visit scotland day trips

Day Trips & Day Tours from Glasgow

Fancy a brilliant day trip or  day tour from Glasgow ? With this dynamic city being so centrally located in Scotland, there are plenty of historic attractions, castles, lochs, outdoor activities and remarkable landscapes either right on Glasgow's doorstep or a moderate distance away.

Best of all, you've got options when it comes to how to go - you could book an organised tour, hop aboard public transport or take the car to enjoy a road trip! Here are some ideas on how to have a great day out from Glasgow.

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Loch Lomond Shores

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

By Tour Bus

An organised one-day tour is often a great way to experience many of Scotland's icons, from breathtaking landscapes to the amber-coloured delights of Scotch whisky.

It's time to re-think what you think you know about coach trips - tour buses are often luxurious and compact, accommodating small numbers for a more personal experience. Many also boast green initiatives which allows them to off-set their carbon emissions.

Find a  day tour from Glasgow .

Tour operators who offer one-day trips from Glasgow include  Timberbush Tours ,  Rabbies Tours ,  Discover Scotland Tours ,   Haggis Adventures  and  Highland Experience . For many, it can take the stress out of travel as you don't have to worry about navigation - instead, soak up the views from the window and listen to your knowledgeable guide tell you stories about the area.

But where do they go, we hear you asking? There are a number of destinations to pick from, depending on what is on offer from the tour operator. You'll find that there are trips which take in  Loch Lomond & The Trossachs ,  Oban  and  Glencoe , and  Perthshire  - some even go as far as  Loch Ness ! Tours follow the most scenic routes and take breaks at viewpoints with stunning views. On some trips, the bus will make a stop at a distillery, where you can take a tour and discover whisky-making secrets.

Stirling Castle

With the car, you can enjoy the freedom of the road and can head off in almost any direction.

It's amazing where you can travel to from Glasgow in an hour or two! Help reduce carbon emissions and rent an electric car/vehicle (EV) which you can collect in Glasgow from a company like  365 Luxury Car Hire  which offers a fleet of Teslas.

Find a reliable map of all the EV charge points in Scotland at  ChargePlace Scotland , Scotland’s national EVcharging network; and  Net Zero Nation .

If you're keen to see some of our coastline, head to  Ayrshire  and follow the coastal roads to the impressive  Culzean Castle and Country Park . On the way, plan stops at Ayrshire's seaside towns, such as  Troon . You could return to Glasgow via  Dumfries House , a stunning 18th century house with exquisite gardens.

From Glasgow,  Stirling  and  Falkirk  are less than 40 minutes' drive. In and around these places there is a huge range of fantastic attractions to visit, including  Stirling Castle , the  National Wallace Monument , the  Battle of Bannockburn Centre , the  Falkirk Wheel , and  The Helix , home to The Kelpies by Andy Scott. Make it a round trip by returning via the Trossachs taking in the  Lake of Menteith ,  Aberfoyle  and  Balloch  at the south of Loch Lomond. This route also takes in  Blair Drummond Safari Park  whilst  Doune Castle  is just a short detour.

For a day trip which allows you to see more of those famous bonnie, bonnie banks, head north west of the city and travel along the shores of  Loch Lomond  before heading over the  Rest and Be Thankful pass  to the charming historic town of  Inveraray  on Loch Fyne. It's a splendid drive which takes 1 hour 30 minutes. Instead of returning the same way, you could travel back via  Tyndrum  and  Crianlarich , and visit attractions along the way such as  Cruachan Power Station  and the crumbling  Kilchurn Castle . Why not find  lochs Near Edinburgh and Glasgow  for a fun-filled day out?

That's just the tip of the iceberg - there are plenty more ideas for brilliant  road trips  in Scotland!

Cyclists passing Lion Rock

© Kenny Lam

By Public Transport

Scotland's national and local rail and bus networks connect Glasgow with some wonderful places all across the country. 

From Glasgow, it's easy to visit one of Scotland's six UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  New Lanark , a restored 18th century cotton mill village, is easily reached by taking a train to  Lanark  and then jumping on a local bus to this fantastic family friendly attraction.

Did you know you can escape to the coast by train in under an hour, and then 'hop' to an island in the Firth of Clyde? It's just a 45 minute train journey to  Ardrossan , and then a 55 minute  ferry crossing  to the pretty  Isle of Arran , often referred to as 'Scotland in miniature'. Once on Arran, you can explore the port of  Brodick , or catch a local bus round the island.

Largs  has been a popular seaside destination for generations of Scots, and today this coastal town still makes for a jolly day out by the sea. The train from Glasgow takes less than an hour. Once you arrive, stroll along the promenade with an ice cream or jump aboard the ferry and take the short crossing to the  Isle of Cumbrae . Here you might want to hire a bike at  Millport  and discover the island on two wheels, or discover Millport's attractions as you wander round the tiny island town.

Or, take the train from Glasgow Central to  Wemyss Bay  where you can catch the ferry to the  Isle of Bute . The ferry arrives in Rothesay where you can get a local bus to the magnificent  Mount Stuart , Britain's most spectacular Gothic house.

Should you be more excited by the thought of seeing Scotland's capital than its coastline, then jump aboard one of the regular train or bus services to  Edinburgh . Lying just 45 miles east of Glasgow, you'll find that it doesn't take long before you are walking over the ancient cobbles of the  Royal Mile , admiring the stunning city skyline from  Arthur's Seat , or exploring world-class attractions such as  Edinburgh Castle  and the  National Museum of Scotland .

Remember, you can use  Traveline Scotland  to help you plan days out by public transport.

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The Best Scotland Trips: Some Ideas For Places To See And Things To Do!

Updated 2018-02-02

You’ll find everything you need for planning the best Scotland trips right here with my recommended places for holidays, fun packed day trips, tours, and accommodation.

Choosing a well earned holiday or short break could be exactly what you need for a chance to relax and enjoy our Scottish hospitality. But of course, there are quite a few options available, so how exactly do you go about choosing the best places to visit?

If you know what you’re looking for, that’s great.

But if you’re unsure, you can relax. Wherever your interests lie, whether it’s in culture, history, breathtaking scenery, or nightlife, you’re guaranteed to find it on my selected Scotland trips. And please take some time to check the Scotland Travel Information page for the essential things you’ll need to know for travelling to and within Scotland.

Find Best Hotel Deals in towns and cities. Check the Search Flights page for the lowest air fares. Get great rates on Car Rental here. Buy Train Tickets Here and save up to 65%.

Many people visit for our history and culture. Some come for our Outdoor Activities , like golf, hiking and cycling. I would suggest that the best way to see the country is by walking, but unless you are a keen hiker then driving is recommended to allow you to see the best of the countryside. Driving here isn’t too bad, especially in the Highlands.

Still undecided? Read on and find the best places to see on YOUR trip, for all the top attractions, day trips and holidays. The places I’ve written about here are all personal favourites, but you should check out Best Time To Visit Scotland for you personally.

Some folks prefer the culture and nightlife of the city, but a lot of people take holidays here to enjoy beautiful scenery and relaxation. It’s up to you, but if you live in the city then maybe you’d be best opting for a quiet setting with stunning views, but close enough to explore the lochs and the charming wee towns and villages around them.

BEST SCOTLAND TRIPS….

I have been to the places featured here. I can recommend them all for short breaks, and good places for day trips and holidays. They are listed here in no particular order:

THE CITY OF EDINBURGH

Loch Lomond is the largest expanse of inland fresh water in Britain. It’s THE ideal base if you want a holiday that’s superbly situated for the cities of Glasgow, Stirling, and Perth, and also for exploring the beautiful rustic countryside.

If visiting Scotland, the City of Stirling should be on your itinerary, especially if you’re a history buff. But if you are looking for a bustling city centre, with good shopping, you’re also on a winner here. You simply can’t go wrong.

There are some famous sights to be seen in the Highlands, with its natural scenic beauty. Places like Glencoe, The Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and Ben Nevis. It’s ideal for outdoor activities like golf, hiking, cycling, fishing and much more.

Glasgow boasts world famous art collections, great museums and attractions, the best shopping in the UK outside London, and also some of the most vibrant and exciting nightlife in the country. You definitely won’t get bored!

It’s known as the outdoor capital of Scotland, and with good reason. Fort William is an ideal base for exploring the Highlands, with lochs, climbing, cycling, and walking facilities, and of course, the fabulous Nevis Mountain Range.

There are many popular attractions in Dundee and the surrounding area, some are suitable for the kids, some for the adults, and some for families. Plus, you’re not short of choice for good nightlife and outdoor activities either.

This part of the country is steeped in history and legend, with lots of interest for students of history and folklore. Some good attractions, with nice countryside, and Galloway became the hometown of our poet, Robert Burns.

With a consistently full programme of events like the Highland Show, Highland Dancing, Pipe Bands, and the Highland Games, there’s always something to see, and as you would expect, the city nightlife scene is absolutely buzzing.

Just 27 miles north of Perth, off the A9 road to Inverness, the Victorian town of Pitlochry has a lot happening for such a small town. There are two whisky distilleries, a castle, (of course) and the popular Pitlochry Highland Games.

Nicknamed the Granite City because of it’s many fine granite buildings. Aberdeen is great if you’re looking for a host of good events and festivals, great nightlife with a vibrant music scene, good shopping and fresh seafood.

Well written about in music and poetry, the Isle of Skye could possibly be your ideal holiday destination. It’s probably the best of Scotland trips for outdoor activities. Fantastic scenery everywhere you go. You’ll absolutely love it.

A great base for exploring east, north and central Scotland. Rich in architecture and history, with lots of attractions, shopping, restaurants, and a good base for taking in some of our best whisky distillery tours.

DISCOVER SCOTLAND TOURS….

If you do decide to pay us a visit, you may want to take a tour . Explore famous castles, historical buildings, lochs, whisky distilleries and much more.

BEST SCOTLAND DAY TRIPS….

Get some good ideas for Romantic Scottish Breaks with hotels, castle hotels, holiday cottages, or luxurious spa breaks to unwind and spoil yourself with total relaxation.

See the Scotland Travel Information page for all the information you need for travelling to and within Scotland. Get helpful advice on passports and visas, currency, weather, holiday extras, useful travel links and much more.

If you’ve never been to Scotland, then you should read these pages. By doing so you will most definitely find whatever you’re looking for. I would also advise you to have a look at the Scottish Culture page to get a better understanding of the country. You can expect good hospitality here, and you’ll return home with some very good memories.

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The 8 best day trips from Glasgow for lochs, islands, and highlands

Feb 6, 2022 • 5 min read

From nearby beauty spots to scenic coastal escapes, here are the best day trips from Glasgow © Digital Vision / Getty Images

With  Glasgow’s renowned nightlife and music scene, its ever-growing culinary reputation, expansive parks and revered museums, you can have a ball without ever venturing outside the city limits. But thanks to its geographical position, Glasgow is the perfect base from which to enjoy Scotland’s raw nature and dramatic scenery.

To the north, south, east or west, here are eight of the best day-trip destinations from Glasgow.

See renowned L och Lomond and the charming village of Luss

One of the country’s most treasured spots, Loch Lomond and its surrounds offer beauty by the beach, on the water, and way up high. Whether you choose to go for a stroll on the shore at charming Luss village, paddle a kayak to one of the loch’s many islands from lush Balmaha , or conquer your first Munro in 974m (3195ft)   Ben Lomond , this national park offers postcard-perfect sights from almost every angle.

How to get to there from Glasgow  

It's best to take the car; it’s a 35-minute drive from Glasgow. Public transport is available, with a train station at Balloch on the loch’s southern edge.

Get a dose of Scottish history at Stirling Castle

Often overlooked for its more widely-known neighbor in Scotland’s capital, Stirling Castle is just as grand, if not more so, than its Edinburgh counterpart. Perched atop a volcanic rock, the castle is as dramatic as it is historic. Overlooking the famous battlegrounds of Bannockburn and Stirling Bridge, Stirling Castle has played vital roles in the stories of William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Robert the Bruce.

How to get to there from Glasgow

Stirling is just a 31-minute train ride from Queen Street station, or a 40-minute drive from Glasgow city center.

Enjoy the best of Scotland's raw nature in the Perthshire Highlands

There are few better places to witness Scotland’s spectacular countryside than in Pitlochry and the surrounding Perthshire Highlands . Queen’s View offers the perfect platform from which to make the most of the area’s raw nature, with the Schiehallion mountain a beautiful backdrop to the awesome sight of Loch Tummel below. The similarly stunning Faskally Wood breeds an atmosphere of adventure, while Blair Athol and Edradour distilleries  — the latter of which is the smallest in Scotland — is where visitors warm up with a wee dram of Scotland’s national drink.

Pitlochry and the surrounding countryside is best explored by car, with the town a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Glasgow.

Taste spectacular seafood in Oban

The gateway to the idyllic Hebridean Islands , this quaint harbor town offers picturesque views across the bay to Kerrera and Mull from the excellent vantage point at McCaig’s Tower , the intriguing and unmissable structure modeled on Rome’s Colosseum. For fans of lobster, mussels, and scallops, the call of award-winning seafood would be worth the trip alone. On your drive from Glasgow, consider stops by Castle Stalker (as featured in the 1975 film  Monty Python and the Holy Grail ) and the similarly impressive Kilchurn Castle on the often unheralded Loch Awe.

While there are trains from Glasgow to Oban, taking a car is quicker (2.5 hours) and allows you to visit many of fantastic sights on the way.

Spend a day on the scenic Isle of Arran

Lovingly described as "Scotland in miniature", for years Arran has proved a west coast sanctuary for Glaswegians keen to escape the city. For the adventurous, a climb up Goat Fell (the origin of the name still remains unclear) is a must, while a more relaxing outing may have you wind down at the excellent whisky distillery . A trip to King’s Cave  (of Robert the Bruce fame) and Brodick Castle will give a great insight into the island’s vast history.

Take the train from Glasgow Central station to Ardrossan Harbour (approx 45 minutes), from where ferries to Brodick (55 minutes) run at least five times daily.

Tour the sights of Edinburgh, Glasgow's fierce rival

Although Glaswegians steadfastly refute suggestions Edinburgh is the better city, they won’t begrudge visitors taking a trip to the capital to admire its awe-inspiring sights. The contrasts between these two neighbors are stark in terms of looks, feel and the locals. A day in Edinburgh would be best enjoyed exploring the castle , trekking up to Arthur’s Seat , and ambling down the Royal Mile in the Old Town . You’ll love it: just don’t harp on about it too much when you return to Glasgow.

Trains runs as often as every 15 minutes from Queen Street Station to Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket, taking between 45 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes.

Learn about Scotland's great poet, Robert Burns, on the Ayrshire coast

The birthplace of Auld Lang Syne, the Scots song sung around the world every New Year’s Eve, Ayrshire is the home of its creator and Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Immerse yourself in the words and stories of the bard at the Burns Birthplace Museum and Burns Cottage . Drive a little further down the coast and stop by regal Culzean Castle and take in nearby views of iconic island Ailsa Craig.

The Burns Museum can be reached by car in 45 minutes from Glasgow. Public transport options are available, involving taking the train and a local bus.

Cycle around the island of Great Cumbrae

Just a 10-minute ferry ride from Largs, the population of this small west coast island balloons when summer arrives, as families descend upon Great Cumbrae to experience its old-world holiday feel. A leisurely 10-mile trip on two wheels around the "island of 1000 bicycles" is almost mandatory, as is a stroll along the promenade with a classic Scottish fish supper. Great Cumbrae is also the home of Britain’s smallest cathedral .

Largs, where the ferry departs from the mainland, is easily accessible by train (1 hour) from Glasgow Central station. Ferries run approximately every half-hour, more frequently in summertime. 

You might also like: The 15 best things to do in Glasgow for fun (no kilt required)    27 things you should know before visiting Edinburgh: Why does it smell? Can I use English money? And more    The best things to do in Scotland from festivals to puffins and peaks   

This article was first published November 2019 and updated February 2022

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1 Day Tours

Our Scottish day trips depart daily and will take you through the Highlands, past castles, lochs and glens. Choose from famous destinations such as Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and Glen Coe. Sample the ‘water of life’ on a whisky tour or ride the Jacobite Steam Train, aka the 'Hogwarts Express'.  Our tours are multi-award winning and our Guides are exceptional.

Loch Lomond

Tours of Scotland

Castles, west highlands and loch lomond.

A tour that ticks all the boxes: stunning highland mountain ranges, legendary lochs, and historic castles. Join us on a fantastic day tour to the West Highlands where we visit the mighty Loch Lomond, a loch-side castle and take in some of Scotland’s most photographed mountains.

Loch Ness Explorer

Highland Tours don’t get much more diverse than this. Leaving from Edinburgh, this fantastic day tour takes you monster hunting on Scotland’s legendary Loch Ness and includes dramatic Glen Coe, mighty Ben Nevis, the Great Glen and Highland Perthshire.

Jacobite Steam Train & Scottish Highlands

Escape the city  and experience the Scottish Highlands. F ollow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous wizard.  The Jacobite Steam Train is a bucket-list experience, and even more so for Harry Potter fans who know that they’re   actually boarding   the 'Hogwarts’ Express!'  

Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & the Kelpies

Stirling is one of the most infamous castles in Scotland. Once home to Scottish royals, many a bloody siege has taken place here. This day trip from Edinburgh takes you there; past the famous Kelpies sculptures, through Trossachs National Park and via the mighty Loch Lomond.

Whisky & Waterfalls

Explore Scotland’s iconic scenery and learn about heroic Highlanders, before a lovely woodland walk through the stunning Hermitage. We give you the opportunity to tour a traditional whisky distillery and sample the ‘water of life.’ After all, no Scotland tour is complete without a wee dram of whisky.

Outlander Explorer

We take you on a journey to some of the most famous scenes from the hit series, such as Doune Castle and the beautiful village of Falkland. Our Guides will give you an insight into the history and stories of each location, making this the perfect trip for those looking for a quick ‘Outlander’ fix.

Alnwick Castle & the Borders

A fabulous day trip that takes you to the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. Visit the picturesque village of Bamburgh before landing at Alnwick Castle. Harry Potter and Downton Abbey have been filmed here, and many a vicious and bloody battle has played out upon the grounds.

Highland Games

This tour will take you to see the real Highlands. Soak up the atmosphere and experience the excitement of traditional Highland Games, originally a show of strength between Clans. The Braemar Gathering is the most famous of the Games, with the late Queen Elizabeth II having been a patron. 

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Visit Edinburgh and the Highlands with this day trip. Pass Stirling, one of the most impressive castles in Scotland. Visit a whisky distillery, explore peaceful Hermitage and Dunkeld before returning to the capital for the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Taste of Scotland

1 Day Tours from Edinburgh

Edinburgh day trips.

Experience the best of Scotland in a day from our central Edinburgh departure point. When joining a Scotland tour you can discover legendary tales, lovely whiskies, and marvellous mountains. And we make it easy for you to reach these places. On our day tours from Edinburgh, you travel by a luxury but nimble 16-seat mini-coaches. This allows us to take you to the hidden locations unavailable to large coach tours. On our tours you’ll also support local communities, and learn the legendary stories from a friendly local guide . So, use your precious time wisely and join Rabbie’s for a one day tour departing from Edinburgh.

Inspirational Locations on a 1 Day Trip from Edinburgh

Scotland has some of the best scenery to experience in person. So why not view it for yourself on a day trip from Edinburgh. Alternatively you can visit England and see the likes of Alnwick Castle, the Northumberland Coast and the Borders . All these inspirational locations have something magical to offer their guests. Maybe some more than others if you are a Harry Potter fan! So discover their wonder now on a Scottish 1 day tour from Edinburgh.

Award-Winning Scotland Day Trips from the Capital

Take part in an escorted Scottish day trip, with a trusted, award-winning company . We pride ourselves in delivering unique experiences to our guests. Whether you choose to explore Loch Ness, the Highlands or Glencoe . Our experts can provide you with knowledge you may not find elsewhere. Book your place today.

16 Top-Rated Day Trips from Glasgow

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Nov 26, 2021 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The city of Glasgow sits in an enviable position. Not only is it within easy reach of many of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions , there are also no end of fun things to do within an easy day trip of the city. And best of all, many of them are easily accessible via public transport, as Glasgow and its surrounds boasts a superb transportation network.

From here, great places to visit include the Scottish Highlands, Robbie Burns country along the Ayrshire coast, Aran Island, as well as Oban. And, of course, famous Loch Ness is within reach, although you may want to make an overnight stay of it (it's doable, but is a three-hour drive away).

Beautiful Loch Lomond is even closer and is popular for outdoor enthusiasts for its hiking and biking adventures. Stirling Castle, along with a number of equally attractive castles and manor houses, is also within easy reach of Glasgow.

Whatever season you visit, if you do ever tire of Glasgow's lively cultural and music scene - or simply want to experience a different side of Scotland - there are plenty of options for spending time outside the city.

Plan your adventures with this list of the best day trips from Glasgow, Scotland.

1. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands

2. loch lomond and the west highlands, 3. stirling and stirling castle, 4. isle of arran: scotland in miniature, 5. outlander day tour from glasgow, 6. benmore botanic garden, 7. newark castle, 8. the ayrshire coast: robbie burns country, 9. dumbarton castle, 10. oban and the west highlands, 11. the hill house, helensburgh, 12. the forth and clyde canal and the falkirk wheel, 13. summerlee museum of scottish industrial life, 14. paisley abbey and the thomas coats memorial church, 15. gourock: granny kempock's stone, 16. greenock, map of day trips from glasgow.

What trip to Scotland would be complete without visiting Loch Ness , home of the fabled sea serpent, Nessie? While it's a lengthy three-hour drive from Glasgow , it should certainly rank near the top of your Glasgow day trips list.

This spectacularly beautiful 23-mile-long and extremely deep body of water fills the geological fissure known as the Great Glen , whose steep green walls make it one of Scotland's loveliest sights. Hour-long boat trips from Fort Augustus or Inverness , or scenic drives along the loch's shore reveal stunning vistas of the rocky peaks of the Scottish Highlands.

Tours to Great Glen, such as the 12-hour Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Glasgow , stop in the remote and atmospheric Glencoe , scene of the historic massacre of the MacDonald clan in 1692. The entire region is filled with breathtaking scenery of high mountains, rocky ridges, fast-running rivers, and tumbling waterfalls.

"Yon bonnie banks and yon bonnie braes" of Scotland's largest freshwater loch are only half an hour from Glasgow, at the southern end of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park . In fact, so pretty are the lochs and mountains here that they've earned the park the nickname "The Highlands in Miniature."

In addition to the haunting beauty and romantic vistas that this traditional Scottish song speaks of, Loch Lomond is a center for outdoor adventures. Boaters and other water sports enthusiasts are drawn here, as are golfers, who head for the Carrick Golf Course at Cameron House . Here, you'll find one of Scotland's finest championship-standard golf courses, boasting incredible views of Ben Lomond across the waters of the loch.

Hiking and bicycle trails abound throughout the park, and Loch Lomond cruises depart from Balloch at the southern end of the lake. Balloch is also where you'll find the Loch Lomond Shores shopping area, as well as the SEA LIFE Aquarium, one of the region's top family attractions.

Although you can easily reach the loch by train, Loch Lomond is often part of tours of the West Highlands from Glasgow. The full-day guided West Highland Lochs, Glencoe and Castles Small Group Day Trip from Glasgow includes attractions such as Kilchurn Castle, the town of Inveraray, and Castle Stalker on Loch Laich.

Official site: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/

• Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do around Loch Lomond

Just 30 minutes from Glasgow by car or direct train, the town of Stirling is famous as the location of the Battle of Bannockburn . It was here in 1314 that Robert the Bruce defeated the English invaders. It was also where legendary William Wallace beat the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, a victory for Scottish independence. Both these important battles are commemorated at the excellent Bannockburn Heritage Centre .

Between Stirling and the quaint village of Bridge of Allan stands the majestic Wallace Monument, a spectacular 246-step tower with sweeping views of the area, as well as artifacts that belonged to Wallace.

The spectacular 12th-century Stirling Castle, built atop a 76-meter-high volcanic crag, has played an important role throughout Scotland's rich history and is open to visitors. You can visit Stirling and the castle and also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Trossachs on the Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle Tour from Glasgow .

Address: Castle Wynd, Stirling, Scotland

Official site: www.stirlingcastle.scot

The lovely Isle of Arran is only 267 square kilometers in size but contains examples of just about everything that makes Scotland one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. It's for this reason that the island has earned the nickname, "Scotland in Miniature."

Just a one-hour ferry ride from Ardrossan, which itself is an easy train trip from Glasgow, Arran is marked by magnificent mountains, moorland, sandy beaches, an abundance of wildlife, castles, and fishing harbors. It's also a popular golf destination, and offers three great courses.

Arran is also a walker's paradise, and buses run regularly around the island from the ferry terminal at Brodick to its various tourist attractions. Although the best places to visit on Arran – including Brodick Castle and Goat Fell mountain (873 meters) – can be seen in a day (including the ferry ride), you'll want to spend at least a few days exploring this wonderful part of Scotland.

Fans of the hit TV series, Outlander , will definitely be interested in adding a great tour of the series' film locations to their Glasgow travel itinerary. The popular Outlander day tour from Glasgow is an immersive eight-hour adventure departing from central Glasgow that features stops in a number of spots fans will instantly recognize.

For many, a highlight of the tour is the chance to visit the picturesque village of Culross, which stood in for the fictional Crainesmuir. It's the last stop of the tour, and you'll have plenty of time to explore the old village square, which dates from the 1600s, as well as a historic home dating from the same period.

The attractive Doune Castle is another notable location you'll visit. This remarkably well-preserved medieval fortress starred as Castle Leoch in Outlander, and you'll have plenty of time to explore it armed with a great audio-guide (provided).

The village of Falkland is also on the itinerary, where you'll have a chance to grab a bite of lunch and explore at your leisure. Also included are stops at Blackness Castle and Midhope Castle. Inclusions with this tour are transportation and the services of a professional guide.

Benmore Botanic Garden, set amidst spectacularly rugged mountain scenery north of Glasgow at the southern end of Loch Eck, is part of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden . The avenue of giant Californian redwoods planted in 1863 line the long driveway to the property, where you'll be rewarded with a chance to wander around more than 300 different species of rhododendron and azaleas.

Other highlights include Puck's Hut, a wooden memorial to Isaac Bayley Balfour who had the idea to create the gardens, and a bronze statue dating from 1875, A Boy with Two Dolphins , donated by the owner of adjacent Benmore House, now an outdoor learning center.

Nearby Argyll Forest Park is also well worth checking out. Established in 1935, it was the first of its kind in Britain and boasts an impressive 186 mile network of footpaths.

Location: 4 Uig, Benmore, Dunoon, Scotland

Official site: www.rbge.org.uk/visit/benmore-botanic-garden/

In the industrial town of Port Glasgow, just 25 miles west of Glasgow's city center, stands the 15th-century Newark Castle. This attractive mansion, with its gatehouse and tower, was once the seat of the (sometimes murderous) Maxwell family.

Although the Tower House rooms are not open to visitors, you can see the building's lovely Jacobean exterior and the fascinating "below stairs" rooms. Here, interesting exhibits relate to the working conditions and lives of the family's staff.

Address: Castle Rd, Port Glasgow, Scotland

Official site: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/newark-castle/

Fans of the poetry and songs of Robbie Burns, Scotland's beloved national poet, will want to explore the places he lived and the countryside he immortalized. At the same time, you'll see one of the most beautiful coastal regions of Scotland.

Follow the Burns Heritage Trail from the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, on the outskirts of Ayr, where you'll see the beautifully preserved thatched house where the poet was born and lived as a child.

After visiting the 16th-century Auld Kirk where his father is buried, this circular tour heads south to Dumfries and the Robert Burns House, where the poet lived for the four years before he died here in 1796, at age 36. The house is now a museum and gives a good portrait of his life. His grave is in the nearby St. Michael's Churchyard.

Another highlight of the Ayrshire coast is Culzean Castle and Country Park , with woodland trails and landscaped gardens that include a Victorian Walled Garden. You can visit the Burns sites and Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire Coast Day Trip from Glasgow: Robert Burns Country and Culzean Country Park tour, with a guide who will tell more about Burns and Culzean castle, including its connections with President Eisenhower at the end of World War II.

Dumbarton Castle perches dramatically on a basalt rock on the north bank of the Clyde facing Port Glasgow. This strategically important stronghold was started in the 6th century and was central to the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde's rule over the surrounding area until 1018. Only the dungeon and 12th-century gateway remain of this medieval edifice where Mary Stuart embarked for France at age five.

Other highlights of this star of the Game of Thrones series include the wonderful views, the Georgian artillery fortifications, and the Governor's House with its interesting artifacts from the castle.

Address: Castle Road, Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Official site: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dumbarton-castle/

The pretty Victorian town of Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland , sits on the coast and is the main port for the ferries that connect southern Scotland to Mull, Skye, and the Hebrides islands.

For a view that encompasses the town and harbor and reaches all the way to the Isle of Mull on clear days, climb to the top of McCaig's Tower . This impressive Victorian monument was built to resemble the Colosseum in Rome .

The route to Oban from Glasgow passes through some of Scotland's most scenic countryside, a land of mountains, moors, lochs, and castles. On the Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Glasgow , you'll ride through this scenic land, along the shores of Loch Fyne, Loch Awe, and Loch Lomond , where you'll stop in the village of Luss.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Oban

Lovers of Art Nouveau styling won't be disappointed by a visit to Hill House in Helensburgh. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh after plans were drawn up for his Art Lover's House , Hill House was built in 1904 overlooking the Firth of Clyde.

Surrounded by a delightful garden, the house is somewhat reminiscent of Scottish fortified manor houses, while the figural elements, rounded edges, oriel windows, and small chimney stacks bear all the hallmarks of the gifted designer.

The home is currently the subject of an ambitious renovation project that has resulted in it being encased in a large steel frame. Called the " Hill House Box ," this impressive structure - anticipated to be in place for up to 15 years - is something of an architectural wonder in itself. Built to keep the weather out and allowing the house's exterior walls to dry, guests can actually climb the frame to enjoy never before seen views of the structure.

Meanwhile, the interior remains open to visitors. In the wide hall, the dark wooden panels contrast with the light wallpaper, supplemented with abstract patterns and delicate pastel shades. Art Nouveau patterns in pink and light green soften the effect of the walls, windows, and lamps.

The bedroom on the first floor above the lounge is regarded as the most successful of Mackintosh's "White Rooms." Mackintosh also designed the furniture, and his wife, Margaret Macdonald, designed and made many of the textiles and a stunning fireplace panel.

Address: Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley, Scotland

Official site: www.nts.org.uk/property/the-hill-house/

The Forth and Clyde Canal, built in 1790, winds its way through the Strathkelvin District to the north of Glasgow. The fully restored 35-mile waterway was an important link for seagoing vessels between the Firths of Clyde and Forth, joining the River Clyde at Bowling and the River Forth at Grangemouth. Today, you can take a very pleasant outing from Kirkintilloch aboard one of the vessels operated by the Forth and Clyde Canal Society.

Be sure to allow time to explore the spectacular Falkirk Wheel at the eastern end of the canal. Capable of carrying up to eight boats, this unique piece of modern engineering – part sculpture, part boatlift – connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal near the important industrial town of Falkirk.

Visitors can experience the hour-long journey aboard special boats and learn more about its operation at the visitor center. Behind-the-scenes tours of this engineering marvel are also available.

Address: Lime Road, Falkirk, Scotland

Official site: www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/

The Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life is based around the 20-acre site of 19th-century Summerlee Iron Works. Opened in 1836 and once one of the region's biggest employers, today this sightseeing trip is fun for kids as well as adults. Highlights include Scotland's only still-operating vintage tramway, a recreated mine, workers' cottages, and various Victorian steam engines. Guided tours of the abandoned mines are also available, and admission is free.

Address: Heritage Way, Coatbridge, Scotland

Some surviving parts of Paisley Abbey date from its original construction in 1163. Highlights of a visit include the choir stalls and a walk up 197 steps to the Tower.

Another Paisley landmark is the ornate Thomas Coats Memorial Church. Funded by one of Scotland's leading textile manufacturers and completed in 1894, its intricate stonework was the product of numerous apprentice stonemasons.

While in the area, pay a visit to Paisley Museum and Art Gallery , with its interesting displays relating to the development of the textile industry and the story of the distinctive "drop motif" on the world-famous Paisley pattern. Exhibits include the old looms on which the best-selling designs were produced, as well as original woven and embroidered shawls from Kashmir, the inspiration for the Scottish production.

Address: Abbey Close, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Official site: www.paisleyabbey.org.uk

By the coast at Gourock, some 28 miles west of Glasgow, stands an interesting six-foot-tall slate monolith reputed to have been a meeting place for Druids. It's known as Granny Kempock's Stone. Fishermen would make small offerings in return for fine weather and good catches, and it's still customary for local newlyweds to circle the stone to bring good luck to their marriage.

The views across the Clyde Estuary toward the southwest Highlands make the journey to this seaside town worth the effort. The Gourock Highland Games are held here in May.

Greenock is another former industrial center near Glasgow that's worth a visit (in fact, you'll pass through it on your way to Gouruck, above). It's an easy hour-long train ride from Glasgow Central Station.

Greenock is famous as the birthplace of engineer James Watt, who made the Clyde navigable. the great engineer's life is celebrated here in the Watt Institution, a former library and now official archives dedicated to his life and work. Greenock is also famous for being the final resting place of "Highland Mary," immortalized by Robbie Burns.

Other highlights of a visit include McLean Museum & Art Gallery, and the interesting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Museum and Heritage Centre with its collection of rare vehicles. If you've time and energy, make the 20-minute climb up Lyle Hill for its spectacular views over the Clyde and Greenock's wonderful skyline.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Scotland Vacation Ideas : Home to Edinburgh Castle , Scotland's most visited tourist attraction, the romantic city of Edinburgh is a must-visit for any traveler to this beautiful country. The Highland city of Inverness is also worth including on your Scotland travel itinerary for its attractive riverside setting, and also serves as a great jumping-off point for another top Scottish destination: Loch Ness .

More on Scotland

The Ultimate 10-Day Scotland Itinerary: 3 Perfect Routes

Last Updated on December 4, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

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Mapping out the ideal Scotland itinerary can be a bit overwhelming at first glance, especially if you only have 10 days in Scotland to play around with. A destination that draws countless tourists each year. Scotland’s beautiful landscapes, fascinating history, and incredibly friendly people attract people from all around the globe to explore this beautiful country.

Despite its relatively small land area and sparse population, there are a myriad of places to visit in this gorgeous country. Because of this, it’s impossible to fit everything that you may want to see within the span of 10 days.

However, there are countless incredible areas to visit depending on the route you choose. Below, we’ve outlined three different options that can suit whatever kind of trip you’re looking for!

Table of Contents

Best Time to Visit Scotland

Known to be wet, grey, and chilly, Scotland isn’t famous for its nice weather, however, there are still some months that are better to visit than others.

It will come as no surprise that the best time to visit Scotland — that is if you want the best weather — is in the summer months of July and August. However, because the weather is at its warmest and the days are at their longest, these are also the most popular months for tourists, as well.

Especially during the month of August in Edinburgh (due to the famed Fringe Festival), expect there to be a LOT of tourist crowds in more popular areas – and expect prices to increase respectively.

However, there is a lot of Scotland that remains off of the typical tourist trail and these places are very much worth visiting. So, if you plan to visit in the summer, it is probably in your best interest to get a bit off the beaten path.

While July and August are the warmest months of the year, don’t expect very high temperatures. Further south, highs will be around 20°C (68°F) and, in the highlands and islands, expect highs to be closer to about 16-18° (60-64°F).

Spring and autumn can be attractive times to visit Scotland, as well, as the temperatures aren’t too low and the tourist crowds are unlikely to have arrived in hordes yet.

Late spring and early autumn are going to be the warmest months and the closer you get to winter on either end is going to be colder. Make sure that you bring a good waterproof jacket whatever the season, but especially in the chillier months.

Winters are cold and dark, the days can be short because of Scotland’s northern location and you may find some accommodation options and restaurants in more tourist-reliant towns and villages to be closed for the offseason.

This is, however, the most affordable time of year to visit. If you plan to head to Scotland in the months of December, you can also expect to have your pick of charming Christmas markets to explore and lots of decorations to look at, most notably in Edinburgh.

No matter when you plan your road trip in Scotland, you can also expect there to be a lot of rain. Along with good outerwear, you will also not regret finding a good pair of waterproof shoes for your Scotland trip.

Getting Around Scotland

Unless you’re taking an organised tour through Scotland, you are going to need to figure out how to get around the country independently and by far the easiest way to do this is by your own car.

Public transport does exist in Scotland and it can be a good option for those who are only interested in visiting major cities and towns, however, if you want to venture into the countryside or visit some far-flung areas, having your own vehicle is going to be necessary.

They drive on the left-hand side of the road in Scotland and the road conditions on the major motorways are good, however, they do tend to decline the more rural you go.

Some roads in the far north or on the islands, for instance, only have room for one car to get through and include small passing places for oncoming traffic every hundred metres or so.

This can seem overwhelming at first, however, these rural country roads aren’t ever too congested with traffic and people do tend to be apologetic to confused or stressed-out tourists. If you need to rent a car in Scotland, you can browse options here.

It can also be a good option to take out a third-party policy with iCarHireInsurance to be affordably covered for any excess. Don’t forget to buy a prepaid SIM card for the UK to ensure you can access your GPS at all times!

Finally, have you considered taking out travel insurance for your Scotland trip?  World Nomads   offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.

10-Day Scotland Highlights Itinerary

One of the most classic Scotland itineraries, this route begins in the capital city of Edinburgh and ends in the “Gateway to the Highlands,” Inverness.

Day 1 – Edinburgh

Begin your trip to Scotland in the incredible capital city of Edinburgh, an absolutely lovely and historic city that is sure to instantly charm you. Though small, there are countless things to do in the Scottish capital that will ensure that you’re never bored while spending a couple of days in Edinburgh .

Take the time to explore Edinburgh’s main sites, stroll down the Royal Mile, enjoy the convivial atmosphere in a local pub and search for familiar names of Harry Potter characters in Greyfriars Cemetery.

On your first day in the city, it’s a great idea to head to the iconic Edinburgh Castle ( book a skip-the-line tour here ) that towers over the city or, if you want to put some context to the sites you’re seeing, consider taking a walking tour of the city centre.

Edinburgh is an incredibly beautiful city that is compact enough to explore entirely on foot but filled with interesting things that you’re sure never to be bored.

Where to Say in Edinburgh

Cityroomz Edinburgh – A centrally-located hotel situated within easy walking distance of all Edinburgh has to offer, they have several clean and comfortable rooms available and there is even an option to include breakfast.

Castle Rock Hostel   – A great, small hostel centrally located near all of Edinburgh’s top sites, this is a fantastic choice for budget or solo travellers. They have several dorm and private rooms available and good common areas for meeting other travellers.  

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Edinburgh!

Day 2 – Edinburgh

Plan to spend 2 full days in Edinburgh as the city has a lot to offer beyond the main sites you visited on the first day. For instance, begin your second day with an exhilarating hike up Arthur’s Seat. This hill in Holyrood Park is a bit of a trek to the top, but it provides excellent views of the city spanned out below.

You can also take the time to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. Take the time to wander through Edinburgh’s cosmopolitan New Town or maybe pop into one of the city’s many museums.

The Writer’s Museum is a great option, as is the National Museum of Scotland – what’s great is that most museums are free to enter!

End your day taking in some live music or, perhaps, a comedy show. There is a lot on offer in Edinburgh and it can be a great opportunity to experience the arts and culture of this city – even if you’re not visiting during the Fringe!

Day 3 – Edinburgh to Loch Lomond

From Edinburgh, it’s time to leave the big city (though Edinburgh does retain a lovely, pastoral charm) and head out into some of the incredible nature that Scotland is famed for. And one of the best places to do this is by paying a visit to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

While en route, however, consider making a pit stop in the city of Stirling to take in the gorgeous Stirling Castle. This is one of the most popular day trips from Edinburgh and it makes a lot of sense to include it while heading west.

Along with the castle, you can also see the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge where, in the 13th Century, William Wallace defeated the English (as depicted in Braveheart ). There is also a monument to William Wallace in the town.

There is a lot of history to experience in Stirling and it’s worth spending the better part of a day exploring the town. It’s located about an hour outside of Edinburgh and it’s roughly a further 1.5 hours to Loch Lomond – depending on where along the lake you choose to make as your base.

Where to Stay in Loch Lomond

Global B&B – Located in the village of Luss, this is the perfect bed and breakfast to rest your head in when visiting Loch Lomond. They have a handful of clean and comfortable rooms available and a great breakfast cooked fresh each morning.

The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel – A wonderful hotel located on the banks of Loch Lomond, this is a great option for those looking for a bit of luxury on your trip to Scotland. They have a number of great rooms available, and a great restaurant and bar on site.

Private Rental – Having a private place to stay is a great way to enjoy the serenity of Loch Lomond. There are a number of great options such as this delightful barn cottage.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Loch Lomond!

Day 4 – Loch Lomond & the Trossachs

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is one of Scotland’s most beautiful natural areas and it’s worth taking the time to enjoy the gorgeous scenery that lies within it.

The shores of Loch Lomond (Scotland’s largest loch) are absolutely gorgeous and the ample hiking opportunities are sure to keep you busy. There are also countless charming villages worth paying a visit to.

Spend your full day in the area by taking a boat cruise on the Loch – here you can get a beautiful panoramic view of the lake and of the surrounding Munros – including Ben Lomond. Of course, it’s also essential to visit the charming town of Luss that lies on the shores of the lake – there are plenty of charming stone cottages to take in.

You also could simply spend your day walking – there are several well-marked walking routes to take advantage of. You could do a bit of the Three Lochs Way or simply stroll from Tarbet to Arrochar – the world is really your oyster!

Day 5 – Oban

From Loch Lomond, it’s time to head further west until you meet the sea – with your final destination being the seafood capital of Scotland – Oban!

Oban is located about 1.5 hours from Loch Lomond (depending on where you’re staying) and, if you’d like, you could consider stopping the the charming town of Inverary along the way.

Once in Oban itself, there are a number of things to do. Though the town is known primarily for being a jumping-off point to the inner Hebridean islands (more on that later!), it’s worth exploring the town itself.

There’s a lovely little high street where you can browse some shops, a delightful waterfront and harbour to stroll along and, of course, the Oban Distillery is in the centre of town. You can pop into the visitor’s centre for a tasting or you can opt to go on a tour of the distillery if that suits.

It’s also worth walking up to McCaig’s Tower, a colosseum-like structure that looms over the town and provides excellent views of Oban and the surrounding islands.

Where to Stay in Oban

Adelphi Villa – This cosy guesthouse is a great option for mid-range visitors in Oban. They have a great location on a quiet, central street, free on-site parking, friendly owners and comfortable rooms.

The Manor House Hotel – A great luxury option in the town of Oban, this hotel is set in an old manor house. There are plenty of opulent rooms on offer along with countless plush amenities for guests.

Oban Backpackers – This backpacker’s hostel is perfect for budget travellers. They have a great location in the centre of Oban, good self-catering facilities and plenty of room types to choose from.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Oban hotels!

Day 6 – Isles of Mull & Iona

On you’re sixth day, it’s time to leave the Scottish mainland and go for a day trip to some of the country’s loveliest Hebridean islands – Mull and Iona! Though you could spend a number of days on Mull taking in all it has to offer, it is accessible as a day trip from Oban – provided you get an early start!

Car ferries from Oban to the town of Craignure on Mull take about 1 hour – make sure to get there at least half an hour in advance to sailing, though! Once you arrive on Mull, hit the road (they’re pretty small and narrow here!) and head south.

You’ll pass some of the island’s most incredible scenery by following this route along the Rodd of Mull before you reach the town of Fionnphort. Here, hop on another (passenger) ferry to the Isle of Iona. Tourists cannot bring a car to Iona so you must rely on your own two feet (or a bicycle) to get around.

Iona is absolutely charming, but it’s most notable for the Iona Abbey – which dates back to the 6th Century CE and is said to be the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland.

After exploring Iona, head back to Mull to take in more of this incredible island. There are plenty of natural sites to take in (the views along Loch Na Keal may be some of the most stunning in Scotland) as you drive up the west coast en route to Tobermory – the largest town on the island.

Of course, make sure to take the time to explore Tobermory (it’s home to its own whisky and gin distillery!) before hopping on the ferry back to Oban.

Day 7 – Glencoe & Fort William

From Oban, head a bit north to some of the most iconic places in the Scottish Highlands, the gorgeous and historic Glencoe and the lovely town of Fort William.

Like the destinations before this, Fort William and Glencoe boast some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Scotland and it is an area that is best seen by hitting the trails and doing some walking.

Glencoe lies about an hour’s drive north of Oban and a spectacular drive it is – it winds all along the west coast and you can even take in view of the old Castel Stalker while on your way. Do try to get an early start as Glencoe can get incredibly busyand the carparks at viewpoints and trailheads fill up quickly.

Make sure to stop at the Glencoe Viewpoint and at the Meeting of Three Waters. There are views just off the road here, but you can also embark on some longer hikes if that’s what you’d like to do.

In Glencoe Village, you can also learn about the infamous 17th Century Massacre of Glencoe and also stop for a bite to eat. You also could opt to walk a bit along lovely Loch Lochan for more views.

You can end your day in the nearby city of Fort William, which sits in the foothills of Ben Nevis – Scotland’s highest peak. Otherwise, there are also a handful of places to stay near Glencoe if you fancy something a bit more rural.

Where to Stay in Fort William & Glencoe

Gowan Brae Bed & Breakfast – A cosy bed and breakfast located in the centre of Fort William, this place makes for a perfect base for exploring the region. They have a number of great rooms available and a wonderful breakfast included in the nightly rate.

Loch Leven Hotel & Distillery – A lovely family-run hotel on the banks of Loch Levan, this place makes for the perfect place to stay in Glencoe. They have a number of great rooms available, a restaurant on site, and a bar serving locally distilled spirits including whisky and gin.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Fort William or Glencoe!

Day 8 – Fort William to Inverness

Day 8 of your Scotland road trip is a bit of a driving day – though it is less than 2 hours to your final destination (Inverness) so you can spend the morning exploring a bit of Fort William if you’d like.

Here, you can head to the West Highland Museum to learn about the history of the area or even take a detour to the Genfinnian Viaduct – known for being a shooting location for the Harry Potter movies.

Take the longer route from Fort William to Inverness and drive through Cairngorms National Park rather than along Loch Ness – you will be spending the whole next day there, so don’t fret about not getting views of Scotland’s most iconic lake!

Cairngorms is a gorgeous natural area and it’s also home to the Speyside whisky region, so there are plenty of different distilleries to top at if you’re interested. Just keep note that Scotland has a zero-tolerance drink driving limit so all samples and tastings should be reserved for those who are only passengers in the car.

End your day in the city of Inverness – which will be your final destination for this 10-day Scotland itinerary.

Where to Stay in Inverness

Torridon Guest House — This quaint guesthouse is one of the best places to stay in Inverness if your budget allows for a little bit more than a hostel. It is located within a short walking distance of the city centre, has great ratings, comfortable rooms, breakfast included, and free parking. 

Black Isle Hostel – This hostel is in a great location and is one of the best-rated hostels in Inverness. Aside from having multiple dorms of different sizes, they also have private rooms, a welcoming and friendly staff, and a bar serving local craft beers.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Inverness!

Day 9 – Loch Ness

Inverness dons the nickname “The Gateway to the Highlands” for a reason – many of the Scottish Highland’s most iconic places to visit are within easy reach of this small city. And the most famous of which is Loch Ness .

Located only about 20 minutes from the centre of Inverness, you can easily get an early start and beat the crowds to this majestic and mysterious lake. Though you’re unlikely to glimpse Nessie in the depths of the loch, it’s still worth taking a cruise on the waters.

Of course, you should visit the ruined remains of Urquhart Castle and take in the gorgeous Falls of Foyers. The latter is located just a stone’s throw from the shore of the loch.

End your time in Loch Ness in the southernmost town on the lake, Fort Augustus. Here, there are lots of shops and amenities along with ample tranquil walks along the Caledonian Canal.

Day 10 – Inverness

Spend your final day in Scotland exploring the city of Inverness itself. Though small in size, this city packs a considerable amount of charm and is well worth spending the time to visit some of the sites here.

It is easy to get around the city on foot and take in the laid-back atmosphere. Stop by the Inverness Castle museum, enjoy some peace and quiet on the Ness Islands, and kick back with a pint at one of the many convivial pubs.

Inverness also has a great restaurant and craft beer scene, so there is something for everyone’s taste in this compact Scottish city.

If you’d like to head out on another day trip, then consider visiting the nearby Culloden Battlefield. This is a heartbreaking but excellent open-air museum where you can learn all about the Jacobite uprising in the 18th Century. Outlander fans will love it, but it’s just as interesting for those who’ve never read/seen the series.

Have More Time?

If you have more than ten days to devote to this Scotland itinerary, there are a number of different options you can make to extend your time.

If you would like to experience another big, Scottish city other than Edinburgh, you also to head over to Glasgow before venturing onto Loch Lomond. Though it has a gritty reputation, there are lots of things to do in Glasgow and it is very much worth visiting.

You could also opt to extend your time on the Isle of Mull – there is enough to do for several days. Especially if you’re visiting in the summer months, it can be worth taking a wildlife tour to the incredible isles of Staffa and Lunga – the latter is known for its massive puffin colony where you can view hundreds of these sea birds up close.

Alternatively, after visiting Glencoe, you could head north to the Isle of Skye and spend a few days there before driving all the way back to Inverness. As you can see, the possibilities are really endless.

10-Day Scottish Highlands & Islands Itinerary

If you’re more interested in exploring the highlights of Scotland’s incredible highlands and islands during your 10 days here, then this is the itinerary for you to follow!

Day 1 – Inverness

Start your Scotland road trip in the “Gateway to the Highlands,” Inverness. Well-poised to explore a lot of what this region has to offer, spend one day exploring the city itself and another two going on a number of day trips that are available.

Day 2 – Loch Ness

Spend your second day with Inverness as your base as an opportunity to visit the inimitable Loch Ness. Located only about 20 minutes from Inverness, we recommend getting an early start this day to avoid the inevitable large crowds that will descend upon the lake by midday.

Day 3 – Culloden Battlefield & Cawdor Castle

Still using Inverness as your base, spend your third day on a day trip to the Culloden Battlefield and to nearby Cawdor Castle.

The latter is one of Scotland’s lesser-known castles, but it’s within easy reach of Inverness and visitors can easily spend a few hours touring the castle and its extensive grounds. Still home to the Dowager Countess of Cawdor, this castle has been in the Campbell family since the 16th Century.

Day 4 – Cairngorms National Park

From Inverness, it’s time to head a bit south to the Cairngorms National Park. This sub-arctic plateau offers ample outdoor activities to delight even the most adrenaline-seeking of travellers. There are numerous hiking routes that range in difficulty, and also opportunities to go horseback riding, kayaking, and any other number of outdoor activities. 

The Cairngorms are really great for those who want to spend time hiking outside and taking in the wilderness. However, there are also a few charming little towns to visit and plenty of fun sites that aren’t necessarily all about being active outside.

Those who came to Scotland to see impressive royal castles, for instance, will swoon over the grand Balmoral Castle located in Cairngorms. And if you’re travelling with children, make sure to visit the Highland Wildlife Park. There are lots of things to do that’s it’s very much worth taking a day to explore this area, even if you don’t want to summit a Munro!

Plan to spend 2 nights in the area. If you want to get the most out of all of the beautiful nature in the Cairngorms, then camping is a great option. There are a number of lovely campsites scattered around the national park such as The Lazy Duck .

If you don’t plan on camping, I would suggest staying in the town of Aviemore, which has the most amenities and accommodation options for tourists.

Where to Stay in the Cairngorms

The Cairngorm Hotel – If you’re looking for a nice and romantic place to stay on Aviemore’s main street, then the Cairngorm Hotel is for you. This hotel has a range of rooms, great ratings, and has breakfast included in the rate.

Aviemore Youth Hostel – If you are on a budget and would prefer to stay closer to civilization, then Aviemore Youth Hostel is the place for you. They offer affordable dorm beds and come very highly rated.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in the Cairngorms!

Day 5 – Speyside Whisky Region

The Cairngorms also happens to be situated in the Speyside region – the largest Scotch whisky-producing region in the country.

There are over fifty distilleries that you could tour and learn a little more about how Scotch is made and how to taste it. If you’re interested, you could opt to drive some of the malt Whisky Trail, a heritage trail that takes you by some of the region’s most notable distilleries. Keep in mind that this is best with a hired driver or a designated sober driver!

Otherwise, the village of Dufftown is home to six working distilleries all of its own – this can be a great place to walk between different places and sample some single malts!

Some of the distilleries in this region include Macallan, Glenfiddich, Arberlour, Glen Moray, Glenlivit and countless more.

Whisky tasting is also possible as a day trip from Inverness and there are plenty of tours that also include parts of the Cairngorms that you can do if you want to avoid driving after all of that whisky!

Day 6 – Isle of Skye

From Cairngorms, it’s time to head to one of Scotland’s most well-known (and gorgeous!) islands — the Isle of Skye ! Known for its dramatic scenery and bucolic charm, Skye is really an essential stop on this Highlands route.

The drive from Cairngorms National Park will take around 3 hours, so make sure to et an early start to ensure that you don’t miss a thing. En route to Skye, you also can make a stop at the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle which is situated just before you reach the bridge to the island.

On your first day, visit some of the sites that make up the Trotternish Loop, beginning with the Old Man of Storr. Continue onto Lealt Falls, Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock and, of course, drive the iconic Quirang for absolutely stunning views.

End your day in Portree, the main town on the island. There are lots of shops to browse and pubs to relax in here.

Where to Stay on Skye

An-Airidh Bed & Breakfast Portree  – Located just south of central Portree on the eponymous loch, this cosy B&B is a great base on the island. There are several comfortable rooms and a great breakfast each morning.

Skyewalker Hostel – A great, family-run hostel perfect for budget and solo travellers. They have a range of both dorm and private rooms, good facilities and occasionally organise social events in the evening.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Skye!

Day 7 – Isle of Skye

On your second day on Skye, take even more time to explore the island. On this day, you can head to the lovely Talisker Beach before visiting the Talisker Distillery – yet another whisky distillery! Note that Talisker Beach is accessible via a footpath about a mile from the car park, so you will need to walk a bit to take in this gorgeous stretch of sand.

Continue on to visit another one of Skye’s most famous attractions – the Fairy Pools. Again, these are only accessible via a short walk, but it’s 100% worth it. These pools are majestic and worth spending some time enjoying – you can even swim here if you’re brave enough to enter the freezing cold water!

You can end your day exploring some of the island’s castles. You can visit Armadale Castle, which was only built in the 19th Century or venture on to the ruined Dunscaith Castle, which has a far older history. Both are interesting and worth a stop.

Day 8 – Isle of Skye

Your final day on Skye should be dedicated to exploring even more of the island’s most beautiful natural sites. Begin your day at the incredible Fairy Glen – you need to hike for about 30 minutes to reach here but it’s definitely worth it. The scenery is just breathtaking and it can be incredibly peaceful.

From here, take in the white sand and turquoise waters of Claigan Coral Beach before visiting the historic Dunvegan Castle. Originally built in the 13th Century, this is one of Skye’s most impressive castles – and it’s one of many!

And for more seaside views, venture over the Neist Point Lighthouse. Another point that is only accessible via a decent walk, you can get incredible sea views and take in some dramatic cliffside scenery here. You also may have the opportunity to see sea life like whales and basking sharks here!

Day 9 – Skye to Fort William

On your penultimate day in Scotland, it’s time to leave Skye and drive south to Fort William. Expect the drive to take about 2.5 hours without stopping and you will be treated to some truly gorgeous, bucolic scenery in rural highland Scotland.

If you’re up to it, this is a great opportunity to stop by some of the attractions outside of Fort William, such as the Glenfinnian Viaduct, before making your way to the town itself. This will be your final destination for this 10-day Scotland itinerary.

Day 10 – Glencoe

End this Scottish Highlands route in the incredible Glencoe, taking in all of the jaw-dropping scenery, going for a hike or two and learning a bit about the history of this beautiful area. No visit to the Scottish highlands is complete without spending time in Glencoe, and this itinerary is no different!

If you have more time to devote to this Scotland road trip itinerary, then there are a few options available to you. If you’re keen to explore more of island life, then consider hopping on a ferry to the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis and Harris.

Alternatively, if you want to explore just one more quaint town before you head back, then consider making a stop in Ullapool, a lovely fishing village with a lot to offer visitors.

10-Day North Coast & Orkney Itinerary

If you’d like to see some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland and a bit off the beaten path compared to the other itineraries listed here, then this is the route for you.

Roughly following the North Coast 500 route , this itinerary takes you to some of the most beautiful, sparsely populated and historic places in all of the country.

Days 1-3 – Inverness

Start your itinerary in Inverness and make sure to take the time to explore this lovely, compact city.

With three days in the highland capital, you will have ample time to explore the handful of sites in the city itself as well as embark on a number of day trips — including Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, the Speyside whisky region and even Cairngorms National Park.

Day 4 – Ullapool

From Inverness, hit the road and head northwest to the absolutely lovely town of Ullapool.

The town of Ullapool itself is absolutely charming, with many shops along the high street worth browsing, inviting pubs that are a great place to escape the rain in, and chippies that will serve some of the best fish and chips to be found on the Scottish seaside.

Visiting Ullapool is also a great way to get out on the water and take a little tour of the small islands that lie off the coast, and even see some marine life. It is not uncommon to see pods of dolphins and lazy sea lions just off of Ullapool harbour.

Ullapool is very small, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. While you don’t need to devote a tonne of time here, one full day is more than enough to so the town justice.

Where to Stay in Ullapool

Ladysmith Guesthouse – Located in the centre of town, this guesthouse is a wonderful place to rest your head in Ullapool. They have many cosy rooms available and a great, hearty breakfast on offer each morning.

Clachan Farmhouse B&B – Located just a bit outside of the central Ullapool, this bed and breakfast is perfect for those looking for a lovely, pastoral escape. They have a range of plush rooms available and a wonderful breakfast included.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in the Ullapool!

Day 5 – Scotland’s North Coast

This part of the journey will provide you with possibly the most scenic drive of this whole road trip. Make your way along the windy, one-lane roads of the Northwest Highlands to the small, sleepy town of Durness and make sure to pull over and take a lot of pictures — the scenery is truly spectacular.

Make sure to check out the Smoo Cave in Durness but, besides that, there isn’t much in this tiny town. However, it is a great place to spend the night and enjoy the beautiful, pristine coast.

Where to Stay on the North Coast

Bettyhill Hotel – This charming hotel located in the fishing village of Bettyhill is the perfect place to stop for the night on Scotland’s north coast. They have several clean and comfortable rooms available and a great restaurant to grab a bite to eat.

Durness Smoo Youth Hostel – This small hostel is a great place to rest your head in Durness. It is located close to the Smoo Cave and also some fantastic hiking routes. It has a couple of dorm rooms and comes very highly rated.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options on the North Coast!

Days 6 to 8 – Orkney

Your sixth day sees you leaving mainland Britain and heading to the wonderful, peaceful Orkney Islands. There is a comfortable car ferry that leaves from the town of Scrabster a few times per day and the journey takes about ninety minutes.

While very small, there are so many things to do in Orkney and one could easily spend more than the three nights I recommend for this itinerary.

These beautiful islands are packed to the gills with fascinating Neolithic sites, there is a very interesting Viking history here as well as breathtaking bucolic scenery and some very friendly locals. 

Spend your first day exploring the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney. These sites include the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn and the Neolithic village of Skara Brae.

On your second day, take the time to explore the lovely town of Kirkwall, the capital of the islands. there’s a lot to do here and it’s a charming little town with plenty of cute shops and inviting pubs. You can also opt to visit the Highland Park Distillery.

And on your third day, you can spend it exploring the island of South Ronaldsay. Here, there are sites like the Italian Chapel and some more Neolithic wonders to take in.

Where to Stay on Orkney

Heatherlea – Also located in the biggest town on Orkney, Kirkwall, Heatherlea is a lovely bed and breakfast to stay at. They have a range of rooms available and also include a full Scottish breakfast available each morning.

Kirkwall Youth Hostel – Located in the biggest town on the Mainland island of Orkney, Kirkwall Youth Hostel is a great budget option on the islands.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in the Orkney!

Days 9 to 10 – Tain & Scotland’s Northeast Coast

After three nights in Orkney, it’s time to head back to the mainland and begin working your way south. Your stop for the evening will be the lovely town of Tain, the oldest of the royal burghs in Scotland and home to the Glenmorangie whisky distillery.

Tain is a lovely town to explore and doesn’t really see much tourism at all, so it’s very much worth exploring. The beautiful streets and landmarks are really something to enjoy and you’re sure to love the vibes of the city, especially as it’s a relatively “off the beaten path” destination to visit.

Where to Stay in Tain

Shandwick House – A lovely guesthouse in the heart of Tain, this is a perfect place to rest your head in the city. They have many clean and comfortable rooms available and a great full Scottish breakfast available each morning.

Carnegie Lodge Hotel – A fantastic hotel if you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket in Tain, this place has some lovely rooms available, room service on offer, and a full breakfast included in the morning.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in the Tain!

If you have more time to spare, then consider heading even further north from the incredible Orkney Islands all the way to Shetland! These islands have a fascinating history (lots of Viking invasions!) and a unique landscape that are sure to have you awe-struck.

As you can see planning the ideal itinerary through Scotland can be a bit complicated, with so many different routes available to you. However, no matter which route you decide to take, there is no denying that you will come back with countless amazing memories.

Are you planning to visit Scotland? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Isle of Skye Itinerary

28 Best Stops on a London to Edinburgh Drive

Glasgow or Edinburgh: Which Scottish City to Visit?

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Thanks for the ideas. I’m working out my itenary for 10 days now I. late September – early October 2023. I really enjoyed your suggestions. I am more excited now.

Hope you have a great trip!

Can’t wait! Going to England, Ireland, Scotland and France in a few months Super excited Thanks for the information

Hope you have a lovely trip, Beth!

Thank you very much, very informative/

Went to Orkney & Highlands ‘75 in October when I was 23. Zero other tourists until Ben Nevis, there were dozens there, mostly from Europe. No one else at Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae. 45 years later, going back in 2020. I know will be vastly different. Ireland: no other tourists at Blarney Castle, no one but lighthouse keeper at Old Head of Kinsale. Only met Australians in both Scotland & Ireland. Loved quiet stay at Aviemore Youth Hostel. Advise go as Winter descends or very early Spring. Hitchhiked, trains, buses. Meet locals that way. Forget the car.

Thanks for your comment, Neil! I think that you’ll find just a few more tourists in Orkney and the Highlands in 2020 than you did in 1975 — probably a few more Aussies as well! Sounds like you’re gonna have a great time walking down memory lane, hope it’s as good as the first 🙂

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35 Best Day Trips from Inverness! [2024]

Inverness is known as the gateway to the Highlands and is a great place to base yourself if you’re visiting this area. The city itself has plenty of attractions, but there are also some incredible day trips you can take from Inverness to explore the surrounding area. From castles and lochs to beaches and gardens, there’s something for everyone! Let’s take a look at some of the best day trips from Inverness.

We’ve concentrated on day trips from inverness by car and have chosen places that are no more than an hour’s drive from Inverness with driving distances (in minutes) after each location. We’ve also created several handy clickable maps so that you can get your bearings.

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Day Trips South of Inverness

You may be wondering if you can make a day trip to Loch Ness from Inverness and the answer is most definitely, yes! In this section, we’ll head south of Inverness to the world-famous Loch Ness and surrounding area. From Inverness, you will join the A82 that takes you south all the way along the banks of Loch Ness to Fort Augustus at the southern tip of the Loch (and beyond). You can carry on round and follow our Loch Ness Loop, a great roadtrip from Inverness (read this post for full details) or simply make day trips to the ‘other’ side of Loch Ness from Inverness. 

The map below will hopefully help you find your bearings:

Take a boat trip on Loch Ness from Dochgarroch & An Talla [15 mins]

One of the best ways to fully appreciate the splendour of Loch Ness, is to experience it from the large expanse of water itself.  Make your way to Dochgarroch in  just 15 mins drive from Inverness and jump aboard a Jacobite cruise. Park up at  An Talla , a lovely restaurant and gift shop located at the point of access to the cruises. You can buy your cruise ticket ahead or onsite at An Talla. This is a great Loch Ness day trip from Inverness.

It’s also a great spot for a walk as you’ll find yourself right on the Caledonian Canal. There are regular cruises all year round. You can join a cruise from other spots around Loch Ness but this is a firm favourite for us as the parking is so easy and it’s just a short drive from Inverness.

Walk at Abriachan Forest Trails [20 mins]

This is a great place to stop off at if you enjoy walking, mountain biking or have young children. It’s a large area of forest and land that was bought and developed by the Forest Enterprise in 1998 and is now managed by the Abriachan Forest Trust. There’s a wonderful playpark, picnic tables, walking trails, mountain biking tracks and a small café. To get there, you need to drive south along the A82 following the banks of Loch Ness and after the village of Lochend, you’ll find a turning to the left for Abriachan. The road up to Abriachan is very steep but once there, you’ll appreciate the full beauty of the area. 

→ Click here to find out more about Abriachan Forest Trust

Drumnadrochit & the Loch Ness Centre [25 mins]

This is the must-visit place for anyone interested in Nessie. Located a stone’s throw from Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle , Drumnadrochit is also home to the Loch Ness Centre .There is a large car free park as you enter the village on your right-hand side (coming from Inverness) along with a small tourist information centre, the Loch Ness Hub . Across the road, you’ll find a small green with some picnic tables as well as a few restaurants and cafés. Our favourites are Ness Deli for lunch and Fiddler’s for great fish & chips. There’s a lovely atmosphere here during high season as many visitors congregate in this area. You can walk up to the Loch Ness Centre from the village or drive and park up next to the centre. Book your tickets ahead by clicking HERE .

Urquhart Castle  [30 mins]

Located a short five minute drive from Drumnadrochit or a beautiful 30 minute scenic drive from Inverness, this iconic castle sits overlooking Loch Ness. It has been standing since at least the 13th century when it served as an important stronghold in battles between the Scottish Crown and the English invaders. Though it has since fallen into ruins, visitors can still explore its walls and discover stories about its turbulent past through interactive displays at Urquhart Castle’s visitor centre. Allow a good couple of hours to visit the castle. Read our detailed post full of top tips if you’re planning to visit Urquhart Castle.

→ CLICK HERE to read more of our recommendations of places to visit around Loch Ness 

Fort Augustus [60 mins]

Right at the southern tip of Loch Ness, you’ll find the charming village of Fort Augustus. There’s a large (paying) car park as you enter the village on your right. All the sites in Fort Augustus can easily be reached on foot so we recommend parking up there. Walk into town and discover the Caledonian Canal and the 5 locks that join the canal to the loch. It’s great fun watching boats manoeuvre through the locks. Check out the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre and grab an ice cream from Miele’s gelateria. There’s a lovely walk down to the Loch Ness viewpoint as well as a restaurant if you’re feeling peckish.

Falls of Foyers [40 mins]

The spectacular Falls of Foyers are on the other, less frequented side of Loch Ness. You could head there directly from Inverness taking in the beautiful Dores beach on route (we’ll cover Dores Beach below). Or you could carry on from Fort Augustus and do an entire loop of Loch Ness ( read this post for our detailed guide of things to do around Loch Ness) . 

The Falls are set in a deep gorge and offer a dramatic 140ft drop. There’s a fairly small car park at the entrance of the village and you will then cross the road to follow the winding stepped path through woodland, down the side of the hill until you reach the falls viewpoint. It’s a short 15 minute walk if you choose the most direct route (to the upper viewpoint) and it’s very well sign-posted. You will undoubtedly come across other visitors heading the same way. Access could be a problem for anyone with mobility issues. There’s also a charming café next to the car park or alternatively stop off just 5 minutes from the Falls of Foyers at Cameron’s Tearoom & Farm shop for a delicious, wholesome lunch. 

Dores Beach [20 mins]

You’ll get some of the best views of Loch Ness from Dores Beach. Located 20 mins south-east from Inverness on the east side of the Loch, this beach is something of a hidden gem (well maybe not in the summer months when visitors and locals alike flock here). There’s a free car park near the church in the village or you can park at the Dores Inn if you’re planning on eating or drinking there (highly recommend their fish & chips). You’ll find a lovely pebbly beach, the Nessie Hunter van, a small playpark, a lovely walk to Torr Point and of course, some exceptional views. You might even spot Nessie! It’s a popular spot for wild swimming, canoeing and paddling if that’s your bag.

Day trips South-west, north-west and west of Inverness

Next, we’ll cover the stunning area of Glen Affric which is located south-west of Inverness and can be reached via Drumnadrochit (home of the Loch Ness Centre) or via Beauly which is located to the west of Inverness. 

Explore Glen Affric

Known as one of the most beautiful glen’s in Scotland, Glen Affric is an area of outstanding beauty and can easily be reached from Inverness. This national nature reserve will blow you away with its impressive pinewoods, stunning walks, beautiful lochs and rivers. You can easily spend an entire day working your way down the Glen, stopping at various viewpoints, having a picnic and going for a walk on one of the many designated nature walks in the area. 

Dog Falls (Glen Affric)

The first place you’ll reach along the glen is ”Dog Falls”. Although less spectacular than Plodda Falls, these falls are set against a beautiful gushing river and mark the start of a number of stunning nature walks. You can choose the white trail which will take you to amazing viewpoint towards Loch Beinn a’Mheadhoin (see below) or alternatively, do one of the loop walks. 

Read this post for detailed information on walks in the area + parking info, toilets and wifi coverage (there’s none!). 

Loch Beinn a’Mheadhoin

Next up and you’ll come to Loch Beinn a’Mheadhoin [pronounced Loch Ben-a-vey-an]. There aren’t any specific walking trails but you can easily wander through the woods and along the Loch’s edge. There are many picnic benches set against fantastic backdrop of water, Caledonian pine trees

River Affric and Loch Affric trail

Carry on as far as the road will take you and you’ll reach the river Affric car park. From here you can walk up to the River Affric viewpoint or head down to the river. If you have time (allow 6 hours), why not take on the challenge of walking (or cycling) round Loch Affric. You’ll be rewarded with some incredible scenery. We did this on our mountain bikes and we were absolutely blown away by the stunning landscapes. It’s wild, remote and most definitely off the beaten track. 

Walk to Plodda Falls

On the east side of Glen Affric, amongst giant Douglas firs, you’ll find the stunning cascade Falls known as Plodda Falls. Measuring 46 metres in height, the falls can be viewed from the dizzying heights of a wooden viewing platform. Make sure you have a head for heights! The falls can also be admired from a lower viewing point which can be reached via a steep (well signposted) walk from the car park.   

The road leading to the falls is narrow (with passing places) and more remote than the other side of the Glen. To get there, you will need to drive past Cannich and then follow signs for the small village of Tomich. The falls car park is located about 8kms after Tomich.

Visit Beauly Priory [25 mins]

The small town of Beauly in the Highlands of Scotland is a hidden gem. Join the A862 from Inverness, head west and follow along the banks of the Beauly Firth until you head inland and reach Beauly. With its quaint cobblestone streets, charming cafes, and surrounding natural beauty, this village makes for a great day trip from Inverness. The ruins of the 13th century Beauly Priory are located right in the heart of town and are well worth a visit. If you’re peckish, be sure to grab a bite at Corner on the Square or Café Biagotti . We love browsing in the Old School House and Campbell’s of Beauly. For some great local produce, check out Munro the Butcher’s as well as Robertson’s Farm Shop just a couple of minutes drive out of the town. There you’ll find some friendly Highland cows.

Whisky Tasting at Glen Ord Distillery [25 mins]

You could easily combine a trip to Beauly with a visit of Glen Ord Singleton Distillery in nearby Muir of Ord. Located on the edge of the town, this distillery may just take you by surprise. There’s a modern visitor centre, a bar/deli and some great tour experiences including a guided distillery tour, a Singleton pairing exp erience and the newly launched ‘malt to cask’ experience.

Forest Walk at Rogie Falls

Located a short half hour drive west from Inverness or 10 mins from Muir of Ord, you’ll find the beautiful Rogie Falls. There is a lovely 1.5km walk starting from the Rogie Falls car park . The footpath weaves in and out of attractive mature pine trees and follows the Blackwater river, which eventually forms a powerful and impressive waterfall that cascades over a series of rock ledges, providing a stunning backdrop for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The best place to view the falls is from the sturdy suspension bridge that crosses the gorge and the river. The bridge is also a great place to spot salmon leaping up the fish ladder, which was constructed to help the fish reach their spawning ground. TIP: There is a dedicated car park with plenty of space and the route is clearly marked, although be aware that the toilets are only open during the summer season.

Get dizzy at Corrieshalloch Gorge [60 mins]

Located under an hour’s drive (north-west) of Inverness, you’ll find this stunning Corrieshalloch Gorge. Visitors can take a short walk to the suspension bridge, which spans the gorge, providing breathtaking views of the Falls of Measach and the surrounding forest. There’s also a newly opened Gateway to Nature Centre which offers facilities including toilets, electric car charging and a takeaway café. The parking is £5 or free is you’re a National Trust member.

Day trips North of Inverness

We will now cover places that are located north of Inverness. You’ll find many of these places on our guide to the NC500 ( click here to read the full guide ). You will head out of Inverness via the Kessock Bridge onto the A9. This road will take you all the way up to Thurso at the northern tip of Scotland if you so choose.

The Black Isle [20-40 mins]

The Black Isle is located just north of Inverness (around 20 minutes’ drive). It’s almost entirely surrounded by the sea which gives it a real island feel. There are many areas to visit on the Black Isle and distances will vary depending on where you want to visit. One spot not to be missed is Chanonry Point Lighthouse – located at the tip of Fortrose Peninsula – where visitors often see pods of dolphins enjoying their natural habitat in the Moray Firth. Other must-see spots include Rosemarkie Beach (photo above), the Black Isle Brewery, Fortrose Cathedral, the picturesque town of Cromarty (the Old Courthouse Museum and Hugh Miller’s Cottage: READ THIS POST ) and a walk to the Fairy Glen Falls.

Lunch at the Storehouse [25 mins] 

Rejoin the A9 from the Black Isle and drive a short distance north across the Cromarty Bridge to reach the Storehouse. This is a very popular farmhouse restauran t located on the A9 and literally on the NC500 route with a fabulous sea view to boot. The food served in the restaurant is homemade and delicious. On your way out, don’t miss the little shop which is packed full of local crafts, farm produce and unusual gifts. You might find it hard to leave empty handed!

Walk at Black Rock Gorge [30 mins] 

A 10-minute drive from the Storehouse and a few minutes’ west of Evanton, you’ll find the impressive Black Rock Gorge walk. This walk has been put on the map as it featured as a filming location in the Harry Potter film “The Goblet of Fire” (the dragon scene). It’s 4 kms long and takes around 1.5 hours through fairly easy terrain. The gorge part is quite formidable! This unique natural feature is 36 meters deep and 1.5km in length with a number of little wooden bridges that cross the cleft. It is rather dark, deep and spooky in areas!

Strathpeffer [30 mins]

The Victorian Spa town of Strathpeffer is located just 30 mins north of Inverness and is often one of the first stops on the North Coast 500 for those doing it clockwise. This charming town centres around the original Spa pavilion which is now used for various events such as concerts, conferences, dances. Located at the renovated Victorian train station, you’ll find the Highland museum of childhood along with a cafe as well as some shops. There are some lovely walks around the village (check out the Eagle Stone) and further afield including up to Cnoc Mor hill and the Touchstone Maze.

Hike up to the Fyrish Monument [45 mins]

You can’t help but notice the unusual stone monument standing at the top of a hill as you drive along the A9 north around Alness. This distinctive sculpture is known as the Fyrish Monument. It was built in 1782 by Sir Hector Munro and was modelled on the Gate of Negapatam located in Madras, India. If you have a couple of hours’ spare, you can reach it by joining the Jubilee path trail just off the B9176 (there’s a designated car park on site – click here to open up exact location on googlemaps ). It’s a 6km round-trip hike – very steep and challenging in parts. You will, however, be rewarded with some stunning views of the Cromarty Firth and Ben Wyvis once you reach the top. Park up in the designated car park just off the B1976 and follow the Jubilee path trail.

Visit Anta pottery and the Mermaid of the North in Balintore [50 mins]

Leave the A9 and discover the home of Anta , a Scottish Highlands luxury brand. Although their flagship stores are in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, the home of the brand is very much in the Scottish Highlands. They have an attractive factory shop (and café) in Fearn where you can pick up some carefully crafted items of stoneware, homeware and accessories. You’re bound to find a beautiful keepsake from your trip to Scotland. 

Next, jump back in your car and head to the coastal town of Balintore just 2 minutes away. Park up at the Seaboard centre and join the short coastal sculpture trail. You’ll soon discover a beautiful 11 ft tall bronze mermaid sitting atop a large rock at the water’s edge. She was originally built of wood and resin, however, was destroyed following a serious storm. She was subsequently replaced by a bronze cast model. A stop at the Mermaid of the North is often included on the NC500 itinerary . Finally, round-off your trip with a bite at the Seaboard Centre which provides delicious, simple homemade food and a beautiful sea view.

Dornoch [60 mins]

Dornoch is a charming seaside town in the northern Highlands and a highlight of the east coast part of the NC500 (check out our post here). It was put on the map in 2000 when Madonna had her son, Rocco, christened in the town’s cathedral. There’s also a world-famous golf course, lovely shops, cafés as well as a beautiful beach. It’s one of our favourite spots in the area and we highly recommend you read this post to discover more about the town and the surrounding area. 

Visit the Fairytale Castle of Dunrobin [70 mins]

Okay, we may have gone over the maximum one hour’s drive from Inverness rule, however, if you’ve driven as far north as Dornoch, you might as well drive the extra 10 minutes to reach this beautiful castle. Dunrobin Castle is located on the A9 on your right just after you leave the town of Golspie (although check opening times as they’re closed during the winter months). Built by the Sutherland clan, it’s like something out of a fairytale and reminiscent of a French château. The building is beautiful as are the grounds and the views out to sea. 

Day trips East of Inverness

Head east of Inverness and you’ll find plenty of history and sweeping beaches the length of the Moray coast. You’ll need to join the A96 in order to reach most places mentioned below. This road can get very busy and congested during high season so be sure to plan ahead. You can easily spend a day exploring the coastline or you might want to focus on just a couple of sites. We’d recommend visiting Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns on the same day . You might even be able to fit in Fort George. A walk on Nairn beach combined with a visit to Cawdor Castle works well too . Finally, explore Brodie Castle and carry on to Findhorn for a walk around the village, the beach and perhaps even the Findhorn Foundation.

Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre [15 mins]

This historic site marks the location where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated in his bid for power in 1746. The Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre offers visitors a chance to learn about this momentous event as well as discover other local landmarks such as Clava Cairns and Cawdor Castle.

Outlander vibes at Clava Cairns  [18 mins]

A short 5 minute drive from Culloden and you’ll find Clava Cairns , a 4000 year old bronze age cemetery, which has been firmly placed on the Outlander tourist map. It’s rumoured to have been the site that inspired Diana Gabaldon’s fictitious Craigh na Dun’s stone circle in the series. It certainly worth visiting Culloden and Clava Cairns at the same time.

Jacobite History at Fort George  [20 mins]

Located just 20 minutes from Inverness, Fort George is a sprawling 18th century fort built to protect the area against Jacobite rebels following the 1746 uprising. Today it stands as one of Europe’s best preserved fortified locations, boasting stunning views of the Moray Firth and its surrounding countryside. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some dolphins from the ramparts. A visit here is a must for any history buff!

Cawdor Castle [25 mins]

Cawdor Castle , located near Inverness and between Culloden Battlefield and Nairn, is another great example of Scotland’s castles at their finest. Originally built in the late 14th century by the Thanes of Cawdor, it has been in the same family for over 600 years! The castle is closed over the winter months, however, there are beautiful gardens to wander around even if it’s not open to the public. We highly recommend a stop-off at the nearby cozy Cawdor tavern for a pint or a bite.

Blow away the cobwebs at Nairn Beach [25 mins] 

Located 25 minutes east of Inverness along the A96, you’ll find the seaside town of Nairn. One of the highlights of this ancient fishing port are its three beaches (and its 18 hole golf courses). The sweeping open beaches are popular with locals and visitors alike. It’s a great spot for a family outing or those visiting with their furry four-legged friends. You’ll find plenty of play areas, takeaway cafes, outdoor workout machines and lovely views across to the Black Isle. If you want to treat yourself, don’t miss the Sun Dancer bar and restaurant with its fabulous food and views to sea.

Brodie Castle

Located along the Moray coast close to Forres, Brodie Castle was the ancestral home to the Brodie clan for over 400 years. Now run by the National Trust for Scotland, you’ll be able to explore the inside via a guided tour (make sure you book ahead), discover it’s fascinating history, including a letter from Robert the Bruce and enjoy the fabulous grounds.

The gardens, woodland walk and park are wonderful – they are a great place to bring children, especially the playful garden.

Explore the Moray Coast

If you’re looking for some beach time on your day trip from Inverness then head east along the Moray Coast. This stretch of coastline offers unspoiled beaches with golden sand dunes and clear blue waters perfect for swimming or surfing. You can even go rock pooling here or visit nearby villages like Findhorn where you can enjoy delicious seafood dishes while taking in breathtaking sea views. We particularly love the coloured beach huts and the harbour restaurant area at Findhorn beach . Why not explore the Findhorn Foundation, a spiritual ecovillage that’s been around for the past 50 years and promotes sustainability.

Day trips south-east of Inverness

Under an hour south-east down the A9 and you’ll find the Cairngorms, the UK’s largest National Park. It’s one of Scotland’s most beloved natural areas and offers plenty of opportunities for exploration. Whether you want to go hiking or mountain biking, wildlife watching or kayaking, there is something here for everyone. Make sure you bring a camera so you can capture all those incredible views! The area is very big and here we’ll highlight some of the top sites to visit that are under an hour from Inverness. This would certainly also be a great area to spend a few days as there’s just so much to do in the area.

The Old Packhorse Bridge at Carrbridge

If you’ve decided to head south and explore the Cairngorm National Park, we strongly recommend taking a short detour off the A9 via Carrbridge on your way to Aviemore. It won’t add much time to your journey but you’ll be sure to enjoy this impressive piece of history. Dating back to 1717, the old Packhorse bridge is the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands. It was primarily built to carry coffins across the river Dulnain to the nearby Duthil church. It’s located right in the centre of the village and can be admired from a small lower viewing area next to the river or from the modern bridge. From Carrbridge, you can head to nearby Landmark Forest Adventure Park if you have kids and onwards to Aviemore.

Located just 40 minutes drive south from Inverness, Aviemore is Scotland’s answer to a ski resort. It’s a small town but it has a lot going on with various bars, restaurants, shops and some stunning scenery on its doorstep. It’s a great place to base yourself if you’re wanting to explore the Cairngorms National Park. There is so much on your doorstep from Loch Morlich, Rothiemurchus to the Highland Wildlife Park and more. The great thing about Aviemore is that it’s lovely all year round due to its all-season appeal. Summer +  spring + autumn = walking, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and more. Winter = sledging, skiing, snowboarding.

Rothiemurchus

Located amongst stunning scenery in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, you’ll find the Rothiemurchus estate . It can easily be reached from Aviemore (just 3 miles away) and offers so much for lovers of the great outdoors. You can try quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, falconry, archery, canoeing, pony trekking, cycling or embark on a walk in the area and around the beautiful Loch an Eilean with its ruined island castle.

Loch Morlich

Surrounded by woods and sandy beaches, this is such a stunning loch situated in the Cairngorm National Park. Head there for some gorgeous woodland walks (well signposted) or check out Loch Morlich Watersports for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and mountain biking offerings. Nearby, you’ll also find the Cairngorm Reindeer centre as well as the Glenmore visitor centre (also the starting point for “Green Loch” walk mentioned below). You’ll find some great food and a warm welcome at the Pine Marten Bar. Get there early if it’s a sunny day as it’s very popular spot!

Search for Pixies at the Green Loch [50 mins]

An Lochan Uaine, known as the Green Loch to locals, is a beautiful spot close to Aviemore.  You can park up near the Glenmore visitor centre about 15 mins drive from Aviemore  and follow the signs for the Green Lochan. There are various trails to choose from with the 7kms circular walk being one of the more popular ones. Legend has it that the loch gets its colour from the pixies who wash their clothes in it!

Highland Wildlife Park

Located 20 minutes south of Aviemore and just off the A9, you’ll find the Highland Wildlife Park , a wildlife conservation charity. You’ll find snow leopards, polar bears, Scottish wild cats, wolves, red pandas, tigers and more. You can drive around the main reserve and walk around the park too. There are 2 great onsite cafés as well as onsite catering vans, the staff are very knowledgeable, passionate and helpful. A visit to this wildlife park truly makes for a great family day out!

As you can see there are so many great day trips from Inverness and so much to see within an hour’s drive of the city. Whether you’re interested in nature, walks, history, beaches, wildlife, outdoor pursuits, you’re truly spoiled for choice!

You may find the following posts useful when planning your trip to the Scottish Highlands:

→ Ultimate guide to Inverness

→ 20+ Best Things To Do Around Loch Ness

→ Detailed guide to visiting Fort Augustus & beyond

→ Explore Glen Affric – everything you need to know

→ Top guide to visiting the Black Isle

→ Awesome guide for things to do in Dornoch

→ Epic Guide to the NC500 East Coast – from Inverness to Thurso (anti-clockwise)

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

The 10 Best Day Trips from Glasgow, Scotland

Last updated: April 17, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

Glasgow is a wonderful city that is worth visiting, and it also makes for a great base to explore a number of Scottish highlights, from Loch Lomond to whisky distilleries to Burns Country. In today’s post, we’re going to go through our favourite day trips from Glasgow, to give you some ideas of what is possible when you base yourself in Scotland’s largest city.

For each of the day trips we list we’re going to give you all the information you need on how best to do the trip, including transport options, directions, and the amount of time it will require.

We’ll also provide information on visiting Glasgow, including links to a number of other posts we’ve written about visiting this friendly city.

The Best Day Trips from Glasgow

Below you’ll find some of our favourite day trips from Glasgow, which are not listed in any particular order – we think these are all excellent day trips.

We’d also highly suggest you spend some time exploring Glasgow itself if you’re staying here, check out our guide to things to do in Glasgow to start with, and see the end of the post for more reading inspiration.

1. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Certainly one of the most popular day trips to take from Glasgow is to visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Loch Lomond is only around a 40 minute drive from Glasgow city center, making it an ideal destination to visit for the day. As well as Loch Lomond itself, which is surrounded by beautiful villages like Luss, there are other lochs like Loch Katrine, where you can take a steam boat across the lake for lovely sightseeing opportunities.

There are also myriad other adventures to be add, from water activities to adventure parks to cute towns and villages. There’s even an ancient stone circle you can visit.

As you can see, there a lot to see and do in this area, and you could easily spend a whole day at Loch Lomond. We’ve put a full guide together of things to do in Loch Lomond , which should serve as inspiration. If you have the inclination, we can also recommend a visit to the Devil’s Pulpit , which is just south of the park, and is a wonderful photography location.

How to get to Loch Lomond from Glasgow

Loch Lomond is only 25 miles from Glasgow, so one option is to drive yourself. This will certainly give you the most flexibility, and will be cost effective – especially if you are a group. Check car rental prices on Discover Cars here . They compare all the major providers to help you get the best deal for your trip.

It’s also possible to take public transport to Loch Lomond from Glasgow, although this will be a bit limiting. From Glasgow, you can catch a train to Balloch, from where you can take a cruise on the Loch, as well as to Tarbet and Ardlui, from where you can take waterbus services to Loch Lomond. Check train times and book tickets here .

Within the park, there are a number of bus services, you can check and plan routes on the Traveline website .

An easier option if you don’t want to drive or figure out public transport is to take a tour of Loch Lomond. For tours in Scotland we recommend and have used Rabbie’s Trail Burners for numerous tours. We love their small group nature (their comfortable buses seat no more than 16), and their driver-guides are really excellent.

They offer two tours to Loch Lomond from Glasgow:

• a half-day tour that includes the Loch and a Whisky Distillery Visit
• a full day tour which includes Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and Whisky

We think one of those would be a great option for visiting Loch Lomond, plus they both include some extra stops to complete the experience.

2. Burns Country, Ayrshire, and Culzean Castle

One of our favourite places to explore near Glasgow is Burns Country and the Ayrshire coast, which runs to the south west of the city.

This is definitely an undervisited part of Scotland, despite once being the birthplace of Scotland’s most famous poet – Robert Burns.

Burns, for those of you not familiar with him, was responsible for penning a wide range of well known poems, most famous of which today is “Auld Lang Syne”, which is traditionally sung at Hogmanay , Scotland’s New Year celebration. Burns even has his own day of celebration in Scotland, Burns Night, which is held annually on the 25th January, the poets birthday.

Burns Night celebrates all things related to the poet (and Scotland), and includes traditional dancing, poetry and song recitals, and traditional foods including, of course, haggis.

Whilst Burns lived in a number of locations around Scotland, the region of Ayrshire is the part of Scotland most associated with him. It was here that he was born, in Alloway, and today you can visit both the cottage of his birth and the Burns Birthplace Museum , which is a fantastic place to learn all about the poet.

Alloway is also home to the “Brig o’ Doon”, an old stone bridge that featured in a poem, and the crumbling Alloway Auld Kirk.

There are a number of other locations in Ayrshire that are also linked to Burns, including the Bachelor’s Club Museum in Tarbolton, Souter Jonnie’s Cottage in Kirkswald, and the Burns House Museum in Mauchline.

True fans will also want to head to Dumfries (home of the annual Burns Big Supper Festival ), where you can visit another Burns House, as well as the Globe Inn and Ellisland Farm .

Of course, Ayrshire is more than just a series of sights relating to Robert Burns. There’s lovely coastline here which is dotted with attractions. One particularly popular one is Culzean Castle .

This beautiful castle, designed by Robert Adams, sits perched atop a cliff and has rooms you can tour, gorgeous gardens to wander, an on-site cafe, and even a beach. This is a must-visit location when touring this part of Scotland, and is easily reached from Glasgow as part of a day trip.

Note that many of these attractions, as well as others in this guide, are National Trust for Scotland properties. If you plan to visit a number of them, you will likely benefit from an NTS membership , which will give you free access to these sites. We have a membership and use it regularly across the UK, and it has paid for itself many times over! You can buy yours here .

How to visit the Ayrshire Coast from Glasgow

The two easiest ways to explore the Ayrshire coast are to either drive yourself or to take a tour. For the former, you can pick up a hire car in Glasgow and then plan your route yourself – with a whole day to play with you’ll be able to see most of the Burns sights and Culzean Castle. The total round trip distance will be around 100 miles.

Another option is to take a specific tour. For this day trip, the tour we recommend and have done ourselves is the  Culzean Castle, Burns Country & the Ayrshire Coast  tour with Rabbie’s. This is a full day tour which includes many of our suggested stops, which starts and finishes in Glasgow.

From Glasgow you can also take public transport to visit some of the sights in this area. For example, you can take the train to Ayr, from where you can pick up a bus that will take you to Alloway and Glenside. From the latter it’s about a 20 minute walk down to Culzean Castle. You can check and plan routes on the Traveline website .

3. Outlander Filming Locations near Glasgow

Fans of the Outlander TV show have flocked to Scotland to visit the filming locations from the series, many of which are found either in Glasgow itself, or within easy driving distance of Glasgow.

The main Outlander locations in Glasgow itself are as follows:

• Glasgow Cathedral – used in Season 2 of Outlander as the filming location for the Parisian hospital, L’Hôpital des Anges
• University of Glasgow – multiple locations around the Gilmorehill campus of the university were used to depict scenes of Harvard University in Boston
• Kelvingrove Park – this was used for a number of scenes of Bostin in Season 3 of Outlander
• Pollok Country Park – Glasgow’s largest park was used for a number of outdoor scenes in season 2 and season 4 of the show, spanning locations in Scotland, France and North Carolina

The main locations that you’ll want to visit within driving distance of Glasgow are as follows:

• Doune Castle . This beautiful 14th castle stood in for Castle Leoch in the show. It also appeared in Game of Thrones, the Outlander King and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, amongst others.
• Falkland – a town in the Kingdom of Fife region of Scotland, which was the location of the 1940’s Inverness scenes in the show
• Culross – a stunning village also found in the Kingdom of Fife. Much of the village is being preserved by the National Trust for Scotland. The village has played host to multiple Outlander scenes, and is the location of Cranesmuir in the show.
• Hopetoun House – Hopetoun House, around 20 minute from Linlithgow, is a gorgeous home which featured as the stately home of the Duke of Sandringham in Outlander
• Midhope Castle – a pretty but fairly derelict castle which was used as Jamie’s family home. It’s popular to visit, but you can only see the outside, as the inside is unsafe and thus sealed off. It is on private land and is sometimes closed off to visitors. This is found on the Hopetoun House estate, and you can see visiting information here .
• Blackness Castle – A stunning sea-edge fortress that is shaped like a battleship. Stood in for Fort William in the show
• Linlithgow Palace – this was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and is a stunning ruined castle which is well worth visiting. It featured as Wentworth Prison in Outlander, and has appeared in a number of other shows as well.

There are of course more Outlander filming locations you can visit, but these are the main ones we think fans of the show will enjoy visiting as part of an Outlander day trip.

For more Outlander locations, see our detailed guide to all the Outlander filming locations in Scotland .

How to see the Outlander Filming Locations from Glasgow

For the locations in Glasgow, these are easy to enough to visit, either on foot or by public transport.

The Outlander filming locations outside of Glasgow are a little bit spread out, so our suggestion is to either visit them yourself with a hire car , or to take a tour.

In terms of a tour, we have taken and can recommend the Outlander Filming locations tour with Rabbie’s. This is a full day tour, and despite Jess and I never having seen the show, we really enjoyed this tour, with the village of Culross, Blackness Castle, and Linlithgow Palace being real highlights.

If you do plan on visiting a number of Outlander locations, we can also recommend you look into a Historic Scotland pass . This will get you into over 70 properties in Scotland which are managed by Historic Scotland, which includes Doune Castle, Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace, as well as other major attractions like Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.

4. Take a Tour of Whisky Distilleries near Glasgow

You can’t come to Scotland and not visit a whisky distillery. Even if you’re not a fan of the drink itself, we think this is something that is quintessentially Scottish in nature, and we always enjoy visiting the distilleries as they are usually historically interesting and in pretty buildings and/or locations.

Of course, the opportunity to drink whisky is one Laurence would never pass up, even if Jess isn’t convinced yet.

There are a number of Whisky Distilleries near Glasgow that you can visit, including one that opened in 2018 in the city itself. Here’s a quick overview of some recommended options:

• The Clydeside Distillery – Opened in 2018, this distillery is found on the banks of the River Clyde in the former Pumphouse building at Queen’s Dock. You can take a tour of the distillery and learn about the history of whisky in Scotland, plus sample whiskies from different regions of the country
• Auchentoshan Distillery – just outside of Glasgow, this distillery has been making Lowland style single malts since 1800. It is triple distilled, and has a slightly more delicate and sweeter flavour than other whiskies – possibly a good option for those of you who are new to Scotch whisky. It’s open for tours and tastings.
• Glengoyne Distillery  – we’ve visited a number of distilleries in Scotland, and Glengoyne is definitely a favourite and the most well-known in this area. They pride themselves on taking their time and using original techniques, honed over 200 years of whisky distilling. You can take a tour of their facility and try their excellent whisky. Plus you can read about our experience doing just that right here .
• Deanston Distillery – this distillery is found in the town of Deanston, less than a mile from Doune Castle, making it a good option for a visit of both. The 18th century building was originally a cotton mill, but it opened as a distillery in 1967. Tours and tastings of their excellent single malts are available.

As you can see, there are a number of whisky distilleries both in and near Glasgow – and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Now, let’s have a look at the best way to visit them.

How to get to the Whisky Distilleries near Glasgow

We would advise against driving to the whisky distilleries unless you have a committed designated driver, as whilst most of the distilleries will let you take your sample “to-go”, it isn’t quite the same experience. It’s also definitely not worth drinking and driving in Scotland as the drink-drive limits are very low, and fines are quite high!

So, if you don’t want to drive, you have a few options – take a tour, or use public transport.

The distilleries closest to Glasgow are easily reachable by public transport, and these are a good option if you also don’t want to spend a full day doing whisky distilleries.

In this case your best option is likely going to be to visit one of the distilleries which is closer to Glasgow, like the Clydeside. This is near the the SSE Hydro and the Riverside Museum of Transport, and can be easily reached by bus from central Glasgow. You could even walk. Another option is to take Glasgow’s hop on hop off bus , which has a stop just near here.

The next closest distillery we recommend is Auchentoshan Distillery, and the easiest way to get here by public transport is to take the train from central Glasgow out to Dalmuir, from where it’s a 20 minute walk or four minute bus ride across to the distillery.

It’s also possible to visit Glengoyne Distillery by public transport, with the B10 bus taking around an hour to get here. For Deanston, you can take the train out to Stirling, and then take the 59 bus to the distillery, which will also take an hour.

For more information on all these public transport options and for up to date timetables and route information, take a look at the Traveline website .

If you’d prefer to take a tour, which would be our suggested option, you have a few options. First, you can take a tour which includes a number of sights as well as a whisky distillery. We think this is going to be the best option as you’ll get more out of your day. Alternatively, there are a couple of private tours from Glasgow which will just take you to the distilleries.

Here are the options we suggest:

• A half-day tour that includes a Glengoyne Distillery Visit and Loch Lomond
• A full day tour which includes a Glengoyne Distillery, Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle
• A private tour that lasts around 2 hours from Glasgow to Tuillibardine Distillery
• A full day private tour which includes Auchentoshan Distillery, Deanston Distillery and Glengoyne Distillery, as well as other sightseeing opportunities en route including Loch Lomond and Loch Lubnaig

5. Stirling

The city of Stirling, much like Edinburgh, is home to a beautiful medieval castle, a medieval old town, and many attractions that make is worth visiting.

Also like Edinburgh, the history of human habitation in Stirling goes back thousands of years, with structures believed to have been built where Stirling Castle today stands over 2,000 years ago.

Stirling, with it’s easily defensible hill, was a key strategic position for centuries, and was seen as the gateway to the highlands. With clear views across the plains in all directions, any army coming from or going to the Highlands was inevitably going to pass within view of Stirling itself. For a time, Stirling was also the capital of Scotland, although it has only been officially designated as a city since 2002.

Near to Stirling, and also worth a visit, is the National Wallace Monument . Built in 1869, this 220ft  monument celebrates the story of Sir William Wallace, a 13th century Scottish freedom fighter who fought the English. The monument overlooks the location of the Battle of Stirling Bridge , where Wallace defeated the English forces under the command of King Edward I.

As you would imagine, there is plenty to do in Stirling to fill a day, from visiting the castle to wandering the medieval streets to visiting the Wallace Monument.

How to Get to Stirling From Glasgow

The easiest way to get to Stirling from Glasgow is to take the train – this is a direct service that takes just under an hour. You can find train times and book tickets online here .

Naturally, it’s also possible to drive from Glasgow to Stirling, which will take around 45 minutes to an hour. This is a good option if you plan on doing additional sightseeing in the area, but if your only goal is to visit Stirling, we don’t suggest hiring a car just for this purpose as you’ll likely have to pay for parking, and the train will be just as easy.

The other option you have is to take a day tour. These will usually include time in Stirling as well as some other attractions, such as this tour by Rabbie’s Tours which includes Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and a whisky distillery .

Falkirk is very close to Stirling, and if you’re visiting from Glasgow with your own transport, we can highly recommend visiting both these locations on the same day.

Falkirk has a number of attractions that make a visit worthwhile. First of these are the Kelpies . These massive statues of two horse heads are the largest equine statues in the world, and at 100ft high, it’s hard to imagine they’ll lose that title for a while!

A Kelpie is a water spirit of Scottish mythology which shape shifts when it is on land, most commonly into a horse. They tend to be fairly evil in nature, with the stories surrounding them usually involving them enticing people into the water in order to be devoured. A story still told by some parents to keep children from going into water by themselves.

Thankfully, the Kelpie statues are somewhat less terrifying, and are instead just nice to visit and admire. Visiting the Kelpies is free. You can also take a tour and actually go inside the statues too, although there’s a fee for this.

The second thing to do in Falkirk is to visit the Falkirk Wheel . This is a remarkable feat of engineering, which serves as a lift for boats, taking them up an impressive 24 metres in height. It’s the only rotating boat-lift of its kind in the world, and it connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, meaning you can take a canal boat between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

If you don’t have a boat though, don’t worry. From the Falkirk Wheel you can ride the on the boat lift as part of a boat tour, following which you take a trip on the Union Canal.

Finally, when visiting Falkirk, we can recommend visiting the beautiful Callendar House . This a a beautiful 14th century French style chateau, which is quite the sight. Also on the grounds are remnants the UNESCO world heritage listed Antonine Wall, which was the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for a wall.

The Callendar House grounds are open year round, and admission is free. You can also visit the house, and you can see opening times here .

How to Get to Falkirk From Glasgow

You have lots of options for getting to Falkirk from Glasgow. The easiest will be to drive, which will take you around 30 – 45 minutes. Driving will make your time in Falkirk a bit easier, as the three main attractions are somewhat spread out across the town, plus you’ll be able to add in some other attractions such as nearby Linlithgow palace and Stirling Castle.

The next option is to take public transport. There are two train stations in Falkirk, and the train only takes around 20 minutes. Once in Falkirk, you can use public buses or local taxis to get around. Purchase train tickets here , and check out local public transport options here .

The final option is to take a tour. Rabbie’s have a half day tour from Glasgow to Falkirk , which includes visiting both the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.

7. Edinburgh

Of course, one awesome day trip to take from Glasgow is to Edinburgh! Whilst there are more than enough things to do in Edinburgh to fill a few days of exploring , a day trip will still let you see a great deal that the city has to offer.

We’d suggest spending time visiting Edinburgh Castle, wandering the Royal Mile, visiting some of the many museums, perhaps checking out Edinburgh’s Harry Potter locations  and taking in some of the many free museums on offer.

You’ll also find plentiful shopping, dining and entertainment options to keep you busy, whatever time of year you visit. And in the busy festival times over August and New Years, many people choose to stay in Glasgow and day trip to Edinburgh for cost saving reasons.

How to Get To Edinburgh from Glasgow

Scotland’s two largest cities are well connected by road and rail, and there are many trains and buses a day running between the two cities. We’d suggest that taking the train would be the fastest and easiest option, depositing you right in the center of Edinburgh, within easy walking distance of the major attractions. Find train times and book tickets online here .

There are also buses between the two all the time, which will take between 60 and 90 minutes depending on traffic. Check bus times and buy tickets here .

You can also drive between the two cities, a trip we have taken many times. Our only advice is not to do this during the busy morning and evening rush hours, as the motorway between the two cities gets very busy!

We’ve not found any tours that run from Glasgow to Edinburgh, so you are going to have to do this under your own steam!

8. Museum of Rural Life & Pollock House

You don’t have to go far from the city centre of Glasgow to find a number of interesting attractions which are worth visiting.

For example, just outside of the city center is the National Museum of Rural Life , a jointly run venture between the National Trust for Scotland and the National Museums of Scotland. Here you can learn all about the history of rural living in Scotland, plus visit a working farm and well-preserved traditional farm house. Definitely a good one if you’re travelling with kids!

Another great option in a similar direction, just to the south of the city, is Pollok House , found in Pollok Country Park. This is an 18th century property that was the home of the Stirling Maxwell family, who lived on and owned this land for almost 700 years.

It’s a beautiful property, and lovers of stately homes will definitely want to visit. Whilst you are in the area, we can also recommend exploring Pollok Country Park, which is a lovely green space for walking. It’s also home to The Burrell Collection , which is a unique collection of art pieces that range from 5,000 year old Chinese artifacts to medieval treasures to French paintings.

Note the Burrell Collection is closed for renovations until 2020.

Getting to the Museum of Rural Life from Glasgow

Getting to the National Museum of Rural Life and Pollok Museum is easy if you have a car, as these are both just a short distance from the city center.

There’s also a bus service that runs out to the Museum of Rural Life, which takes around half an hour from the city center.

Getting to Pollock House from Glasgow

To get to Pollock House from Glasgow, you can either drive or take public transport.

If you drive, there’s parking on site, which is free for National Trust members You can also take the train from the city center out to Pollokshaws West, from where it’s a 25 minute walk across Pollok Country Park to Pollok House.

9. Oban and Glen Coe

Looking north from Glasgow now, and a trip to the Scottish Highlands. These are a must-visit for anyone coming to Scotland, with the mountainous terrain and sweeping dramatic landscapes offering a marked contrast from the lowland region.

From Glasgow, you could do a day trip that takes you up through the pretty historical town of Inveraray, past the ruins of stunning Kilchurn Castle, through the town of Oban (also known as the seafood capital of Scotland), and then up to the majestic valley of Glen Coe .

Glen Coe is home to one of Scotland’s ski resorts , as well as being a Harry Potter filming location  and is very much worth visiting at any time of year.

On your way back to Glasgow, you could take a different route and head back down through the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, making for a complete and full day out.

How to get to Oban and Glen Coe from Glasgow

The two easiest options for getting to Oban and then on to Glen Coe are going to be either with a car, or to take a tour.

You can get also to Oban by train from Glasgow (a lovely journey that goes through the Trossach National Park), but you’ll be a bit limited in terms of getting to Glen Coe, plus at three hours, it’s a fairly long ride. This would work if you only wanted to visit Oban, but to be honest, we think taking a tour is going to be a better option.

The tour we recommend is the  Oban, Glen Coe, Highland Lochs & Castles tour with Rabbie’s, which stops at all the highlights we mention, and will give you a great taste of what Scotland has to offer.

10. Loch Ness

If you’re excited about the idea of the Highlands and want to get even further into this region, then you might want to look into a trip up to beautiful Loch Ness.

Loch Ness is the home of Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, one of the most enduring and well known tales of the 20th century. It’s also famous as being the largest loch by volume in the UK – if you added up all the water of the lakes in England and Wales, it would be less than the volume of water in Loch Ness!

Of course, there’s lots more to do in Loch Ness than hunt for Nessie. You can take a cruise on the lake, visit the crumbling Urquhart castle , and visit some of the cute villages around the Loch.

If you’re planning on going all the way up to Loch Ness from Glasgow, it makes sense to do this as a loop. The drive is around 3.5 – 4 hours each way, so plan for this to be a long day with an early start and a late finish.

Highlights along the route that we’d suggest stopping at (or at least passing through!) include Loch Lomond, Kilchurn Castle, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Urquhart Castle, Inverness, and the drive past the Cairngorms National Park .

In our opinion, visiting Loch Ness as a day trip from Glasgow or Edinburgh makes for a long day with a lot of driving, and it might be best split up into two days, with an overnight stop in Inverness.

Alternatively, our preferred option would be to base yourselves in Inverness and explore from here – Inverness is a beautiful city, and we have a guide to the best day trips from Inverness to give you lots of ideas for what to do from here. However, it is possible to do it, so let’s look at the transport options.

How to Get to Loch Ness from Glasgow

The best two options for visiting Loch Ness from Glasgow are to drive yourself or to take a tour.

Public transport is an option, but only if you are ok with only seeing Loch Ness. In this case, you could take the train from Glasgow to Inverness, which will take around 3.5 hours. From Inverness you can then take a local bus to Loch Ness. However, we don’t think this is a very practical option given how much time you will spend on public transport.

A better option would be to take a full day tour from Glasgow up to Loch Ness. The tour we recommend is the full day “ Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands ” with Rabbie’s, which includes a number of highlights and includes time for you to take a cruise on Loch Ness itself.

If you choose to drive yourself, we suggest planning out a route that heads up through Glencoe on the way there, passes along the side of the Loch, and heads back down the A9, and stops at a number of the attractions we mention on the way.

Full List of Suggested Day Trip Tours from Glasgow

To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of all the tours we recommend that depart from Glasgow.

• Loch Lomond and Whisky Distillery Visit
• Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and Whisky Distillery Visit
• Culzean Castle, Burns Country & the Ayrshire Coast
• Outlander Filming locations tour
• A private tour  from Glasgow to Tuillibardine Distillery
• Half day tour  from Glasgow to Falkirk
• Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles tour
• Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands

You can also see all the day trips from Rabbie’s Trail Burners which depart from Glasgow here .

Where to Stay in Glasgow

Glasgow has a wide variety of accommodation options at a good range of prices, and we’ve always enjoyed staying in the city.

We usually recommend for accommodation that you check out Booking.com which lists a large variety of  hotels ,  apartments ,  guesthouses , and  hostels . You can see all their  Glasgow accommodation options here .

We’ve personally stayed at the  Jury’s Inn which was centrally located and great value for money, as well as Native Glasgow , which offers comfortable serviced apartments right in the centre.

You can also take a look at our list of Airbnb alternatives  for more options for your visit!

Further Reading

We’ve lived and travelled in Scotland for a number of years, and have put together a wide range of content to help you plan your trip to this beautiful country. Here are some articles we think you’ll find particularly useful.

• Our guide to things to do in Glasgow , to give you inspiration in the city itself. We also have a guide to the street art of Glasgow .
• Our guide to visiting Loch Lomond from Glasgow
• We also have guides to other cities in Scotland, including Things to do in Edinburgh and Things to do in Aberdeen . Harry Potter fans will also want to read about Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh and Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland !
• If you want to head deeper into the highlands and islands, check out our guide to visiting the Isle of Skye , our Glen Coe photo essay , our comprehensive North Coast 500 Road trip planning guide , and our 5 Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Itinerary
• We have a detailed guide to visiting Glen Coe which has everything you need to plan your trip
• We also have guide to day trips from other Scottish cities, including the best day trips from Inverness , the best day trips from Edinburgh , and the best day trips from Aberdeen

And that sums up our guide to the best day trips from Glasgow! As always, do let us know your feedback and questions in the comments section below.

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Sandra says

29th March 2021 at 8:11 pm

Thank you so much. Planning a trip to Scotland in the future and your site was most helpful x

Laurence Norah says

30th March 2021 at 11:09 am

My pleasure Sandra – have a wonderful trip and do let us know if you have any questions!

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20 easy day trips from edinburgh, scotland.

Edinburgh is an incredible city and a great place to base yourself when you visit Scotland. If you’re planning on staying there, but want to venture outside the city and explore more of the nearby country, check out these 20 amazing day trips from Edinburgh.

The Scottish capital city of Edinburgh is an unbelievably beautiful city and offers a snapshot of everything that travelers love about Scotland . Take the Royal Mile, the cobblestone heart of central Edinburgh, as an example. It has the dramatic Edinburgh Castle at one end and Holyrood Palace at the other, with churches, labyrinthine alleys, authentic pubs, and more in between.

Edinburgh is also a UNESCO City of Literature with a long history of famous authors, large city parks, and six hills. Not only can you see the city from several panoramic viewpoints but you can also appreciate the country’s famous natural landscapes right from Scotland’s capital.

But there are also so many amazing day trips from Edinburgh that will allow you to see much more of Scotland and other places in the British Isles. The Loch Ness Monster, the bustling metropolis of Glasgow, picturesque Glen Coe, and charming fishing villages are just a short car or train ride away.

This guide covers all of the best day trips from Edinburgh no matter your interests or travel style based on first-hand experiences with lots of insider tips. No matter which day trips you choose (because you should take more than one!), you’re bound to have an incredible time on your mini Scotland side trip.

If you’re looking for the best neighborhood to stay in, be sure to check out my guide on where to stay in Edinburgh.

• Don’t have time to read a bunch of reviews & blog posts? Here are our top picks for visiting Scotland:

Get an Easy Scotland Itinerary

Our favorite hotels in Scotland

• Castle Hotel : Crossbasket Castle
• Edinburgh Hotel : Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
• Inverness Hotel : Kingsmills Hotel
• Isle of Skye Hotel : Skeabost House

Our favorite tours in Scotland

• Isle of Skye Tour
• Highlands Tour
• Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Food Tour
• Book a Photoshoot in Scotland use code WANDERLUST for $25 off

Renting a Car in Scotland

If you want to see authentic Scotland, I recommend you drive yourself. If you’re renting a car, there are two companies we prefer to use:  Rental Cars  and  Expedia Cars.  We have had no issues with them and have been able to find the best prices available.

• Get your free Scotland Travel Planner

Here's a Short Cut

Getting Around on your Edinburgh Day Trips

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You can choose to take the train, bus, tour, or rent a car on your day trips from Edinburgh. I’ll lay out each option for you.

If you’re renting a car, there are two companies we prefer to use: Rental Cars and Expedia Cars. We have had no issues with them and have been able to find the best prices available.

1. Inverness and Loch Ness

Visiting Loch Ness, one of the largest lochs in Scotland, and searching for the mythical and illusive Loch Ness Monster is high on many people’s bucket lists. But if you look at a map, you’ll see that Loch Ness and Edinburgh are pretty far away.

They are, but visiting Loch Ness on the trail of the Loch Ness Monster is still doable and one of the most exciting and best day trips from Edinburgh. Especially if you take an Edinburgh to Inverness tour so you don’t tire yourself out with driving!

You can also visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness and take a cruise on Loch Ness itself. If you have extra time, head into the city of Inverness (the unofficial capital of the Highlands that sits just north of Loch Ness) and visit Leaky’s Bookshop and Inverness Castle too.

Urquhart Castle is definitely one of the most picturesque castles in Scotland due to its position looming above Loch Ness. You’ll be able to compare Urquhart Castle to Edinburgh Castle when you return to the city.

Explore more in my guide to Inverness.

By Car: Head north on Motorway 9 (M9) and then the main A9 road which takes you all the way to Inverness. You can then drive south on the A82 and the smaller roads around Loch Ness. There are lots of places to park around Loch Ness.

By Train/Bus: Book a direct train on ScotRail or a Megabus service if you are on a budget from Edinburgh to Inverness. Hop on a local Inverness bus service (either N 17 or 917) to Lochend to reach Loch Ness.

By Tour: There are tons of Edinburgh day tours to Loch Ness via great tour companies like Rabbie’s Tours or Haggis Adventures. Take a guided tour that also includes Loch cruises on Loch Ness.

Distance from Edinburgh: 157 miles (approx 3.25 hours)

Taking a day trip to Glasgow from Edinburgh is perfect if you want to experience more city life in Scotland. Glasgow is only a few miles west of Scotland’s capital in Central Scotland (also known as the Central Belt) and it’s very easy to see most of what the city center has to offer on Edinburgh day trips.

Buchanan Street is Glasgow’s main high street and where you’ll find lots of great whisky bars, restaurants, and shops. George Square is close to Buchanan Street and is the home of lots of historic buildings like the Glasgow City Chambers and other beautiful Art Deco, Victorian, and Georgian buildings.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery is a must-visit in Glasgow for history buffs and a great place to take your kids. The Modern Art Gallery is also worth seeing, if only for the infamous orange traffic cone that sits on top of the Duke of Wellington statue outside which has become a symbol of the city. If Kelvingrove Art Gallery seems a little far out of the center, there’s an underground tube system you can use or you could just enjoy taking a long, leisurely stroll through Kelvingrove Park to get there.

By Car: Drive west along Motorway 8 (M8) from Edinburgh to Glasgow.

By Train/Bus: Hop on one of the many direct and fast ScotRail trains from Edinburgh to either Glasgow Central or Glasgow Queen Street station. They are both city center train stations. Or, take a CityLink bus or Megabus service if you are on a budget.

Distance from Edinburgh: 46 miles(approx 1 hour)

3. Glen Coe and The Scottish Highlands

Taking a day trip from Edinburgh to Highlands might seem a little far to go on a one-day tour, but if you cannot explore Scotland without including the Scottish Highlands on your itinerary! If you’re short on time, Scottish Highlands tours from Edinburgh are the perfect compromise.

There are many places to visit in the Scottish Highlands, but you should take a guided tour of Fort William. This is a mountain town at the base of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland. During your journey to Fort William from Edinburgh, you’ll pass through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park as well as the dramatic Glen Coe which is the jewel in the crown of the Scottish Highlands.

Fort William has lots of small hikes (Cow Hill is a great one) if you don’t have enough time to tackle Ben Nevis. If you like craft beer, check out the Black Isle Brewery Bar here.

By Car: Drive northwest along Motorway 9 (M9) until you get to Stirling. Then, take the A84 and the A85 through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park before taking the A82 to Glen Coe and beyond.

By Tour: There are lots of Edinburgh day tours to Glen Coe and surrounding areas. Just some of the tour operators that run these tours are Rabbie’s Tours and Highland Experience.

Distance from Edinburgh: 119 miles (approx 3 hours)

4. Rosslyn Chapel

Looking for Edinburgh day trips that are super close to the city? Visit Rosslyn Chapel, one of the most popular attractions in Midlothian. It’s a great wee (Scottish for little!) trip for Knights Templar history buffs and fans of The Da Vinci Code book and movie.

Yes, Rosslyn Chapel was an important filming location for The Da Vinci Code . But it’s not only its use as a filming location that attracts so many visitors.

Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century church that has links to the Knights Templar and also boasts skillful masonry with its ornate columns. There are plenty of secrets hidden within the designs of Rosslyn Chapel which you can find out more about on hourly tours.

When you visit Rosslyn Chapel you are not just seeing a nice church as it’s also located in a picturesque rural part of the county next to the quiet town of Roslin. Check out Roslin Glen Country Park for easy hikes. You can also book day tours from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel if you’d prefer to take an organized trip.

By Car: Drive south from Edinburgh along the A701 road to Roslin where directions to the chapel are well-signposted.

By Bus: Edinburgh’s local bus company, Lothian Buses, have a direct service (N 37) from South Bridge to Roslin that departs every 30 minutes. There are other services with connections but this is the easiest and quickest option.

Distance from Edinburgh: 7.5 miles (approx 20 minutes)

5. Outlander Filming Sites

Admit it, the spark that fed the flames of your desire to explore Scotland was from watching the hit TV Outlander , right? Don’t worry! You’re far from alone which is why there are so many tours from Edinburgh, Scotland to places that appeared as filming locations in the series.

Some of the historic villages and locations you can visit on a guided tour are the small village of Culross (Cranesmuir), the historic town of Falkland (1940s Inverness), and historic buildings like Blackness Castle (Fort William) and Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison). Linlithgow is a Royal Palace where Mary, Queen of Scots was born so it’s a fantastic place to visit on a day tour for history buffs too.

Let’s not forget Midhope Castle either, the charming estate that stands in for Lallybroch!

By Car: Drive to Midhope Castle, then Blackness Castle, then Linlithgow Palace, then Culross, then Falkland before driving across the Forth Road Bridge back to Edinburgh in a loop. If you want to visit Doune Castle too, you can drive there in between Linlithgow and Culross.

Visiting these places, without Doune Castle, is an approximate 113-mile trip which will take around 3 hours in total to drive.

By Tour: Considering the popularity of the show, lots of tour companies offer Outlander day tours from Edinburgh. Rabbie’s Tours, Timberbush Tours, and Haggis Adventures are just some of your options.

6. North Berwick

One of the best day trips from Edinburgh by train is to North Berwick, a charming town in East Lothian by the sea.

North Berwick is home to the Scottish Seabird Centre and Bass Rock which is an important breeding island off the coast with a lighthouse and castle. If you love animals and bird spotting then taking a boat trip out to this island is a can’t-miss. Be warned that the smell of the smell can be pretty overwhelming! Bass Rock is white for a reason.

Other popular attractions to see in North Berwick on a day tour include the ruined 14th-century Tantallon Castle, climbing The Law Hill with panoramic views across the coast, and strolling along Milsey Bay Beach. Bostock Bakery is a great place to visit in North Berwick for delicious, homemade pastries. You won’t regret ordering their banana nut muffin.

By Car: Drive south along the main A1 road towards England before turning left onto a local road to North Berwick.

By Train/Bus: ScotRail trains depart from Edinburgh to North Berwick around every 30 minutes. Or, you can take a local X5 bus service to North Berwick and buy tickets from the driver.

Distance from Edinburgh: 28 miles (approx 1 hour)

7. Stirling Castle and Falkirk

While Edinburgh Castle is one of the most popular and visited historical sites in the country, Stirling Castle is also an important monument in Scottish history. This 12th-century former palace has lots of links to William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and the ongoing fight for Scottish independence.

The position of Stirling Castle between the Highlands and the Lowlands meant the Scots fought many of their most important battles here. You can also see across the city to the Wallace Monument from the top of Stirling Castle too. If you’re driving, you can easily tag on a trip to Wallace Monument from Stirling Castle which history buffs (and Braveheart fans) will enjoy visiting.

One of the most popular attractions in this area is Falkirk or, more specifically, The Kelpies which are just outside of the city. These are 100 ft/30 meter-tall steel mythical horses that are fun to visit to break up long Edinburgh day trips.

By Car: Head north along Motorway 90 (M90) and then Motorway 9 (M9) where you can easily turn off to explore Falkirk or The Kelpies near Falkirk. Continue along the M9 to Stirling and Stirling Castle.

By Train: The Kelpies at Falkirk are right off the motorway, so it’s better to travel by car if you want to see those. Falkirk and Stirling both have train stations on the same ScotRail train line from Edinburgh, so it’s easy to explore one or both on the same day.

Distance from Edinburgh: 40 miles (approx 1.25 hours)

8. St. Andrews

Famous for being the place where Prince William met his future wife and the birthplace of modern golf courses, St. Andrews is one of the most popular of all the Edinburgh day trips. It’s a beautiful town with lots of historic buildings, cute cafes, independent stores, and lots of other things to do.

One of the most popular attractions in St. Andrews is the Old Course, one of the oldest golf courses in the world if not the oldest. If you love playing golf then hire a set of clubs and practice your swing! Some other historical sites include St. Andrews Castle and St. Andrews Cathedral. St. Andrews Castle offers beautiful views across the sea.

By Car: Head north along Motorway M90 (M90) across the Forth Road Bridge and then the A92 from Edinburgh to St. Andrews.

By Bus: There isn’t a train station in St. Andrews, so the easiest and most direct type of public transport to take from Edinburgh to St. Andrews is a bus. You can take the X59 direct service from Edinburgh and it’s surprisingly cheap.

If you’d really prefer to take the train, there are ScotRail and LNER services from Edinburgh to Leuchars where you can take the N 42, 97, or 99 services to St. Andrews.

Distance from Edinburgh: 53 miles (approx 1.5 hours)

9. St. Abbs and Berwick-Upon-Tweed

It’s very possible to take a day tour to England from Edinburgh, especially if you visit the coastal town of Berwick-Upon-Tweed. This town is so close to the border, it’s changed hands between the Scottish and English multiple times over the centuries. Don’t miss the historical attractions of the Old Bridge and Berwick Town Walls.

If you’re driving to Berwick-Upon-Tweed, take a short detour to the small village of St Abbs en route in East Lothian. Not only is it one of the most picturesque fishing villages in Scotland, but it also appeared as New Asgaard in the Marvel movies.

By Car: You can drive south along the A1 straight from Edinburgh to Berwick-Upon-Tweed. St Abbs is a short detour left down a narrow country road.

By Train/Bus: Visiting At Abbs as well as Berwick-Upon-Tweed via public transport on day trips is tricky but doable. Many fast train services (LNER, Transpennine, and Cross Country) pass through Berwick-Upon-Tweed between Edinburgh and London so there are plenty of direct services.

To also visit St Abbs, take the 253 bus service from Berwick-Upon-Tweed. This service only leaves once every two hours, however, so you might need to skip it if it doesn’t fit your itinerary.

Distance from Edinburgh: 56 miles (approx 1.25 hours)

10. Hadrian’s Wall

For history buffs, there’s nothing much more exciting than visiting Roman ruins. The Emporer Hadrian built an 84-mile, coast-to-coast wall in 122 AD to protect Britannia from the ‘savages’ in Caledonia. Though less than 10% of the wall still exists, you can still visit many historical attractions along the wall like forts and turrets.

When taking a day tour from Edinburgh to Hadrian’s Wall, some of the closest attractions include Chesters Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort, and Sycamore Gap.

By Car: Drive south from Edinburgh along the A68 main road before turning right onto the Military Road. Chester’s Roman Fort is the first fort on Hadrian’s Wall you’ll reach, then Housesteads, and then Sycamore Gap.

Though there are some public transport options to explore parts of Hadrian’s Wall on Edinburgh day trips, it would involve taking at least two trains and a bus. There are so many easier day tours from Edinburgh via public transport you can take instead.

Distance from Edinburgh: 100 miles (approx 2.5 hours)

11. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

There are two national parks in Scotland: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Cairngorms National Park. The first national park is a little north of Glasgow, so it’s close and easy to take tours from Edinburgh to this park.

Loch Lomond is the largest loch in Scotland by surface area (Loch Ness is the largest by volume) and it’s surrounded by beautiful hills, mountain towns, and hikes. Thousands of people hike the West Highland Way trail from Milngavie to Fort William, which runs alongside Loch Lomond, every year.

While in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, you could hop on one of the many loch cruises that depart from Balloch. Or, hike up Conic Hill which will reward you with stunning views across Loch Lomond on a clear day.

By Car: Drive northwest from Edinburgh along Motorway 90 (M90), then the M9 before heading west along the main A811 road all the way to Balloch.

By Train: There aren’t any direct train services between Edinburgh and Balloch, but it’s still a straightforward journey as you can change trains at Glasgow Queen Street Station.

Distance from Edinburgh: 66 miles (approx 1.5 hours)

12. Queensferry

Arguably the quickest day tour you can take from Edinburgh is to Queensferry. North and South Queensferry are two former fishing villages that bookend the Forth Bridge across the Firth of Forth. This brick-red Victorian bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and absolutely magnificent to see in person.

Walk along the high street in South Queensferry and stop off at The Ferry Tap, a quaint traditional pub, or The Little Parlour for some delicious ice cream. Take a boat trip to appreciate the Forth Bridge from different angles and learn more about the construction.

By Car: Head north of Edinburgh along Queensferry Road, then the A90 main road, and then B924.

By Train/Bus: Lothian buses, Edinburgh’s city bus network, depart from Edinburgh to Queensferry every 40 minutes. Take the N 43 bus from St Andrew’s House bus stop near Calton Hill.

Distance from Edinburgh: 11 miles (approx 30 minutes)

13. Scottish Borders

Outside of the national parks, taking a day tour of the Scottish Borders will allow you to see more of rural Scotland outside of the Scottish Highlands. Some beautiful towns to visit in the Scottish Borders include Melrose, Dryburgh, and Jedburgh.

All three of these villages have centuries-old abbeys that will fascinate history buffs as well as traditional Scottish pubs and old-world cobblestone lanes. The famous Scottish author Sir Walter Scott loved the Scottish borders so much, there is a viewpoint named after him and he is buried in Dryburgh Abbey.

By Car: Drive south along the A68 main road to Lauder before turning right onto the A6091 from Edinburgh to Melrose. Visit Sir Walter Scott View, then Dryburgh, and finally Jedburgh before following the A68 road back up north.

By Train/Bus: Take a ScotRail service to Galashiels which is a gateway town to the Scottish Borders. From there, you can take local Border buses to Melrose, Jedburgh, and Dryburgh.

Distance from Edinburgh: 37.5 miles (approx 1 hour)

Now, I’m partial to Dundee. This is where I lived with my grandma as a little girl. One of the most underrated cities in Scotland, Dundee is experiencing something of a revival after the demise of its shipbuilding industry. It’s a thriving university town with more things to do and places to visit than you might think.

The only Victoria & Albert Museum outside of London opened in Dundee in 2018 and is packed with local and national exhibits that will fascinate history buffs. Right next to the V&A Museum is the Discovery Point and RRS Discovery exhibit. This ship transported explorers, Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott, on an Antarctic expedition way back in 1901. It’s a great place to take your kids.

By Car: Drive north along Motorway 90 (M90) before taking the A92 the rest of the way from Edinburgh to Dundee.

By Train: ScotRail train services depart from Edinburgh to Dundee every 30 minutes. If you’re traveling on a budget, you can take these Edinburgh day trips to Dundee via a Megabus service which departs every 90 minutes.

Distance from Edinburgh: 60 miles (approx 1.25 hours)

15. Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park isn’t just Scotland’s largest national park, but it’s also the home of Balmoral Castle. This was formerly the Queen’s private residence (now the King’s!) and was rumored to be her favorite estate.

Although this is one of the few incredible historical buildings in Scotland you can’t visit, luckily there is plenty more to explore in Scotland’s largest national park. From the main town of Aviemore, you can take hikes or even go skiing during the winter months. Some of the most popular circular trails are Loch an Eilein and Carrbridge and Docharn.

If you’re lucky, you might spot some of Scotland’s rarest and most endangered species like the Scottish wildcat, red squirrel, or golden eagle. Failing that, you’ll see miles and miles of heather-laded hills in summer which should make up for the lack of sightings!

By Car: Drive north along Motorway 90 (M90) towards Perth before taking the A9 main road the rest of the way to Aviemore from Edinburgh.

By Bus: There are no trains that will take you all the way from Edinburgh to Aviemore, but there are plenty of direct Megabus services.

Distance from Edinburgh: 128 miles (approx 3 hours)

16. Doune Castle

You’ve no doubt seen Doune Castle before without knowing it as this castle is one of the most prolific filming locations in Scotland. It’s appeared as a filming location in Monty Python and the Holy Grail , the TV show Outlander , and even in the pilot episode of Game of Thrones.

Aside from its appearance on screen in Holy Grail and the others, Doune Castle is also one of the most important historic buildings in Scottish history. Built during the 14th century, this castle was a royal retreat and hunting lodge for tons of Scottish monarchs including Mary, Queen of Scots.

The village of Doune also has lots of great antique shops and isn’t far from Deanston Distillery where you can sample some great Scottish whisky.

By Car: Drive north along Motorway 9 (M9) before turning left onto the B824 main road from Edinburgh to Doune. The castle is just outside of the town near the River Teith and is well signposted.

By Train/Bus: Hop on one of the main direct ScotRail services to Stirling from Edinburgh. Then, take the N 59 bus from the bus stop outside Stirling Station to Doune.

Distance from Edinburgh: 44 miles (approx 1 hour)

17. The Fife Coast

Just north of Edinburgh is the historic county of Fife which is known for its adorable fishing villages and first-rate seafood and fish and chip shops. Though it’s not on the coast, you should include the new city of Dunfermline in your Fife Coast day tour itinerary. It’s an up-and-coming town and also where you’ll find the ruins of a Royal Palace and the burial place of Robert the Bruce in Dunfermline Abbey.

Other places to visit include the coastal town of Burntisland and Anstruther. Burntisland has a beautiful old harbor and lighthouse, while the Anstruther Fish Bar is legendary amongst locals.

By Car: Drive north across the Forth Road Bridge along Motorway 90 (M90) to Dunfermline. Your GPS will want you to drive a different route, but take the scenic A921 main road along the coast to Burntisland and Anstruther. Stop at any of the historic villages or towns en route that looks pretty!

By Train/Bus: There are plenty of ScotRail train services to Dunfermline or Burntisland from Edinburgh. You can also reach Anstruther by taking the X60 service from Princes Street in Edinburgh to Leven Bus Station and taking the connecting service (N 95) to Anstruther.

Distance from Edinburgh: 50 miles (approx 1.5 hours)

18. Harry Potter Bridge and Steam Train

Are you a fan of the Harry Potter movies? Whilst you can take a guided tour around Edinburgh of several places that inspired the Harry Potter books, you’ll have to venture further afield to visit filming locations. Luckily, there are plenty of Harry Potter Scotland tours from Edinburgh that you can take.

Most tours include a visit to Fort William where you can hop on the Jacobite Steam Train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The steam train is a dead ringer for the Hogwarts Express and Glenfinnan Viaduct is the bridge that appeared in no less than three Harry Potter movies, most notably in Chamber of Secrets.

If you’re into Harry Potter, be sure to read my guide to Harry Potter London !

By Car: Drive north along Motorway 90 (M90) to Perth and then take the A9 main road along the border of the Cairngorms National Park. Then, head west on the A86 main road to Fort William from Edinburgh.

By Train/Bus: You can take the 900 Megabus service to Glasgow and change to the 916 CityLink service straight to Fort William. There are ScotRail train services to Fort William from Edinburgh that change at Glasgow Queen Street but these are far less frequent.

By Tour: Edinburgh day tours to the Harry Potter Bridge are, by far, the best option. You don’t have to worry about missing the train or booking any tickets yourself! Plus, it’s quite a long distance to cover and could be very tiring.

Haggis Adventures and Highland Explorer Tours from Edinburgh are both great options.

Distance from Edinburgh: 147 miles (approx 3.25 hours)

19. Alnwick Castle

Speaking of Harry Potter, how would you like to take a short trip across the English border and see a movie location?! Alnwick Castle is located in Northeast England and appeared as Hogwarts in Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets . If you’re also a fan of Downton Abbey , Alnwick Castle appears in the 2014 Christmas special.

While at Alnwick Castle, you can take Quidditch lessons (the muggle equivalent of Quidditch) and visit the poison garden in Alnwick Park. Alnwick is a charming town with a huge second-hand bookshop called Barter Books and lots of antique stores.

By Car: Drive along the main A1 road from Edinburgh before turning right just before you hit the village on the B634 road. Easy peasy!

By Train: Take an LNER or Cross Country train service from Edinburgh to Alnmouth which is very close to Alnwick. Then, hop on an X18 bus from the Curly Lane bus stop to Alnwick Bus Station.

Distance from Edinburgh: 86.5 miles (approx 2 hours)

20. Whisky Distillery Tours

Scotland has so many world-class Scottish whisky distilleries. Plus, most of them are in rural locations outside of the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The best way to visit a few different distilleries in one day is to take a whisky tour.

Some of the best distilleries near Edinburgh that you could include in your whiskey tour are Kingsbarns Distillery, Glenkinchie Distillery, Deanston Distillery (near Doune), Glenturret Distillery, Tullibardine Distillery, and Holyrood Distillery.

I don’t personally drink, but if you do, whisky is a quintessentially Scottish experience.

Unless one person in your travel group is happy to be a designated driver, these types of Scotland day trips from Edinburgh are much better on a tour! Then everyone gets to sample as much whisky as they (responsibly) can.

Rabbie’s Tours and Absolute Escapes both run whisky tours from Edinburgh to distilleries like Deanston Distillery and Glengoyne Distillery.

Taking day trips from Edinburgh and getting around via public transport in Scotland is a lot easier if you have a contactless credit card. You buy local city bus tickets (for example, in the Scottish Borders or from Edinburgh to Roslin) from the driver as you board with a tap of your card. They often don’t give change so it’s much preferable to paying with cash.

You should buy train tickets and intercity bus tickets (for example, CityLink and Megabus services) in advance. There are lots of ticket machines at Edinburgh Waverley Station (Edinburgh’s main train station) and Edinburgh Buchanan Bus Station (Edinburgh’s main bus station).

Trainline is the best app for train travel in the UK. You can buy electronic tickets and follow your route via this app. Intercity bus tickets are available from the bus company’s website.

Day Trips From Edinburgh FAQs

Absolutely! Glasgow is one of the best day trips from Edinburgh for several reasons.

First, Glasgow is super close to Edinburgh and is between a 30 to 40-minute train or car ride away. Second, it’s the antithesis of Edinburgh’s old world and medieval charm. Glasgow is much more cosmopolitan with more live music venues, bars, shopping, and entertainment options.

Unfortunately, taking a day trip from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye isn’t feasible. It’s a 227-mile/365 km drive which means it’s a 10-hour round trip.

However, if you have the time then there are plenty of amazing multi-day tours from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye. That will allow you to take more hikes like the Quiraing Circuit, and the Old Man of Storr, and visit distilleries like Talisker.

Whether you’re seeking mythical creatures at Loch Ness, great cocktail bars in Glasgow, or history at Doune or Blackness Castle, this guide to day trips from the Scottish capital has you covered.

These are the best day trips from Edinburgh, Scotland no matter your interests, how close you want to stay to the city, or whether you want to drive or take a train. Your Scottish vacation will be all the richer for discovering what else this magical country has to offer beyond Edinburgh’s borders.

Wanderlust Crew

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Blog , Destinations , Europe , Scotland

The perfect 7-day scotland road trip itinerary for first time visitors.

I recently returned from my first trip to Scotland, where I spent two weeks road-tripping around the country. I spent six days exploring Edinburgh; the rest was on the road, driving through the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and a less touristy area in Aberdeenshire. This 7-day Scotland road trip itinerary, combines bucket list destinations with a couple of off-the-beaten-track locations throughout Scotland. 

I’ve done my best to condense my 14-day Scotland itinerary into one jam-packed week of stunning landscapes, city adventures, and relaxed countryside strolls. As such, when planning your week in Scotland, you’ll have to prioritize what you want to do and see so you’re spending your well-deserved time off wisely. 

Before we get into this 7-day Scotland itinerary, you’ll get a quick overview of what it will look like and some of my best Scotland travel tips, followed by a detailed Scotland road trip itinerary.

If you’re ready for a great adventure, keep reading to plan your Scotland trip!

Before we go any further, I need to let you know that there are a few affiliate links in this post. This means that, at no additional cost to you, should you decide to make a purchase, I’ll earn a little bit of money.

Scotland Itinerary for 7 Days Overview

Day 1 : Edinburgh (one night) 

Day 2 : Edinburgh to Stirling to Fort William (two nights)

Day 3 : Fort William + Glencoe

Day 4: Glencoe to the Isle of Skye (two nights)

Day 5 : Isle of Skye

Day 6 : Isle of Skye to Inverness to Banff (one night)

Day 7 : Banff to Fyvie to Falkland to Edinburgh (one night)

How to Get to Scotland

The best way to get to Scotland depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re traveling from the States like me, you’ll likely be arriving by air to London and then connecting to Edinburgh. However, a train may be better if you’re starting in the United Kingdom. No matter how you get there, your Scotland journey begins and ends in Edinburgh, so I’ll be using Scotland’s capital city as the arriving destination.

Let’s break down how to get to Scotland.   

Getting to Scotland By Air

Scotland has four International airports: Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow Prestwick, and Glasgow. Most likely, you’ll be flying into Edinburgh. A handful of direct flights from New York on United Airlines and Delta Airlines to Edinburgh exist. Alternatively, you can connect through Heathrow. 

From Heathrow, there are multiple departures to Edinburgh daily, and the flight takes approximately an hour and a half. 

I’ve recently been using WayAway to find cheap flights, create price alerts, and even get cash back on flights.

Find your flight to Scotland here .

Getting to Scotland By Train

A train ride into Scotland is a potentially budget-friendly and (most definitely) a beautiful way to get to Scotland. There are multiple departures from London Kings Cross Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station daily. The trip takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Book your train from London to Edinburgh here.

If you want to treat yourself, consider taking the Caledonian Sleeper train for a luxury experience and to start your trip to Edinburgh off on the right foot! 

d longer daylight hours. Although rain is still possible, you’ll have the best chance of experiencing sunny and dry weather.

The summer is the perfect time of year for hiking, exploring the Highlands, and enjoying outdoor activities. However, summer is also midge season, so be prepared with bug spray. 

As this is the most popular time of year, many tourist destinations will be crowded. Get to them for sunrise or sunset to beat the crowds if you can 

August also brings the world-renowned Fringe festival in Scotland’s capital city. If you’re planning an August trip, be prepared for massive crowds and difficulty finding accommodation. 

How to Get Around Scotland

This itinerary is based on renting a car. You can also get to most places by bus or train; however, it may take longer than you like. 

Scotland by Train

One of the highlights of traveling by train in Scotland is soaking in the stunning scenery from your window seat. Keep your camera handy and enjoy the views of rolling hills, lochs, and historic sites.

Scotland’s main cities, like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness, are well-connected by train. 

ScotRail is Scotland’s main train service; however, there are also the LNER (for transit to Edinburgh from London), the CrossCountry train service (various destinations), and the Caledonian Sleeper (for a luxury train experience). 

ScotRail offers various ticket options, including one-way, return, and day passes. Make sure to choose the one that suits your travel plans. You can also explore rail passes, like the Spirit of Scotland or the Highland Rover , that allow train travel over several days.

Check out ScotRail’s website to see the variety of ticket options and purchase yours. 

Pro Tip: To get to the Highlands via train, you’ll have to make your way to Glasgow, so make sure to factor in time to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow via train.

Scotland by Bus

Traveling around Scotland by bus can be a cost-effective way to get around Scotland, but it will take up quite a bit of time in your itinerary, so it may not be best for seven days.

Scotland has several bus companies operating within the country, including Citylink , Megabus , FlixBus , and local operators. You may need to book with multiple bus companies to complete this itinerary, as they all have different routes. 

Consider booking your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel times. If you don’t book your ticket in advance, you can typically purchase one directly from the driver if seats are available. 

Scotland by Car

This itinerary is based on a Scotland road trip, as it offers the most flexibility and ability to visit more remote areas. It may be more expensive than other transportation options mentioned here, but I promise it’s worth the cost. 

If this isn’t your first trip to Scotland and you’ve already hit all the destinations mentioned here, consider driving the North Coast 500 route. It looks epic!

You’ll pick up your car from Edinburgh Airport, which has most major car rental companies . If you have a preferred rental company, check here to see if it’s available. 

I booked with Arnold Clark and can not recommend them enough. They offered pick-up from the airport and the tram, the check-in and check-out process was easy, and they were incredibly encouraging about driving on the left! 

The only drawback was the yellow Arnold Clark sticker on the car that screamed “tourist.” But that’s OK, as it helps alert other drivers that I may not get the roundabout right on the first go around! 

I recommend reserving your car before your arrival for the best price and ensuring they have the type of vehicle you need. For instance, manual transmission cars are the default in Scotland. It does cost more for an automatic. If you need an automatic (like me!), you must reserve in advance because there is a limited number of automatic vehicles.

When you pick up your vehicle, have a valid driver’s license, passport, and credit card. Even though my credit card offers rental car coverage and I had travel insurance, I still purchased the additional coverage provided by Arnold Clark. You do you. 

Book your rental car with Arnold Clark here.

Scotland Driving Tips

If you’re coming from the US or somewhere else that drives on the right-hand side of the road, let me put your mind at ease. You will get used to it within 30-45 minutes of driving. Just follow the person ahead of you, and you’ll be OK. Remember to breathe!

Here are a few other helpful tips for your Scotland driving itinerary that I picked up:

• Keep your gas tank FULL, especially when traveling through remote areas.
• Be aware of parking regulations in cities and towns. Make sure to park in designated parking areas and take advantage of parking lots at tourist destinations.
• Check your speed! The roads are well marked, with highways being about 70 mph (113 km/hr) and 30 mph (48 km/hr) in towns (or slower). Rural areas were insane to me, with speed limits of 60mph (97 km/hr) on one-lane roads!
• When passing a car on one-lane roads, pull to the LEFT. There will be outlets; whichever car is closer to the outlet should pull into it.
• Sing Beyonce’s “To the Left to the Left” until you get the hang of it.
• Use your turn signal on roundabouts so the cars around you understand what you’re trying to do.

Best Time to Road Trip Scotland

Road-tripping through Scotland is a dream. My road trip took place in mid-May, and the longer days allowed me to maximize my time and see so many beautiful places without feeling rushed. Here are a few things to consider for each season when planning your Scotland road trip itinerary.

Scotland in Spring

In the Spring, Scotland will start to see longer days and milder weather. Sure, it’ll likely still rain quite a bit, but you’ll also probably see a few sunny days. Scotland breaks into a stunning bloom in the Spring, with Cherry Blossom trees blooming along Princes Street and yellow gorse lining the roads in the highlands. 

It also begins to stay lighter out later, until 9:00 pm! This will allow you to see more of this beautiful country as you can fit in an evening hike without worrying about getting back in the dark.

Spring is also the shoulder season for tourism in Scotland. While you’ll still see crowds, they’ll be far fewer than the summer months. Accommodation will also be cheaper in the Spring.

For all these reasons, Spring is the perfect time to visit Scotland.

Scotland in Summer

Summer is the most popular time for road trips in Scotland due to milder weather and longer daylight hours. Although rain is still possible, you’ll have the best chance of experiencing sunny and dry weather.

Scotland in Fall

Fall, or Autumn, would be the second best time of the year to visit Scotland. You’ll miss the crowds of summer while still benefiting from the mild weather. Although, it will likely rain a bit more.

Plus, the leaves will change color, creating magnificent scenery as you navigate the narrow roads of the Highlands.

As this is shoulder season as well, accommodations will be more budget-friendly.

Scotland in Winter

Winter can be a magical time to visit Scotland if you’re prepared for colder and wetter weather. The Scottish Highlands transform into a winter wonderland with snow-capped mountains. Some roads in remote areas may be closed due to weather conditions, so check conditions in advance.

There are some fun celebrations in the winter, with Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) celebrations in Edinburgh.

Ultimately, the best time for a road trip in Scotland depends on your interests and tolerance for different weather conditions. Check the weather forecast and road conditions before your trip, regardless of the season.

What to Pack for Scotland

Let’s review the essentials you need to pack for your trip to Scotland. For more in-depth details about everything you need to bring to Scotland, check out my complete Scotland packing list .

What to Wear in Scotland

I noticed Scotland is a fairly casual country, and you’ll see all kinds of fashion choices. A nice pair of jeans is acceptable for a nice restaurant. Layers are essential for Scotland as the weather will change constantly. You’ll want a waterproof jacket, a sweater, a pair of jeans, a pair of leggings, a couple of T-shirts, and a tank top or two. If you’re traveling in the winter, you’ll want to pack much warmer layers and a winter jacket. 

Don’t forget your socks, undies, and something comfy to sleep in! 

What Shoes to Wear in Scotland

The types of shoes you bring or don’t bring will depend on your activities. If you’re planning to go on lots of hikes, then a well-broken in pair of waterproof hiking boots are necessary. If you’re mainly doing city exploring and some light coastal walks, then a good pair of walking shoes is essential (even better if they can be waterproof!). Sandals are good if you go to the beach and want to dip your toes in the freezing water!

Electronics to Bring to Scotland

Camera: Whether you use your phone as a camera or want to bring a separate camera, you’ll need one to capture the beautiful landscapes and gothic architecture. 

Portable Charger : I’ve used this Mophie portable charger for years, and it still charges my devices quickly! A full charge allows for about three full charges! You will need it because you’ll be taking so many photos and using your phone for GPS.

Type of Bags to Bring to Scotland 

Backpack/daybag.

In addition to your carry-on luggage, bring a smaller backpack to carry extra layers, your water bottle, camera, and any fun souvenirs you’ll buy. 

Your Seven-Day Scotland Itinerary

Now that we’ve got all the logistics out of the way, let’s get into how to spend each day in Scotland. At the end of each location, I’ll share accommodation options that suit any budget. Ready? Let’s go!

Day 1 Edinburgh

Your adventure starts in Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. Edinburgh is known for its charming cobblestone streets, often moody weather, and stunning architecture. Edinburgh also has a slightly macabre history and a haunting atmosphere.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll have fun exploring the streets of Edinburgh and finding all the places that inspired the novel. I’m not exactly a Harry Potter fan, but I’ll share a few cool places to check out.

However, since you only have one day in Edinburgh , you must choose your activities wisely. Make sure you pick things that you enjoy! So, if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, skip it!

Or ride the hop-on, hop-off bus to see it all in a short time!

Walk the Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is located in the Old Town section of Edinburgh and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is jam-packed with things to see, cute cafes and pubs, and plenty of history.

The Royal Mile connects Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, which is still a royal residence. Along the way, you’ll also pass St. Giles Cathedral, which has been a working church for 900 years! You’ll also pass the Flodden Wall (near the Worlds End Pub), which once encircled all of Edinburgh.

To ensure you see all of the historically significant spots and hidden gems on the Royal Mile, I highly recommend booking a free Old Town walking tour!

If you do this without a tour, use this audio guide that includes 14 Scottish stories about Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, John Knox, and Marty Queen of Scots. Get your audio guide here .

Explore Grassmarket

Just down the hill from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle is the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh. If you’ve been doing any social media research for your trip to Edinburgh, you likely know Grassmarket because it’s where you’ll find Victoria Street’s colorful and picturesque shops. I recommend checking out the unique shops on this street for a fun souvenir.

The main square of Grassmarket is where public executions took place. There is a pub across the street called the Last Drop with nooses hanging in the windows. Those awaiting their death would stop for one last drop of Scottish whisky. This pub is an excellent place to eat if you’re getting hungry.

Also in Grassmarket is the now world-famous Greyfriars Kirkyard. It’s famous for inspiring characters in Harry Potter. Here, you’ll find the tombstones of Thomas Riddle, William McGonagall, and Elizabeth Moodie.

For a bit more local lore, stop by Greyfriars Bobby Memorial for a pup that guarded its owner’s grave for 14 years after its owner’s death. Residents would feed it and ensure it was well cared for until the puppy himself passed. They erected the bronze statue a year after he passed in 1872.

Visit a Museum

Did you know that Edinburgh’s museums are FREE?! And there are quite a few to choose from! 

The National Museum of Scotland may be too much of an undertaking for one day in Edinburgh, so I suggest you visit the Writer’s Museum to better understand Scotland’s literary history. 

The Writer’s Museum is dedicated to three Scottish literary heroes, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Robert Burns. Each writer has an area of the museum dedicated to their life and work. Plus, the museum is in a gorgeous building in a charming little square called Lady Stairs Close. 

Take a Walking Tour

Free walking tours are among my favorite things to do in new cities. They help me understand the city’s layout, teach me about its history, and show me the highlights quickly.

I highly recommend taking a free walking tour to maximize your time and understanding of how Edinburgh became the city we know and love today. There are walking tours for every interest. You can take one in Old Town , New Town , a Haunted Walking Tour , or a Harry Potter walking tour , to name a few.

Check out all of the options here. 

If you want to do an underground walking tour, that’s a fun option, but they aren’t free.

You can book an Underground Vault tour here . 

See the Sunset from Calton Hill

If you’re not too tired from all of the sightseeing in Edinburgh, walk up Calton Hill for sunset. At the top of Calton Hill, you’ll have panoramic views of the skyline below with the Scott Monument and the Balmoral Hotel Clock Tower. On Calton Hill itself is the National Monument, which was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. 

Visit a Local Bookshop

Dive into Edinburgh’s literary past in one of its many independent bookshops. Armchair Books is a used bookstore in Grassmarket, Golden Hare Books , and Rare Bird Bookshop in Stockbridge. Plus, there’s always Waterstones across from Princes St. Gardens, which has epic views of the castle and a cafe on site.

Enjoy Your New Book in a Cafe

If you need a quick break from all of the sightseeing, take your book to one of Edinburgh’s many cafes. The Milkman on Cockburn St. is such a must-stop that there are two! I also recommend Cowan and Sons in Stockbridge or Burr & Co in New Town.

If You Have an Extra Day in Edinburgh

If you do everything I mentioned above, that’s enough to fill a one-day itinerary in Edinburgh. However, you can check out a few other fun things in Edinburgh if you have more time.

Hike Arthur’s Seat : I could not fit this into my itinerary, but this would be an incredible sunrise or sunset activity in Edinburgh. There are multiple routes to the top of Arthur’s Seat, a long extinct volcano, and 360 o views of Edinburgh when you reach the top!

Holyrood Palace: If you’re interested in the royal family, you can tour Holyrood Palace. Remember that this will not be an option if someone is in residence, as there was when I visited. However, the gift shop and cafe will remain open.

Book your ticket to Holyrood Palace here.

Edinburgh Castle: If you’re interested in learning more about Mary Queen of Scots, Scotland’s military history, and seeing the Crown Jewels, then add Edinburgh Castle to your itinerary. You’d need about 2 hours to see if all or you can focus your time in the heart of the castle, Crown Square.

Alternatively, book a guided tour of the Castle!

Dean’s Village & Stockbridge : This was my favorite part of Edinburgh. Even though it was my favorite, I didn’t put it in the main part of the itinerary because it’s a bit of a walk from the main attractions in Edinburgh. That being said, if you want more of a local vibe, delicious food, and excellent cafes, please spend a morning or afternoon in Stockbridge. 

Dean’s Village is a quaint, picturesque neighborhood with a beautiful walk along the Water of Leith. 

The walk will take you to the heart of Stockbridge, home to great independent bookstores like The Golden Hare and Rare Birds Bookshop. It’s also where you’ll find the charming street, Circus Lane, perfect for a photo op. No matter where you are in Edinburgh, you’ll be close to a cozy cafe to rest and recharge for the rest of the day.

Where to Eat & Drink in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has so many great places to eat that suit any budget. I do recommend booking reservations in advance during peak travel season. Are there more places to eat in Edinburgh than I’ve listed below? Of course, there are! But I’m trying to make the decision less overwhelming when you only have one day to spend! 

Where to Eat Breakfast in Edinburgh

I treated myself to a good brunch twice in Edinburgh and went with The Pantry in Stockbridge and Urban Angel in New Town. Both offered delicious, fresh food, a great matcha latte, and incredibly friendly staff. 

At The Pantry , I had some of the best French toast of my life. And Urban Angel offered up a unique variation of eggs on toast and a delicious smoothie!

They get busy quickly, so get there early or reserve a table!

Where to Eat Lunch/Dinner in Edinburgh

There are literally pubs and restaurants on every street and close in Edinburgh. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with most of them. Two of my favorites were Arcade Bar Haggis and Whisky House and The Devil’s Advocate .

Arcade is located on Cockburn Street and offers a variety of Haggis options if you want to try this Scottish delicacy. They also make delicious whisky sours. The interior is charming, too, and if you can get a seat at the window, it’s a great people-watching spot.

The Devil’s Advocate is located in Devil’s Advocate close. They have a vast whisky collection, among other things, and a well-rounded menu. I had a whisky flight, and the pork belly dish was delicious. The interior has a dark and cozy vibe that fits well with a rainy afternoon in Edinburgh.

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has plenty of hostels and hotels to choose from! I recommend picking an accommodation that fits your budget and is close to the activities you’d like to do so you’re not wasting time on transportation.

Budget Accommodation in Edinburgh

Are you ballin’ on a budget? Edinburgh has so many hostels! If you prefer to avoid sharing space, many offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. If you’re unsure about the hostel life, check out my complete guide to staying in a hostel.  

Castle Rock Hostel: Castle Rock Hostel is excellently located next to Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile. There are a wide range of room options. It’s budget-friendly and very safe. Plus, the views are epic.

Check rates and availability here .

Code Pod Hostel: Also located on the Royal Mile, The Court Code Pod is a boutique hostel with bunks that offer more privacy than a typical hostel. If this is your first time staying in a hostel, I’d recommend this hostel. Book your stay here.

Princes St Hostel: Prince St Hostel is located in New Town on a quiet cobblestone street. It’s a three-story climb to the hostel, but the people who work there are so helpful and friendly. Book your stay here.

Check out more Edinburgh hostels here !

Mid Range Accommodation in Edinburgh

If you’re a hotel girlie, there are plenty of mid-range options.

Kimpton Charlotte Square: The Kimpton is located in a Georgian Townhouse on the super cute and quiet Charlotte Square. It’s two blocks from Princes St. Gardens, the Ross Fountain, and the tram!

Sonder : I recently learned about Sonder , which offers apartment-style accommodation in various cities worldwide and is a super cute one located just steps from the Scottish National Gallery.

Bougie Accommodation in Edinburgh

Waldorf Astoria : I stayed at the Waldorf Astoria my first night in Edinburgh before moving on to a hostel and loved it. It’s located across the street from Princes St Gardens and is close to many restaurants. The room was perfect after an international flight when I needed a hot shower and a comfortable bed!

Balmoral Hotel: The Balmoral Hotel is a five-star luxury hotel next to Waverly Station. If you’re traveling to Edinburgh for a special occasion or want a treat-yourself experience – consider staying here!

Check rates and availability here.

Check out other hotels in Edinburgh here!

Day 2 Edinburgh to Stirling to Fort William/Glencoe

In the morning, you’ll take the tram back to the airport to pick up your rental car to start your epic Scotland road trip. Today’s itinerary includes historical castles, monuments, and stunning scenery as you make your way into the Scottish Highlands. 

There is a lot of driving from here on out, so pick up some road trip snacks and have your road trip playlist ready!

Midhope Castle

Calling all Outlander Fans! Made famous for being the home of the one and only Jamie Fraser, Midhope Castle (Lallybroch for Outlander fans) is a small castle with pretty grounds. You cannot enter the castle itself, so this is a quick pit stop for a photo op before you’re on your way to the next castle of the day.

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle also makes a few appearances in Outlander as Fort William prison. The disturbing scene of Jamie’s flogging took place in the courtyard. Now outside of Outlander, Blackness is a 15th-century fortress that was used as a prison, a residence of the Scottish monarch, and, of course, a military stronghold. 

You can walk the grounds and the castle’s interior, including seeing the great hall. It will take you approximately 1.5 hours to see the castle and take some photos.

Optional Stop: The Kelpies at Falkirk

The Kelpies are two 30-meter-high metal structures of horse heads that tower over a grassy park and canal that connects to the River Forth. Kelpies are mythical water horses that have the strength and endurance of 10 horses. They also represent the role that horses played in the development of Scottish industry and economy.

You can see them from the highway if you decide not to stop. 

The National Wallace Monument

The Wallace Monument is located in Stirling above the fields where Scottish hero William Wallace brought his troops to victory against the English. Visiting the monument is not for the faint of heart, however, as it requires a 246-step climb up a spiral staircase to see the various rooms that detail the story of William Wallace.

At the monument’s top, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of Stirling, the river, and even Stirling Castle.

Lunch: The Wallace Monument

At this point, you’re probably ready for lunch. I recommend eating at the Wallace Monument cafe. The brie and cheese panini was one of the best sandwiches I’ve had, and the butternut squash soup was delicious. Plus, it’s one of the cheaper meals I had in Scotland!

Alternative Activity in Stirling: Stirling Castle

If you’d like, you can instead visit Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s largest and most historically and architecturally significant castles. The castle served as a palace and royal residence to many royal Scots, including Mary Queen of Scots.

Visiting the castle would require 2-3 hours of your day, so make sure you factor that in as you consider the drive time to get to your accommodation in Fort William or Glencoe.

Drive through Glencoe

After you finish your activities in Stirling, the rest of the day is devoted to an epic drive through Glencoe. There won’t be any hiking today, but there are scenic places to pull over, like Three Sisters Viewpoint, to take in the breathtaking scenery. 

This part of the journey is your time to settle into driving in Scotland and appreciate this country’s natural beauty.

Enjoy the ride.

Dinner at Clachaig Inn

Clachaig Inn is a must for dinner! This historic inn offers traditional Scottish fare, has a wide range of whiskies and gin to sample, and often has live music. 

Where to Stay in Fort William or Glencoe

Today was a big day. You’ve gotten used to driving in Scotland, learned more about Scottish history, and seen beautiful landscapes. It’s time to rest up at your accommodation. You can stay in Fort William or Glencoe for the next two nights. Either is a good base for tomorrow’s full day of activities.  

Below are a few accommodation recommendations for either Fort William or Glencoe. 

Budget Accommodation in Fort William/Glencoe

Fort William Backpackers : I stayed here because I liked how close it was to downtown Fort William and that it was inexpensive. It’s a hostel with amazing views of the surrounding area, a room to dry your clothes, and powerful (and clean) showers.

Glen Nevis Youth Hostel : I passed this hostel on my way to the Steall Falls trailhead and wished I’d known about it before arriving. The outside was incredibly charming, and I’ve researched it since returning. The pictures show a boutique hostel aesthetic, steps away from the best hikes in the area.

Check out other hostels in Fort William and Glencoe here.

Mid Range Accommodation in Fort William/Glencoe

Onich Hotel : I passed by the Onich Glamping Pods multiple times, and each time, I thought, what a great spot to stay! They have beach pods located directly on Loch Linnhe, with immediate access to the beach and stunning views. There is also a traditional hotel on the property, and it’s dog-friendly. Plus, it’s budget-friendly.

Lime Tree An Ealdhain Hotel: If you want more traditional accommodation, check out the Lime Tree Hotel in downtown Fort William. This hotel allows easy access to the restaurants and shops downtown and is a short drive away from the activities in Glencoe.

Bougie Accommodation in Fort William/Glencoe

Seabeds Luxury Lookout Lodges: If you’re looking for a treat-yo-self moment in the Highlands, definitely check out the luxury lodges of Woodlands. They offer riverbed lodges surrounded by trees and seabed lodges with sweeping views of the Loch and mountain. Each lodge has a private hot tub, kitchenette, and ensuite bathroom. The lodges are pet-friendly as well! I will be saving up to spend a few days here!

Kingshouse Hotel: If you’re hiking the West Highland Way, consider staying at the Kingshouse Hotel in the heart of Glencoe. There are dorm rooms, modern hotel rooms, laundry, and a restaurant on site. 

Check out other hotels in Fort William and Glencoe here.

Day 3: Fort William + Glencoe

Are you ready for your first full day exploring the best things to do in Fort William and Glencoe ? Today includes a short hike, your first whisky distillery visit, and watching the Jacobite Steam Train go by!

Steall Falls Hike

The hike to Steall Falls is the perfect hike for your one day in Glencoe! Why? It is short enough to do in the morning, challenging enough to feel like you got an actual hike in, and it includes a waterful and the gorgeous landscapes this area is known for. 

This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail takes you through the gorgeous Nevis Gorge to the second-highest waterfall in the UK, Steall Falls.

As you near Steall Waterfall, you’ll likely see campers in the field, and a wire bridge can be used to cross River Nevis. Alternatively, you can cross through the river if it’s calm enough. Another option is to skip crossing the river and find a spot in the field to enjoy a snack and soak in the views.

Supposedly, Steall Falls appears in a couple of Harry Potter films.

Alternative Hikes in Glencoe and Fort William

If you’ve got more time and love hiking, there are plenty of other hiking trails to check out in Glencoe. Of course, there is the multi-day journey along the famous West Highland Way. If you’re looking for a one-day challenge, you can summit Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, Britain, and the British Isles. For a more leisurely stroll, check out the beautiful Glencoe Lochan.

Ben Nevis Distillery

Ready for your first distillery visit in Scotland? Ben Nevis Distillery is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland, crafting malt whisky from the water cascading off the highest mountain in Britain.

You can take a tour of the distillery, which includes a tasting at the end. There is also a cafe on sight if you need a light bite. 

While the distillery is open year-round, its operating hours vary depending on the season. 

Opening Hours

• Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 12pm-6pm
• Sep-May Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
• Standard Tour £12 per person: guided tour and tasting of two whiskies
• Under-18s £5 per person : guided tour only

Lunch & Stroll Through in Fort William

After the morning activities, you’re likely famished! Head into Fort William to check out the pedestrian-friendly town, enjoy lunch, and check out the West Highland Museum.

Parking in Fort William: There are a couple of parking lots in town. I recommend parking in this one. Make sure to pay!

The Wildcat Cafe: Whether or not you’re vegan, I highly recommend The Wildcat Cafe for a healthy and hearty lunch. Plus, they make a great matcha latte. 

If you’re really not into the vegan menu, there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants on the High Street. Find one that suits your appetite.

The West Highland Museum

The West Highland Museum is a free museum that shares the history and culture of the Scottish Highlands. You can learn about the Highland clans, better understand the Jacobite cause, and more about the importance of Fort William as a military outpost.

Pop into the Highland Bookshop

​​Another essential stop on your Fort William itinerary is a visit to The Highland Bookshop . In this charming independent bookstore, you can discover the latest bestsellers, books on Scotland’s history, and an expansive selection of outdoor literature, among other literary gems. Regardless of your reading preferences, this cozy bookshop promises to have something for you.

Glenfinnan Viaduct + Jacobite Steam Train

The Jacobite steam train , known as the real-life Hogwarts Express, embarks on a route known as one of the most picturesque train rides across the globe. This 84-mile round-trip excursion takes you along the West Highland Line, a mesmerizing journey from Fort William to Mallaig.

You can ride the train, enjoying views of lochs, mountains, and cascading waterfalls. Alternatively, you can watch the train traverse the Glenfinnan Viaduct from the many vantage points below – and that’s precisely what I chose to do.

The train passes over the viaduct toward the viewpoint (from Fort William to Mallaig) in the morning, around 10:45-11:00 am. In the afternoon, you’ll catch it moving away from the viewpoint on its return journey to Fort William around 1:20-1:45 pm.

While you’re there, head across the street (carefully) to see the Jacobite standing atop the Glennfinnan National Monument and see the views of Loch Shiel.

If you want to see it pass toward the viewpoint, do this first thing in the morning, swapping it with the Steall Falls Hike.

Coffee at Glenfinnan Coffee Co.

Stop for a caffeine refuel up the road at the cutest little coffee truck located in the parking lot of Saint Mary and Saint Finnan Church. They have a variety of specialty coffee and tea drinks, along with delicious paninis. The vows from the church are worth checking out as well.

Dinner in Fort William

I ate dinner at the Ben Nevis Bar and ordered a burger. It wasn’t one of the best meals I had in Scotland, but it wasn’t terrible either. I still wouldn’t recommend it. Instead, check out the Geographer , The Stables , or get some Indian takeaway from Spice Tandoori to enjoy in your room.

It’s time to rest up for another big day of driving!

Day 4: Glencoe to the Isle of Skye

Today, the journey begins to the Isle of Skye! The drive time from Fort William to Isle of Skye is about 2.5 hours non-stop! However, you will be making one planned stop on the way at Eilean Donan Castle. You will likely want to pull off (when safe) at other viewpoints along the way. 

Side note: If you weren’t able to see the Jacobite Steam Train yesterday and still want to, I recommend stopping there on your way out in the morning!

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is a 13th-century castle that sits on an island where three lochs meet. It was mostly destroyed during the Jacobite rising in 1719 and lay in ruin for 200 years before the Macrae family purchased the island in 1911 and spent 20 years restoring it. It opened to the public in the 1950s and has starred in films like Maid of Honor and James Bond – The World is Not Enough.

You can enter the castle and explore the entirety of it. Admittedly, I did not. I took the advice of the Scottish man I met in the parking lot and spent a couple of hours taking photos of it from various vantage points. 

There is a parking lot and visitor center with a cafe and restrooms.

Now, it’s time to cross the bridge and enter the Isle of Skye.

Old Man of Storr

Your first stop on the Isle of Skye is heading to the Old Man of Storr for a hike! The Old Man of Storr is one of the most popular places to visit on the Isle of Skye. During peak tourist season, expect the parking lot at the trailhead to fill up early. However, as you’re going later in the day, you should be able to find a spot from someone leaving!

The hike itself is intense as it’s a steep climb up a gravel path that leads to stairs before you reach the Old Man of Storr viewpoint. I, along with other hikers, definitely underestimated the incline!

Dinner in Portree

Now that you’ve had a solid hike, return to the capital of Skye, Portree for dinner. Portree has a variety of restaurants for any budget.

Places to Eat in Portree:

• Pizzaway : Solid pizza for takeaway or to eat at the picnic tables outside
• Dulse and Brose : Upscale Scottish cuisine (need reservations)
• Restaurant Rosedale : Scottish tapas located on the harbor
• Caberfeidh Bar and Restaurant : more pizza with a dine-in option

Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye

There are many traditional and unique places to stay on the Isle of Skye. There is something for everyone here, from shepherd’s huts to glamping pods to typical hotels. Pick a location near(ish) to the main things you want to do on the Isle of Skye. You have two nights here!

Budget Accommodation in the Isle of Skye

Skye Backpackers : In the fishing village of Kyleakin, Skye Backpackers is an excellent base for exploring the island. I stayed here and I found it clean, comfortable and the staff super helpful. The village has two restaurants and a pub if you need a spot to eat!

Portree Youth Hostel: Located in Portree, the capital of Skye, this hostel looked cute from the outside and had fantastic harbor views. The parking lot is the main parking lot for the village. Staying here would allow super easy access to all of the destinations on Skye.

Check out other hostels in the Isle of Skye here.

Mid Range Accommodation in the Isle of Skye

Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse: This is a boutique hostel with traditional bunks and unique pod-style accommodation. Located in the village of Uig, there is a brewery, a grocery store, and a pub in town. Plus, you’re close to the area’s top attractions. It was fully booked when I visited, otherwise, I would’ve 100% stayed here!

Sligachan Hotel: Located next to Sligachan Old Bridge, with an onsite restaurant and bar, this Sligachan hotel offers a variety of rooms from single to family suites. There’s wifi available, and all rooms are ensuite!

Bougie Accommodation in the Isle of Skye

Hillstone Lodge: Each of the three rooms in this luxury bed and breakfast has stunning views of Loch Dunvegan. Breakfast is included in your stay; you’ll have everything you need to start and end your day right. It looks like a total dream accommodation.

Cuillin Hills Hotel: Located in Portree with views of the colorful Portree Harbor, the Cuillin Hills Hotel is a great place to base yourself for adventure and return to luxury. Multiple room options are available, free parking, wifi, and excellent customer service.

Check out other hotels on the Isle of Skye here.

Day 5: Isle of Skye

Today is your one full day on the Isle of Skye, so let’s get to it! You could easily spend an entire week on Skye and not see all the beautiful places and hidden gems. But with limited time, we will tick off this beautiful island’s highlights!

Today’s activities are grouped by location, as many of the Isle of Skye attractions require a lot of driving!

Breakfast at Birch

For breakfast, head to the super cute Birch Cafe located in Portree. They have excellent coffee, tea, and delicious toast! Plus, their cafe is charming and has a lovely minimalist aesthetic. 

Fairy Pools

Once you’re full, head to the Fairy Pools! The Fairy Pools are about a 30-minute drive from Portree.

The Fairy Pools is a series of waterfalls and the crystal blue pools they create along the River Brittle located at the foot of the Black Cuilin mountains. This is a popular place for wild swimming if you’re up for it!

The walk will take about an hour without stopping, so plan for at least two hours because you’ll want to take photos along the way! If it’s recently rained, the path will be muddy, so proceed with caution.

The parking lot is across the single-track road, so be careful crossing the street to the start of the path. It’ll be about a 20-minute walk to the first waterfall, then follow the path to the top and return the same way you came once you’re done!

Talisker Distillery

If you’ve gone wild swimming in the pools, it’s been a rainy day, or you’re simply ready for a dram, head over to Talisker Distillery in the nearby town of Carbost. Talisker is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, is located across from the beautiful Loch Harport, and offers excellent views of the Cuilins.

You can take an hour-long tour of the distillery, which includes a tasting of their single malt scotch whisky. Or, if you’re like me, you can enjoy any tasting you choose by the warm fireplace. I happened to find my favorite whisky here, one that I can actually enjoy sipping!

Caora Dhubh Coffee Company

Before continuing your journey, head across the street from the distillery to the Caora Dhubh Coffee Company . They make an excellent chai latte and have some yummy pastries. There isn’t any seating inside, but there are some benches in front and around the back on the shores of the Loch. It’s a good spot to relax before lunch!

Lunch at the Oyster Shed

The Oyster Shed is an absolute must-eat on the Isle of Skye. It’s just up the road from Talisker Distillery and has fantastic views of the valley below. There is a tiny car park and no parking on the single-track road to get there, so be patient if it’s busy.

Once you park, enter the shop on the right to place your order. Then, find a picnic table or whiskey barrel to enjoy your meal. I recommend the oysters, of course, and the crab. The fish and chips also looked delicious!

Afternoon Hike: Fairy Glen or Quirianh

In the afternoon, you have two options for a hike: the Quiriang or the Fairy Glen . If it’s the summer, you may have the opportunity to do both as it will stay light out quite late.

Both are located on the Trotternish Peninsula near the town of Uig. From Carbost, Fairy Glen is on the way to Quiriang. It will take about an hour to reach the Fairy Glen and an hour and a half to reach the parking lot for the Quiriang trailhead.

The Fairy Glen isn’t much of a hike, but it does feel like you’ve stepped into another world. From the parking lot, it’s a 20-minute walk up a short hill into the Fairy Glen, which is lush green, has roaming sheep, and mystical peaks. 

Spend about an hour roaming around the area, climbing up the peaks (carefully), and taking in the scenery. One of the peaks has been dubbed Castle Ewan, and you can climb to the top to enjoy the view of the area below.

There is an area where tourists have been making circles with rocks, but please don’t. Locals remove the stones to keep the Glen in its natural state.

The Quiriang

Admittedly, I did not do the Quiriang hike as I was dealing with severe plantar fasciitis and was still recovering from the Old Man of Storr hike. However, this is a bucket list hike on the Isle of Skye, so if you’re up for it, go for it! Who knows when you’ll be back, right?!

It’s a 4-mile loop hike with steep inclines and trails near cliff edges. As such, it’s not suitable for all weather and should not be attempted in rainy conditions! However, on a sunny day, you’ll be rewarded with iconic views of the unique Skye landscape – a photographer’s dream!

An Corran Beach

On your way back to Portree for the night, stop by An Corran Beach , where you might find dinosaur footprints (when the tide is out). I did my best to find them in the limestone rocks, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. If you find them, send me a photo!

It’s time for your final night on the Isle of Skye. Return to Portree for dinner somewhere that you didn’t eat last night!

If you have extra time on the Isle of Skye

As mentioned in the intro of this section – there is so much to see on the Isle of Skye that this only scratches the surface. If you have extra time, there are a few other places to check out 

• Neist Point Lighthouse – an excellent place for sunset. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the views!
• Brother’s Point – a nice hike through farms, with a waterfall and stream leading to the ocean.
• Dunvegan Castle – if you’re up for more castles, check it out!
• Coral Beach – a stunning white sand beach

Day 6: Isle of Skye to Inverness to Aberdeenshire

Today, you’ll leave the Isle of Skye for a quieter corner of Scotland in Aberdeenshire, with a quick stop in Inverness. You’ll pass Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness along the way if you want to visit.

I know, I know, this itinerary does not include spending time at the famous Loch Ness. You will drive alongside Loch Ness and the small town of Drumnadrochit, where, if you’d like, you can take a cruise on the Loch.

You can book this cruise along Loch Ness which includes a stop at Urquhart Castle. Book it here .

Otherwise, you’ll continue to Inverness.

Lunch in Inverness

Today, you’re stopping in Inverness for lunch, a stroll through town, and a visit to the famous Leaky’s Bookshop. I didn’t vibe with Inverness, but that doesn’t mean you won’t!

In terms of where to eat in Inverness, you have your pick of just about any cuisine. To be honest, I picked a cafe that I can’t recall the name of and can’t seem to find on Google Maps! In writing this post, I did some research and found a spot called Coyote Burger , which I 100% should have eaten at – it looks delicious and has excellent reviews.

However, I remember treating myself to matcha and a donut at Perk Coffee and Doughnuts . The matcha was delicious, and the donut was huge; I couldn’t finish it!

Leaky’s Bookshop

Leaky’s Bookshop is a family-owned business that has been around for four decades, selling used books and unique prints. I loved flipping through all of the prints! There are some wildlife, old maps, and people from Scottish history. It’s worth strolling through here; you may find a unique souvenir.

Culloden Battlefield

Up next, make your way to Culloden Battlefield , where the 1745 Jacobite uprising came to a tragic end and changed the course of Scotland’s history.

In 1746, the Jacobites fought the final battle on British soil, resulting in 1,600 men dying…1,500 were Jacobites.

On this site, you can visit the museum detailing the background of the conflict and see artifacts from both sides. You can walk up to the roof garden to see the battlefield from above and where each army stood.

From there, head down to the battlefield, where you can walk through the battlelines and see the graves of soldiers and clans next to the memorial cairn. 

When visiting Culloden, remember this is a place of great importance to Scotland. Please treat it respectfully, including only walking on marked paths and not taking anything with you.

Clava Cairns

This next stop is for my Outlander fans. If you want to see if you have the power to time travel, head to Clava Cairns . While it was made famous in Outlander, the Clava Cairns is a burial place from the bronze age. During the winter solstice, two cairns line up with the sun, making it an even more mystical place to visit.

Visit Cullen and Findlater Castle

Cullen is a charming seaside village on the Moray Coast. The village has lovely cottages, a sandy beachfront, yummy food, and gorgeous coastal walks. There is a viaduct that acts as a backdrop and excellent framing for photos. You can also walk along the viaduct if you choose to!

Cullen is also known for a fish soup called the Cullen Sink, which you can try at the Rockpool Cafe.  

Spend some time wandering around town before heading to Findlater Castle.

Findlater Castle

Findlater Castle is a stony ruin built into the cliff overlooking the sea. It’s incredible to think that people once lived there! The castle was first recorded in 1246 but has been vacant since the 1600s, and nature has since reclaimed it. You can follow the path to the castle and walk through it or enjoy the view from its top.

Where to Stay in Aberdeenshire

Budget accommodation in aberdeenshire.

South Cross Slacks Farmhouse: This is a super cozy farmhouse is located in Crovie that is the perfect vacation home. It has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and free wifi. 

Mid Range Accommodation in Aberdeenshire

Rustic Hollow Cabin : I stayed here for two nights and absolutely loved it! It is located in Banff and just a short drive away from the things mentioned to do in this corner of Scotland. The outdoor tub, fireplace, and welcome basket all made my stay lovely! I cannot recommend it enough!

Bougie Accommodation in Aberdeenshire

Banff Springs Hotel: Located in the village of Banff between Portsoy and Crovie, this luxury hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Their bathrooms look fantastic! There is a bar and restaurant onsite and free parking. 

Day 7: Banff to Fyvie Castle to Falkland to Edinburgh

This morning, you’ll make your way back to Edinburgh. But don’t worry, the adventure isn’t over yet! There are a few stops along the way to round out your Scotland itinerary. You’ll spend the night in Edinburgh before your flight home in the morning.

Morning Walk from Crovie to Gardenstown

Before leaving Scotland’s quiet and relaxing area, take a unique coastal walk from Crovie to Gardenstown. Crovie is a tiny fishing village that does not allow vehicle access. It is connected via a coastal footpath to another super cute seaside village called Gardenstown.

Park your vehicle at the Crovie car park and follow the road down into Crovie. The walk to the end of Crovie is about 15 minutes, and there are a bunch of cute cottages (some of which you can rent!).

Once you’re done in Crovie, follow the coastal trail to Gardenstown, where you can have breakfast at Eli’s Crafts, Cakes, and Coffee. Stroll through Gardenstown and then follow the path either through Gardenstown to return via the cliff path or go back the way you came to your car,

Fyvie Castle

Fyvie Castle is the last and final castle on your Scotland itinerary. Most castles you’ve seen have been ancient, ruined, and uninhabited for centuries. While the Fyvie castle is 800 years old, I love that it’s still fully furnished and has lavish oil paintings on the walls, ghost stories, and more.

Taking this tour, you get a glimpse of what it would be like to live in a castle! I highly recommend it!

Another stop for my Outlander fans, and even if you’re not an Outlander fan, Falkland is a charming place to stop before returning your car to Edinburgh.

Falkland is the setting for Inverness in Outlander. This is likely why I didn’t vibe with actual Inverness because I expected it to look like Falkland. Naturally, I was quite happy in Falkland!

The village of Falkland is located in Fife, about an hour outside of Edinburgh. High Street is dominated by church spires and dotted with cute houses, flower baskets, and colorful doors.  

In the center of Falkland, you can see Bruce Fountain, where Frank sees Jamie’s ghost watching Claire get ready for bed in the hotel window. That hotel window is from Covenanters Hotel, where you can enjoy a pub lunch.

I recommend walking around this charming village. This picturesque village has plenty of photo opportunities, cute gift shops, and cobblestone streets.

Return Car in Edinburgh

The stop in Falkland concludes your Scotland travel itinerary. Return your car to the rental car agency in Edinburgh and check in to your Edinburgh airport hotel for a good night’s rest before your flight home.

Over the last seven days in Scotland, you’ve seen historic castles and stunning landscapes, tasted yummy food, drank drams of whisky, and perhaps even overcame your fear of driving in a foreign country. I sincerely hope this itinerary helped you plan an epic Scotland road trip from start to finish. I did my best to share the top attractions in Scotland and a few hidden gems along the way.

Reach out if you have any questions about planning your trip to Scotland!

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One Week in Scotland

One Week in Scotland: The Perfect Itinerary

This seven-day Scotland touring itinerary has something for everyone, whether you're an urban connoisseur or a wilderness fan. Historic castles, legendary outlaws, and mythical sea monsters all vie for your attention. So does the seafood, fished from cold North Sea waters, as well as the water of life—more commonly known as Scotch whisky. Any short visit to Scotland is bound to leave you hungry for more.

This driving itinerary is organized day by day rather than hour by hour. It's meant to give you a good overview while providing enough freedom to allow you to pick and choose without losing the plot. As long as you end up in the suggested destination at the end of each day, you should have plenty of time to discover what makes Scotland special and especially loved by visitors.

Day 1: Edinburgh

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

Morning: Start your day in Edinburgh early, with a hearty Scottish breakfast at your hotel. Edinburgh is a very hilly city and you want to stoke up on carbs for all the walking. Don't pass up the oatmeal that's usually included in a Scottish breakfast. The pinch of salt they add makes it very special.

Then head for the bottom of The Royal Mile ; starting at The Palace of Holyrood House, this street climbs through Old Town and ends at Edinburgh Castle. Though most people walk down the Royal Mile, we think it works better in the opposite direction when you still have lots of energy.

The Palace of Holyrood House , the Monarch's official residence when she is in Scotland, is only partially open to the public. The self-guided audio tour will take you an hour or less.

Across the street, you'll find the Scottish Parliament. Controversial (it cost more than $506 million after an original proposal of $12 million) and architecturally interesting, you can see the key areas in about 15 minutes.

Afternoon: The Inn on the Mile is a handy place to stop for lunch, and is about three-quarters of the way up the Royal Mile .

When you're done eating, climb up to Edinburgh Castle for the spectacular views at the top. Unless you are fascinated by military history, skip the museums and exhibits; instead, walk down through Princes Street Gardens to the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound.

Evening: Sample any one of more than 300 brands of scotch whisky at the Bow Bar on West Bow in the Old Town. Then head for an early supper at Edinburgh's famous Italian deli, Valvona & Crolla , or a casual pizza at the popular La Favorita. If jet lag is starting to set in, order online and they'll deliver to your hotel room.

Day 2: Scotts View, Abbotsford, and Traquair

 Michelle Kelley Photography/Getty Images

Morning: Head out of the city and south into the Borders, a county punctuated by the meandering River Tweed and rich in history and literary connections. On your way, take a few minutes to stop at Scott's View . A favorite of novelist, playwright, and poet Sir Walter Scott, this spot gives you stunning views of the Eildon Hills , three distinctive volcanic plugs, and the Tweed Valley. There's a small parking area with an orientation table a historic marker.

Afterwards, pay a visit to Melrose Abbey . Built in the 12 th century, the abbey is believed to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart . There is a memorial stone marking the spot.

Make your way to Abbotsford House next. Sir Walter Scott almost bankrupted himself building this remarkable faux-medieval fantasy palace surrounded by beautiful gardens on the Tweed. After his death in 1832, the house immediately became a place of literary pilgrimage. It has been open to the public since 1833. Stop for lunch at Abbotsford before moving on to Traquair.

Afternoon: Traquair House is the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland and has been in the same family for 900 years. It is a fascinating place, connected to stories of political intrigue, Jacobites, secret Catholics, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Mary Queen of Scots. You can even sample a bevy from Traquair's own brewery. The house and grounds can be visited daily between April and the end of October, and weekends only in November.

Evening: Return to Edinburgh and enjoy some fine dining in Leith, the city's waterfront district. Try The Kitchin or Restaurant Martin Wishart , both owned by celebrity chefs and spangled with Michelin stars. Book either online before you leave home.

Day 3: The Forth Bridges, Falkirk Wheel and Stirling Castle

Morning: It's just a 15-mile drive from Edinburgh to the Forth Bridges . When the first one opened at Queensferry in 1890, it was the world's biggest man-made steel structure and a marvel of Victorian engineering. About nine miles from Edinburgh, the historic railroad bridge is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, joined by two other remarkable bridges. When the Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964, it was the largest long-span suspension bridge outside the U.S. The Queensferry Crossing opened in 2017 and is the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world. There's a terrific viewpoint to see all three at Hawes Pier in Queensferry.

The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boat lift. It raises and lowers boats and their passengers—to a height of 115 feet—between the Forth&Clyde and Union Canals. Book ahead on the website and you can take a 50-minute ride on it. Have some lunch at the visitor center before moving on.

Afternoon: Plan on spending the whole afternoon at and around Stirling Castle , about 13 miles away. Sitting on top of an impressive volcanic rock and protected on one side by dramatic cliffs, the castle has long remained a symbol of Scottish independence with its strong connections to William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary Queen of Scots. It was first mentioned in 1110 when King Alexander built a chapel there, but in all likelihood it is much older. There are a range of guided and self-guided audio tours you can take to see the royal palace's great halls and kitchens, chapel, and regimental museum. From the castle walls, you can see Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace's 13 th -century victory over the English.

Just below the castle is Stirling Old Town . It is a virtually intact Medieval town and you should plan on spending some daylight hours walking around it.

Evening: Have dinner and spend the night in Stirling. There's a good selection of hotels and plenty of casual bistros, cafés, and pubs.

Day 4: The Cairngorms, Urquhart Castle, and Loch Ness

Morning: Fill up on fuel and water before leaving Stirling; you'll be passing through some of the emptiest areas and highest plateaus of Cairngorm National Park . First stop: Balmoral , the Queen's private vacation home. Built by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria, the Scottish Baronial estate is surrounded by beautiful woodlands and mountain views. You can only visit a small part of the house, but there is usually an interesting exhibition to see. The house is closed to the public when the Queen and the royals are in residence, from August through October. Tickets need to be booked in advance.

Note: If you're in the area when the Queen is in residence, visit Blair Castle on the Blair Atholl estate or Braemar Castle instead.

Afternoon: Heading north on a curving route from Balmoral, you'll enter an area that has recently been dubbed the SnowRoads . It includes the highest public road in Britain and the highest public road mountain pass. The scenery, though lonely and empty, is also spectacular. In the northwest corner of the Cairngorms is Speyside, one of Scotland's most important whisky-making areas. Stop in the little market town of Tomintoul to pick up a bottle or two for later.

Now's your chance to look for the Loch Ness Monster. Urquhart Castle offers a high vantage point over Loch Ness. Even though it's a ruin, the location makes this one of the best castles in Scotland.

Evening: End your day by driving to Invermoriston Falls, a spectacular series of rapids and waterfalls crossed via a historic, pedestrian-only 19 th -century bridge . The Glenmoriston Arms Hotel, across the parking lot for the falls, has decent food, traditional music, and comfortable beds.

Day 5: Eilean Donan and Glencoe

Morning: Leave Invermoriston for Eilean Donan Castle , probably the most quintessential image of an early medieval Scottish fortress. The drive there is unforgettable; you'll pass forbidding dark lochs through valleys of brooding mountains.

Originally built as a fortress to defend the mainland from the Vikings, Eilean Donan was destroyed in the  Jacobite rebellion of 1719 . It was rebuilt between 1911 and 1932 from surviving ground plans of earlier buildings. The castle occupies an island at the confluence of three great sea lochs, but you can reach it on foot via a stone bridge. Eilean Donan's re-enactors make this a fun visit.

Afterwards, drive over to Fort William , often called the gateway to the Highlands. The town—located underneath the shadow of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis—is a handy place to stop for lunch. There are plenty of quick food outlets and fish and chip shops, but if you're feeling adventurous, hop on a gondola for a mountain lunch at the Snowgoose Restaurant .

Afternoon: Glencoe is one of the most important landscapes in Britain and no visit to the Western Highlands would be complete without. Be sure to check out the  eco-friendly visitor center . Here you can start a short nature and wildlife walk on the edge of the glen, find out more about the epic adventure trails, and immerse yourself in the sad history of betrayal and murder that still haunts this valley.

Evening: In the nearby village of  Ballachulish , you'll find a range of accommodation, from hotels and guest houses to campsites. There are places to eat within a short distance of the visitor center as well.

Day 6: A Scenic Drive and a Loch Lomond Cruise

 Dennis Barnes/Getty Images

Morning: Take the short, scenic drive through Glencoe to the green, romantic hills of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park . It's an easy, quiet road, but take your time and stop whenever you see a place to pull over; the scenery is spectacular and the geology that formed it astonishing.

When you reach Loch Lomond, continue down its west bank to Tarbet or all the way to Balloch on the southern shore. Tarbet is a quiet village near a narrow part of the loch, with good tourist services and access to some fabulous cycling. Balloch is the main commercial tourism center for Loch Lomond. What you do for the rest of the day depends on how active you like to be.

Active Afternoon Itinerary: If you want to see as much as possible, head over to Tarbet and park in the public parking area near Tarbet Pier. After you explore the village, hire a bike from Cruise Loch Lomond . You can take the bike with you on the Waterbus to Inversnaid; from here, ride the four miles along the north shore of Loch Arklet to Stronachlachar.

At Stronachlachar Pier, board the Steamship Sir Walter Scott for a round trip cruise on Loch Katrine. When it's over, cycle back to Inversnaid and return to Tarbet Pier on the water taxi. Then make your way to Balloch for the night.

Relaxed Afternoon Itinerary: Want to take it much slower? Instead of going to Tarbet, drive to Balloch and climb aboard the " PS Maid of the Loch ," the last paddle steamer built in Britain. Afterwards, grab some souvenirs at Loch Lomond Shores, a nearby shopping center.

Take the Waterbus from Balloch Pier to Luss, a conservation village on the west bank of Loch Lomond. Most of the cottages in in this flower-bedecked village date from the 18 th and early 19 th centuries. There are several marked circuits ranging from an easy, 15-minute walk around the village to an hour-long Heritage trail.

Walk to the end of Luss Pier for good views of Ben Lomond. From Luss, you can take a short Waterbus trip to Inchcailloch, a secluded island just offshore with several good paths. Return to Luss, and from there, back to Balloch for the evening.

Day 7: Glasgow

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Morning: It's a mere 20 miles from Balloch to Glasgow, Scotland's liveliest city. When you reach the city, tour the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum . It's a huge late Victorian storehouse, featuring everything from Scottish and European paintings to dinosaur skeletons and stuffed animals. Don't miss Salvador Dali's remarkable "Christ of Saint John of the Cross," one of the museum's great treasures.

When you're done exploring the museum, check out Kelvinbridge. This part of Glasgow's already trendy "west end" (so hip the name is never capitalized) was recently voted one of the 50 coolest neighborhoods in the world. Shop for vintage and retro fashions, and buy a takeaway picnic at Roots, Fruits and Flowers —Glasgow's local answer to Whole Foods.

Afternoon: Climb the hill of Kelvingrove park—one of Glasgow's gorgeous green spaces—and enjoy your picnic there. Then check out the City Center Mural Trail . Made up of 25 murals, this trail of outrageous street art is all within an easy stroll of the city center.

Have your mind blown by an afternoon show at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre . A permanent exhibition by a Russian emigré artist, this indescribable production combines kinetic sculpture, automata, music, and lighting effects.

Evening: Make your last meal in Scotland a good one. Dine in Finneston, the hub of Glasgow's somewhat macho foodie scene. Try The Finnieston , known for its top seafood and gin bar. Or chow down on amazing dry-aged beef and game at Porter & Rye.

Glasgow's nightlife is famous. For comedy, take your chances at The Stand . See new and emerging bands at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut or downstairs at Òran Mór, a multi-arts venue that also hosts comedy and theatre.

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