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Morning

Reserve your morning cruise on the SS Sir Walter Scott (Tel (01877) 376316) in advance, and note that it does not run on Wednesday mornings.

Leave Glasgow by 8:45am, driving north on the A81 to Strathblane and Aberfoyle. You are now in the scenic and famous Trossachs. Park at the Trossachs Pier for your 11am cruise on Loch Katrine, a gorgeous secluded loch.

You arrive back at 12:45pm and a short drive takes you to Kilmahog (great name, but the Woollen Mill is pretty touristy), so pass it by unless you’re overly curious about knitwear. Head on to Callander for lunch, where there’s plenty of choice, or buy delicious pies at the Scotch Oven, a superb baker, and picnic by the river.

Afternoon

Carry on to Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan. There are many temptations en route – castle (see Doune Castle) , safari park, motor museum – and you may fall by the way.

If not, however, aim to be at the Wallace Monument before 4pm. The slice of history here is extremely palatable, accompanied by panoramic views of the area, including the craggy heights of Stirling Castle.

Finally, wend your way up into moorland for dinner at the Sheriffmuir Inn . Either head back to Glasgow or go further east to stay at Edinburgh or St Andrews (about an hour’s journey to each by car).

Morning

Start the morning from the flagstoned village of Stromness and head out on the road to Skara Brae. The roads turn and undu-late on rolling pasture and are really a network of lanes, but the way is well signposted – a pity in some respects, as Orkney is a delightful place to get lost in.

You’ll need two hours to do the Neolithic remains justice, as well as fitting in a visit to Skaill House and sampling cakes dripping with icing in the café.

Drive on to the great stone circle known as the Ring of Brodgar, and also visit the roadside standing stones of Stenness.

So far you’ve only covered 12 miles (20 km)! Time for lunch over at the Maes Howe Visitor Centre.

Afternoon

After lunch, explore Maes Howe. It’s dark inside, and a guide lights up the runes with a torch. Drive on to Kirkwall. Visit the cathedral (it has a great little café) and the museum – neither of which are arduous or lengthy – and walk the town’s charming streets.

In the evening, dine at the Creel Inn & Restaurant (see Balfour Castle, Orkney) in St Margaret’s Hope and feel like a satiated Viking.

Note, Orkney is a delightful place to cycle and it’s easy to hire bicycles. The car route described above makes a lovely day’s cycle ride if you return to Stromness after Maes Howe.

Morning

Leave Aberdeen around 9am and drive on the A93 through Deeside’s splendid scenery to Crathie, where you’ll find Balmoral Castle opening its gates. If, however, you’re outside Balmoral’s short opening season (see Balmoral and Royal Deeside) , then visit Crathes or Drum Castle instead – less famous, but equally impressive .

Return to Ballater, which you passed through on the way, but take the B976 on the south of the river. The Station Restaurant does all-day meals, anything from a bacon sandwich or pain au chocolat to a three-course meal.

Afternoon

While browsing the shops in Ballater, Look out for royal insignias: they indicate the Queen’s favourite establishments. From Ballater find the A939 and drive north on a twisting road. The terrain is wild, heathery moorland and mountainous. The road takes you past quaint and lonely Corgarff Castle, and on to Tomintoul, one of the highest villages in Scotland. From here, take the B9008 to the distillery of Glenlivet for a tour of their whisky-making vats, stills and barrels, and a tasting. Tours last about 40 minutes; the tastings, unfortunately, much less.

Spend the night around Dufftown or Keith with a view to driving to Portsoy and taking the coast road either east or west the next day. About 90 miles (150 km) in total.

Morning

Pack a picnic in Inverness. There are lots of marvellous picnicking possibilities on this route, so it would be a shame not to take one.

Leave Inverness by 10am to make the best of the day, taking the B852 to Dores and drive along the south side of Loch Ness – a beautiful and much quieter road than that on the northern shore. Try to stop off at the Foyers Falls (see Best-Kept Secrets) .

Enjoy the hill-country drive to Fort Augustus, and pop in for a coffee at the bustling Lock Inn, right beside the canal. Walk along the canal to view Loch Ness from the shore behind the old abbey.

Drive along the A82 on the north side of Loch Ness, (stop at Invermoriston to view the river pools and old bridge) and visit Urquhart Castle. Have your picnic lunch here.

Afternoon

Your picnic will, hopefully, have recharged your batteries sufficiently for a visit to one of the Loch Ness Monster visitor centres in Drumnadrochit – fascinating, and rather persuasive.

Refill your thermos in Drumnadrochit, then take the A831 to Cannich, and the minor road to Glen Affric.

Enjoy an hour’s walk in this renowned beauty spot, before returning to the bustle of Inverness via Kilmorack and the south shore of the Beauly Firth. A round trip of 115 miles (185 km).

Morning

If your budget allows, book ahead for dinner at the Peat Inn (Cupar) or the Old Course (St Andrews).

Leave Edinburgh around 9am, cross the Forth Road Bridge (£1 toll) and visit Deep Sea World at North Queensferry (see Deep Sea World) . The fish will enthral you, so allow at least 90 minutes here.

Follow the coast road to Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Falkland. Here, have some refreshment in the deliciously organic Greenhouse Restaurant before visiting Falkland Palace. Remember to see the Royal Tennis Court before you leave – it’s unique.

You may be hungry by now, but resist, as it’s only a short drive via Glenrothes and the A915 to Upper Largo, where the famous East Neuk begins. Every village from here on is enchanting. Lunch in Elie at the Ship Inn .

Afternoon

From here it’s pointless trying to advise you further because – as you continue along the coast to St Andrews, passing through Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail – you are bound to become distracted by this medley of coastal idylls and end up doing your very own thing regardless.

But don’t forget your reservation if you’ve booked dinner, and leave all the delights of St Andrews for another day. All this in just 95 miles (150 km)!