The content you're trying to view is for members eyes only. Please log in or apply for membership to view more. Questions? Check out our FAQ page.
Already a member? Log In
If a road trip through Scotland isn’t already on your bucket list, let me make the case for it now. Scotland is a gorgeous country with a rich cultural heritage, cheery locals, and miles upon miles of beautiful scenery to explore.
Following this itinerary, you can expect to see purple-heather-covered hills, green foggy mountains, sparkling waterfalls, craggy seaside cliffs, and plenty of grazing sheep. While you could easily spend months exploring the mainland and over 900 (!) islands that comprise this country, I'll keep it simple and show you how you can hit the highlights in just over a week.
Totaling approximately 618 miles or 15.5 hours of drive time, this is not for the take-your-time traveler. We completed this itinerary ourselves in Fall 2022, but if you want to give yourself a little more time to linger – or have the extra PTO to spare – I would recommend an ideal timeline of 10-14 days.
Start your trip in Scotland’s capital city: Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a beautiful city famous for its historical sites and charming architecture. It's also incredibly walkable – seemingly tailor-made for visitors – so no need to pick up your rental car just yet! While you're here, be sure to walk the Royal Mile, sip some Scotch Whisky, sample traditional Scottish eats, and explore the incredibly picturesque cobblestone streets of Old Town.
On the morning of day 3, pick up your rental car and drive north into the famous Highlands region. Take the scenic route through Aberfeldy and onwards to Pitlochry. This is where you'll get your first taste of the majestic scenery that Scotland has to offer, and also where you'll begin to meet hundreds of sheep! There are several lovely B&Bs offering cozy Scottish hospitality. We opted for a stay at Knockendarroch, which was a lovely stay with a fantastic restaurant as well.
After breakfast, continue your journey north through the beautifully desolate Cairngorms National Park. Take your time driving through the one-track roads that wind through the valley. You can even make a minor detour to Balmoral Castle, the famous summer residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Another stop for Scotch lovers is the Glenlivet Distillery.
By early evening, you'll arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. There's a lovely little downtown to explore here. We grabbed a few local beers at Black Isle Bar and enjoyed surprisingly good Indian food at Tiger on the Wall.
The next morning, grab breakfast in Inverness before continuing your journey west to Isle of Skye. On the way, don’t miss driving past Loch Ness and visiting the eerie yet gorgeous Eilean Donan Castle. Originally built in the 13th century, this castle has been lovingly restored and now serves as a lovely little museum to Highland Clan life.
By early afternoon, you'll have crossed the bridge into Isle of Skye. Skye is the largest of the island chain known as the Inner Hebrides, and it’s known for its rugged, wild landscapes. You won’t find any large hotels here, which is why we opted for an Airbnb in the small town of Kyleakin. Another option would be looking for accommodation near the town of Portree: the largest town on the island, though still small by any standard.
Exploring the scenic landscapes of Skye is truly life-changing. It's feasible to drive the entire island in a day or two, so I recommend 2 full days here minimum to see all the highlights. Some must-do activities include a swim at Fairy Pools, admiring Bride’s Veil Falls, hiking Old Man of Storr, visiting Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls Viewpoint, and walking the Quiraing loop trail. For some solitude and incredible views, visit the spot marked as “Old Ruins” on Google Maps – you won’t be disappointed!
After soaking up the magic of Skye, it's time to return south. The great news is that your trip back to the Lowlands is anything but ordinary. There are two places I suggest making a pitstop in:
1. Fort William, a quaint town home to the West Coast Railways Jacobite Steam Train (aka, the Hogwarts Express!)
and
2. Glen Coe, a green valley with fog-topped hills and more jaw-dropping scenery. By early evening, you can get some rest in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow.
Glasgow is Scotland’s cultural hub, home to many museums and a thriving arts scene. This itinerary gives you just one night here, so I suggest adding another day to your itinerary or perhaps selecting a departure flight later in the evening if you want to give yourself more time to get to know the city and all it has to offer
You can skip the waitlist with my code TRIPPINGMILLENNIAL by simply clicking here to submit your application.
Taking a break from my 9-5 in Austin, TX to travel the world with my husband. Visiting popular and lesser known spots across Europe and Asia. Lover of food, architecture, (moderate) hiking, and "doing as the locals do." Follow me on my journey @trippingmillennial for recs and how to pursue a gap year!
View All Posts
Join Our Community to See More
The content you're trying to view is for members eyes only. Please log in or apply for membership to view more. Questions? Check out our FAQ page .