So, we've got a heap of airline miles and we've decided we are going to spend Christmas in Scotland.... but dang it, that's about as far as I can get as to what to do and what to see.....

We are definitely going to spend some time in Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle is on the list, but we're open to spending time in other places as well.

What should absolutely not be missed if you take a trip to Scotland in the winter? How hard is it to get around (will places be snowed in/closed for the season?) outside of the bigger cities? Should we rent a car for at least some of the time or can we get by with the trains?

I'm looking for pretty broad stuff right now.... I'm hoping to get some guide books from the library so that I can do a bit of research, but I'm at a loss at where to start.... I'm also into things that are a bit more off the beaten path - I'm much more of a walk around a pretty village person than walk around a wax museum type.