NorahI recently returned from an epic Scottish Highlands road trip, and it has easily become one of my favorite adventures to date. Scotland is stunning, and getting away from the cities and into the countryside is really the best way to experience the country. However, the sheer amount of epic things to do can make the trip planning process very overwhelming. In this Scottish Highlands itinerary, I will be breaking down my exact route for a perfect six day trip around this magnificent country.
This guide will not include the cities, because Scottish cities are their own separate beast. This guide will start in Edinburgh, but I will not be covering Edinburgh. You could do this route from any of the major cities in Scotland, but just know there might be additional driving time.
Disclaimer: Scotland is epic, and I am sure I will be missing some epic things in this post. If you have a recommendation that is not included on this list, feel free to leave it in the comments!
Day 1: Drive from Edinburgh to Inverness.
This first day will include lots of driving, but there are still some epic stops along the way. As you make your way out of the city, you will be able to gradually see the landscape change from flat countryside to epic mountain views. These mountain views will pretty much follow you over the course of the whole trip.
Along your way to Inverness, I highly recommend stopping in the town of Aberfeldy. This town is located about halfway through your drive, and is an awesome starting point for local adventures. I highly recommend going on a white water rafting trip; the guides will have fascinating stories and it is an excellent way to stretch your legs. I highly recommend Splash; this is the company we went with and enjoyed.
Your end point for the day is Inverness, which is conveniently names the “Gateway to the Highlands”. This decently sized city has a dismal nightlife scene, but excellent nature opportunities. This will be your basecamp for the night before a full day of exploring the area tomorrow.
I have a full blog post on everything I wish I had known before visiting Isle of Skye!
Day 2: Inverness to Isle of Skye.
This day is one of my favorites on the whole trip. From Inverness, take in the views along Loch Ness, which is arguably the most famous loch in Scotland. You can certainly look for Nessie, but I think it is even more fun to stop at roadside exhibits to read all about the wild conspiracy theories surrounding the monster.
There are a bunch of different activities to do around Loch Ness. There are several small beaches if you are brave enough for a polar plunge, and there are also boat tours that leave from Inverness each day. Loch Ness is huge, and getting out on the water is a really wonderful experience. I also highly recommend stopping at Urquhart Castle, although you will have to book tickets in advance. They sell out quickly, so expect crowds.
After seeing all you can see at Loch Ness, I recommend continuing on west to the Isle of Skye. The stretch of road between Inverness and Isle of Skye is stunning, and I highly recommend stopping to see all the viewpoints, pet all the coos, and stop at all the adorable roadside attractions.
Note: From Inverness, you can also go on a completely direction and travel the NC 500, which is an epic roadtrip along the northern coast of the state. We did not do the NC 500, but will for sure be making it a priority on our next trip.
As you get closer to Isle of Skye, I recommend stopping at Eilean Donan Castle. It costs 12 pounds to enter the castle and get a tour, but this is one of the best castles to see for free. You can definitely get decently close to the castle without having to pay, and there are signs available with information.
As you arrive at Isle of Skye, be sure to get a solid night of sleep. The adventure continues tomorrow!
Day 3: Isle of Skye.
This day is dedicated to doing some of the most iconic sights at Isle of Skye, and I recommend spending a full day traveling around the popular island spots. This is one of my absolute favorite places, and I recommend stopping at all of the epic hikes along the way. Old Man of Storr is a MUST hike, and Brothers Beach is a hidden gem in the area. The Quiraing is another fantastic stop, as is Mealt Falls. You can end your day at Fairy Glen, a whimsical area that is great for kids.
Day 4: Isle of Skye.
I highly recommend spending at least two days at Isle of Skye, but this second day has more flexibility. You can explore other parts of the island like Neist Point, the Fairy Pools, or the Dunvegan Castle. If you have more time or are looking at seeing the island from another angle, I would highly recommend a puffin tour. These tours can take you around to some of the smaller, more remote isles around Isle of Skye, and give you a wonderful opportunity to see puffins, whales, seals, basking sharks, and even orcas!
If water activities and sightseeing are not your thing, you can also spend your second day on Isle of Skye doing a more immersive adventure. There are dozens of longer day hikes in Isle of Skye, and these hikes give you a slightly more difficult, tranquil experience on the island.
Note: If you get hungry during any part of your trip, I highly recommend stopping at Boggy Myrtles or Quass Pizza. Both are excellent options for excellent food on the island.
Day 5: Head to Glencoe.
Today is the day you sadly leave Isle of Skye and begin making your way back towards Edinburgh. Along the way, spend time in Glencoe. This stunning area of the country is much more subdued than the busy Isle of Skye, and offers spectacular hiking. I would recommend the Lost Valley hiking trail, or the Glenfinnan Viaduct if you are a Harry Potter fan.
Spend the night in Glencoe, either at a campsite or one of the adorable Airbnbs in the region. I highly recommend staying at one of the tiny homes in the region-they are so fun!
Day 6: Head back to Edinburgh.
From Glencoe, Edinburgh is about a four hour drive. I recommend taking the leisurely route and stopping at any interesting sites you see along the way. I would personally recommend stopping at some of the cute roadside food stands-the pastries in Scotland are really next level.
And, that is your road trip! A couple quick notes:
- You could do this road trip in a campervan, but we personally rented a car and stayed in hostels or Airbnbs. We found this made navigating some of the tighter roads much easier, and was cheaper for us than a campervan.
- I recommend being prepared for less than ideal weather; the weather in Scotland changes very quickly. This can look like bringing a rain jacket, having sturdy hiking boots, and maybe even bringing a swimsuit for quick dips in the lochs!
- This whole trip can also be done in reverse, and you could make the trip shorter or longer, depending on what your timeframe is.
- If you only have four days for your road trip, and do not mind crowds, I would recommend heading straight back to Edinburgh after Isle of Skye.
- If you hate crowds, I would recommend only spending one day on Isle of Skye and spending more time in Glencoe.
- If you have additional time and want to extend your trip, I would recommend either adding on the NC 500 (approximately five days) or adding on another isle to your trip.
My Scotland road trip was one of my very favorite travel experiences to date, and I cannot recommend it enough! Let me know if you have any questions, and happy adventures!
