Day 1 - Arrival in Edinburgh 

• Fly into Edinburgh
• Arrive in Edinburgh and pick up your car rental

• Morning & Afternoon: City Exploration
• Edinburgh Castle: Start your day by exploring the iconic castle on top of Castle Rock. Book your tickets ahead of time if you’d like to explore the inside! 
• Royal Mile: Stroll along this historic street, full of shops, restaurants, and street performances. It truly feels like you’ve stepped back in time here! 
• Greyfriars Kirk: Visit this beautiful historic church with a fascinating history, just steps from the Castle
• Princes Street Gardens: Relax in this lovely park with views of the castle
• St. Giles’ Cathedral: Head to this stunning cathedral on the Royal Mile
• Royal Botanic Garden: Walk around the peaceful garden, offering great views of the city

• Evening: 
• Holyrood Palace: At the end of the Royal Mile, visit this historic palace and residence of the monarch in Scotland. Make sure to book tickets here too if you want to see the inside of the palace grounds! 
• Arthur’s Seat: For a rewarding end to the day, hike up to Arthur’s Seat (takes about 45 minutes to an hour) for panoramic views of the city at sunset. This spot is incredible! 

• Head back to your accommodations
• We stayed at Wisteria Cottage Airbnb about 45 minutes outside the city–the host was great, we’d definitely recommend it!

 

Day 2 - More of Edinburgh 

• Morning:
• Breakfast in Edinburgh – Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at one of the city’s many charming cafés
• Explore more of Edinburgh – If there's anything you missed yesterday, take the morning to catch up, whether it’s the National Museum of Scotland, or the Scottish Parliament Building
• Lunch: Have a bite at The Elephant House, famous for being the café where J.K. Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter

• Afternoon:
• Take a walk through the Meadows or explore the Dean Village – a picturesque and quieter part of Edinburgh

• Evening:
• Drive to Strathpeffer (about 3.5 hours) with scenic stops along the way
• Stop in Stirling: Visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most important historic sites. Book tickets here ahead of time! 
• Doune Castle: Known for its appearance in Monty Python, Game of Thrones, and Outlander
• Callander: A charming town to stretch your legs
• Loch Lubnaig: A perfect place for a scenic stop
• The Green Welly Shop: A great stop for souvenirs and snacks

• Check in to your accommodations: we enjoyed our stay at the Highland Hotel in Strathpeffer 

 

Day 3 - Highland Adventures 

• Morning:
• Drive through Glencoe – A dramatic and stunning area with towering mountains and valley views. It’s one of Scotland’s most scenic spots
• If you're feeling adventurous, stop for a hike or simply enjoy the views

• Afternoon:
• Fort William (optional) – Visit this charming town at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. Take a short hike or explore the town’s shops and cafés
• Continue your drive towards Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, set on a small island in Loch Duich
• Lunch: Stop for lunch in Kyle of Lochalsh or Dornie near Eilean Donan Castle

• Evening:
• Arrive at the Isle of Skye – Cross the Skye Bridge and enjoy your first evening on the Isle
• Take a stroll around Portree, the island’s charming capital

• Stay: book your accommodations on Isle of Skye well in advance, as options are limited and the island is quite popular! 

 

Day 4 - Isle of Skye - Nature and Adventure 

• Morning:
• Old Man of Storr: Start your day with a 4km hike (about 2 hours) to the famous rock formation with sweeping views of Skye. One of our highlights of the trip for sure! 
• Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls: A scenic spot where a waterfall plunges into the sea, creating a “kilt-like” effect on the cliff face
• Lunch: Stop in Carbost, where you can have lunch and try some local seafood

• Afternoon:
• Fairy Pools: Bring bug spray! The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear pools and waterfalls beneath the Black Cuillin mountains. You can swim if you’re brave enough!
• Quiraing Mountains: A 2-3 hour hike through dramatic landscapes, known for its strange rock formations and incredible views.

• Evening:
• The Fairy Glen: Explore this magical and whimsical place full of stone formations and rolling hills.

• Stay: Return to your Isle of Skye accommodations. 

 

Day 5 - Exploring the Highlands

• Morning:
• Drive through the Cuilin Mountains on the Isle of Skye, famous for their rugged peaks
• Neist Point: A short drive from Portree, this is one of the best spots for coastal views and lighthouse photos
• Lunch: Enjoy a leisurely lunch in Dunvegan, and visit Dunvegan Castle (if time permits).

• Afternoon:
• Head off the Isle of Skye and go to Glenfinnan. Check out the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, take in the lake and mountain views! 
• Drive back to Spean Bridge. 

• Stay: Tirindrish House, one of our absolute favorite places we stayed. Nestled in the Highland landscape, the rooms are incredibly comfortable, and the breakfast is fantastic! 

 

Day 6 - Scenic Drive to Glasgow

• Morning & Afternoon:
• Highland Games - check to see if they are happening while you are there! We attended and got to dive into the culture through their games, traditions, eats, music, and more! 
• Drive to Glasgow (about 4 hours)

• Afternoon & Evening: 
• Take the A82 south through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park for breathtaking views of Loch Lomond and the surrounding hills

• Stay: Glasgow (we stayed at airbnb, which was a nice, affordable option)

 

Day 7 - Final Day in Glasgow & Departure

• Morning:
• Glasgow Cathedral: A stunning medieval church with impressive architecture
• Necropolis: A Victorian cemetery with panoramic views over the city.
• George Square: Explore the central square with its historic statues and city buildings
• Merchant City: Visit this vibrant neighborhood for shops, galleries, and cafes
• Lunch: Enjoy a final lunch in Glasgow at The Ubiquitous Chip or The Willow Tea Rooms

• Afternoon/Evening:
• Buchanan Street: Walk this famous shopping street for souvenirs or people-watching
• Glasgow Green: Visit the oldest park in Glasgow to wind down

• Evening:
• Depending on your departure time, either enjoy a relaxing evening or head to Glasgow Airport for your flight home

 

This extended itinerary gives you a perfect balance of city exploration, nature hikes, and scenic drives, offering plenty of time to savor Scotland’s rich history, culture, and dramatic landscapes at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy your trip!