Scotland is a magical land full of dramatic coastlines, charming villages, historic castles, ancient mountains, and legendary whisky distilleries. When planning a Scotland road trip, it isn’t a question of whether or not it will be amazing, it is just a question of how much time you have and how much can you squeeze in.
If you want to see Scotland’s highlights, such as Edinburgh, the Highlands, and the Isle of Skye, here are three Scotland road trip itinerary options, based on how long you want to stay. These five-, seven-, and 10-day Scottish road trip itineraries cover things to do and see along the route, where to stay, and even some restaurant recommendations at each stop.
Based on my experience, I’ll also cover some practical road trip advice on driving in Scotland and Scotland travel tips for planning your trip.
Scotland Road Trip Options
In July, I spent a week road-tripping around Scotland with my girlfriends before heading down to Wales. One week in Scotland was just enough time to see the major cities, the stunning Scottish Highlands, and the popular Isle of Skye. If it was our first visit to Scotland, we would have spread that out over 10 days.
Since I know everyone doesn’t have that long, or they want to combine Scotland with a visit to England, Wales, or Ireland, I’ve created shorter options focused on just my favorite highlights. You can also pick the road trip itinerary that is the best match for your Scotland budget.
- 5-day Scotland road trip itinerary: Edinburgh (2 nights), Isle of Skye (2 nights), Glencoe (1 night)
- 7-day Scotland road trip itinerary: Edinburgh (2 days), Inverness (2 days), Isle of Skye (2 days), Glencoe (1 day)
- 10-day Scotland itinerary: Edinburgh (2 days), Inverness (2 days), Isle of Skye (3 days), Glencoe (2 days), Glasgow (1 day)
5-Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary
If you only have five days in Scotland, you can still get a wonderful taste of the very best of the country. Start with two nights in Edinburgh, followed by two nights on the magical Isle of Skye, and finish with one day in the most beautiful spot in the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe.
Your five-night Scotland itinerary looks as follows:
- Day 1 – Arrival in Edinburgh (Dean Village, New Town, Victoria & Cockburn Streets)
- Day 2 – Edinburgh Royal Mile (Edinburgh Castle, Scotch Whisky Tasting Experience, St. Giles Cathedral, Real Mary King’s Close, Holyrood Palace, Calton Hill)
- Day 3 – Drive to Isle of Skye (Kelpies, Pitlochry, Eilean Donan Castle, Fairy Pools)
- Day 4 – Isle of Skye (Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Quiraing, Fairy Glen, Dunvegan Castle, Neist Point)
- Day 5 – Drive to Glencoe
I’ve created this map using Google MyMaps to show an overview of this five-day Scottish road trip. You can click on the star next to the title and save this to your Google Maps account or click on the share icon to send it to yourself via email.
Day 1 – Arrive in Edinburgh
I’ve written a detailed itinerary for two days in Edinburgh, but here is a brief overview. It is ideal if you can fly directly into Edinburgh, but to save money you may want to look at connecting through London, Manchester, or Dublin. Getting from the airport into the center of the city is easy using the simple and affordable using the tram, which runs every 7-8 minutes. The tram stops at several points in the city center, including St Andrew Square and Waverley Bridge, and the journey takes around 30 minutes.
Since you will be tired if you had an overnight flight from the U.S., spend your first day walking around this beautiful city. Start off in New Town and take a walk down to the quaint Dean Village. This quiet, residential village is one of the most picturesque spots in the city.
After, you may want to check out the boutiques along George Street or the many pubs along Rose Street. If you are ready to start getting a taste for Scotch whisky, pay a visit to Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
Walk along Princes Street and enter the Princes Street Gardens to see the Ross Fountain and beautiful views looking up at the Edinburgh Castle. Continue down to the Sir Walter Scott Monument near the train station.
Next, head uphill and over to Old Town. Discover the colorful storefronts along curving Cockburn Street and then walk over to Victoria Street, one of the most photographed spots in Edinburgh, and take a stroll through the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard. This cemetery was an inspiration to J.K. Rowling when writing the Harry Potter series.
Finish up in Grassmarket Square and take in the view of Edinburgh Castle from the Vennel Viewpoint and end your day at one of the cute pubs in this area.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
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To make the most of a short stay in Edinburgh, plan on staying in either New Town or Old Town to make it easy to get around by foot, tram, or bus. On my first visit to Edinburgh, I stayed in New Town, and on my second visit, I stayed in Old Town. Both have their advantages and I enjoyed both places:
- Eden Locke Hotel – a stylish and modern hotel that has some “apart-hotel” suite options, with small kitchens and living/dining areas. The hotel is a short walk from Princes Street, which is the main shopping street in New Town, and it is also close to several bus and tram lines, making it easy to get around the city.
- Blackfriar Lofts – a collection of apartments just off the Royal Mile towards the Holyroodhouse end. This location was great for exploring Old Town and Calton Hill. It was surprisingly quiet at night and had plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.
Find other places to stay in Edinburgh:
Day 2 – Edinburgh Royal Mile
Dedicate your second day in Edinburgh to exploring the famous Royal Mile. Start at the top with a visit to the Edinburgh Castle. This is a popular attraction so you need to book your timed-entry ticket in advance and I’d recommend starting with the first available time slot to avoid crowds and get a jump on your busy day.
After touring the castle, your next stop will be at one or two of three attractions: the Scotch Whisky Experience, which includes a tour of the whisky-making process, as well as tastings and educational sessions led by whisky experts, the family-friendly Camera Obscura, or the Tartan Weaving Mill and Exhibition.
Continue down Castlehill to Lawnmarket, enjoying the street performers and shops along the way. Your next stop should be at St. Giles Cathedral, which was named for the patron saint of Edinburgh and is also known for its beautiful architecture and rich history, which dates back to the 12th century.
After a busy morning, it is then time to relax for a bit and enjoy High Tea at The Colonnades at the Signet Library. I’ve tried three different afternoon tea options in Edinburgh (because I love a good high tea!) and this was by far my favorite, albeit pricey. I’d suggest booking a noon tea time to ensure you have plenty of time to arrive at your next destination for a tour of The Real Mary King’s Close.
During the tour, you will visit a series of underground streets and tenements that were built in the 17th century and are named after Mary King, a prominent member of the Edinburgh community, and learn about the daily lives of the people who lived and worked there.
Your last stop on the Royal Mile will be at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the royal residence when the King is in Edinburgh. You can tour the palace (with the help of an audio guide) and see the State Apartments, which are a series of grand and ornate rooms that were used for official ceremonies and state occasions.
Even though you have done a lot of walking this day, I’d encourage you to power through a little further and climb Calton Hill for one of the most famous lookouts in Edinburgh, with panoramic views over the city. The walk up is about a 10-minute climb from the road and it is a great spot to see the sunset over the city.
Where to Eat in Edinburgh
- Devil’s Advocate – modern Scottish cuisine and whisky bar in Old Town
- Dishoom – modern Indian in New Town
- Amarone – Italian in New Town
- Edinburgh Street Food – food hall near Calton Hill
- Urban Angel – breakfast and lunch cafe in New Town
Day 3 – Drive to the Isle of Skye
The drive to the Isle of Skye takes about 5.5 hours, but you will soon learn that traveling in Scotland can be a little slower than you might expect. Sometimes it is the narrow roads, but often it is because you will want to stop so often to take pictures of the gorgeous landscape!
It is a long trip so you will want to break it up with a couple of stops, but don’t linger too long, and be sure to get an early start! If you are an Outlander fan, you can make a quick stop at either Blackness Castle or Linlithgow Palace (birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and James V) as both were Outlander filming sites. Another fun option is a quick stop at The Helix to see the stunning Kelpies sculptures.
For an early lunch, make a stop in the cute town of Pitlochry along the way, where you can find many cute cafes such as the Fern Cottage or Hettie’s Tea Rooms. The Blair Athol Distillery is also located nearby.
Continue your road trip through The Highlands with a stop at the scenic viewpoints near Glen Shiel, including overlooks of the Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range or the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel during the 1719 Jacobite rising.
If you are running late, you can always skip those but make sure to leave time for a visit to Eilean Donan Castle. Even if you don’t buy a ticket to cross the bridge, you can get a great view from the visitor center and the overlook. The visitor center also has a cafe if you need a cup of tea or a quick bite.
By now it will be getting late in the day, but if you are visiting in the summer, you will be lucky to have daylight until after 10 p.m.. If you want to stretch your legs, make one more stop at the Fairy Pools before heading to your hotel.
The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye are a series of small waterfalls and pools in a gorgeous mountain setting. If you can catch the light right, the pools take on a beautiful shade of aqua blue. It is also a popular spot for wild swimming for those willing to brave the cold waters. Some say the waters attract selkies, while others believe that if you hold your head underwater for seven seconds you will be blessed with eternal youth.
The parking lot at the Fairy Pools can get crowded, so it is good to visit late in the day. Remember that you will always need to pay for parking at scenic attractions in Scotland. Most pay machines take credit cards and print a receipt that you leave on your dashboard. If the closest parking lot is full, there is secondary parking up the street, but that is going to make for a long walk.
Hiking up to the Fairy Pools is 2.5 km and is steep at points (mostly on the return to the parking lot). The walk, combined with multiple photo stops, will mean that you should allot at least one to two hours for your visit.
It is important to keep an eye on your watch because many of the casual restaurants on the Isle of Skye close by 8:00 p.m. I’d encourage you to make reservations when possible, especially when visiting during the busy season. Cafe Sia is a nice pizza restaurant not too far from the Fairy Pools.
Now it is finally time to head to your hotel. The most central location is in Portree, but you need to book your accommodations early if you are visiting during the summer (try to book by March at the latest). Portree Harbor has several fish and chip takeaway spots for a casual meal and there are a number of pubs and restaurants in town but reservations are highly recommended and keep in mind that many are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye
We stayed at the ultra-cool Bracken Hide Hotel, a wilderness hotel with individual cabins in a natural setting. The lodge has a great restaurant, cocktail bar, and lounge too. Some other good options that we considered (but were already booked) include:
Find other places to stay on the Isle of Skye:
Day 4 – Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the most magical places in Scotland and if you only have a little over a day to explore, you will want to get an early start. It will be a busy day and there aren’t a lot of restaurants along the way, so you may want to consider picking up a lunch in Portree at Cafe Arriba or grab a pastry at MacKenzie’s Bakery, which is supposed to have the best scones on the island but the person in front of me in line bought the last ones so I never got to try them!
Tip: The weather in Scotland is unpredictable, especially on the Isle of Skye so you need to be prepared with layers and waterproof gear. Be sure to download my Scotland packing list.
Here is an overview map of your Isle of Skye road trip today:
The first half of your day will be spent circumnavigating the Trotternish peninsula in the northern part of Isle of Skye. Your first stop will be at the Old Man of Storr trailhead, just a 17-minute drive from Portree. The parking lot isn’t large so getting there early will help you get a spot.
This is a 3.4-mile, challenging hike, but you don’t need to do the whole thing, just go high enough to get a good view. Unfortunately, when we visited, it was raining the Old Man was completely clouded over so we never got to see that iconic view. But that’s all part of visiting Scotland and there are times when the mist and clouds just add to its mystical qualities.
There are many scenic spots to stop along this loop, so decide how many you want to do, but I was blown away (almost literally) by the views at An Leathallt, although I didn’t take the time to walk down to Leath Falls.
I had hoped to also stop at Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, which is just 13 minutes from Old Man of Storr, but the parking lot was closed for construction. A friend of mine visited more recently and it has now been reopened (at least at the time of this writing.) Kilt Rock is one of Scotland’s iconic basalt formations that looks a bit like the pleats of a kilt – hence the name. From the viewpoint, you can look over the edge to see Mealt Falls
Next up is the Quiraing, which is a mountain range that dominates the northern Trotternish peninsula featuring many bizarre rock formations. Even in the rain, wind, and clouds, the Quiraing is a jaw-dropper. Hiking the entire loop would take around four hours, but again, you probably want to watch the time and just hike the first portion of the trail.
To get there, pass the small village of Staffin and take the small single-track road on the left. It is narrow and steep, so drive carefully. When you reach the car park, take a walk on the trail that starts on the opposite side of the road but be sure to also take in the views of the road you traveled on and the sweeping view down to the water. It is stunning.
After the Quiraing, you could backtrack to the A855 and continue to loop around the top of the peninsula, but to save time, you may want to just continue to cut across the peninsula on your way to the Fairy Glen (about 20 minutes from Quiraing.)
I completely fell in love with the Fairy Glen. If you don’t believe in fairies, this magical landscape with conical, terraced, grassy hills will turn you into a believer. My inner child was joyous and I wanted to stay for the entire day. I’m convinced there must be a Hobbit hole or Fairy home there somewhere! Seriously, don’t skip this stop. It is a fairly easy 30-minute hike from the parking lot and the whole path is quite scenic.
From the Fairy Glen, it is a 45-minute drive to Dunvegan Castle, which is open from the beginning of April until the middle of October. This castle was built in the 13th century and has been the ancestral seat of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. The castle overlooks the bay of Loch Dunvegan and they also offer short boat trips to a nearby seal colony. I can’t imagine visiting Scotland and not seeing at least one castle and Dunvegan is a good one. Not only is it a striking fortress on the outside, but the rooms are beautifully decorated and tell the interesting history of the MacLeod clan.
Tip: There is a cafe on site that can make a good spot to stop for lunch. Also, leave plenty of time to wander through the five acres of lush 18th-century gardens. These award-winning gardens include the Water Garden, Rose Garden, Walled Garden, and woodland walks.
I have saved the best for last to end your time on the Isle of Skye with a true wow view and experience. From Dunvegan Castle, it is a 30-minute (somewhat nerve-wracking) drive to Neist Point. The lighthouse at Neist Point is possibly the most iconic lighthouse on Skye, but it isn’t just about the lighthouse, it is about the stunning view of the promontory from the cliffs above.
You can certainly walk out to the lighthouse. The walk takes about 45 minutes from the car park and behind with a steep staircase down before it evens out. But just remember, you have to go back up those stairs at the end! If you are short on time or don’t feel up to that trek, the prettiest view is really from the cliffs above Neist Point. If you can time it right, it is also a perfect spot for sunset. But since sunset isn’t until after 10 p.m. in the summer, that can be a bit challenging and honestly, I wouldn’t love that drive back to your hotel after dark.
Where to Eat in Portree
- Frasers at the Bracken Hide
- The Lower Deck
- Sea Breezes Sea be wyfood
- Dulse & Brose
Day 5 – Glencoe
It is a three-hour drive from Portree to Glencoe, in the Scottish Highlands. However, if you want to stop at the Glenfinnan Viaduct (for Harry Potter fans), it will take a bit longer and you should plan to take the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig, but you need to reserve tickets in advance. Since this is only a five-day Scottish road trip, I’d suggest you skip this as to get the full experience, you need to time your visit to when the “Hogwarts Express” train crosses the aqueduct and the stop can end up taking two hours.
Instead, plan to stop in the town of Fort William for lunch. You could also visit the Ben Nevis Distillery, check out the locks at Neptune’s Staircase, take a scenic ride on the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, drive Glen Etive road (you may recognize it from the James Bond movie Skyfall), or take a hike in Glencoe. Or, do what we did and relax and enjoy a pint with a view at the outdoor picnic tables at the Clachaig Inn.
If you need to rush back to Edinburgh the next day, there are some other scenic stops in Glencoe you should fit in, including:
- Three Sisters Viewpoint – panoramic views of the mountains
- Meeting of the Waters – waterfall views
- Glencoe viewpoint
Where to Stay in Glencoe
We stayed at the very rustic Clachaig Inn, which is simple but has unbeatable views and a classic pub and restaurant. In addition to rooms at the inn, the Clachaig also has cabins and a fun playground, making it a great budget choice for families too. We also considered the Glencoe Inn, but it was too pricey for this trip.
See more places to stay near Glencoe:
Return to Edinburgh
Once you have reached the end of your five nights in Scotland, it is time to head back to Edinburgh. If you can squeeze out one more night before you fly home or continue on to your next destination, take your time on this drive because the Highlands are simply gorgeous. It is like Iceland in that it is hard to not pull over every 10 feet to take a picture. Otherwise, it is a 2.5-hour drive back to Edinburgh.
7-Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary
If you have a week for your Scotland road trip, you can see a good chunk of the country and really enjoy the incredible variations in the landscape. Start with two nights in Edinburgh, followed by two nights in Inverness (near Loch Ness), then two nights on the magical Isle of Skye, and finish with one day in Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.
This itinerary is very similar to the five-day option above, but I’ve added two nights in Inverness to add a bit more variety and a couple more famous attractions.
Your one-week Scotland road trip could look as follows:
- Day 1 – Arrival in Edinburgh (Dean Village, New Town, Victoria & Cockburn Streets)
- Day 2 – Edinburgh Royal Mile (Edinburgh Castle, Scotch Whisky Tasting Experience, St. Giles Cathedral, Real Mary King’s Close, Holyrood Palace, Calton Hill)
- Day 3 – Drive to Inverness (Kelpies, Pitlochry, Clava Cairns)
- Day 4 – Inverness (Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness)
- Day 5 – Drive to Isle of Skye (Eilean Donan Castle, Fairy Pools)
- Day 6 – Isle of Skye (Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Quiraing, Fairy Glen, Dunvegan Castle, Neist Point)
- Day 7 – Drive to Glencoe
I’ve created this map using Google MyMaps to show an overview of this seven-day Scottish road trip. You can click on the star next to the title and save this to your Google Maps account or click on the share icon to send it to yourself via email.
Day 1 – 2 – Edinburgh
For your first two days in Scotland, use the detailed itinerary I provided above in the 5-day Scotland road trip. This will provide you with a nice introduction to Scotland and offer a good overview of Edinburgh’s highlights.
See above for where to stay and where to eat in Edinburgh.
Day 3 – Drive to Inverness
The drive from Edinburgh to Inverness takes three hours, without stops or taking the scenic route of course. Your first stop should be at the Forth Bridges that connect North and South Queensferry across the Firth of Forth. The original Forth Bridge opened in 1890 and was the first major structure in the United Kingdom to be made of steel. Today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are multiple viewpoints to take photos of the bridge, especially along the five-mile Forth Bridges Trail.
Are you a fan of castles and Scottish history? If so, plan for a stop at the Scone Palace. The Scone Palace was built in the 12th century and served as the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings for over 400 years. In addition to the gardens, which include a maze, a woodland walk, and a children’s playground, you can also visit the staterooms. But the best part? You can get scones at Scone Palace at the tearoom.
For lunch, make a stop in the cute town of Pitlochry along the way, where you can find many cute cafes such as the Fern Cottage or Hettie’s Tea Rooms. The Blair Athol Distillery is also located nearby.
As you continue north toward Inverness, you will now travel along the outskirts of Cairngorms National Park. If you have time, consider making a stop to see the Cairngorms Reindeer Herd, Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer. The herd has about 150 reindeer and you can visit some of them with paddock visits or hill visits, but arrangements need to be made in advance.
Once you arrive in Inverness, take some time to work along River Ness and enjoy the downtown scene. Be sure to make a stop at Leakey’s Bookshop. This two-story bookshop has been buying and selling books for over 40 years. Any bibliophile is going to love wandering the shelves here and checking out the new and used tomes and historic maps. I still can’t believe there is a working wood stove amid of all that flammable paper, but it satisfied my book-lover side.
Where to Stay in Inverness
Because there were three of us on a Scotland girls’ trip, we rented this adorable Airbnb near the river that was a short walk to great restaurants and downtown. However, we also consider the following:
Find more places to stay in Inverness:
Where to Eat in Inverness
Day 4 – Inverness and Loch Ness
There are not a ton of things to see and do in Inverness proper, but there is plenty to do nearby. One of the most important historical sites in Scotland is the Culloden Battlefield, just 15 minutes away. If you have watched Outlander or studied any Scottish history, you are probably familiar with the Jacobites and the Battle of Culloden.
The Battle of Culloden was the final battle of the Jacobite Rising of 1745, which was an attempt by the Jacobite Party to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne. The Jacobite forces were led by Charles Edward Stuart, the grandson of James II, who had been deposed in 1688.
The two armies met on Culloden Moor on April 16, 1746, and the Jacobites were quickly defeated. While the battle lasted for just an hour, it was one of the bloodiest in British history, with over 1,500 Jacobites killed. It marked the end of the Jacobite Risings and the beginning of a period of repression in the Highlands of Scotland, where the government enacted harsh laws against the Highland clans, including the banning of kilts and bagpipes.
Now a National Trust for Scotland site, even if you know nothing of this history, the exhibits inside do an excellent job of providing context and background in a very digestible manner.
Walking the battlefield gives you a sense of the scale of this battle and has a similar reverence of sacred ground where so many were killed as a visit to Gettysburg in the U.S. While the Battlefield is being rewilded with native fauna and flora, flags mark the positions of the armies and paths through the Battlefield to see the mass graves of the Jacobites who were killed in the battle.
There are also several memorials, including the Clan Stones, which commemorate the clans that fought at Culloden. Of course, Outlander fans have trampled the area around the Fraser Stone to the point that it is now roped off. In my opinion, the Culloden Battlefield is the number one reason to visit Inverness.
Nearby, you can also visit the standing stones and burial sites at Clava Cairns. While it isn’t a stone circle, this is still an interesting ancient site and Outlander fans can see if any stones will magically transport them through time.
If you are visiting with kids who need a break from history (or animal lovers), you may also want to check out the working herding dog demonstrations at Leanach Farm B&B (reservations must be made in advance.)
Next, it is time to see another one of Scotland’s most famous attractions…Loch Ness. While there are plenty of boat tours for those who want to look for Nessie, you can also just drive along the shore and stop to take in the view.
We have all heard of the mysterious Loch Ness Monster, but did you know that Loch Ness is 23 miles long and only 1.5 miles wide at its widest point, but it reaches up to 754 feet in depth (so no wonder it is hard to find Nessie!)
Drumnadrochit village is home to the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition and a good town to visit for lunch. Before you get to town, keep your eyes peeled for a few of those famous Highland Cows (or Hairy Coos as they are affectionately known.)
Near Drumnadrochit, you will find Urquhart Castle on the banks of the Loch. This ruined castle is a popular attraction so don’t make my mistake and make sure you book your timed-entry tickets in advance.
Day 5 – Drive to the Isle of Skye
The drive from Inverness to Portree, in central Isle of Skye, takes about two and a half hours, but you need to plan for plenty of scenic stops along the way. I would suggest taking A82 south along the west side of Loch Ness to A887 and A87. From here, you will want to follow Day 3 from the 5-day Scotland road trip itinerary above with stops at Glen Shiel and Eilean Donan Castle.
Once you cross over onto the Isle of Skye, you will want to leave plenty of time for stops at waterfalls like Eas a’ Bhradain and Sligachan (if you dip your face in the water at the Sligachan Bridge, legend says you will be granted eternal beauty.)
Continue to the Fairy Pools and follow the detailed itinerary above. See above for where to stay and where to eat in Portree.
Day 6 – Isle of Skye
Follow the itinerary from day 4 of the itinerary above.
Day 7 – Glencoe
Follow the itinerary from day 5 of the itinerary above. See above for where to stay in Glencoe.
Return to Edinburgh
If you need to hurry back to Edinburgh to catch a flight, get an early start because the trip takes 2.5-3 hours. If you have more time, there are some stops you can make along the way. You could pay a visit to Stirling Castle, which sits at the crossroads of the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland, and has been the scene of many important battles throughout history as well as home to many Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots and James VI and I.
If you are an Outlander fan, you can make a quick stop at either Blackness Castle or Linlithgow Palace (birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and James V) as both were Outlander filming sites. Another fun option is a quick stop at The Helix to see the stunning Kelpies sculptures.
Alternatively, you could take a longer route back to Edinburgh and drive past Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Britain, at 24 miles long and 5 miles across. The picturesque village of Luss is the perfect spot to stop. There is a large carpark on the outskirts of this tiny town where you can park and then walk to explore this little village.
Luss has charming cottages, cute boutiques, restaurants, and a nice stretch of lakefront including a beach on Loch Lomond. If you are looking for lunch, The Village Rest has a darling setting in the center of town and a traditional menu.
10-Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary
With 10 days in Scotland, you have time to explore the Isle of Skye and the Highlands a little deeper, as well as also visit Glasgow. This 10-day road trip starts similar to the one-week itinerary, with two nights in Edinburgh and two nights in Inverness. But then, instead of cramming so much into a short time on the Isle of Skye, you can spread it out over three nights and see more of the island.
Follow this up with two nights in Glencoe, giving you time to take in the Glenfinnan Aqueduct and do some hiking too. Finish up in the foodie city of Glasgow before looping back to Edinburgh (unless you fly out of Glasgow.)
- Day 1 – Arrival in Edinburgh (Dean Village, New Town, Victoria & Cockburn Streets)
- Day 2 – Edinburgh Royal Mile (Edinburgh Castle, Scotch Whisky Tasting Experience, St. Giles Cathedral, Real Mary King’s Close, Holyrood Palace, Calton Hill)
- Day 3 – Drive to Inverness (Kelpies, Pitlochry, Clava Cairns)
- Day 4 – Inverness (Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness)
- Day 5 – Drive to Isle of Skye (Eilean Donan Castle)
- Day 6 – Isle of Skye (Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Quiraing, Fairy Glen, Dunvegan Castle, Neist Point)
- Day 7 – Isles of Skye (Fairy Pools, Talisker, Armadale Castle)
- Day 8 – Drive to Glencoe (Glenfinnan Aqueduct, Fort William)
- Day 9 – Glencoe (hiking) – or go to Glasgow to spend 2 nights in Glasgow
- Day 10 – Drive to Glasgow (Luss / Loch Lomond, Glasgow food tour)
I’ve created this map using Google MyMaps to show an overview of this ten-day Scottish road trip. You can click on the star next to the title and save this to your Google Maps account or click on the share icon to send it to yourself via email.
Days 1-4 – Edinburgh and Inverness
Since this itinerary starts the same, follow the 7-day road trip itinerary for days one through four above. See above for where to stay and where to eat in Edinburgh and Inverness.
Day 5 – Drive to the Isle of Skye
Your fifth day starts the same as day five in the 7-day itinerary above, but instead of fitting in the Fairy Pools, you will visit those on another day and have more time to explore the town of Portree instead.
To start off, drive from Inverness to Portree, in central Isle of Skye by taking A82 south along the west side of Loch Ness and then A887 to A87 toward Isle of Skye. You will want to make stops at Glen Shiel and Eilean Donan Castle.
Once you cross over onto Isle of Skye, you will want to leave plenty of time for stops at waterfalls like Eas a’ Bhradain and Sligachan (if you dip your face in the water at the Sligachan Bridge, legend says you will be granted eternal beauty.)
When you arrive in Portree, be sure to walk down to the harbor to see the colorful buildings and maybe grab some fish and chips from one of the takeaway places. If you have enough time, you could also climb the Apothecary Tower for scenic views toward the Old Man of Storr. Or, save time the next day but taking a hike up to Old Man of Storr, since it can be easier to find parking either early or late in the day.
See where to stay and where to eat in Portree or Isle of Skye above.
Day 6 – Isle of Skye
Follow day six of the one-week itinerary above.
Day 7 – Isle of Skye
By this time, you are going to be so in love with the Isle of Skye that you will be happy to have an extra day to explore. You may want to consider switching hotels for your last day to one of the places mentioned above on the southern half of the island. This will prevent you from doing too much backtracking and save you time the following morning.
Start by driving about 45 minutes to Talisker Bay Beach. This is considered one of the nicest beaches on the Isle of Skye and the backdrop of cliffs offers a photogenic setting. Nearby, you can grab lunch at the Oyster Shed in Carbost Beag and visit the Talisker Distillery. You could even sign up for a boat tour with Wild Skye Boat Trips for wildlife sightings or fishing (just note that if you take a boat trip you will limit how much time you have for other activities.)
Next, you will want to drive about 15 minutes to the Fairy Pools. The Fairy Pools are a series of small waterfalls and pools that, when you catch the light right, take on a beautiful shade of aqua blue, making it one of the more popular natural attractions on the Isle of Skye.
The parking lot at the Fairy Pools can get crowded, but if the closest parking lot is full, there is secondary parking up the street, but that is going to make for a long walk. Hiking up to the Fairy Pools is 2.5 km and is steep at points (mostly on the return to the parking lot). The walk, combined with multiple photo stops, will mean that you should allot at least one to two hours for your visit.
After spending time at the Fairy Pools, drive approximately 1.25 hours to Armadale Castle and Gardens. Keep in mind that the Castle typically closes at 5:00 pm and the last entry is at 4:30 pm. Armadale Castle is the former seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat, the chiefs of Clan Donald, one of the most powerful clans in Scottish history. The castle was built in the 18th century, but the original castle on the site dates back to the 14th century. Today you can visit the Castle and its beautiful gardens.
If you still have some time and energy after visiting the Castle, you can drive to the southern tip of Isle of Skye to Camas Daraich, a white sand beach with turquoise water located on the Point of Sleat. Staying near Armadale and the ferry port will make your travel the next morning much easier.
Day 8 – Drive to Glencoe
The shortest way to get from Armadale or the southern portion of Isle of Skye to Glencoe is to take the Armadale – Mallaig ferry, but you need to purchase tickets in advance.
If you would like to stop at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First, if you plan to see the Jacobite Steam Train crossing the viaduct (aka the Hogwarts Express, as you may recall the scene from the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie), you will need to look up the timetable in advance. You want to find what time the train leaves Fort William and calculate when it will reach Glenfinnan.
For example, we knew we wouldn’t get there in time for the earliest train, so we planned on seeing the train that left Fort William at 12:50 p.m., which arrived at the viaduct around 1:30 pm. However, don’t plan on arriving right at 1:30! I would suggest arriving at least an hour before the train is expected to arrive. It takes about 15 minutes from the car park, following the trail, to reach the rise above the viaduct that has a good view. Many photographers grab the best spots for their tripods about one hour early. At a minimum, plan to be at the overlook 30 minutes before the train is scheduled to arrive to get a decent viewing spot.
In addition to watching the train crossing, there are good views from the overlook behind the visitor center and the Visitor Center itself has some interesting historical exhibits, and there is a small cafe on the grounds with plenty of picnic tables if you need lunch. You can also walk across the street to see the Glenfinnan Monument, at the top of Loch Shiel.
From Glenfinnan, continue to the town of Fort William. Fort William is the endpoint for the West Highland Way Path and home to the West Highland Museum. Nearby, you could also visit the Ben Nevis Distillery, check out the locks at Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal, take a scenic ride on the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, drive Glen Etive road (you may recognize it from the James Bond movie Skyfall).
See 5-day itinerary above for where to stay in Glencoe.
Day 9 – Glencoe
If you love to hike, plan to spend an extra day in Glencoe. If you prefer cities, continue to Glasgow instead, but give yourself plenty of time to stop along the way since you will have another day in Glasgow.
Start with stops at some scenic viewpoints, including:
- Three Sisters Viewpoint – panoramic views of the mountains
- Meeting of the Waters – waterfall views
- Glencoe viewpoint
- Glencoe Visitor Center
You can also enjoy at least one scenic hike in the Glencoe area. Some popular hikes include:
- Steall Falls
- Lost Valley (Coire Gabhail)
- The Pap of Glencoe
- Buachaille Etive Mòr (part of the Three Sisters)
If you are a big whisky lover, you could also drive down to the town of Oban (home to my husband’s favorite Scotch.)
Day 10 – Glasgow
The drive from Glencoe to Glasgow takes about two hours. Depending on how much you want to see and do in the city, you may want to stop in Luss on Loch Lomond, since you will be passing right through. This darling little town must be one of the cutest in Scotland.
Glasgow used to have a reputation as somewhat of a gritty city but that has changed in recent years and today it is a vibrant city with a local feel (unlike Edinburgh, which can feel more tourism-driven.) Glasgow, which got its name as a “green hollow”, is home to several world-class museums, as well as a thriving food, drink, music, and theater scene.
A few “must sees” in Glasgow include:
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – The Kelvingrove is one of the most popular art galleries and museums in the UK, and it houses a wide range of collections, including fine art, natural history, and archaeology.
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens – The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are home to a wide variety of plants and flowers, as well as a number of greenhouses and conservatories.
- George Square – located in the city center and is named after King George III. The square is surrounded by many important buildings and is a gathering place for Glaswegians and tourists alike.
- Buchanan Street – is a pedestrianized street located in the city center and is home to a wide range of shops and department stores and connected to a few shopping centers, including Buchanan Galleries, Princes Square, and the St Enoch Centre.
- Glasgow Women’s Library – dedicated to the lives and histories of women.
I’d highly recommend taking a Glasgow food tour, to get a good sense of the burgeoning food scene. If you are a gin fan, my friend Keryn loved her treatment and cocktail at the Gin Spa in Glasgow.
Where to Stay in Glasgow
On our trip, we were hosted at the Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel in the West End, which was a great area with tons of restaurants and boutiques and easy access to downtown via the metro. The Kelvingrove and Botanic Gardens were also within walking distance.
Find more places to stay in Glasgow:
Where to Eat in Glasgow
If you don’t take a food tour (or if you stay longer), a few spots you may want to check out include:
- Anchor Line
- The Citizen
- 63rd and 1st
- Duke’s Umbrella
- Scamp
- Stravaigin (West End)
- Ubiquitous Chip (West End)
- The Scotia Bar (oldest pub)
- Babbity Bowster (live music)
- beGIN Glasgow (gin bar in the Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel)
Drive to Edinburgh
Whew, your Scotland road trip has sadly come to an end. If you are continuing your vacation in the U.K. or Europe, you could fly out of Glasgow or choose to take the train back to Edinburgh. However, if you drive back to Edinburgh to fly home, if you have time, be sure to stop at The Helix to see the stunning Kelpies sculptures.
Outlander fans may also want to make a quick stop at either Blackness Castle or Linlithgow Palace (birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and James V) as both were Outlander filming sites.
Scotland Driving Tips
Before you head out on your Scotland road trip, there are a few Scotland driving tips to be aware of:
- Rent an automatic – Unless you are very comfortable driving a stick shift, renting a car with an automatic transmission will be easier than a manual. Otherwise, there is too much to get used to at the same time. Just keep in mind that automatic transmission cars will be more expensive and more limited so place your reservation early.
- Purchase car rental insurance – Double check your credit card or travel insurance coverage and if not enough, be sure to purchase rental car insurance.
- Drive on the left – Scotland, like the rest of the United Kingdom, drives on the left side of the road. This can be a bit of an adjustment for drivers from countries that drive on the right, so it is important to be mindful of this when driving in Scotland. As you make a turn or enter a rotary, always say to yourself “drive on the left.”
- Be careful when merging onto a highway – When you are merging onto a motorway in the UK, you will need to merge from the left lane. This can be a bit tricky for drivers from the US, so be sure to use caution.
- Be aware of the speed limit – The speed limit on motorways in Scotland is 70 mph (113 km/h). On smaller roads, the speed limit is 60 mph (97 km/h). In urban areas, the speed limit is 30 mph (48 km/h).
- Be aware of narrow roads – Many roads in Scotland are narrow and winding, especially in rural areas. When going around a blind curve, slow down and honk your horn before going around the corner.
- Be aware of wildlife: Scotland is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, sheep, and cows. It is important to be aware of this and to drive carefully, especially at night.
- Use passing places – Passing places are areas on narrow roads where drivers can pull over to let oncoming traffic pass. It is important to use passing places when necessary, and to be courteous to other drivers. Whoever is closest to the passing place should turn in, even if that means backing up. Usually, only a couple of cars will pull in while the others pass, and then the other side goes.
- Be aware of single-track roads – Single-track roads are roads that have only one lane. Vehicles must take turns passing each other on single track roads. It is important to be aware of this and to drive slowly and carefully.
- Be prepared for all types of weather – The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for all types of weather. Be sure to pack a raincoat and an umbrella, and be prepared for the possibility of fog and snow.
- Remember to pay for parking – Most parking lots have self-pay stations so take a photo of your license plate as sometimes you will need to enter it and other times you just need to pay and leave the slip on your dashboard. Don’t risk not paying as the parking tickets are pricey (trust me, I found out the hard way that a parking receipt is only valid in the parking lot in which it was issued, even if you are still within the same time window. Many of the pay machines take credit cards but it helps to have some coins and small bills in case the card reader isn’t working.
Visiting the United Kingdom? You may also be interested in…
- 2 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary
- Wales road trip itinerary
- Prettiest villages in Wales
- Walking Hadrian’s Wall Path in England
Tamara is an over 50, award-winning travel writer, and recent empty nester based in Rhode Island. After years of writing about family travel on We3Travel and inspiring wanderlust as co-host of the Vacation Mavens family travel podcast, she started Your Time to Fly as a place to share ideas for girlfriend getaways, romantic escapes, and solo female travel for midlife women.
