Want to lose yourself in Scotland’s wildest natural scenery? This 11-day Scotland road trip itinerary is a breath of fresh air and the perfect way to explore the most enchanting landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Keep reading to learn more, and please get in touch if you have any questions.
The journey on this epic Scotland tour takes you from the medieval heart of the Old Town in Edinburgh, to the remote Hebrides, the famous Loch Ness, and the amazing Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. For shorter trips, take a look at our entire range of Self-Guided Tours of Scotland.
The finale to your Scotland driving tour awaits on the always magical Isle of Skye — widely regarded as the most beautiful place in the Highlands. Alongside the ever-popular Skye, you’ll also travel to the most beautiful and lesser-known corners of Scotland.
This Scotland road trip itinerary is guaranteed to leave you with pleasant memories for years to come. Experience the wildest landscapes of Scotland, its fast-paced history, and its amazing traditions.
This morning the action starts, we are going to collect the rental car! First you will cross the steel bridge of Forth Bridge towards the coastal area of Fife. Traveling north you will enter the lowlands of Scotland, the well-known Lowlands. The first stop along the way is St Andrews, a historic city known world-wide for being the cradle of golf. A little further on you will encounter the Castle of Glamis and its ghosts. Then the road will lead you to the beautiful Dunkeld Cathedral on the banks of the River Tay. Today you will sleep in Pitlochry, a quaint Victorian village on the doorstep of Cairngorms National Park.
This morning the route continues its course towards the north of the Highlands, more specifically around the multiple attractions that surround the Loch Ness. On the way out of Pitlochry you are advised to visit the Queen’s View, the Blair White Castle and the spectacular waterfalls of Bruar. Your next destination will be the village of Fort Augustus, where you will pass by the locks of the historic Caledonian Canal. Then do not forget to visit the ruins of the castle of Urquhart, from where to enjoy the best panorama of the Loch Ness. The second deepest lake in the Highlands is home to the famous monster Nessie. Today you will spend the night in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.
Today you will discover the northeastern corner of Scotland. The road will uncover the many secrets that hide one of the least visited coastlines in Europe. First we recommend you to visit Dunrobin Castle, the largest castle in the north of the Highlands with 189 rooms. Always without losing the north the route will take you to the Lighthouse of Dunscanby Head, where you can enjoy the incredible views offered by these cliffs. With a little luck, and as long as the weather accompanies, in the distance you can see the Orkney Islands. At the northern end of the country await the beaches of Thurso and Kyle of Tongue, two natural gems that will take your breath away.
This morning the route will continue to meander through Scotland’s most northerly border. The first stop of the day is Durness, a village surrounded by the stunning scenery of Sutherland, famous for its unspoiled beaches and a wide variety of wildlife. Nearby you will find Smoo Cave and the beautiful Balnakiel beach. We also recommend visiting the Assynt Geopark Visitor Center in Lochinver and the beautiful ruins of Ardvreck Castle. Finally you have to get to the Ullapool jetty, from where the ferry will leave in the direction of Stornoway. Welcome to the Outer Hebrides!
The Lewis and Harris Islands in the Outer Hebrides are the best option to immerse yourself in the past and explore how their first settlers lived. Ruined castles and fortresses, Vikings settlements, and the characteristic Highland thatched-stone and thatched houses are some of the treasures that enigma these enigmatic lands. In addition, endless beaches of white sand beaches bathed by the Atlantic and an incredible fauna and flora make these remote islands one of the favorite destinations for nature lovers.
During your second day in the Outer Hebrides the itinerary will allow you to discover the islands of North Uist and South Uist, at the southernmost tip of the archipelago. The ever changing landscapes of these magical islands are ideal to travel at your own pace, either with your rental car, on foot or by bicycle. Another very popular option is to discover this fascinating coastline by kayak, who points? This afternoon a ferry will take you to the village of Uig in the north of the Isle of Skye, where your adventure will begin tomorrow in the Inner Hebrides.
The time to visit the amazing and always magical island of Skye has finally arrived! The pure nature, mythology and legendary hospitality of its inhabitants make this island one of the most charming destinations in the world. In the south of the island await the incredible Fairy Pools and the rocky mountain range The Cuillin, two natural scenarios that will leave you speechless. In the north you will find a number of unique corners: Coral Beach, Fairy Glen, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Neist Point Lighthouse, Dunvegan Castle … To close the day we recommend you to rest in the lively village of Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye.
Located at the confluence of three fjords and famous for appearing in the movie The Immortals, the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle will be your first visit of the day. After leaving to your left the famous Ben Nevis, in Glenfinnan you will find the Monument and the amazing Lake Shiel behind. Further on you can see the viaduct where the steam train The Jacobite, also known as the train of Harry Potter. Then you have to pass through the Glencoe Valley, one of the most emblematic natural scenery in Scotland. Tonight you will sleep in the fishing village of Oban, where lovers of good seafood will wear their boots.
During your last day of travel, you will visit the ruins of Kilchurn Castle, on the shores of Lake Awe, and the small white village of Inveraray. Then you will enter Loch Lomond and Los Trossachs National Park from the south, where you can organize a picnic and take a stroll on the shores of Lake Loch Lomond. Before returning to Edinburgh we advise you to make a stop in Glasgow, a city that splits energy on all four sides with its wide cultural offerings, a variety of restaurants and a lively nightlife. On your way back to Edinburgh you can regain your strength and enjoy your last night in Scotland.
Return flight.
