Scotland Bound - Planning (smalltown USA)

[apict]

As a disadvantaged american, I can relate to the two week vacation. I've done it in Scotland a few times. How best to use the time available ( a miserly 2-weeks)? I think it depends on if you are a city person or not. ME, I prefer to mostly avoid cities when on vacation (though I did enjoy a few days in Edinburgh on one of my vacations). For my last trip to Scotland, I flew in to Inverness, rented a car, and spent what time I had touring around the highlands and islands (including expensive ferry rides to Orkney and Lewis). It was a great trip and a good way to get a feel for the place so you know where you might want to spend more time on a subsequent trip - plus I never had ANY TROUBLE finding a B+B (something that would be more challenging at peak season in cities). I have visited Ullapool on all three trips and enjoyed it each time. If you LOVE shopping and cities, you might want to spend all two weeks between Edinburgh and Glasgow with some side trips to local attractions (I can recommend the Rover's Inn north of Glasgow for a wee bit of local color). But it would be a real shame to make the trip to Scotland and not at least get a taste of the highlands. So you might want to consider a week in Edinburgh and a week in and around Inverness. I have found the Rough Guides to be excellent - they even make one for just the highlands and islands. Enjoy your trip.