Trip finished (March 2023)
This plan doesn’t include all the things that you can do in Scotland. It’s more like how you can plan your days to go near the locations that things “happen”. For example, you can plan your 3 days in Edinburgh based on your preference. And 3 days in Edinburgh is a good idea. Soo, let’s start.
Day 1
Plane lands in Edinburgh Aiport. (half/full day spent in Edinburgh)
The airport is 30 minutes away from city center (you can take the tram to Princess Street station for city center), 1 full day ticket pass recommended for all your visits in that day. You can also take the bus from the airport if you’re location is not close to the city center). There are a couple of buses that goes to other areas than the tram.
If you go in the city using the tram, right after you pass the airport, there’s a field with a loot of deer. You actually can see a lot of deer in Scotland. In Oban, we even got face to face to a scared one.
If you’re not staying very close to city center, the accommodation will be cheaper, and if you take a bus you can be everywhere in 15-20 minutes. Edinburgh is not that big of a city, and very well connected with their double lovely deckers.
Day 2
Rent a car from Edinburgh and go visit:
- Stirling
- Stirling Wallace monument (15-20 minutes hike)
- Stirling Castle and surroundings
- Trossachs National Park (we skipped this one since we woke up late)
- Sleep in Oban for the night
Why we didn’t rent a car straight from the airport? Because the price was triple if we included that day. So we had to chose other dates. With this, we payed only 110 Euro for 4 days instead of 400.. IMPORTANT! Always have full insurance! We actually used it due to some tyre damage. (debatable tho)
We rented the car with Booking.com. They sometimes have excellent prices.
Extra tip: if you don’t have full insurance, take pictures of the car from every single, possible angle. Don’t forget to picture the tires, rims, roof. Don’t forget to make pictures of the interior (that’s not always covered by full insurance)..
You can buy extra insurance from 3rd parties, they are way cheaper than buying from booking or at the rental company counter. I didn’t use one yet. If you have experience with a good one, please let me know!
Day 3
- Glencoe (surroundings, not necessarily the town)
- Fort Williams (nice, but looks similar to all towns in Scotland)
- Hogwards express viaduct – Glennfinan Viaduct – you can even book a ticket to this train here. If you don’t want to book, you can check the scheduled for when it’s actually passing on the Viaduct. It depends on the month on when you’re visiting. (April – October)
- Road to Isle of Skye
- Night in isle of Skye
Day 4
Isle of Skye full day (you can visit in 1 day all the top destinations, but it would be best if you could have 2 days). Isle of Skye is, in my opinion, the best thing to visit in Scotland. If you love wandering in the middle of.. nowhere actually, this is for you. There’s a perfect lack of people everywhere you go. There are also thousands of sheep, just don’t count them while driving.
1 hike is a must. You can take the famous Quiraing.
While driving on the Highland’s lovely roads, watch out for potholes!! The roads are missing from time to time.
Sleep in Iverness for the last night. We also slept in a trailer, on a farm, in the West side of the island. It was magical. More stories on Instagram.. click here >>> Scotland instagram stories
Day 5
Visit Loch ness. You can have a boat tour, food tour or check for famous castles.
Visit the Highland Wildlife Park or the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre (Reindeer trips are only via reservation! – if you don’t book it, there’s nothing much to see – you can check their site here)
You can have a walk near the lake (Loch Morlich), there are nice beaches to visit (we visited Loch Morlich Beach). Lovely atmosphere with people camping, singing, playing.
You could also have a bike tour, it looks like there are easy routes to enjoy for a full day. There were a lot of people with electric bikes.
Day 6-7
Edinburgh
You can have all sorts of activities in Edinburgh. You can walk all day, you can drink all day (they do too), you can go all history, shopping, fine dining, you name it! If there’s something you want, they most likely have it. (maybe you can skip sunbathing, for.. obvious reasons)
I personally recommend walking on every corner that you see. Nothing like a full day cardio..
Part of activities that you can do in Edinburgh includes:
- Edinburgh Castle: Start your visit with a trip to the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Perched atop Castle Rock, this historic fortress offers stunning views of the city and houses various exhibitions about Scottish history and culture.
- Arthur’s Seat: For a more challenging walk, hike up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano and the main peak in the group of hills in Edinburgh. The panoramic views from the top are breathtaking, especially during sunrise or sunset.
- Royal Mile: Stroll along the famous Royal Mile, a historic street that stretches between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s lined with shops, pubs, restaurants, and various points of interest.
- Holyrood Palace and Park: Explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Adjacent to the palace is Holyrood Park, where you can enjoy leisurely walks and admire the beautiful landscapes.
- Calton Hill: Another great vantage point is Calton Hill. It’s a short walk from the city center and offers panoramic views of Edinburgh’s skyline, including iconic monuments like the National Monument and the Nelson Monument.
- Dean Village: Take a leisurely stroll through Dean Village, a picturesque area along the Water of Leith. The charming buildings and tranquil surroundings provide a peaceful escape from the city bustle.
- Water of Leith Walkway: If you’re up for a longer walk, follow the Water of Leith Walkway. This path runs through the heart of the city, providing a serene route that takes you through parks, nature reserves, and historic sites.
- Dynamic Earth: If you’re interested in science and natural history, visit Dynamic Earth. It’s an interactive science museum that explores the history of the planet and its ecosystems in an engaging way.
- Botanic Gardens: Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The well-maintained gardens are perfect for a leisurely walk among a diverse collection of plants from around the world.
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art: If you appreciate art, explore the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The gallery features a diverse collection of contemporary and modern artworks.
- Climb Carlton Hill Observatory: For another fantastic view of the city, climb the Nelson Monument on Carlton Hill. The tower provides a unique perspective on Edinburgh.
- Ghost Tours: Edinburgh is known for its rich history and haunted tales. Join a guided ghost tour to explore the city’s darker side and hear spooky stories.
- Escape rooms
- Visit a Distillery
