Your Route
Using your itinerary:
This itinerary is a carefully curated guide to help you plan an incredible journey through Scotland. Inside, you’ll find a handpicked mix of must-see sights, hidden gems, places to stay, restaurants and cafes worth the detour, and experiences you won’t want to miss.
Each destination section includes pinned locations for everything mentioned — from walking trails and viewpoints to eateries and parking spots — so you can explore with ease.
Also attached are day trips and activity guides; these are generally in natural loops, but you can pick & choose which suits you (and the weather) best on the day. You can, of course, at any point choose to ignore suggested stops and take a slower day.
Your route overview:
Day by day overview:
Day 1: (24 September) – Arrive in Edinburgh
Day 2: (25 September) – Edinburgh
Day 3: (26 September) – Edinburgh to Inverary
Day 4: (27 September) – Inverary to Glencoe
Day 5: (28 September) – Glencoe
Day 6: (29 September) - Glencoe
Day 7: (30 September) - Glencoe
Day 8: (1 October) – Glencoe to Isle of Skye
Day 9: (2 October) – Isle of Skye
Day 10: (3 October) – Isle of Skye
Day 11: (4 October) – Isle of Skye to Ullapool
Day 12: (5 October) – Ullapool
Day 13: (6 October) – Ullapool
Day 14: (7 October) – Ullapool to Pitlochry
Day 15: (8 October) – Pitlochry to Edinburgh
Day 16: (9 October) – Edinburgh and depart
Days 1 and 2: Edinburgh
Airport to Edinburgh City Centre & Hotel
From the airport, take the tram to the city centre or a taxi directly to your hotel.
If you’re taking the tram, an adult open return is £9.50, and you can use the return ticket at the end of your trip. You’ll then need to walk or taxi to your hotel.
Alternatively, a taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost around £35.
Hotel luggage drop off
As you’re arriving early, I recommend heading directly to your hotel and dropping off your luggage (check in if possible).
Explore The Old Town (day one)
After dropping your bags, it’s time to explore Edinburgh. As you’ll be tired from the flight, I suggest a gentle walking route around the Old Town (within easy walking distance of the hotels we’ve suggested but also accessible by public transport), which includes the city's most historic streets and architecture.
You’ll find suggestions in your Edinburgh guide.
Explore The New Town (day two)
For your second day in Edinburgh, explore the New Town – Arthur’s Seat is a fantastic hike for the morning. And in the afternoon, the quaint streets and riverside walk around Stockbridge are an authentic and calm oasis from the busy city centre.
Day 3: Inverary
165 miles | 4 hours driving | Map
Today, collect your hire car in Edinburgh centre and travel west to the coast. On your way, you’ll pass through conservation village Luss and beautiful Loch Lomond. Then stop at Dunoon, the main town on the beautiful Cowal Peninsula, before ending your evening in Inveraray.
Note: that you can visit Dunoon today as requested on our call. It does add an avoidable detour to your day, but the drives and scenery along the way are wonderful.
Stop 1: Balloch, Loch Lomond
Your route to the west coast starts with Loch Lomond. If you’re not in a rush to get to Inveraray, I recommend taking a boat trip across the loch. The best option is Sweeney’s Cruise Co, who have a range of sailings, including a brilliant one-hour option for £17.50 per person.
Note: If it’s a nice day, there’s a great shipping container café at Balloch Pier called Wild Highlands Coffee House. It has seating on the pier overlooking Loch Lomond with a great view of the paddle steamer, Maid of the Loch.
Stop 2: Luss & Loch Lomond
Luss is a beautiful conservation village on the banks of Loch Lomond. The row of old cottages along to Luss Pier is very quaint, as is the old church, and the pier is the gateway to Loch Lomond with boat trips criss-crossing the loch throughout the day.
Note: Another fantastic boat trip option is Cruise Loch Lomond, who offer a 90-minute circular cruise around Loch Lomond from £18 per person.
Directions: Luss car park
Parking: There’s a large car park by the petrol station. It’s pay & display. There’s also a south car park if the main one is full.
Time: around 30-45 minutes, depending on how much exploring you do.
Stop 3: Lunch @ Arrochar
Arrochar is situated at the mouth of Loch Long with the Cobbler, a distinctively shaped mountain, in the background. The views are fantastic. I recommend Cù Mara Bistro for lunch. You can sit in, outside or take away. If it’s a nice day, you could take food up to the Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint.
There are six spaces outside Cù Mara Bistro. You can park at the Village Hall next door for £1.
Stop 4: Dunoon
Take a short detour to the coastal town of Dunoon – the main town on the Cowal Peninsula. Walk along the promenade, enjoy the views, and grab a coffee in one of the many seafront cafes.
Evening Stop: Inverary
From Dunoon we suggest spending tonight in Inverary. This is a beautiful town with whitewashed stone houses on the banks of Loch Fyne. The rocky beach is perfect for beachside strolls, while the old pier is a great coastal viewpoint.
If you have time, I recommend visiting the wonderful Inverary Castle and Gardens.
While you can enjoy coffee and cake in the lovely Bramble’s cafe this afternoon or in the morning.
Dinner @ Inverary
For dinner, I recommend The George Hotel. This ancient inn has fantastic food (a mix of classic bistro and elevated dishes). Inside is lovely, with roaring fires and heaps of atmosphere and history. There’s also a cocktail bar and traditional pub (both very cosy and worth stopping for a drink).
Or drive the short distance out of town to the Loch Fyne Restaurant & Oyster Bar if you like seafood. Sample the oysters – they’re grown literally across the road in Loch Fyne.
Days 4 to 7: Glencoe
60 miles | 1.5-2 hours driving | Map
Leaving Inveraray, your final destination today is Glencoe, a spectacular area that is perfect for walks, hikes and classic Highland scenery. Base yourself here for three nights and plan a combination of walks and day trips to nearby places.
Note: Today’s drive time is short to give you time to enjoy Inverary in the morning or Glencoe in the afternoon.
Kilchurn Castle
As you travel towards Glencoe, you’ll pass Kilchurn Castle, a well-preserved ruin on a rocky peninsula of Loch Awe. It was constructed in the mid-15th century as the base of the Campbells of Glenorchy. Latterly, it was a garrison stronghold and barracks.
The loch setting and mountain backdrop are very dramatic.
You can photograph the castle from the lay-by if you have a good zoom lens. If not, go over the stile and walk down to the loch edge. You’ll need boots or wellies, as the ground is very boggy!
You can also park at the main Kilchurn car park and walk to the castle.
Directions: viewpoint layby
Parking: two small laybys on either side of the road. A few smaller ones further along the road, too.
Time: 5-20 minutes, depending on whether you walk down to the loch or to the castle itself.
Glencoe Base & Day Trips
Arrive in Glencoe. You’ll find suggested stops, viewpoints, and hikes in your Glencoe day trip guide.
Days 8 to 10: Isle of Skye
75 miles | 3 hours driving | Map
This morning, head west on the “Road to the Isles” – on the way, you’ll pass Arisaig and Morar, famous for their wild beaches. Before arriving in Mallaig. This is where you’ll take the boat over the sea to Skye.
Note: Your drive time today includes the ferry – but may be longer depending on where you choose to stay on the island.
Stop 1: Silver Sands of Morar / Arisaig Beaches
Spend this morning exploring wonderfully wild beaches on the “Road to the Isles”. There are three beaches to visit - Traigh Beaches, Camusdarach & The Silver Sands of Morar. They’re all joined up via the phenomenally scenic B8008 road.
Directions: Silver Sands of Morar car park and Camusdarach Beach car park.
Parking: a small car park that is in high demand, so parking is not always possible. There’s also some roadside parking. Public toilets on-site.
Time: around 20-30 minutes detour on the coastal road. Longer if you visit Camusdarach beach.
Stop 2: Mallaig (for the Skye ferry)
If you get into Mallaig with time to spare before your ferry, there are a few nice cafes & bakeries to visit. Don't plan too much time here, as it's an industrial port town.
For places to eat, I recommend:
The Bakehouse & Crannog- a great bakery & coffee shop on the waterfront. You can also take a picnic on the Skye ferry. Highly recommend.
Bloom & Graze- a quaint horsebox cafe that has picnic snack boxes for the ferry.
The Mallaig ferry
The ferry runs approximately every 2 hours, from around 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and takes 45 minutes. You should book in advance to guarantee your place here.
Directions: Mallaig Ferry terminal
Parking: join the ferry queue as directed by CalMac staff.
Lunch: Bar Am Pràban
You’ll arrive on Skye’s most southerly part and drive north towards the island proper. En route, I recommend you stop at Isleornsay, a coastal community with a secluded pier surrounded by quaint whitewashed buildings.
On a nice day, the relaxed bar-restaurant Bar Am Praban is perfect for a drink or lunch on the grassy area with picnic benches. Pràban translates to shebeen, the black pot / illicit still used by smugglers.
The bar serves fresh seafood landed on the pier opposite. The langoustines are excellent and highly recommended if you enjoy seafood.
Next door Pràban na Linne is a boutique whisky & gin shop where you can taste before you buy.
Directions: Bar Am Praban car park
Parking: spaces out front.
Time: 20-30 minutes for a drink and to look around. More if you have food.
Isle of Skye Base & Day Trips
Depending on what time you arrive on the island, either head to your accommodation or spend the afternoon exploring “The Misty Isle” before checking in. Spend three days on the island, taking day trips to its most beautiful parts.
You’ll find suggested stops, viewpoints, and hikes in your Isle of Skye day trip guide.
Days 11 to 13: Ullapool
110 miles | 3 hours driving | Map
Today, leave Skye and head north to Ullapool. Along the way, there’s plenty to see, including one of Scotland’s most famous castles and a coastal village often called the jewel of the Highlands. End your day in or around Ullapool – this is the perfect place to base yourselves and take day trips to visit some of Scotland’s most amazing scenery.
Stop 1: Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is the most famous & photographed castle in Scotland – and for good reason. As such, it’s a busy attraction but nonetheless worth stopping at. If you want to see inside the castle, it’s £12 per adult, plus parking fees.
Directions: Eilean Donan Castle parking
Parking: £3 for 2 hours.
Time: 15 minutes just to park and take a photo. Around an hour to stop in for a visit.
Coffee: head to All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop for a coffee and sweet treat (the cinnamon buns are excellent).
Stop 2: Plockton
Or the palm-tree-lined harbour makes for a wonderful seaside stroll. If you have time, this seal-spotting boat trip is really good fun. Highly recommend stopping here.
Directions: village centre parking
Coffee/lunch: The Croft Café in nearby Duirinish (keep an eye out for the Highland cows). The Old Butchers in nearby Strathcarron (you’ll drive through here on your route north).
Note: Next, drive north towards Ullapool. The scenery on this drive is spectacular. Your drive time today is short so you have plenty of time to pull over and soak up the views.
Ullapool Base & Day Trips
A lovely coastal town with lots of nice restaurants, cafes and bars, plus plenty of accommodation both in the town and its rural areas. This is the perfect base for day trips around the northern parts of the Scottish Highlands, and from Ullapool, you have the options of spectacular drives to some of the west coast’s most breathtaking scenery.
You’ll find suggested stops, viewpoints, and hikes in your Ullapool day trip guide.
Day 14: Pitlochry
150 miles | 3.5 hours driving | Map
Today, combine some of Scotland’s most emotive history and heritage with an optional stop in Inverness, the Highlands’ capital city. Plus plenty of opportunities to sample a dram along the way in our most iconic distilleries.
Note: There’s plenty to see today, though do note it’s possible to skip Perthshire and drive straight to Edinburgh should you wish for more time in the capital. However, I want to give the option of a more relaxed day with a stopover to break up the journey.
Stop 1: Inverness
The capital of the Highlands, Inverness, is a surprisingly compact, green, and walkable city.
Inverness Riverside Walk
If you have time, and you’d like to stretch your legs, the walk along the banks of the River Ness to the leafy Ness Islands is a must. You can walk one side of the river and retrace your steps (the quicker option, around 20 minutes) or cross over one of the many bridges to complete the river loop (around 45 minutes).
You’ll pass Inverness Cathedral and a viewpoint over Inverness Castle (currently closed) on the way. And Inverness Botanic Gardens are easily accessible from the trail (free to enter; the glasshouse is very pretty).
Parking: This car park is the best option.
Inverness coffee, cakes or lunch
XOKO – one of the very best cafes, you’ll love the menu and food here. Coffee, cakes, small plates and larger lunches.
The Victorian Market – a bustling food market, where you’ll find all sorts of delicious eating options.
Perk – very fun doughnut shop!
Black Isle Brewery – really excellent pizzas and locally brewed organic beers.
The Mustard Seed – for something a little more formal if you’re here at lunch time.
Stop 2: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, operated by the National Trust for Scotland, just east of Inverness, offers a deeply atmospheric and educational experience.
Within a thoughtfully designed building, you’ll find exhibits that present both the Jacobite and Government perspectives, and discover artefacts ranging from weapons and letters that have survived through the ages. Ticket prices are £12.50 per person (pay on the day).
Stop 3: Clava Cairns
If you enjoy history and heritage, it’s worth adding nearby Clava Cairns to your itinerary. This Bronze Age cemetery complex, just a few minutes from Culloden, features well-preserved chambered cairns and standing stones in a peaceful woodland setting, and is free to visit year-round with a small parking area on-site.
Stop 4: Dalwhinnie Distillery
Easily one of Scotland’s most recognisable distilleries, this is an easy stop on your journey south. You can book a tour; however, if you pop in and ask for an impromptu tasting, the staff are always on hand to share a dram (and a mini to take away for the designated driver!)
Directions: Dalwhinnie Distillery car park
Evening stop: Pitlochry
Tucked into the heart of Highland Perthshire, Pitlochry is a charming town that combines scenic beauty with a welcoming, small-town feel. It’s long been a popular stop for travellers, thanks to its walkable high street, surrounding forest trails, and rich Victorian heritage.
Before dinner, take a stroll to the dam and fish ladder, where you might spot salmon leaping upstream.
Visit Blair Athol Distillery — one of Scotland’s oldest (and prettiest) working distilleries — for a taste of traditional Highland whisky and a behind-the-scenes look at the craft.
And enjoy dinner in one of the town’s excellent eateries (or in your hotel restaurant).
Days 15 and 16: Edinburgh
107 miles | 2.5-3 hours driving | Map
Stop 1: Dunkeld
Dunkeld is a compact but postcard-perfect Scottish town in the heart of Highland Perthshire, worth visiting this morning. Wander along the banks of the River Tay, see Dunkeld Cathedral, and explore the beautifully preserved conservation village.
Be sure to grab a pastry from modern, Scandi-style Aran Bakery. Known for its sourdough, flaky pastries, and patisseries, this is a must!
Parking: Tay Terrace car park.
Time: around an hour for Dunkeld.
Stop 2: The Hermitage Forest Walk
Depending on how early you start today, I recommend a short forest walk at The Hermitage. You’ll find some of Scotland’s tallest trees here and an incredible waterfall accessed via an unexpected hall. There’s also a very good coffee and doughnut stall here!
Parking: Hermitage car park (£4 to park)
Time: around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how far you walk.
Stop 3: Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle has a long and distinguished history, including being the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots (which you already know!). Tickets can be bought online.
You’ll also see Wallace Monument as you drive along the motorway.
Directions: Stirling Castle parking
Parking: The main car park can be busy; the website lists alternative parking.
Time: around an hour.
Stop 4: Culross
Culross (pronounced coo-riss) is one of Scotland’s most charming and photogenic villages—an absolute gem tucked along the shores of the Firth of Forth. With its cobbled lanes, ochre-coloured 17th-century buildings, historic palace, and peaceful historic atmosphere, it feels like stepping straight into a storybook.
Directions: Culross West Car Park
Time: around an hour
Coffee/lunch: The very traditional Bessie’s Café or the very cosy Mercat Café.
Stop 5: North Queensferry
If you have time, stop in the tiny hamlet of North Queensferry. The view of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge is incredible (though there’s otherwise not much to see).
Parking: Battery Road car park
Time: around 15 minutes (add additional time for lunch)
Note: I would recommend returning to Edinburgh today and returning your car this evening to give yourself plenty of time in the morning to have breakfast and get to the airport. Book a hotel from the list in the city centre or at the airport.
Day 16: Depart Edinburgh
As your flight is at 12.30pm, I won’t suggest anything for this morning. Allow a minimum of 45 minutes for the journey between the city and the airport (depending on your hotel).
For Edinburgh Airport, I highly recommend the Plaza Premium Lounge (though it is £44 per person; details here). Or All Bar One (gates 6 and 16) for food in a quieter spot away from the main busy area.
I also recommend Fast Track for security. The airport can be busy, and Fast Track will help you avoid the queues (£7 per person, details here).