Scotland Travel Guide
Scotland is a joy to visit, with its lush green landscape, dramatic mountains, whiskey distilleries, friendly people, and cities that seem frozen in the Dark Ages. Medieval tales come to life on the streets of Edinburgh, and the Scottish Highlands offer a beauty like no other. Immerse yourself in the enchanting blend of history, nature, and culture that makes Scotland an irresistible destination.
Scotland Stats
Official Languages: English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic
Population: 5 million
Capital City: Edinburgh
Currency: Pound sterling
Power Outlet: Type G
Scotland Itinerary
On a map, Scotland may look small. But don’t let that fool you…there is a lot to see and do here. From visiting castles to sipping whisky to bagging some Munros to exploring the mystical Isle of Skye…there is enough to keep you busy for weeks. In this Scotland itinerary, you will be able to see the very best of this amazing country.
Visit Edinburgh, drive through the Highlands of Scotland, with the option to visit Loch Ness. Spend several days on the mystical Isle of Skye, visit Glencoe, and end your trip with 24 hours in Glasgow.
10 Day Scotland Itinerary: Edinburgh, Glasgow & the Isle of Skye
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a great place to start or end a Scottish road trip. Learn about the best things to do in Edinburgh and how to plan your visit.
11 Awesome Things to do in Edinburgh with Kids
Edinburgh is one of the best cities in Europe to take your kids. Visit a castle, climb an extinct volcano, take a Harry Potter tour, learn about medieval history, and pay a visit to a spooky dungeon. What kid would not find this interesting? If you plan on visiting Edinburgh with kids, we have great […]
2 Days in Edinburgh: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit
Edinburgh is a wonderful city to explore. Climb a volcano, see where JK Rowling got her inspiration for the Harry Potter series, tour a castle, and learn all about whisky. If you have 2 days in Edinburgh, you have enough time to visit the best spots in the city. Follow our itinerary, complete with maps, […]
Arthur’s Seat: Climb an Extinct Volcano in Edinburgh
Arthur’s Seat…a jagged, grassy prominence rising up from the urban sprawl of Edinburgh, offers one of the best views of the city. It’s a short, slightly strenuous hike to the highest point, but absolutely worth it to look out over Edinburgh from this vantage point. There are several different ways to hike to Arthur’s Seat […]
Dean Village…Why it Needs to be on your Edinburgh Itinerary
The list of must-see sights in Edinburgh is long. Every visitor knows to visit the Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile, eat haggis, climb Arthur’s Seat, and go whisky tasting. But there are sights off the main tourist trail that are so worth your time. One of these underrated but incredibly scenic spots is Dean […]
Driving to the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh or Glasgow
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations. It may seem like a long drive to get there, but by adding in scenic pitstops along the way, you can turn the journey into a sightseeing adventure. In fact, the journey through Scotland is almost as good as the destination! There are multiple […]
Edinburgh Castle: Important Things to Know Before You Go
Rising up from the center of Edinburgh is the famous Edinburgh Castle. Wherever you go in Edinburgh, there it is, the castle, proudly towering over the rest of the city. With its prominence and history, visitors arrive by the hundreds every day to tour its sites. Did you know that Edinburgh Castle is the most visited […]
Where to Get the Best Views of Edinburgh
Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh? Sure, you can’t miss the Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, dinner in a pub, and whisky tasting, but you also cannot miss the best views of Edinburgh. No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a climb up Arthur’s Seat or a view from the Scott Monument. Where to Get the Best Views of […]
Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland: 24 Hours of Fun for the Whole Family
Glasgow is often an overlooked destination in Scotland. Most people tour Edinburgh and then head to the Highlands, for good reason, as both of these places are amazing. But Glasgow is worth a visit. It’s a great Scottish city with 24 hours you can see the highlights.
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the best places to visit in Scotland. If you want to see some truly spectacular scenery, and some of the most iconic landscapes in Scotland, don’t miss the Isle of Skye.
How to Visit the Isle of Skye: The Complete Travel Guide
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations. Why? With stunning scenery, scenic drives, hikes for all ages and ability levels, quaint towns, and awesome seafood, it’s easy to see why this is a hot spot for travelers. In our Isle of Skye Guide, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help […]
Driving to the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh or Glasgow
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular destinations. It may seem like a long drive to get there, but by adding in scenic pitstops along the way, you can turn the journey into a sightseeing adventure. In fact, the journey through Scotland is almost as good as the destination! There are multiple […]
12 Best Things to Do on the Isle of Skye (+ Map & Photos)
The Isle of Skye is one of the best places to visit in Scotland. If you want to see some truly spectacular scenery, then you must come here. We were amazed at the beauty of this island. In this post, we cover the best things to do in the Isle of Skye with tips to […]
Our Attempt on Bla Bheinn, Scotland
Bla Bheinn (Blaven) is one of the most spectacular hikes on the Isle of Skye, if not all of Scotland. From the summit, hikers have 360° views along the Cuillin Ridge and over the Isle of Skye. It was a hike that we were all really looking forward to. But things would not work out […]
How to Visit the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye
The Fairy Pools are one of the most visited sites on the Isle of Skye of Scotland. Why? It’s an easy walk along a series of small waterfalls with the Cuillin Mountains as a backdrop. We were here under less than ideal conditions. Once again, we awoke to cloudy, rainy skies. It drizzled off and […]
How to Visit the Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland
If there was one thing we wanted to see on the Isle of Skye, it was the Old Man of Storr. The Old Man of Storr is iconic Scotland: spiky pinnacles of rock set against the backdrop of rolling green hills and the coastline of the Isle of Skye. This image is featured in Scotland […]
How to Visit Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye
Brothers Point, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean, is a beautiful place to visit on the Isle of Skye. The views of the peninsula are stunning. And because very few people know about this gem, you just may have it all to yourself. If you are traveling to the Isle of Skye, put Brothers Point […]
Fairy Glen: The Cutest Place to Explore on the Isle of Skye
The Fairy Glen is a lesser-known attraction on the Isle of Skye. It’s also one of the cutest places on the island to explore. The Fairy Glen was the first place we visited on the Isle of Skye. Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, it is easy to combine the Fairy Glen with a visit to […]
Hiking the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye
For one of the most spectacular views on the Isle of Skye, do not miss the Quiraing. These dramatic cliffs are gorgeous, rain or shine. Our Experience Hiking the Quiraing The hike around the Quiraing was high on our list. There is no better way to see the scenery than hiking around the Quiraing. Of […]
More of Scotland
If you are road tripping through Scotland, Glencoe is a beautiful spot to visit. If you are a hiker, the Kintail Saddle is a spectacular hike to put on your list. And we also cover if Loch Ness is worth adding to your Scotland itinerary.
Hiking the Kintail Saddle in Scotland
Our hiking shoes got a lot of use in Scotland. But the most memorable hike, the one that had our legs trembling with fatigue and our eyes wide open with amazement, was the Kintail Saddle. Before flying to Scotland, I did a lot of research looking for that perfect Scottish hike. For us, the perfect […]
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle…Are They Worth Visiting?
Without a doubt, Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch. Legend has it that this lake is home to Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. People travel all over the world to visit this famous loch, hoping to get a chance to spot the elusive underwater monster. But does that make Loch Ness worth visiting? Our […]
Postcards from Glencoe, Scotland
If you are taking a road trip through Scotland, Glencoe should be on your list of places to visit. This gorgeous valley is a great place for families, hikers, and those that love the great outdoors. You can either drive through it, spending just an hour here, or you could easily spend an entire day hiking […]
Europe Travel Inspiration & Practical Info
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10 Days in Europe: 10 Amazing Itineraries for Your Next Trip
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Best Hikes in Europe: Our 20 Favorite Day Hikes
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Top Experiences in Scotland
Edinburgh: Our time exploring Edinburgh was an absolute delight. This medieval city is a picturesque wonder with a plethora of activities to enjoy – from climbing a volcano and discovering the inspiration behind JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series to touring a castle, delving into how whiskey is made, and experiencing the darker side of the Middle Ages.
Isle of Skye: The Isle of Skye is a stunning destination in Scotland, known for its lush green hills that transform into towering mountains and then descend into the blue coastline. Charming towns, Highland cattle, and hiking trails dot this wondrous landscape. Hiking amidst the Isle of Skye was our favorite part of our trip to Scotland.
Glencoe: If you are taking a road trip through Scotland, Glencoe should be on your list of places to visit. This gorgeous valley is a great place for families, hikers, and those that love the great outdoors. You can either drive through it, spending just an hour here, or you could easily spend an entire day hiking and exploring.
Glasgow: Glasgow is one of Scotland’s largest cities, and though it does not hold as much historical importance as Edinburgh, it is still a fun place to be. This modernized city is packed with whiskey distilleries, rowdy pubs, and pedestrian shopping streets.
Photograph the Eilean Donan Castle: Eilean Donan Castle, situated on an island where three lochs converge amidst breathtaking scenery, is a stunning fortress with a rich history. Once pivotal in the Jacobite revolution, the castle now stands as one of the most photographed and iconic landmarks in all of Scotland.
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle: Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch. Legend has it that this lake is home to Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. People travel all over the world to visit this famous loch, hoping to get a chance to spot the elusive underwater monster.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs: Loch Lomond, located just north of Glasgow, is a vast lake surrounded by mountains to hike, quaint villages to explore, and opportunities for water sports. Trossachs National Park, the region around Loch Lomond, offers enchanting trails around multiple lochs, woodlands, and mountains. Additionally, don’t miss Doune Castle, known as the set of Winterfell in Game of Thrones and featured in Outlander and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Stirling Castle: Stirling Castle stands as one of the most impressive castles to visit in Scotland. This grand fortress boasts a rich history intertwined with royalty, sieges, and battles for independence.
Cairngorms National Park: As the largest national park in Great Britain, Cairngorms is a place of outdoor adventure, traditional Highlands culture, wildlife, distilleries, and ancient fortresses. This National Park has some of the tallest mountains in the UK, making it a perfect location for skiing and hiking.
How Many Days Do You Need in Scotland?
In order to tour the highlights of Scotland (Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, and the Highlands of Scotland), plan on spending 8 to 10 days in Scotland. Eight days gives you just enough time to spend two full days in Edinburgh, drive to and from the Isle of Skye (visiting a few places on the drive), and two days in the Isle of Skye.
Best Time to Visit Scotland
Early May through mid-June is a great time to visit Scotland.
June, July, and August are the warmest months of the year, with average daytime hikes of 16°C (60°F).
April, May, and June are the driest months of the year, averaging about 10 days of rain per month.
The summer gets the most visitors. If you are looking for good weather and lower crowds, plan your visit from early May through mid-June. Expect big crowds in July and August. In September, visitation and crowds go down, but rain chances increase.