This will be our first trip to Scotland!
We will be driving from Richmond (Yorkshire) - via Hadrian's wall to Edinburgh for 3 nights early August to experience a bit of the summer festival.
Thereafter, we hope to drive to Isle of Skye via Eilean Donan Castle for 3 nights. Then, take the ferry to Maillag to drive to Glencoe for 2 nights. All accommodation is booked!
We still have 3 nights /3 days to fill in Scotland before doing a long drive south to Telford (Ironbridge) for the night so that the kids can visit a few of the museums..

Thinking of avoiding Glasgow as we would have our fill of citytime in Edinburgh..(or may be keep it down to just one night?) - What are our best options to see a castles or two and more gorgeous scenery?
Any special treats for a 9 year old in the area?

Would greatly appreciate some suggestions to fill in 3 days..

Head down the west coast through Ayrshire/Dumfries & Galloway) - see Culzean, Crossraguel Abbey, Threave (Castle/Ospreys/Gardens) and bunches more.

British Caicos lives in a lovely village on the Dumfries and Galloway coast and hopefully he'll see your question -- could give you specific ideas for a 9yo.

Thanks Janisj for the fabulous suggestion!

I did see that you had also suggested the areas of "The Trossachs and a bit afield: Stirling, Doune, Inchmahome Priory, Loch Lomond, Killin/Falls of Dochart, Glencoe" in another post..

I was wondering if we should stay one night some where in the Loch Lomond NP area - spend some time walking or canoeing/taking a cruise and visiting the Stirling Castle..then move on to Dumfries and Galloway area for 2 nights..

Any thoughts?

I will chime in with my "usual" suggestion of the Argyll coast including possibly a day on Mull, then seeing the prehistoric sites at Kilmartin, and visiting Inveraray.

This would be easily reached from Glen Coe, and would include such sights as Duart Castle and colorful Tobermory on Mull, the standing stones and numerous other prehistoric relics in Kilmartin Glen (as well as a ruined castle or two nearby) and picturesque Inveraray with its iconic (and a bit grandiose) castle, home of the Campbells boo hiss. (I have some MacDonald blood.)

Map - https://goo.gl/maps/gdJ1LRTqyYv

Look up these places - https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/

Thanks Gardyloo, I did consider that first.. ..but we will have to save it for another trip as we don't want to waste too much time with the ferry crossings etc..and Dumfries area will shorten our drive back south to Iron bridge..

Would appreciate suggestions on a town/village for a one night stop location in Loch Lomond NP area -..treetop adventures/canoeing will be a treat for the 9 year old and can see options in that area.

Luss.

Luss is a pretty lochside village but I probably would not stay there inn this situation. A stop for lunch or an ice cream cone and walk out on the dock. Mallaig to Ayrshire going via Loch Lomond/Luss is about a 5 hour drive. That will get you a lot farther south and set you up better for the rest of your itinerary.


But if you do want to break the journey -- here are links to activities on and around Loch Lomond. Play | Loch Lomond Shores

Thanks Janisj/Gardyloo- We will be having 2 nights in Glencoe before travelling down south via Loch Lomond area to Dumfries..

So our current plan is - 1N Richmond (break journey/hadrian's wall ). 3N Edinburgh (summer festival), 3N Isle of Skye, 2N Glencoe, 1N Loch Lomond, 2N Dumfries and then 1N Ironbridge.

Will look up all those places and activities mentioned!!

Ok, so having looked at lot of trip reports - I'm thinking of heading to somewhere around Culzean castle for 2 nights and stopping in Dumfries for 1 night before heading out to Iron bridge...But I haven't had any luck of figuring out where to stay in the area...

Any recommendations of villages or hotels/b&bs to stay in? unfortunately all accomdatoe in Culzean castle are booked out for the days we are looking at any other options in the area??

>>I'm thinking of heading to somewhere around Culzean castle for 2 nights and stopping in Dumfries for 1 night before heading out to Iron bridg<<

There is a fair amount to see in Ayrshire -- Culzean for sure, and Dumfries House (confusingly in Ayrshire and not Dumfries) and Crossraguel Abbey. But a LOT in Dumfries too. Especially Threave Castle - ruined castle on an island and osprey viewing, Threave Gardens - wonderful garden (different properties and both are musts IMO) and Caerlaverlock Castle

I haven't stayed in Ayshire in more than 9 years so not really able to recommend accommodations there. There are MANY places in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon.

In Dumfries I stayed in a small B&B in Carsthorne, a tiny village right on the water. http://www.theoldshop-scotland.com

I might consider one night in Ayrshire and two nights in Dumfries & Galloway.

I also haven't spent much time in Burns Country for quite some years, so I'm by no means an expert. However, I don't know if you could work this into your schedule, but I thought I'd promote an overnight visit to Kirkcudbright ("kirkoobree") if at all possible. Kirkcudbright is a really lovely little town, complete with ruined castle, wonderful vernacular architecture, and lots of fishing boats bobbing in the river. In some ways I think it's the visual equal (or better) than the fishing villages on the Fife coast. See what you think - https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co....ght/index.html

With just one night -- just pick. Kirkcudbright is closer to Threave (castle and Gardens).

Both Carsethore and Kirkcudbright are on the water. One is a very small village and one is an attractive town.

Hopefully British Caicos will see your thread -- he lives on the coast on the Solway Firth (between Carsethorne and Kirkcudbright) and may have other/better suggestions.

Thanks so much! all booked

Instead of staying in blah modern Telford for Iron Bridge Gorge I'd recommend staying in nearby Shrewsbury, a really neat old regional city - lovely city and a short drive from Iron Bridge Gorge.