Thanks for the bump! This helps me tremendously!

If the original author doesn't mind, I have some questions of my own that might piggyback nicely into this existing thread.

Our current plan is to fly into London on May 3rd at noon. I would like to get on a train right away and head north. Hopefully stay that night in the small town of Chirnside, between Duns and Eyemouth in the Borders region. This town has some family history as it is probably the origin of my surname (Churnside). I would like to spend maybe 2 days in this region.

Then head to Edinburgh for a couple days. Do the typical tourist stuff there, royal mile (any good shops to check out?), castle, and what else would be worth checking out?

Next head to Glasgow for maybe 1 day. My now fiancee (then wife) has a friend attending school there. Anything else in Glasgow worth seeing?

Then North to Inverness, see Nessy and ?

That's really all I have so far. Where should we go from here?

We leave from London on the 15th, but will spend the last 2 days in London with my Bride's step-brother who lives there. We will be taking public transportation for the entire trip. Is it worth it to buy a britrail pass? I was thinking a 8 day flexi pass.

We like hiking, drinking, rural scenery, castles, border collies, pipes and pipe bands, local folk music, and getting off the beaten path. Any tips, help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!