I am going to visit my daughter at University in St. Andrews in mid April. We are coming from New York City. We will have a car. We will leave St. Andrews on a Monday morning and will have all of that day and night and then all of Tuesday and Tuesday night before heading back to Edinburgh on Wed. Wondering the best way to fill this time in the region north and slightly northwest of St. Andrews. I had wanted to try to go to Skye but that seems crazy (which many of you commented upon in an earlier post...thanks!!). Now I am struggling with some key places to go to closer to St. Andrews. I've honed in on Stonehaven because I would like to see Dunnutar Castle. I also think I would like to see Glamis. But I am struggling with where to stay as a base town in this region. Also, wondering if I could get some recommendations on towns and sites to visit. I am a fine art photographer so would particularly like to know of picturesque areas that I could shoot in. Also, it would be great to know some scenic roads since I really enjoy just pulling over as I please to take pictures. I hadn't planned to be in this region so I am a bit lost... thanks!!
Unfortunately the area you are referring to is mainly farming land and not the most exciting. It is an are people pass through on the way to Aberdeen. Dunnater Castle is worth visiting and you could consider returning via Braemar to Edinburgh. Plenty of mountain scenery on that route and there are various off main road exits. Suggest Ballater or Braemar as your base then you can do a circle north into whisky country on the Tuesday.
What sort of scenery would you like? If you want want typical 'highland' mountainous scenery then you'll need to head west. Take a look at the satellite image of Scotland on Google Maps and you can clearly see where the eastern green lowland farming areas change to the brown hills of the highlands. Callander would be a good base to stay: lots of tourist accommodation and it's near Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Plus it's not too far to get back to Edinburgh afterwards.
But there are scenic places (non-mountainous) closer to St Andrews:
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the East Neuk villages along the coast (Crail to Elie) [http://www.eastneukwide.co.uk/tourist/] . Crail and Pittenweem are particularly attractive if you get off the main road and explore closer to their harbours on foot. The coastal walking path is also good in nice weather, although is of limited opportunity if you have a car to get back to.
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Falkland and Falkland Palace: [http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Falkland-Palace-Garden/] Even if you're not interested in visiting the palace, the village is extremely pretty and there are coffee shops etc to eat in.
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Culross: [http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Royal-Burgh-of-Culross/] Another palace and extremely quaint village but smaller than Falkland.
Even if you decide to head for the highlands, I would recommend incorporating a stop-off at either Falkland or Culross on the way. They really are picture-postcard pretty.
And remember that Google Street View covers Scotland's country roads too, so use it to get an idea of what the local scenery is like.
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