is about an hour or so west of Edinburgh in the lovely regional town of Sterling - one of Scotland's most famous castles due to its violent history - think Braveheart type stuff as I do believe Braveheart himself made this castle a bastion when fighting the hated English - a Wallace monument outside of town commenorates one bloody battle (think it is Wallace - been a while since I were there!)

From Glasgow it is easy to loop by Loch Lomand (sp?) and into the famed Scottish Highlands for a few days, then driving via Sterling into Edinburgh.

Janis and other Scottish experts will be able to give you an explicit itinerary to savor the hills - much better than I but a general idea is what I am giving.

It is <u>Stirling</u> Castle and the city of <u>Stirling</u> (sterling is the money not the place) and Loch Lomond.

rkovideo: Do I understand correctly that you leave Glasgow on Monday morning and don't have to be to Edinburgh until sometime Thursday?

If so, you have 3.5 days free. How many nights are you staying in Glasgow and in Edinburgh? Tell us your full itinerary because it might make more sense to visit Stirling as a day trip by train from either city.

Or you can do a 3+ day loop from Glasgow to Oban to Glencoe, down through the Trossachs to Doune, Stirling and into Edinburgh. Places to stay the night could include Inveraray or Oban, Glencoe and Callander or Stirling.

But that is just one possibility - there are lots of other options. Glasgow to Glencoe to Killin/Loch Tay/Aberfeldy to Crieff then on to Stirling and Edinburgh.

There are castles absolutely everywhere. You just about can't avoid them Stirling is wonderful, but since you'll be in Edinburgh . . . Edinburgh Castle is very similar and if your time is limited you can skip Stirling. (another reason we need to know the full itinerary)

What is your actual budget? "Mid range" really doesn't mean anything.

Yes, you are correct that we will leave Glasgow on Monday morning and ultimately plan to stay in Edinburgh on Thurs night, flying back to the states on Sunday. We'd like to know how to best spend the 3.5 days in between Glasgow and Edinburgh. We like nice B&Bs in the $200 per night range.

"<i>We'd like to know how to best spend the 3.5 days in between Glasgow and Edinburgh.</i>"

I've given you two possible itineraries. Either one would be a nice but not hectic 3+ days. But, you haven't said when you are traveling. That could make a difference where you'd want to go.

As for B&Bs -- that is a very generous budget. Definitely not 'mid-range'. I don't have any personal recommendations because I've never paid that much for a B&B in Scotland, except in Edinburgh once.

You'll get bed & breakfast in a good hotel for that sort of budget. Maybe there's a language gap here? If not I apologise in advance, but we call a small family run guest house a "B&B", usually costing around £30 to 70 per night depending on standards.

If you mean a hotel where you can get bed & breakfast, then the budget is fine.

rkovideo,

<i>usually costing around £30 to 70 per night depending on standards</i> per <b>person</b>. Even at the lower end of that estimate we found accommodations via the tourist office that were first class in my mind.

Although for most people Scotland equals the highlands, I would consider the Tweed valley given the your limited time.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623437796997


You might want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it.