scotland road trip itinerary
I am going to let you in on a little secret, I grossly underestimated Scotland’s beauty. Like throw away everything you thought you knew about Scotland. This place will truly leave you SPEECHLESS! Whether you are spending a few days here or a few weeks here, this Scotland road trip itinerary will cover some of the best there is to see.
This Scotland road trip itinerary will cover how to make the most of your 4 days in Scotland including hidden gems, the coolest accommodations and spots you simply cannot miss on your Scotland road trip! I’ve got the BEST Scotland road trip itinerary that I can guarantee will make all your Scotland dreams come true!!
Stay until the end, because I have included a printable itinerary to make your travels much easier!
We were totally blown away by Scotland and loved every minute of our road trip through this beautiful country! We visited in late November, and managed to catch a glimpse of the last remaining fall colors. I can confirm that Scotland is a whole new level of stunning!!! Don’t believe me? Just check out the video below!
@herjoliejourney Visit herjoliejourney.com for full travel guide! #scotlandtravel #scotland #traveldiaries #beautifuldestinations ♬ Simply The Best by Billianne - Billianne
Looking to go to Scotland without breaking the bank? No need to swim across the ocean, just hop on a plane! You can choose from three major international airports: Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen. Rumor has it that Glasgow takes the cake for the most nonstop flights from North America, while all three offer a wide range of flights within Europe. Plus, you’ll avoid getting pruney fingers from swimming across the Atlantic.
*We flew in to Edinburgh, and that is where this Scotland road trip guide begins.
Driving through the Scottish mountains was unbelievably amazing and definitely a major highlight of our trip! I have to confess driving a car in Scotland as an American can be quite the challenge. But I am sharing some quick tips on how to rent a car in Scotland and what to expect.
To save you from the chaos of renting a car in the city center, the best place to rent a car is from the airport, even if you aren’t arriving in Scotland by plane.
You’ll need a valid driver’s license that you’ve had for at least a year. Most rental companies will ask for some ID and a credit card for identification. Don’t worry though, if you’ve got an active license back home, you can legally drive on the Scottish roads for up to a year.
Keep in mind, you will need to get use to driving on the left-hand side of the road and have the steering wheel on the right side of the car. That’s a total reverse from the norm. And I highly suggest splurging for an automatic car. Trust me; it’s worth the investment, especially when driving in unfamiliar territories on the opposite side of the road.
And you can rest assured there are no tolls or pay-bridges in Scotland.
Need a ride with infinite options? Look no further than this site. With 800+ car providers across 60k locations, it’s my go-to for rental needs. Trust me, I use it every time. Check out the options here.
This guide starts and ends in Edinburgh. I have included details on driving distance and the time recommended at each stop. Keep in mind that the time alloted to drive to each spot is subject to change based on when you visit. You’ll need at least 4 days for this Scotland road trip itinerary and you’ll want to start early. We hit the road by 8 am. Let’s dive in!
*We traveled to Scotland in late November, so our window of daylight was very limited. We managed to cover as much ground as we could, so don’t get discouraged if you are visiting late in the season.
Scotland’s capital city is bursting with SO much to see! You won’t be able to conquer it all in just one day, but I’ll give you a sneak peek of the top must-see sights. Trust me, walking around the city beats driving any day — not only do you get to avoid the hassle of parking, but you’ll also get your steps in for the day.
I’m about to help you squeeze every drop out of your day! Check out the exciting lineup of stops I’ve got for you below.
Keep reading to find some secret stops I have included in the descriptions below!
This charming street has everything a fairytale lover could dream of – cobblestone paths, picturesque homes with lush foliage, and enough whimsy to make you feel like you’re walking into a storybook. Bring your camera because you’ll want to snap a shot at every corner. In just 30 minutes, you can escape the city’s hustle and bustle and step into a magical world.
BONUS: There is a cute home off of Circus Lane that has steps lined with beautiful potted plants, 33 NW Circus Pl
Stroll through the fabulous gardens nestled along the Leith waters and discover some hidden gems en route to Dean Village. This scenic path is the ultimate spot for a leisurely walk filled with awe-inspiring views.
Forget reality, step into a fairytale at Dean Village – where the stone houses will make you feel like you’re dwelling in a storybook. Explore the cobblestone streets and admire the picturesque views; you might even spot a unicorn or two!
And do we even need to mention that enchanting little bridge over the river? Too cute for words! The best part? It’s only a hop, skip, and jump away from the city centre! Whether you’re a local or a tourist, make sure to add Dean Village to your must-see list or you’ll regret missing out on this magical gem! And if you’re in the area on Sunday make sure to visit the Stockbridge Market nearby.
Princes Street Gardens is the beating heart of this city and trust me when I say, it’s anything but ordinary. It’s like the Mona Lisa of public parks. Oh, and have you seen Ross Fountain? It’s beyond beautiful – it deserves its own Instagram account. So take my advice, add Princes Street Gardens to your itinerary and prepare to be wowed.
Think Gossip Girl with a sprinkle of Harry Potter, this restaurant screams both luxury and magic. Although enchanting all year round, the Dome is truly magical at Christmas time. Make a reservation in the Georgian tea room in advance, it’s absolutely stunning and the food is divine! The price is reasonable for the quality and quantity.
I have a confession, I didn’t step foot inside this castle. We had some local friends as our tour guides and we were told by multiple sources it’s not worth the admission price. I had to include it on this list, because it’s both iconic and provides amazing views of the city!
Bonus: Pop into the Witchery if you want to experience an unforgettable dining experience. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Looking for a charming, mysterious and enchanting alleyway in Edinburgh that’ll leave you spellbound? Look no further! It’s hidden away for those who seek adventure, and the best part is the breathtaking view that’s worth every step. Make sure to count your way up and don’t miss out on the beauty that awaits you on the 50th step, where you can catch the most stunning view of Edinburgh castle that’ll knock your socks off! This little alley is not your regular spot and is surely the definition of “hidden gem.”
You can locate this spot through google maps or here.
Bonus: You will find the CUTEST ice cream shop just around the corner from this alleyway. Everything found inside Mary’s Milk Bar is locally made daily and the flavors change both daily and seasonally!
This cobblestone street was once graced by royalty through Scotland’s history, so it’s no wonder it’s the most famous street in Edinburgh! The mile begins at Edinburgh Castle and ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Pop into St. Giles Cathedral and admire all the history found there.
Get ready to be charmed by this burst of colors on this street that will undoubtedly steal your heart away! It has a rich history, and to top it all off, it’s connected to Harry Potter films! You won’t be able to handle the cuteness of shops that adorn the street, and did we mention it’s where Diagon Alley got its inspiration? Yup, you read that right! You’ll find loads of Harry Potter themed shops, but the one that takes the cake is Diagon House. Don’t miss out on this magical experience!
A cute little museum for all you lit fans out there. They’ve got the big guns on display, from Rabbie Burns to Sir Walter Scott to R.L. Stevenson. And let me tell ya, this place has got more old books and manuscripts than you can shake a quill at! If you’re in the market for a brainy adventure, this hidden gem is the real deal. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Bonus: Additional spots we wish we would have had time to visit in Edinburgh:
You can find my full Edinburgh Travel Guide here.
As soon as we hopped on that Scotland-bound flight, I could practically feel the adorable spots calling my name. And let me tell you, this road trip was chock-full of cuteness, I almost couldn’t handle it! I mean, seriously, every single place we saw was just downright amazing. I kinda felt like shouting “OMG IS THIS REAL LIFE?!” at every stop, but you know, I didn’t want to freak anyone out. All in all, it was a day to remember and takes this Scotland road trip itinerary to a whole other level!
Although the list may appear small, there is a lot of ground to cover and you will want to start early!
This cute little town is a true hidden gem and is a perfect little pit stop on the way to the Craigievar Castle! You’ll find some cute shops, a cemetery with graves that date as far back as the 1700’s and a charming little church. We spent about 30 minutes here exploring and picking up some lunch.
This castle is closed for renovations until 2024. Craigievar Castle is said to be the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle and it is just as dreamy in person as it is in photos! Although not originally pink back in 1576, this cream colored castle has turned pink overtime.
During normal operating hours, the interior of the castle is open to the public from April to October. Sadly, we missed that window visiting in November but we still enjoyed visiting the beautiful grounds! You can book tickets here.
This little slice of heaven, nestled near the Cairngorms National Park, is easily one of the prettiest villages in all of Scotland.
Its claim to fame? Oh, just the world-famous annual Highland Games, no biggie. You may even catch the Royal Family in attendance. The Highland games take place every first Saturday of September, not to mention the best of the best when it comes to pipe bands, pipers, Highland dancers, and athletes.
Iconic for a reason, and popular since the alleged sighting of a long neck monster in the 6th century Loch Ness has become the most popular Loch in Scotland! You can easily spend an entire day here exploring, but if you explore anything make sure to stop at Urquhart Castle.
We stumbled in after dark, too exhausted to even contemplate exploring Inverness. Inverness is considered the perfect home base for exploring some seriously stunning Highland scenery. And let’s not forget its array of iconic castles, majestic mountains, and unique wildlife. Trust me, you won’t be bored. Check out this list of things to see and do in Inverness, just in case you need some inspiration.
This is the best part of the post, so listen up! Isle of Skye is absolutely MAGICAL and you are going to want to squeeze every last minute out of the day exploring the most stunning area of Scotland! You can also check out my full Isle of Skye travel guide here.
Located just 34 miles east of Isle of Skye and one of the most recognizable castles in Scotland. It has even been featured in several films! You can explore the grounds for free or pay an admission price to go inside. We wanted to get to Isle of Skye ASAP, so this was a quick pit stop.
Looking to live out your fairytale fantasies? Look no further than Manuela’s Wee Bakery! This hidden gem, nestled in the shadow of Eilean Donan Castle, is run by a family of German bakers who fell in love with Scotland’s charm (and food!). In 2013, they created a foodie haven that sounds like something straight out of a storybook.
And let me tell you, the baked goods, pizza, and hot chocolate are worth writing home about! Don’t just take my word for it; the rave reviews speak for themselves. Trust me, you don’t want to skip out on this charming bakery.
I live for a good photo, which is why I wanted to head here first because it’s one of the most photographed landscapes in the world! You may be wondering how it got its name? The iconic rock pillar found here is said to resemble an old man.
Here are some tips for Old Man of Storr:
The second I laid eyes on this place I went into a state of instant shock, because this waterfall was a dream! It’s a quick pit stop, and when I mean quick I mean we spent about 15 minutes here but it was totally worth the stop!!
This waterfall is definitely a crowd-pleaser and conveniently accessible making it an easy pit stop through Isle of Skye. With a 164-foot plunge and a concrete platform for safety, you can’t deny that this spot is a winner. So, why settle for an average waterfall view when you can savor the breathtaking Mealt Falls?
Another popular spot in Isle of Skye that provides breathtaking views! I have a feeling you’re going to faint when you see this incredible landscape and no amount of photos can do it justice.
There is a parking lot located at the highest part of the single track road (you are going to want to remember that, because google maps does not take you there). Follow the single track road all the way up to the top where you will see a parking lot.
A 4.2 mile hike can be found here and takes 2 hours to complete with no stops. Given the weather conditions and the time of year we were here we just stopped to enjoy the spectacular views!!
A magical little place known for its folk tales about fairies Legend has it fairies are hidden in the crevices of these rocks! It can be challenging to find Fairy Glen, because there are no signs to get to this spot.
IMPORTANT: Google maps will take you to a parking lot that is not conveniently located near Fairy Glen. Instead continue to drive and you will pass a pond on the right. You will want to park right past the pond on the north side. You will find a trail to the right of the pond and it will take you to Fairy Glen. Keep in mind we visited in November and did not have to deal with crowds, so there is a possibility parking will not be an option here if you go during the peak of summer.
The Isle of Skye may be small in size but it’s big on charm, especially with its major town Portree. This village, born from humble fishing roots over two centuries ago, has got it all – from colorful facades to quirky shops, and oh-so-tasty food joints making it the perfect way to end your day!
Other places we wish we could have visited in Isle of Skye:
Feeling some type of way now that this trip is coming to a close, but day 4 is filled with some truly amazing spots to wrap up this Scotland road trip itinerary in the best way possible. There is a lot of ground to cover, and the driving time between each stop can be quite lengthy so don’t hit snooze on that alarm and get an early start!
If you are a fan of Harry Potter you will immediately recognize this spot famous for the Hogwarts Express. Located 100 feet off the ground this train track is still used today. If you are visiting Scotland between April and October you don’t want to miss taking the Jacobite Steam Train through these tracks. Details can be found here.
This place was highly recommended by locals in Edinburgh, so we knew we had to check it out for ourselves! If you’re wondering what makes this place so popular, let me introduce you to this cute guy:
That’s right, these cute fuzzy cows can be found here! Highland cows are an iconic symbol of Scotland. Trossachs Woollen Mill lets you feed and interact with three beautiful Highland Cows. You will also find a cute gift shop and restaurant here.
*IMPORTANT: These cute cows are not found here year round, so make sure to check before you visit!
This quiet little seaside town is located 24 miles north of Edinburgh and is the closest thing to a 16th century time capsule dating back to the 1500s. The National Trust for Scotland has poured a lot of resources and effort into restoring and caring for this little village and it shows.
We made our way back to Edinburgh to catch our flight the following morning, but here are some additional spots we wish we would have had time to visit:
I hope this Scotland road trip itinerary helps you make the most of your time to see in Scotland in 4 days.
I have included a printable Scotland road trip itinerary below to make your travels much, much easier! Fill out the form below to get this free itinerary delivered straight to your inbox!
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