Itinerary
- Day 1
Oban
Start from Glasgow or Edinburgh and head into the Trossachs mountains for your Scottish adventure. The drive takes you through dramatic scenery where you'll stop at Inveraray Castle to walk through the grounds and see the castle itself. After that, you can check out Bronze Age burial chambers scattered throughout the area, then visit Kilmartin House Museum to learn about the region's history. By evening, you'll reach Oban, a coastal town where you can explore local distilleries or just wander around the harbor and get a feel for the place. The whole day moves at a relaxed pace, giving you time to stop and take in the landscape without rushing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Inveraray Castle (built 1743 with extraordinary interior and outdoor areas)
- Stop at Nether Largie Cairns burial chambers (Bronze Age and Neolithic period)
- Explore Kilmartin House Museum with changing exhibitions on the archaeologically valuable region
- Tour Oban's famous single malt distillery
Landmarks Inveraray Castle Nether Largie Cairns Kilmartin House Museum Trossachs 
- Day 2
Isle of Mull - Isle of Iona
A ferry to the Isle of Mull takes you to Tobermory with its colorful cottages, and there's a small whisky and gin distillery to explore. You can see 13th-century Duart Castle, walk out to the lighthouse, or check out the volcanic crater. The real highlight is heading to the Isle of Iona by a 10-minute ferry from Fionnphort. This island has the historic abbey where St. Columba landed in 563, Celtic crosses, white sandy beaches, and if you're lucky you might spot puffins. The whole outing covers about 50 km and takes roughly 2 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ferry crossing to Isle of Mull (advance booking recommended)
- Visit Tobermory
- Visit Tobermory whisky and gin distillery
- Walking trails around Tobermory to lighthouse or volcanic crater
- Visit Duart Castle
- Ferry to Isle of Iona
- Visit Iona Abbey
- Explore St. Oran's Cemetery
- Walk on Iona's white sandy beaches
- View Celtic crosses at the monastery complex
- Spot puffins on Iona
Landmarks Tobermory Duart Castle Iona Abbey St. Oran's Cemetery - Day 3
Oban - Isle of Skye
This day focuses on dramatic Highland scenery and island access. You'll drive through Glencoe Valley early on, with Ben Nevis visible in the distance depending on the weather. The route takes you through Fort William, and from there you'll see the historic Glenfinnan Monument standing in the valley. Following the scenic Road to the Isles, you'll continue to Mallaig where your ferry to the Isle of Skye departs (the crossing is included with this tour). If timing works out, there's a chance to spot the Jacobite steam train along the route, and you can also visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct if you want to stop. The ferry crossing itself takes around 30 minutes and gives you great views of the coastline.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Mallaig to Isle of Skye
Optional Activities
- Stop and photograph Glencoe Valley with view of Ben Nevis
- Visit Glenfinnan Monument and learn about the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion
- View the Glenfinnan Viaduct (famous Harry Potter filming location)
- Spot the Jacobite steam train crossing the viaduct (weather dependent)
- Visit Glenfinnan Church on the hill overlooking Loch Shiel
- Use Skye Bridge as alternative to ferry crossing
Landmarks Glencoe Valley Ben Nevis Glenfinnan Monument Glenfinnan Viaduct Glenfinnan Church 
- Day 4
Isle of Skye
Today on the Isle of Skye, the Cuillin Hills in the south have peaks over 1,000 m if you're an experienced hiker. Dunvegan Castle sits here too, about 800 years old and home to the Clan Mac Leod, where you can see the famous Fairy Flag and Sir Rory Mor's Horn. Talisker has a whisky distillery with impressive coastal rock formations nearby. The Old Man of Storr is a dramatic rock needle that's iconic for Skye, and the hike gives you great views and photo chances. End the evening in Portree, the island's capital, exploring the colorful harbor and trying fresh seafood. You'll drive about 100 km and 2 hours today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Dunvegan Castle
- Hike to Old Man of Storr
- Visit Talisker whisky distillery
- Explore Talisker coastal rock formations
- Visit Portree harbor and waterfront
Landmarks Cuillin Hills Dunvegan Castle Old Man of Storr Talisker Portree 
- Day 5
Isle of Skye to Inverness Region
After crossing the Skye Bridge, stop for photos at Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most famous landmarks that's been in Highlander and James Bond films. This 13th-century castle sits on a small island and was partially restored in the 20th century; you can take a guided tour in Scottish dress to see the rooms and secret chamber. Later you'll reach Loch Ness, where Urquhart Castle ruins sit from the 13th or 14th century. You can explore the ruins or take a boat trip looking for Nessie. The Loch Ness Exhibition Center in Drumnadrochit explains the loch's habitat and monster legends. You'll stay 2 nights in the Inverness area after covering about 200 km and 3 hours of driving.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle
- Guided tour of Eilean Donan Castle
- Visit Urquhart Castle ruins
- Boat trip on Loch Ness searching for Nessie
- Visit Loch Ness Exhibition Center in Drumnadrochit
Landmarks Eilean Donan Castle Loch Ness Urquhardt Castle Drumnadrochit 
- Day 6
Inverness
Start in Inverness using the hop-on hop-off city tour to get your bearings in this largest Highland city. From there, you'll head to Culloden Battlefield and spend time at the visitor center learning about the 1746 battle and its historical significance. Later, drive to Cawdor Castle, which sits in a large park and has Shakespeare connections, making it an interesting stop for both history and literature fans. The afternoon can include Elgin's cathedral ruins if you want to see more of the region's heritage, and there's also an option to visit Kashmir manufacturers in the area. Before wrapping up, head to Chanonry Point lighthouse on the Black Isle where you might spot dolphins in the water, though sightings aren't guaranteed. It's a varied day that mixes history, nature, and local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hop-on hop-off city tour of Inverness (April - October)
Optional Activities
- Visit Culloden Battlefield and visitor center with Jacobite Rebellion history
- Explore Cawdor Castle with Shakespeare exhibition and castle grounds walks
- Tour Kashmir manufactory at Johnstons of Elgin with guided production tours
- Visit Chanonry Point lighthouse on the Black Isle for dolphin spotting and beach walks
- Explore Elgin cathedral ruins
Landmarks Culloden Battlefield Cawdor Castle Johnstons of Elgin Chanonry Point Lighthouse Elgin Cathedral 
- Day 7
Inverness - Pitlochry
Begin in the Speyside whisky region where you'll stop at distilleries to see how whisky gets made and taste different varieties. Then head toward the Grampian Mountains and the Rothiemurchus Estate, where ranger-led tours and walks around Loch an Eilean let you experience the landscape up close. If you're interested in mountain views, you can take the cable car up Cairngorm Mountain and visit Loch Morlich in the afternoon. Later, drive south toward Blair Castle, which is one of Scotland's most impressive castles with lots to explore both inside and around the grounds. The day ends in the Pitlochry region, a charming town in the southern Highlands where you can settle in for the evening. This is a packed itinerary that combines whisky culture, mountain scenery, and historic castles all in one day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit whisky distilleries in Speyside region
- Rothiemurchus Estate guided ranger tours
- Clay pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate
- Walks around Loch an Eilean
- Browse farm store at Rothiemurchus Estate
- Tea or refreshments at estate cafés
- Cairngorm Mountain cable car ride
- Walks around Loch Morlich in Highland landscape
- Visit Blair Castle (500+ rooms, built from 13th century)
Landmarks Speyside Whisky Region Rothiemurchus Estate Loch an Eilean Cairngorm Mountain Loch Morlich Blair Castle - Day 8
Pitlochry Region
Today in the Perthshire region, check out the Explorers Garden in Pitlochry or visit the historic Soldier's Leap in Killiekrankie. Hike to the Bruar Waterfalls or walk across Rannoch Moor if you prefer. Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family's Scottish summer residence, has beautiful grounds for long walks. You'll cover roughly 30 km and 2.5 hours today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Explorers Garden in Pitlochry
- Visit historic Soldier's Leap in Killiekrankie
- Hike to Bruar Waterfalls
- Explore Rannoch Moor
- Visit Balmoral Castle and grounds
Landmarks Explorers Garden Soldier's Leap Bruar Waterfalls Rannoch Moor Balmoral Castle - Day 9
Pitlochry to Livingston/Edinburgh
Traveling through Dunkeld to Perth, you'll visit Scone Palace, built in neo-Gothic style in the early 1800s but famous as where Scottish kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny. The original stone was taken by an English king around 1300, though a stone (probably a replica) is now on display in the newly opened 2024 Perth Museum. From there, head back to Edinburgh over the Forth Road Bridge with views of the Firth of Forth below. Spend the rest of the day checking out Edinburgh's Old Town, shopping on Princes Street, or climbing Castle Hill for views across the city. Walk the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, seeing spots like Camera Obscura, the National Museum of Scotland, St. Giles Cathedral, and the Museum of Childhood. If you're interested, explore the Georgian New Town north of Princes Street. You'll have 1 night in the Livingston or Edinburgh area after traveling about 230 km and 3.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Scone Palace
- Visit Perth Museum (opened 2024)
- Explore Edinburgh Old Town
- Shopping on Princes Street
- Climb Castle Hill for views
- Visit Camera Obscura on Royal Mile
- Visit National Museum of Scotland
- Visit St. Giles Cathedral
- Visit Museum of Childhood
- Explore Georgian New Town
- Visit Holyrood Palace
Landmarks Dunkeld Scone Palace Perth Museum Forth Road Bridge Edinburgh Castle Royal Mile Holyrood Palace Camera Obscura National Museum of Scotland St Giles' Cathedral Museum of Childhood Princes Street 
- Day 10
Departure from Edinburgh
Your departure from Edinburgh happens today. Edinburgh Airport is roughly 20 km away.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Edinburgh Airport
