Castles, lochs, mountains and small coastal roads: Scotland is made for a road trip. This itinerary starts in Edinburgh and crosses the Highlands to the Isle of Skye.
Itinerary: from the Lowlands to the Isle of Skye
- Days 1 and 2: Edinburgh: the Old Town, the castle and Arthur’s Seat
- Day 3: Stirling and Loch Lomond National Park
- Day 4: Glencoe valley, then Fort William
- Days 5 and 6: The Isle of Skye: Portree, the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr
- Day 7: Eilean Donan castle, then Loch Ness
- Day 8: Inverness and the surroundings
- Days 9 and 10: The Cairngorms, then back to Edinburgh
When to go
From May to September, days are long and the roads pleasant. The weather is changeable all year: pack rain gear. In high summer, midges can be a nuisance in the west: bring repellent.
Getting around
Driving is on the left. In the Highlands and on Skye, many roads are single-track with passing places: drive slowly and let vehicles behind you overtake.
Our tips
- Journey times are longer than distances suggest
- Book accommodation on Skye well ahead in summer
- Leave time for unplanned stops: the scenery invites them
- Choose a small car, easier on narrow roads
Plan this trip with Voyage : mon guide
Add each stop with its number of nights: the app creates the days and puts the whole route on an Apple Maps map. Keep castles, distilleries and hikes in the ideas box, log flights, trains and rentals on the right day, then prepare the trip for offline use before leaving. Once there, Guide mode shows the current day and tonight’s hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Is one week enough?
Yes for Edinburgh, Glencoe and Skye. With ten days, you can add the Cairngorms or the north coast.
Can I visit Scotland without a car?
Partly, by train and bus, but a car is much more practical in the Highlands.
Plan this itinerary with Voyage : mon guide.
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