Not quite what you’re looking for? You can always add more days if you want to take it slower and immerse yourself in the culture. This part of the journey will provide you with possibly the most scenic drive of this whole Scotland road trip itinerary. On your second day, make sure to head out and on one of the many great day trips from Inverness — perhaps to the Culloden battlefield or to the mystical Loch Ness. Thanks for your comment, Neil! But road trip to the Inverness-shire glens of Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar in Strathglass, just 20 minutes south of Inverness, an ancient and undisturbed Scotland is revealed. No kids ) are trying to plan a 10 day road trip in England. While July and August are the warmest months of the year, don’t expect very high temperatures. However, there is a lot of Scotland that remains off of the typical tourist trail and these places are very much worth visiting. We began our Scotland road trip itinerary in Inverness, where we met up with a couple of Phil’s friends. If hiking isn’t really your thing, the Cairngorms are situated in the Speyside region — one of the largest Scotch whisky-producing regions in the country. learn a little more about how Scotch is made and how to taste it, there are tours that also include parts of the Cairngorms that you can do. Days 1-2: Glasgow. So, if you plan to visit in the summer, it is probably in your best interest to get a bit off the beaten path. Click here to see their availability, Creag Dubh Bed & Breakfast — This charming bed and breakfast is considered to be one of the top-rated places to stay on Skye. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available and a great restaurant to grab a bit to eat. As we make our way south, we may stop in at the Highlands Folk Museum for some local history, then we’ll head onwards to our traditional highland hotel – the Atholl Arms – which looks as though we’ll be staying in a historic Scottish mansion! 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. 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. If you have more time to devote to this 10-day Scotland road trip itinerary, then there are a few options available to you. Renting a car, doing a self-drive around Scotland gives you the flexibility to wander off-the-beaten-path and linger in the many unbelievable spots along the way. An awesome 7 day road trip through Scotland Europe Itineraries Scotland United Kingdom. Not quite what you’re looking for? From Inverness, hit the road and head northwest to the absolutely lovely town of Ullapool. Enter custom title (optional) This topic is locked. They offer both dorm beds and private rooms and come with high ratings, is very clean, and has a great and helpful staff. Meet locals that way. There are plenty of options throughout Scotland, including Edinburgh which has a number of options such this luxury loft apartment on the Royal Mile or this comfortable private room in the city centre. Pin 562. National Museum of Scotland 5. They have a number of great rooms available, and a great restaurant and bar on site. It is not uncommon to see pods of dolphins and lazy sea lions just off of Ullapool harbour. Though it is a popular destination, the island is also big enough that you can hike out and enjoy some solitude if that’s what you’re after. 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. Once we make it to the city, there’s plenty to keep us occupied for the next few days. It is located within a short walking distance of the city centre, has great ratings, comfortable rooms, breakfast included, and free parking. While many may try to visit this area as a day trip, you are very much going to be happy that you decided to spend two full days exploring this area. Tweet. We’ll take our rental car over Skye Bridge back to the mainland, with our first stop being Eilean Donan Castle. These islands have a fascinating history (lots of Viking invasions!) However, if you don’t want to spend the entire two days in Fort William and Glencoe hiking and enjoying the incredible views, there are also plenty of things to do in the town of Fort William it that make it very much worth visiting. A 6-Day San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary Ultimate New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary – 2020 Edition A story of a man going on a once in a lifetime road trip of 30,000 Km through 41 countries in 6 months all whilst supporting several charities. 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. Click here to see their availability, 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. 10-day Scotland road trip itinerary. 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. However, because the weather is at it’s warmest and the days are at their longest, these are also the most popular months for tourists, as well. And while we’ve found is that planning the perfect 10-day Scotland itinerary can be tricky we have put together three perfect routes to help you begin exploring the Highlands and beyond! If you’re wondering where to stay in Edinburgh, have a look at these suggestions: Airbnb — A great alternative option to traditional hostels, hotels, and guesthouses is Airbnb. There numerous hiking routes that range in difficulty, and also opportunity to go horseback riding, kayaking, and any other number of outdoor activities. Aside from having multiple dorms of different, they also have private rooms, a welcoming and friendly staff, and a bar serving over 20 different kinds of local craft beers. The wife and I ( 43 and 39 y.o. 28 Best Stops on a London to Edinburgh Drive, Is Scotland Expensive? Real Mary Kings Close 3. No one else at Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae. Make sure that you bring a good waterproof jacket whatever the season, but especially in the chillier months. They have a number of dorm and private rooms available and good common areas for meeting other travellers. Visiting Ullapool is also a great way to get out on the water a take a little tour of the small islands that lie off the coast, and even see some marine life. Starting off in Glasgow, we’ll be checking out the major sites such as Glasgow Cathedral and Kelvingrove Art Gallery. If you want to explore even further (and if you’re a whisky fan! Not quite what you’re looking for? This 13th century castle is apparently one of the most photographed in Scotland with a picture perfect lakeside location and mountain backdrop. Had you done a lot of opposite-side-of-the-street driving before? The first part of this road trip begs for you to dump the car and walk the 11-mile circular path around Loch Affric – one of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring walks. 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). 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. There are also countless charming villages worth paying a visit to. If you want to get the most out of all of the beautiful nature in the Cairngorms, then camping is a great option. Skye is an immensely popular place to visit in Scotland and, therefore, there are tonnes of great places to stay on the island. Click here to see their availability. It will very much allow you to do both Glencoe and Fort William justice. Hitchhiked, trains, buses. 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. Click here to browse other options in the North Coast! An epic ten days indeed – it seems like you managed to squeeze so much into just over a week! As you can see planning the ideal 10-day Scotland road trip itinerary can be a bit complicated, with so many different routes available to you. This is, however, the most affordable time of year to visit. Click here to see their availability, 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. Click here to check availability, 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. Thorn Tree forum Country forums UK & Ireland. You can purchase my Edinburgh city guide for a full look at the city’s must-sees. As we’ll be renting a car for our road trip, I looked for a hotel near the city centre that had parking and settled on one in West End near the Botanic Gardens. With a well-crafted route, 10 days in Scotland is just enough time to see most of the major points of interest that beckon millions of travelers each year. While looking for an alternative, I discovered some adorable glamping pods on a farm up past Inverness that look like just as cosy a place to spend the night! 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 to Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, the Speyside whisky region and even to the Cairngorms National Park. Steep climbs, '… We spent the majority of our time in London but flew to Edinburgh, Scotland for two days and then returned to England. Click here to see their latest prices, Cityroomz Edinburgh — A centrally-located hotel situated within easy walking distance of all Edinburgh has to offer, this is a great option for those looking for a an intimidate and comfortable place to stay. After three nights in Orkney, it’s time to head back to the mainland and begin working your way south. Mapping out the ideal route through Scotland can be a daunting task, especially if you only have the time for a 10-day Scotland itinerary. I’d originally planned to have a glamping experience overnight at Loch Ness, but when I went to book it, I found that it had sold out for our dates. Here are in-depth posts on our entire Scotland road trip! Click here to browse other options in the Cairngorms! Your sixth day sees you leaving mainland Britain and heading to the wonderful, peaceful Orkney Islands. Not quite what you’re looking for? Why we Chose Scotland This country is in our blood, literally, as Jackson has direct ancestors that immigrated to New Zealand generations ago. 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. Hope you have an amazing time in Scotland! Click here to browse other options in the Ullapool! It is located close to the Smoo Cave and also some fantastic hiking routes. This hotel has a range of rooms, great ratings, and has breakfast included in the rate. Reddit. Click here to see their availability. Spanning 90 miles of snow-capped peaks, rugged glens, outdoor adventures, cycling and delicious food and drink; the Snow Roads Scenic Route is a distillation of the finest elements of the Cairngorms National Park. This is one of the best places to stay in Aviemore. The plan is to fill two days with activities such as hiking around the impressive rocky landscape, stopping at viewpoints with spectacular natural scenery, sampling some Scottish Whiskey, visiting lighthouses and castles, and of course taking billions of photos. 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 of visiting some far-flung areas, having your own vehicle is going to be necessary. That’s true! Click here to browse other options in Edinburgh! This area was used as a filming location for the Skyfall House in the recent Bond movie, and also numerous scenes in the Harry Potter film series. If you have less than 10 days in Scotland: It’s very possible that you don’t have 10 days to spend in Scotland—that’s fine! Accommodation: £20 to £40 / night. A few hip cafes and restaurants are also on the itinerary, and I might seek out some vegetarian haggis (an essential Scottish experience!). Not quite what you’re looking for? Start your 10-day Scotland road trip in the “Gateway to the Highlands,” Inverness. A walk up Arthur’s Seat(or Calton Hill for something easier) 6. Click here to browse other options in Loch Lomond! As a fan of mysteries, conspiracies, and unexplained phenomenons, I’m dead keen to check out the Loch Ness Centre which has an exhibition featuring Nessie’s legendary tale! There are countless hill-walking opportunities on Skye that are suitable for all levels of fitness, so it’s certain that you’ll find something that will suit you. A 10-Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary Never have I been to a place simultaneotusly so intimately familiar and amazingly unique as Scotland. The town of Ullapool itself is absolutely charming, with a number of shops along the high street worth browse, 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. This is a great country for a road trip. Images and content on A Globe Well Travelled © Ashlea Wheeler. 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. This would be a great place to stay, especially if you’re travelling solo and want to meet like-minded travellers. Click here to browse other options in the North Coast! It’s good to hear that you loved Edinburgh – I’m so excited to visit . 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. No matter when you plan your Scotland itinerary, you can also expect there to be a lot of rain. Forget the car. This is a good itinerary for a road trip in Scotland if you want to see places that are not on the mainstream tourist trail. It’s an hour drive on to Loch Ness, famous for ‘Nessie’ – the monster that is rumoured to dwell beneath the surface of the lake. , I hope to make a similar trip driving atound scotland with my family. Transport: £25 / day. But I can take only so much November weather and needed to start somewhere with my Scotland road trip. I’ve been dreaming about its fairytale castles, rocky hills, and serene lakes, and now I’ll finally have the chance to see them. The perfect itinerary for 2 days on Isle of Skye, English countryside road trip: London to Glasgow in 3 days, Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog. Click here to browse other options in the Cairngorms! 10 Day Itinerary Nova Scotia Road Trip. Inverness is known to be the capital for outdoor adventures, hence without further ado, our first agenda was to go rock climbing on conglomerate rock in the Scottish highlands. Stop by the Inverness Castle, enjoy some peace and quiet on the Ness Islands, and kick back with a pint at one of the many convivial pubs. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Though it has a gritty reputation, there are lots of things to do in Glasgow and it is very much worth visiting. Water of Leith walkway and a wander into Dean Village Edinburgh city centre is pretty easy to get around on foot, the al… 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. They offer affordable dorm beds and come very highly rated. Ullapool is very small, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. Edinburgh Castle 2. Begin your Scotland itinerary in the incredible capital city of Edinburgh, an absolutely lovely and historic city that is sure to instantly charm you. If you’re on a tight budget and want to save some money, we would suggest that you spend the night wild camping under the stars in Durness or nearby. Not quite what you’re looking for? This road is simply stunning - spend your morning here breathing it all in.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Here's the full itinerary we used, in case you want to steal it to help plan your own trip! It has a couple of dorm rooms and comes very highly rated. The best day trip ( East Neuk / Shutterstock) ... No road trip around Scotland is complete without a visit to Ben Nevis and Glencoe. 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. For instance, we arrived in the morning, picked up our rental car and camping gear and still had plenty of time to explore Glasgow afterwards. This 10-day road-trip around Scotland is the perfect way to explore the Lowlands, the Highlands and even the Isle of Islay (a typically overlooked area of Scotland). 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. As a long-term Potter fan, I’m pretty excited for this one. When she’s not dreaming of far-away lands, Maggie enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee, Harry Potter, and coaxing stray cats into her home. Plan a road trip to see some of Scotland's most awesome sights. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available and a great full Scottish breakfast available each morning. They have a range of comfortable and cosy rooms available and very friendly owners. There’s plenty of things to do in Glencoe, and seeing as this area is of the wildest and most beautiful landscapes in Scotland, I expect that I’ll be constantly snapping photos of the scenery! The map starts on the west coast of Scotland, but, of course, you can do the drive in reverse if you prefer. Inverness is the likely first stop on any trip through the north of Scotland and, as such, dons the nickname “The Gateway to the Highlands.” Though small in size, this city packs a considerable amount of charm and is well worth spending at least one day exploring Inverness. They have a number of great rooms available and a wonderful breakfast included in the nightly rate. 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. 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. Along with good outerwear, you will also no regret finding a good pair of waterproof shoes for your Scotland trip. The next morning we’ll continue onward to Glenfinnan Viaduct – a train bridge famous for carrying the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter! I think Scotland would be a good place to try it, as long as you rented a car from a depot outside of the downtown areas – city driving can be a nightmare even when you are familiar with the place! Below is more or less what you can expect to spend per person per day on a trip to Scotland on a budget to mid-range trip, assuming that you’re travelling as a couple or with friends and have rented a car and are splitting accommodation and transport costs. Click here to see their availability. We are thinking ,London to Scotland ( Edinburgh).. Finally, it has a rival in the North Coast 500, the ultimate road trip in Scotland. Start your 10-day Scotland road trip in the “Gateway to the Highlands,” Inverness. When you plan your own trip the the Lazy Duck Wales and Scotland at Castle! 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