I learned how to play the violin when I was young (7-9years old) but I stopped.

I have never really been good at understanding how to read music, I had a music unit in college and couldn’t really grasp it.

I am now 22 and I really want to learn how to play an instrument, I have an interest in strings such as the violin, cello and harp but I want to know a few things..

1. Am I too old to learn? I know the rule is that it is best to learn when you are young but have I missed out now and is it too late to learn and become good at it?

Would it be better to start by learning the basics of reading music/etc, or just start with an instrument(I’m assuming you learn music reading as well, although not as thoroughly in the beginning)? If the latter, which instrument?

I can’t read music.
To be honest, back at school music lessons never really interested me, although now I am older I hold a much higher appreciation to music and musicians. An instrument that particularly interests me the violin. Personally I have never played one, but I do know that you must be very talented to play well. To be honest I don’t really know what my question is. Do musicians ever start off playing the violin as their first instrument? And how do you learn to read music and is it difficult as it looks? In order to end up playing well, would I have to have started off at a very young age? Any other feedback from violinists regard this issue would be appreciated.