We are going to be in Edinburgh for two nights, and have reservations for the fourth night in Dornach. Does anyone have any suggestions for a town/city that we should stay in on the third night? Something maybe equi-distant between Edinburgh and Dorach? Thanks.

Do you mena Dornoch? If so, you could easily drive all the way from Edinburgh to Dornoch in a day. A stop isn't needed just for breaking the journey. So obviously you are looking for a place for sightseeing, etc. <BR><BR>Your best options include <BR><BR>1) driving up the Spittal of Glenshee and staying near Braemar (Wonderful csatle and Balmoral area), then on the next day driving through Grantown on Spey (whisky distilleries) to Inverness to Dornoch<BR><BR>2) Driving to the Inverness area (don't stay in Inverness but in a village or famhouse B&B outside the town) and visiting Culloden Moor and Cawdor Castle.<BR><BR>3) driving west through Glen Coe and staying outside Forth William (again - not IN the town). The the next day drive along Loch Lochy, Loch Ness through Inverness and on to Dornoch.<BR><BR>Are you going to Dornoch for the golf? You will LOVE Royal Dornoch. But also wander around the town - the cathedral is really beautiful. Also, Dunrobin Castle is just north and the Falls of Shin are just west of Dornoch

Thanks for the response. I did mean Dornoch, my husband is really looking forward to playing golf there. I didn't realize it was that close to Edinburgh. What about driving through Fofe? I'v read that the fishing villages, and St. Andrews are worth a visit.

Cindy, here's my Fife route<BR>Over the Forth Road Bridge to Fife. On the other side of the river, Dunfermilne is on your left. Robert the Bruce, the hero king who won Bannockburn, is buried here in Dunfermilne Abbey (although his heart is buried at Melrose in the borders); go back onto the main road and you will shortly come to Loch Leven, where Mary Queen of Scots was locked up in the castle on the island (v. romantic..the story of the escape- she then fled to her cousin in England for succour. She, Elizabeth, locked her up for 20 years then beheaded her.) You can take boat trips from Kinross.<BR>Vane Farm Bird Reserve is on the other side of the Loch. <BR>Then go due east to the coast. There are lots of other nice places, like Ceres, Falkland Palace, the East Neuk villages, Pittenweem, St Monans and Leven - a stretch of picture-postcard little fishing villages, with Anstruther, Crail, etc, leading toward St Andrews. For hiking, there's the Fife Coastal path that runs along the entire coast. <BR>In Anstruther visit the fishing museum, then have the best fish in the world for your lunch. After that drive along the coast to Largo, home of the 'original' Robinson Crusoe. When Daniel Defoe wrote about Robinson Crusoe, he was writing about a real person. His name was Alexander Selkirk and he came from Largo in Fife. Defoe was an English spy up in Scotland in the 1700's and nicked the story. <BR><BR>In St Andrews, take a trip underneath the castle in St. Andrews, Fife. It can be a bit of a squeeze so if you are claustrophobic then probably best to pass on this one. John Knox used to live in this castle - also get chance to see the bottle dungeon. St. Andrews with its ancient university, its cathedral (we do have a lot of them, don't we?) and the home of golf, the Royal and Ancient is seriously worth a visit. It has one of the best beaches in the world- the West Sands, which is where they filmed the opening sequence of Chariots of Fire- shame about the weather- and one of the best ice cream shops in the world (Jannetta's) apart from being a lovely little town.<BR><BR>Restaurants in the area which are very good would include the Ostler's Close in Cupar, the Cellar in Anstruther, the Cellar in St Monan's and the Peat Inn at Peat Inn.<BR><BR>Your husband is the chap all over the board about Royal Dornoch? I hope he has a wonderful round. Are you staying at Dornoch Castle?

My second suggestion would be Dunkeld, which is nearer Edinburgh than Inverness. But as Janis has said it's an easy run up the A9 these days. (I remember the days....).<BR><BR>The Stakis Dunkeld has just become the Hilton. It's quite an upmarket hotel, right on the banks of the Tay. Dunkeld is smaller than Aberfeldy- about another 12 miles down river-and is a very classy town. The square is owned by the National Trust and there's a couple of good places to eat and shop.<BR><BR>The area is very varied- about 2 hours drive from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Close to Blair Castle, Pitlochry, distilleries, salmon ladder, mountains, pubs, visitor centres...heaps to do.<BR><BR>Easy access to Blair Athol, a planned village and very pretty in a slightly twee Victorian style, and it houses Blair Castle, home of the Dukes of Atholl and the Atholl Highlanders. The Duke of Atholl is the only person is the UK licenced by the Queen to have a private army. The castle is very impressive in the grand style. <BR><BR>The Cathedral In Dunkeld is special. Some very good antique shops (never pay what they are asking) <BR><BR>Birnam, which is next door, is, of course, famous as being the place from which the wood came to Dunsinane in Macbeth. Dunsinane is just north of Perth on the Aberdeen Road. <BR><BR>There's a pub in the village (the name of which I can't remember but it's the second one on the street on the right immediately over the bridge- you can't miss it) which is owned by Dougie Mclean one of Scotland's greatest contemporary singer songwriters. It can be a fine place to spend an evening. <BR><BR>If you then take a wee detour west to Aberfeldy and Loch Tay you will pass Breadalbane Castle, former home of the Marquis of Breadalbane, and now a golf course! and come to the lovely 18th century planned village of Kenmore. the Loch is stunning.<BR>And if you're up to the walk, go along the north side to Ben Lawers and drive up to the National Trust visitor centre. Time it right and then walk up to the top. Don't do this if it's raining unless you're nuts! <BR><BR>Pitlochry, between Dunkeld and Blair Atholl, is a bit of a tourist dive so don't stay long; although it is a good place to get your tweeds and tartans and woolens and things...if you've got any money left after Edinburgh.<BR><BR>Go north again and stop at Killiecrankie and see the famous soldier's leap. If you don't know the story, learn the song. <BR>From Blair Atholl, go north again on the A9. You will pass a place called House of Bruar which markets itself as "the Harrods of the North" It's a real fancy shop and I hate to say it but I love it. Worth stopping.

Cindy: Any of Sheila's or my suggestions would be fine, you can't go wrong with any of them. <BR><BR>BUT I don't want to mislead you. Dornoch is NOT "that close to Edinburgh". Dornoch is a loooong way from Edinburgh. But it is a very direct route and with the new bridges etc can easily be driven in a day - sort of like LA to SF. Besides the few motorways, it is one of the very few fast semi-direct routes in all of Scotland<BR><BR>Breaking the journey for sightseeing is a better option tho'.

Thank you both Sheila and Janis for your great suggestions. Now we just need to choose an itinerary! And yes, my husband is the Royal Dornach chap, as you can see, he is very excited about his golf reservation!!

We are staying at the Dornach Castle, for only one night, and then we are spending our second night in the area in Muir of Ord, before heading to Skye for two nights. You have been a great help, thanks again.

Cindy: When are you going? Is it between late May - Mid July? if so let me share an experience we had. We (two golfing friends of mine) got to Dornoch and checked in to our hotel in the evening.<BR><BR>We ate, walked around the town and it was still only 10PM and still daylight. So we wandered over to the course and walked the entire course between about 10:30 and midnight. It was still light and the guys were like kids in a candy shop - the course is really wonderful and being out on it at 11PM learning the holes in the long Scottish twilight and the sea air was really memorable.

Cindy: Our posts crossed so I didn't see you latest one. We also stayed at Dornoch Castle. The rooms vary greatly but is it a very nice place. Be sure to check out the Cathedral which is across the road from the hotel.

Janis, we are only staying in Dornoch for one night, and are spendiong our second night in the area about 40 minutes south, in Muir of Ord. Do you think it would be worth it to spend two nights in Dornoch, and cancel the night in Muir of Ord?

Cindy - either place would be fine for the 2nd night. <BR><BR>There is a LOT to see around Muir of Ord -- the Black Isle, Strathpeffer, Cromarty, the Falls of Rogie, etc. I once stayed for a week in a cottage down a glen near Muir and didn't scratch the surface.<BR><BR>There is a lot to see up near Dornoch too - Dunrobin Castle and the Falls of Shinn. <BR><BR>But I personally would probably move on to Muir of Ord.

Thanks. That's what I was hoping you'd recommend!