What route is the best in the stunning country of Scotland? Where do you need to go in a certain time slot? Find out on these itineraries! I was travelling by minivan containing a bed, and the itineraries will start in Edinburgh and Glasgow, because that is what we did! Enjoy the different amount of week itineraries and get inspired!

One week

One week will not cover the beauty of the country, but it will give you an insight into the culture of the people and some cities. It feels a bit rushed, but you can see some great highlights. 

Day 1: Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the perfect start to your trip to Scotland. The city is old and gives you a medieval vibe ready to discover! Walk the Royal Mile with the gorgeous Edinburgh castle, walk up Calton Hill (see picture above), and see Arthur's Seat. If you want to escape the crowds, visit the cute Dean Village or one of the great free museums. If you want to know more about Edinburgh, check out:

Day 2: Edinburgh - Portree (Isle of Skye)

This is a long drive, but worth the drive. It will take you 5 hours. In the beginning of the day, you can spend some time in Edinburgh, and in the evening, take a walk around the adorable capital of the Isle of Skye. Enjoy the viewpoint and the harbor, and get ready for tomorrow!

Day 3: Isle of Skye

Today can be busy as you can visit many highlights of the Isle of Skye. Fairy Glen (see picture below), Quiraing, An Corran Beach, Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls, Brothers Point (absolutely do this one), and Old Man of Storr. This is a full day, but it is great to have multiple sights in a day, and you always skip a sight that is less interesting for you. This is one loop to do, and it is convenient to do it in one day.

Day 4: Isle of Skye

Visit the beauty of both Neist Point and, afterwards, the Fairy Pools. Besides the Old Man of Storr, these are the busiest sights on the Isle of Skye, so be aware of the crowds. The beauty of both places is impressive!

Day 5: Isle of Skye - Glencoe

Go on an early 3-hour drive towards the Highlands. The best place to go hiking is in Glencoe. Here you have some great hikes and viewpoints. You can hike as tough as you want on multiday hikes or a simple 40-minute hike. The area at the Three Sisters is fantastic. 

Day 6: Glencoe - Glasgow

Have a morning hike, and then head to Glasgow for a 2.5-hour drive. Glasgow is a vibrant city with some fantastic museums and botanical gardens. Also, the football clubs Glasgow Rangers and Celtic are dividing the city. All these ingredients make Glasgow a good stop for a trip to Scotland.

Day 7: Glasgow

The day of departure. Enjoy Glasgow as long as you can, or if needed, go to Edinburgh. If you want to know more about Glasgow, check out:

Two weeks

Two weeks is a very good way to visit the highlights of Scotland. Two weeks is perfect and longer is possible. 

Day 1: Edinburgh

Day 2: Edinburgh

Day 3: Edinburgh - Loch Ness

Head to the most famous lake in the United Kingdom to find Nessie. This is very touristic, and I would not recommend staying too long. The drive from Edinburgh is around 3.5 hours, and you can enjoy the lake with a cruise by visiting Urquhart Castle (see picture below) or swimming (cold, but possible, close to Urquhart). 

Day 4: Loch Ness - Stoer Lighthouse

Enjoy the scenic 3-hour drive to the Stoer Lighthouse. The drive is extremely scenic between Ullapool and Stoer. Have some stops when it is beautiful, and take your time. There are good stops, and have a wonderful time. Maybe stop in adorable Ullapool for lunch or see Ardmair Beach. After the drive (where you will pass sheep for sure, yes! ), you will line up your van and sleep at the lighthouse. Hike around in the area. 

Day 5: Stoer Lighthouse - Achmelvich Beach - Gairloch

Have a relaxed morning and then head to Achmelvich Beach, which is a very pretty beach. The beach looks more like the Caribbean than in Scotland, and it is great to have some relaxing time. Afterwards, head to Ullapool for lunch or head further towards Gairloch. Depending on the time, you can do a whale tour, but maybe better tomorrow morning. The total drive to Gairloch will be around 3 hours.

Day 6: Gairloch - Portree (Isle of Skye)

Today, it may be better to do a whale tour. Hebridean Whale Cruises is the perfect organization to find whales and dolphins. The summer is the best time to experience these animals in their natural habitat. We saw 5 pots of common dolphins, which had a total of around 60 individuals. Besides, we saw 6 minke whales, which is very impressive to see them right next to the boat. Further, we saw a gray seal and many bird species. There are also chances for humpback and fin whales, as well as multiple species of dolphins and porpoises. If you are very lucky, you can even find orcas. Book the tour in advance, before it gets sold out! Afterwards, take a 2.5-hour drive to Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye. Make a stop at Elian Donan Castle before entering Skye.

Day 7: Isle of Skye

Today is great as you can visit several highlights of the Isle of Skye. Fairy Glen, Quiraing, and An Corran Beach You can park beautifully close to An Corran Beach. Around An Corran, there is a nice hike to do. There is a loop, and you can do half of it today. It is at a slower pace than the one-week itinerary.

Day 8: Isle of Skye

Today you finish the loop and enjoy Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls, Brothers Point (absolutely do this one; see picture above), and Old Man of Storr. You can end your day in Portree, but I would recommend heading to the west of the island (Neist Point) to see some great sunsets (1.5 hour drive). This is a great area in Scotland.

Day 9: Isle of Skye - Mallaig

Today, start your day by heading towards the Fairy Pools. On the way there, you can stop at Dunvegan Castle. The Fairy Pools are 1.5 hours from Neist Point. After the beautiful Fairy Pools, head to Mallaig by taking the ferry. Mallaig may not be the best on your itinerary, but it is a fun fishing village, so have some local fish. You can also go further if you want to.

Day 10: Mallaig - Glencoe

In the morning, you can visit Silversand beaches for a quick swim. Afterwards, you can head in the direction of Glencoe by stopping at Glenfinnan Viaduct (from Harry Potter). Unfortunately, it was too crowded when we were there (because of an annual event), so we could not park here and only saw it from the road for a second. Further, you can stop in Fort William to have lunch or a walk. When arriving in Glencoe, you are in a hiking area, and that is great! Have a good hike in the late afternoon. Overall, it is a 1.5-hour drive.

Day 11: Glencoe - Oban

After a nice morning hike in this great area, head to the cute fishing village of Oban. This is a very adorable town to have a look in the harbor, taste a whisky in the Oban Distillery, walk up to McCaigh's tower, and enjoy the relaxed vibe. Enjoy the pubs in the evening, which are very good. The drive is 1 hour to Oban.

Day 12: Oban - Glasgow

Start your day with a seal tour and have a fantastic view of the city. After that, drive 2.5 hours to Glasgow and take your first stroll in the city. You can also go on an all-day trip to the Isle of Mull, Iona, and Staffa. You can book a tour of the harbor. When we were there, the sea was too wild, so we could not go, unfortunately.

Day 13: Glasgow

Day 14: Extra Day for the Highland Games

The Highland Games are fantastic events throughout the country in the summer. Check the schedule online to see when and where the Highland Games are held, and fit it into every itinerary when in Scotland. This is a magnificent thing to do in Scotland and an absolute must-do. We thought the Highland Games were my girlfriend's highlight of the whole trip and my second (after the whales). There are piping bands, races, tossing the cable, dancing, and much more! You have to fit this day 14 somewhere when it is possible.

Three weeks

Three weeks will give you the time to see the highlights and even go further and see some less famous sights of the country. 

Day 1 & 2: Edinburgh

Day 3: Edinburgh - Cairngorms National Park

Drive 3 hours north towards Cairngorms National Park and have a hike between great pine forests. There are a lot of hiking options, so just enjoy the scenery and the hike. Cambis O May Pinewood Trail (see picture below) is an easy hike close to Ballater.

Day 4: Cairngorms - Loch Ness - North 500 route

There may be a small hike in the morning, and then head 2 hours to Loch Ness and enjoy Urquhart Castle, a nice swim, and some views. Afterwards, start the North 500 route. One of the most beautiful routes in Europe. I have not been here, so I don't know too much about it.

Day 5-8: North 500 route

Enjoy the route and see the amazing scenery. Stop at multiple places and have a relaxed time driving here. This should be very pretty. Go against the clock from east to west.

Day 9: Stoer lighthouse - Achmelvich Beach - Gairloch

This is still part of North Route 500, but I have been here, and this is great (see two-week itinerary).

Day 10: Gairloch - Ullapool - Lewis and Harris

After the whale tour, head back to Ullapool to take the ferry to Lewis and Harris. In total, the trip will take 4.5 hours. Enjoy Stornoway and find a spot to sleep. The days after, you can enjoy these islands. I haven't been here, but it should be great.

Day 11: Lewis and Harris

Enjoy the beautiful beaches, nature, blockhouses, and lovely stones. It is not that big, and you can enjoy the island as you want. The island is pretty small, and everything is reachable.

Day 12: Lewis and Harris - Uig 

Take the ferry from Tarbert to Uig on the Isle of Skye. You can visit Fairy Glen, Quiraing, and An Corran Beach and stay there on the lovely beach (see picture below). This is part of a loop, and you can finish the loop tomorrow. 

Day 13: Isle of Skye

Today you finish the loop and enjoy Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls, Brothers Point (absolutely do this one), and Old Man of Storr. You can end your day in Portree, but I would recommend heading to the west of the island (Neist Point) to see some great sunsets (1.5 hour drive). This is a great area in Scotland.

Day 14: Isle of Skye - Mallaig

Today, start your day by heading towards the Fairy Pools from Neist Point. On the way there, you can stop at Dunvegan Castle. The Fairy Pools are 1.5 hours away, and you pass Dunvegan. After the beautiful Fairy Pools head to Mallaig by taking the ferry. Mallaig (see picture below) may not be the best on your itinerary, but it is a fun fishing village, so have some local fish. You can also go further if you want to.

Day 15: Mallaig - Glencoe

In the morning, you can visit Silversand beaches for a quick swim. Afterwards, you can head in the direction of Glencoe by stopping at Glenfinnan Viaduct (from Harry Potter). Unfortunately, it was too crowded when we were there (because of an annual event), so we could not park here and only saw it from the road for a second. Further, you can stop in Fort William to have lunch or a walk. When arriving in Glencoe, you are in a hiking area, and that is great! Have a good hike in the late afternoon. Overall, it is a 1.5-hour drive.

Day 16: Glencoe - Oban

After a nice morning hike in this great area, head to the cute fishing village of Oban. This is a very adorable town to have a look in the harbor, taste a whisky in the Oban Distillery, walk up to McCaigh's tower, and enjoy the relaxed vibe. Enjoy the pubs in the evening, which are very good. The drive is 1 hour to Oban.

Day 17: Oban - Loch Lomond

Start your day with a seal tour and have a fantastic view (see picture below) of the city. Have a 1-hour and 40-minute drive to Loch Lomond to have a swim, hike, or just enjoy the scenery. I have not been, but it should be good and a nice stop for some good nature.

Day 18: Loch Lomond - Glasgow

Enjoy a hike in the morning before the hour-long drive to the vibrant city of Glasgow. Have a good couple of days in a lovely, pure city.

Day 19 & 20: Glasgow

Day 21: Extra day for Highland Games

The Highland Games are fantastic events throughout the country in the summer. Check the schedule online to see when and where the Highland Games are held and fit it into every itinerary when in Scotland. This is a magnificent thing to do in Scotland and an absolute must-do. We thought this was my girlfriend's highlight of the whole trip and my second (after the whale tour in Gairloch). There are piping bands, races, tossing the cable, dancing, and much more! You have to fit this day 14 somewhere when it is possible.

Add to the Itinerary 

• Aberdeen - Lovely city
• St Andrew's - Cool ruins
• Basking sharks - From Oban there are 5 day tours to spot basking sharks (limited spots)
• Orkney Islands - Maybe have enough time during North 500 Route for a day trip.

If you want to know more about Scotland, take a look at: