Ok - that will be much easier on everyone concerned --especially the driver and those shmoes in the back seat

Now -- "stars" kinda/sorta helps, but not much -- we'd really need your budget before we can make useful recs.

(Right off - everyone will advise against staying IN Ft William -- but not to worry since there are lots of lovely places in the general area)

St Andrews is a university town and has loads of good eating and drinking places. It's also very expensive for accommodation in the high season. We stayed at the Ardgowan Hotel for one night on a mixture of business & leisure, GBP128 for two people Bed & Breakfast. It was adequate (3 star I think) but nothing stunning, though we did get a free upgrade to an enormous room. The Dunvegan Hotel quoted GBP330 per night for a double room so on principle I won't be setting foot in their bar again (and no, this was not during the Open when prices often get silly).
Before you book accommodation "in St Andrews" get their address and postcode (zip code) then look it up on Google or another map site and see where it really is. The "St Andrews" tag is such a draw that places over 20 miles away claim to be "by St Andrews".
The towns of the East Neuk (including Elie) are likely to be cheaper for accommodation. They'll have less choice for eating out but if you're only there for a day or two you should find somewhere to your liking.
In St Andrews we usually eat very well at Nahm-Jim, a mix of Thai and Japanese cooking.

I personally wouldn't stay IN St Andrews-- I'd pick Crail (1st) Anstruther (2nd) or any of the other East Neuk villages (3rd)

Hi. I agree about staying outside of St. Andrews. Any suggestions for the areas - Crail or Anstruther?
As for budget, I am more interested in a place with character than the price, but if I anyone knows of a place that has character but can run about 100 pounds per night, that would be great!

The Ship Inn in Elie is nice. Near Balmoral try the Inver Hotel and near Glencoe, I'd go with the Holly Tree at Kentallen

Sheila, thanks for this. Sorry not to respond earlier; I was away for the weekend. I will check out all of them and let you know what I come up with. Again, thanks for the references.

Barcaldine Castle, outside of Oban, is a great place to stay. They only have 3 rooms, and (at least when we were there in 2006) if you take two of them they won't rent the third - you have the whole (smallish, but still impressive) castle to yourselves, plus the housekeeper. Not cheap, but very much worth it. http://www.barcaldinecastle.co.uk/

We stayed in St. Andrews at Glenderran Guesthouse in the spring of 09. We loved it! Ray was in the RAF, I believe, and was a little proper, but became very engaging as we talked. Our room was so comfortable with a very modern bathroom! Parking was available on the street right outside the guesthouse. This was a concern of mine but turned out to be a non-issue. There are several B&Bs on the same road. The town is so walkable, and the location of this place is right off the main streets. I hope we get back there some day!

Barcaldine has changed hands since 2006. Looks very posh. Much dearer than it used to be.

Having trouble in Elie/Anstruther area. Ship Inn is booked; darn it! Will try Glenderran Guesthouse in St. Andrews. Will also try the Barcaldine - would love to try a castle (if it's not TOO dear!). The hunt continues!

If you change your mind about Pitlochry I suggest hotels Green Park, Pine Trees and Atholl Palace --- and AN EVENING AT THE SPECTACULAR THEATRE (program on the web).

The main hotels would probably be full at the time you are visiting but as you hit the main street there's an excellent tourist office on the right that does booking.

(Too bad about the Ship Inn at Elie!)