I was given some very useful advice when I posted a similar query to yours. This can be found at:
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...-kirkwall.html
So far due to weather and other constraints I have only made it as far as Perth but have high hopes for the coming summer of getting further north.
I would certainly recommend Perth as a stopping off point. There is a handy hotel on the airfield itself and friendly people around familiar with flying in the local area. For tourism the Palace of Scone is not that far away and there is bus into town that goes past the main gate to the airfield.
Stephen