13 nights in scotland

From Skye to Glasgow, if you have time see some of the coast North of Ben Nevis. There are some little known villages and beautiful beach in a tiny wee place called Morar (between Arisaig and Mallaig). From the beach you can see Skye, Rhum, Eigg if it's a clear day. Beach tends to be very peaceful and quiet - not many tourists, and worth a visit...

There's good nightlife in Glasgow, but it's not really a tourist city. Glasgow has a good public transport system, but not very car friendly - lots of one way systems, expensive parking and so on. I wouldn't spend much time there.

I recommend the East Coast - Stonehaven is beautiful for a day trip - recommend Dunnottar Castle and if you go in summer there is the heated open air pool and a wee cafe nearby I recommend called 'Molly Gunnings'. Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms very beautiful and very Scottish scenery. Also a lovely beach just North of Aberdeen called 'Balmedie Beach' which is a nature reserve.

Elie and St Andrews further south are also really lovely places.

In Edinburgh - do a night time 'Witchery Tour' (the other 'ghost tours' aren't nearly as good or fun). Botanical Gardens are good if the weather isn't great. Try and climb Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh Castle is a must (if you go on a Scottish national holiday I think it might be free entry...). And a trip to Edinburgh Zoo is recommended...we have penguins!!

The highlights of your planned journey will definitely be:
Edinburgh - great
Skye - don't stay in Bradford. Portree is much nicer. Make sure you visit the old man of storr, kilt rock, uig, glen brittle, cullin ridge, talisker. I would spend there more than just 2 nights

Glasgow - 4 nights too long. 1 is ok

make sure you visit glencoe, glen etive, kinlohleeven and stop for lunch at some nice pub on loch lomond on the way from skye to glasgow. when exploring the glencoe area stay in Calchaig Inn. It is great. They have a great selection of local beers and live music on Saturdays.

In Skye and glencoe go trecking

Generally i find the west coast much more interesting. I wouldn't recommend a trip to Inverness (nothing there). loch ness for only one night maybe. there are many places further north that are worth a visit.

before heading to skye take A838 north. at Laxford Bridge A894 and head south to Newton. At Newton take B869. it will take you through an absolutely gorgeous places to Stoer (half way down take a short trip to Stoer Lighthouse and from there take a walk to Old man of Stoer). continue south on B869 to join with A837 and continue to Ledmore where you take A835 to Ullapooll (nice town to stay overnight). from there hear on A835 to Falls of Measach and take A832 (or if in hurry take in a bit further down at Gorstan where it rejoins with A835. Either way the A832 will take you to a junction with A890 which you should take. This will take you to a junction just a kilometer or so from the bridge to Skye.

From Skye take A87 then A82 to Fort William and Clen Coe which you can't miss!
cheers and have a great time

The suggestions made by #11 are all really good.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I know people are saying not to spend 4 nights ( really 3 days when travel from Skye is taken into account ) in Glasgow but my father was born there 80 years ago so I do feel the need to spent a bit of time there. I agree that Portree looks nicer so will stay there for 2 nights instead of Bradford. I am also changing the first nights stop to Dundee instead of Dunkeld to shorten the first day a bit (thanks #9 ).