Scotland itinerary with a young teen

[Mandarinaduck]

Hi, I'd like to visit Scotland with my 13 year old DD in July. We have around 10 days and a car. I like culture, history and walking, while she would be happy with a mix of quiet daydreaming in beautiful landscapes, and some physical adventure. I'd love to see a bit of wilderness but don't want to spend the whole time somewhere too quiet. Any recommendations for an itinerary? Starting point probably Edinburgh.

I recommend heading up towards Inverness. It's a lovely city and if you travel up the A9 you'll see some lovely scenery. Aviemore is a great stop. There are some lovely woodland walks around there, or you can even head up the Cairngorm mountain on the funicular railway. For some history, just outside Inverness is Culloden, where you can visit the battlefield, and also nearby is Fort George which is amazing to see. I'm from Aberdeenshire but we go up to Inverness regularly as we just love it up there.

To add on from my reply-

For a bit of fun, there is Landmark Forest adventure park just south of Inverness, which is great for all ages.

Starting in Edinburgh do some walking around the old town streets, maybe a ghost tour, and a visit to the museum of Scotland on chamber street (free and amazing my DC of same age loves it).

Drive north over the new queensferry crossing - perhaps stop in south or north queensferry for bridge views.

Nice as Fife is, I would skip it and head straight north via Perth and up a9 stopping for walks around Dunkeld - the Hermitage - and then a few nights around Aviemore. Landmark and the Highland wildfire centre are great. Also loads of lovely hikes/bike hire/watersports in the Cairngorm area.

Then up to Inverness (or Nairn/Elgin for the beaches) - overnight maybe? and the go west. Back down the great Glen, Loch Ness and along to Fort William.

From there drive south and see Eilean Donan castle, enjoy the epic drive through Glencoe and back down the west, Loch Lomond and Glasgow.

You should work out what bits interest you most in terms of where to book your overnights but that loop is very do-able in 10 days even in peak season. Lovely as the far north west is the NC500 has somewhat ruined it and it's really far starting from central belt. And so slow. Driving distances all takes a lot longer the moment you are on B roads. Even some A roads in the highlands!