Scotland in 7 Days
Scotland
Overview
This route pairs Edinburgh's compact, walkable old town with a proper Highlands road trip — the dramatic scenery around Glencoe, Loch Ness, and the Isle of Skye's sea cliffs and jagged ridgelines — before finishing in Glasgow. A rental car is strongly recommended for the Highlands leg; the far northwest has very limited public transport.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Rental car
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- £1,150–£1,500
Route
1. Edinburgh2. Isle of Skye3. Inverness4. Glasgow
Highlights
- Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile at dusk
- Glencoe's dramatic mountain scenery
- Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
- The Isle of Skye's Old Man of Storr and Fairy Pools
Worth knowing
- Highland roads are narrow, single-track in places, and slow going
- Weather is unpredictable year-round — pack for rain regardless of season
- Skye gets very crowded with day-trippers in peak summer
Day by day
Day 1
EdinburghMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Edinburgh Castle
- Royal Mile
Optional additions
- Arthur's Seat hike for sunset views
Overnight: Edinburgh
Day 2
EdinburghMain activities
- National Museum of Scotland
- Old Town closes and Grassmarket
Optional additions
- Whisky tasting
Overnight: Edinburgh
Day 3
Edinburgh → Isle of SkyeMain activities
- Drive via Glencoe (~5.5h)
- Stop at Glencoe viewpoints
Optional additions
- Detour to Glenfinnan Viaduct
~5.5 hours · Self-drive via the A82Overnight: Isle of Skye
Book Skye accommodation well ahead — options are limited.
Day 4
Isle of SkyeMain activities
- Old Man of Storr hike
- Fairy Pools
Optional additions
- Quiraing ridge walk
Overnight: Isle of Skye
Day 5
Isle of Skye → InvernessMain activities
- Drive back to the mainland (~3h)
- Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
Optional additions
- Loch Ness boat cruise
~3 hoursOvernight: Inverness
Day 6
Inverness → GlasgowMain activities
- Drive south (~3.5h)
- Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery
Optional additions
- West End café culture
~3.5 hoursOvernight: Glasgow
Day 7
GlasgowMain activities
- Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis
- Departure
Overnight: Glasgow
Alternatives
Shorter version · 5 days
Drop Glasgow and fly out from Inverness instead.
Longer extension · 10 days
Add the Isle of Mull and Iona, or push further north to Assynt's dramatic coastline.