It sits right on Lochness, so of course you can go and look for Nessie. Just don’t expect the water to be warm. Stay a night in Kirkwall, Orkney’s largest town, and spend the next day exploring Skara Brae — the ruins of a Neolithic settlement on the west coast — or the ancient Midhowe Broch. We are sharing our Scottish highlands road trip itinerary with you! Located in the western and northern areas of Scotland, the Highlands feature unparalleled scenery, from towering mountain ranges to sweeping, green countryside to sparkling lochs. If you are nervous about a road trip through Scotland then read our tips for driving in Scotland. Both Glasgow and Inverness are good points to stop and start a tour of the Scottish Highlands. If you have more time to spend in The Scottish Highlands, you can go all the way north to the Orkney Islands, which are accessible by ferry from Aberdeen. Blair Castle is easily accessible, just past the town of Pitlochry at the southern edge of the park. We started with some breakfast and then a walk to Duncansby Head, the most north easterly part of the British mainland! After Glenmorangie we made a stop off at a castle! Although Loch Ness might be the site most heavily associated with Scotland, Scots know that the Isle of Skye is their most breathtaking destination. There might not be a ton to do on these far-flung isles, but the landscape is out of this world, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve ventured pretty much as far north as you can go in Scotland. After lunch we decided to drive over to the Isle of Skye and explore a bit so we found a great camping spot just outside of Portree and we decided to spend the next day exploring a bit of Skye! Keep your eyes peeled as the seals like to sunbathe on the rocks! We booked flight up to Inverness and decided to go on a Scotland road trip! Designed By Sun Kissed Studio | Copyright 2019: Wandering Bajans. The North Coast 500 road trip, created in 2015, has opened up the Highlands to a new breed of visitor, with their motorbikes, campervans and convertible cars. The scenery got better and better with every turn and we were able to cover Skye because we had extra time! 1) Be very careful driving When driving in Scotland, you’ll drive on the left. It’s worth getting up early on day 3 of our Scottish Highlands itinerary to make the most of this beautiful trip to the Isle of Skye. Scottish Highlands Holiday Planning Guide The rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, at once formidable and beautiful, are the reason why Scotland looks like nowhere else in the world. 1. Travelling the Scottish Highlands. It’s the last large city you’ll be seeing for a while. The oak barrels used for aging the whisky are always used barrels, mostly bourbon barrels from the United States. Located on the country’s western extremity about two hours from Fort Augustus, Skye is brimming with natural beauty, from ancient rock formations to sweeping ocean vistas and pools straight out of a fairytale. Stacey is a personal trainer and Jason works in signage. We both love travel and sharing our adventures with you! Planning a trip to Scotland? As you look out to sea the most iconic part of this location is the stacks out in the water! We were mesmerized by the lochs and we sat and watched a boat make their way through a few of them! The Scottish Highlands are a mixture of history, culture and mind-blowing landscapes. Expecting Fort Augustus to be totally devoid of tourists and gift shops would be a little unreasonable, but the kitsch isn’t too overwhelming, and you can take boat tours of the lake for around $18. You could spend a couple of days exploring the Isle of Skye, but if you’re short on time, begin heading south along the coast until you reach Fort William. Rita and Susie are here to help give you the inside track. Let the Scottish Highlands – its sights, songs, stories, and spirit delight your eyes, touch your soul, and fill your heart to bursting. Our Scottish Highlands road trip itinerary included a few distilleries, but there is even more to the Scotch whisky making process. Scotland’s North Coast 500 The North Coast 500 or the NC 500 is Scotland’s route 66. Keep reading for fantastic outdoor activities, cosy accommodation, scenic road trips, Harry Potter railway tours, inspirational itineraries, and historic city breaks, to name a few! This itinerary assumes that you start your Scotland road trip in Glasgow and finish it in Inverness. It’s busy but the spectacular scenery will blow your mind!” As with most other destinations, a trip to the Scottish Highlands can be as expensive or – well, not cheap but – as doable as you are willing to make it. Our top tip would be to make sure you fill up with gas at Thurso as some gas stations further along may not be open depending on the time of year! One of my favorite stops on this road trip was the Eileen Donan Castl… For the first part of the journey, we’ll be retracing our steps on the A82 as far as Invermorrison. Scotland isn’t exactly known for its sunny blue skies, but this is one place where a gray, low-hanging mist seriously adds to the otherworldliness of the scene. One of the most annoying creatures in Scotland has to be the highland midge, which is a small flying … We would highly recommend 7 days for this trip at least, so you can take your time and explore and hike. Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is just a 45-minute drive south. Have tea at Eriboll Visit Smoo Cave Camp outisde Ullapool. Visit the Setting of Outlander. This is the Route 66 of road trips guys. Our drive from the Kingdom of Fife to the Western Highlands might as well have been called “the trip that just wouldn’t end.” Who knew 139 miles could literally take six hours to drive? After a few snacks and scenic stop offs along the way, we stopped at the very touristy and busy area called Smoo Cave. Date: July 17th to 26th… Seeing it all might seem like an insurmountable task, but rest assured — it’s completely doable, and well worth it. We met two years ago on Tinder and have been together ever since. Among the most impressive castles are Braemar and Blair. Just an hour and a half north from Edinburgh you’ll find Cairngorms National Park. Whether you decide to hike the mountain or just stop for a few photos, continue south through Glencoe, a glen full of striking mountains and waterfalls. Make sure you check out our guide to driving in Scotland as well so you can prepare yourself! Take your time and explore as many of the bays as you can, our favourite was visiting Dunnet Beach which is apparently home to lots of dolphins (we didnt see any!) Our top tip for planning your Scottish highlands road trip would definitely be to do it how we did it, backwards! Hi y’all! Unfortunately for us we were tired and cold so we didn’t have the patience to sit around for too long. There are biking, hiking, and camping opportunities for those who aren’t quite finished roughing it in the Scottish wilderness. We paid 12 pounds each to visit Dunrobin Castle which was well worth the price. When Coronavirus meant their overseas holiday was cancelled, they decided to go on a road trip to the Scottish Highlands. Under an hour’s drive west from Inverness will bring you to Fort Augustus, a town on the shores of the famous Loch Ness. Its fifty shades of green lured me into forests, brick bothies were captured with my cameras, and we explored the mountains in search of Highland cattle. As we made our way along Scotland’s infamous single lane roads we noticed a tea shop and decided to grab a coffee! We decided to take the north coast 500 route backward and make our way to John O’Groats from Inverness. In the winter, some activities, particularly castles and other estates, are closed for visitors, so if you’re planning a trip in the colder months, plan ahead for what you want to see and be sure to double check what will be open to visit. Considered the cultural capital of the Highlands, it’s the perfect place to rest after a long day and a convenient launching spot for tomorrow’s activities. Planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands? We definitely missed a few things due to our lack of planning. The capital of Skye has a whopping 2,500 residents, and it’s perfectly located for seeing everything the island has to offer. We would highly recommend 7 days for this trip at least, so you can take your time and explore and hike. After an early morning hike, stop in Portree and take a walk around the town. Our top tip would be to get there super early, we arrived around 8.30am. This impressive gorge is also home to the stunning Falls of Measach. This may be the final leg of the trip, but that doesn’t mean the scenery gets any less impressive. To fully experience the awe-inspiring natural wonders of the region, include a leisurely road trip in your itinerary. Comprising a slew of mountain ranges, this sparsely populated land is best seen by train on the West Highland Line. We ended up making camp around a small area named Tongue we found a quiet spot off the main road and made camp there, we spent the evening seal spotting and listening to the water lapping against the rocks! Here’s how to plan a truly unforgettable road trip through the Scottish Highlands. Journey into the Scottish Highlands—famed for picturesque hills, lakes, and centuries of history—and then onwards to the Isle of Skye on this 3-day tour from Edinburgh. We recommend spending at least a night here to get a true feel for what this vibrant city has to offer, including seeing the Glasgow Cathedral and Botanic Gardens and maybe treating yourself to a shopping spree on Buchanan Street. Braemar Castle, however, is located in the heart of Cairngorms, and you might need to take a brief detour to see it. There was a little camp site located close to the point so we opted to stay there for warm showers and some sort of shelter from the crazy winds that night. If you are planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands these few travel essentials suggestions could become handy when packing your suitcase, or even better a backpack (if your holiday includes a lot of walking you definitely want to be comfortable)! Enjoy a road trip with an accredited driver-guide as you explore the Highlands of Scotland. Scotland Itinerary 10 Days: Getting to the Scottish Highlands and Getting Around. Search for a topic, destination or article, We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. The remote Isle of Skye is a complete destination in itself, and you could easily spend a few days losing yourself in the wilderness of Cairngorms National Park. Our day on Skye started with bright beautiful sunny weather, so we drove to the Old Man of Storr for a hike! When our New Zealand trip fell through we really wanted to go on a road trip. Scottish Highlands. Our Trip Planner function is now no longer available, but don't worry! Inquire Now Add to Ideas + The Highlands of Scotland. Get ready for jaw-dropping landscapes, gorgeous waterfalls, lochs, century-old castles and beaches that look like they are straight out of the Caribbean. After you’ve spent your morning among the rocks, head a half-hour south of Portree to the Fairy Pools. Visit Corrieshalloch Gorge Applecross Camp on Isle of Skye. The ride back to Edinburgh shouldn’t take more than an hour, so when you’re ready to return, take your time. Prepare yourself before you tackle those Scootish highlands roads! The north coast of Scotland was just filled with beautiful bay and amazing cliff views that we ended up driving so slowly through this part! We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. living on the road in our self-converted sprinter van! Required fields are marked *. For a more active take on the region, hike the West Highland Way or visit the … If you didn’t know, Scotland is home to Harry Potter and Glenfinnan is home to the famous Hogwarts Express! Scottish Highlands: Day 6 09:30 Breakfast: As with your picnic the day before, head to the Sunart Centre for a tasty Scottish Breakfast. The moody, romantic Scottish Highlands start at Loch Lomond just north of Glasgow. The route takes you from Inverness to Fort Augusts and north towards Applecross, from there it continues east along the coast until John O’Groats and then back down to Inverness. This includes numerous castles, lochs & the Harry Potter train, the Trossachs, Fort William, Oban & Glencoe as well as the islands of Skye & Mull. When you’re done exploring the lake, it’s time to return to civilization. Here is my 5-day road trip itinerary to the Scottish Highlands. We decided to also grab a snack and they had the best gluten free brownie ever! There is also a swing bridge that you walk across to a viewpoint further down! Since wild camping was more our thing for this trip, we left Chanonry Point and found a hidden away wooded area where we parked up early and made camp. Your email address will not be published. You’ve learned to drive on the left-hand side (or coerced a British friend into driving), secured a car, and you’re ready to begin your road trip through the Scottish Highlands. When you’ve had your fill of rugged adventure, the coastal town of Inverness is just an hour’s drive north. The travel experts selected the region for its whiskey, wildlife and scenery. You can find this spot about 20km south of Ullapool and we highly recommended this stop off! Accommodations in the Scottish Highlands range from private bed and breakfasts, budget hotels, to luxury lodges. You can start your trip pretty much anywhere, but Scotland’s capital city is a natural launching point. May 19, 2019 I Heart Britain Scotland, Scottish Highlands 2. Pin this 4 Days in the Scottish Highlands itinerary to help plan your trip! The Black Cuillins mountain range are famous for their mini-waterfalls and magical aesthetic next morning Groats from Inverness all of. 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