What are the "must see" places in Scotland/Ireland?

Question

We are planning on taking a 2 or 3 week visit to the UK and I want to see the "must see" places... but I also like the out of the way things... restaurants, things to do, nature and cultural stuff. (for example, when people come visit me, the LAST place I recommend to them is the usual tourist traps like Disneyland, Sea World, the zoo... but that's just me)

We'll probably visit in either the spring or fall.. as I heard that's the best time to go. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are there in August you might try the Edinburgh tatoo

Answer 2

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh: The Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace

Edinburgh: the New Town and Princes Street

The train journey from Glasgow to Mallaig

The Small Isles ferry from Mallaig

New Lanark

The Falkirk Wheel

How intrepid are you feeling? The following places are a bit more out of the way...but rewarding:

Jura, and the Corryvreckan Whirlpool

Barra (the only commercial airport in Europe, possibly the world, where the runway is a beach)

Cape Wrath

These are just a few samples, to get you started. Read about them and see if you want to do other things like them.

Avoid:

John O'Groats

Edinburgh, or any other, zoo

The Highlands in Summer. The dreaded midge will render your existence miserable.