Take in the medieval architecture, explore the hidden passageways (closes) and listen to the bagpipers play along this iconic street. Maintain social distancing and always carry a face mask. Glamping and camping: Recently Scotland has upped her game when it comes to glamping and eco-friendly accommodation. The pleasant mixture of colourful flats and 19th-century brick buildings on either side of the Water of Leith canal make for a fantastic Instagrammable opportunity- or just simply enjoy the serenity. EDINBURGH BUDGET TIPIf you’re saving your pennies, the Cowgate area in Old Town has a selection of cheap pubs and nightclubs. Dec 9, 2019 - If you're planning a trip to Scotland, driving is the best way to go. I suggest choosing one of these locations and spend some time there, as you’ll be hard-pressed to visit all three. I will be honest, and this is not news to regular readers, we are not hikers, or campers, or backpackers. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the driving route). Here's the full itinerary we used, in case you want to steal it to help plan your own trip! Read more: Glasgow: 24 Hours of Fun for the Whole Family. We were conscious that we did not want to do too much driving with our young kids so we planned our Scotland road trip itinerary over seven days to stop off at Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Arisaig and Isle of Skye. Hostels: Scotland has a fabulous network of hostels throughout- with many being located in very remote areas! We LOVED it here. Thank you so much for this great itinerary! If you’re spending longer in Edinburgh, I highly recommend visiting. The rooms are small but their storage solutions are innovative. Grand Scenic Tour. So, that was how our order was determined. Carry on south down the A9 and turn off on the B846 to Aberfeldy. You can use them to plot your road trip around Scotland! Each year in fall, amateur celebrities will play against the pros at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Be mindful of loose rocks and rockfalls- you will need good quality hiking boots to attempt these hikes. If you are willing to make a 50-mile detour, you can also visit Loch Ness. Glasgow is often an overlooked destination in Scotland. We recommend strolling the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare through Edinburgh. Bed and Breakfast: JustB, located on the edge of Edinburgh is hands-down the best bed and breakfast I’ve stayed in! If you’re an Outlander fan, you’ll recall this was the battle that Claire and Jamie were trying to prevent from happening in season one. Honey is a fantastic free tool you can download and pin to your browser. But don’t let that fool you…there is a lot to see and do here. From the summit, you will have 360° views along the Cuillin Ridge and over the Isle of Skye. With a well-crafted route, 10 days in Scotland is just enough time to see most of the major points of interest that beckon millions of travelers each year. The red sandstone structure sits on a cliff overlooking River Ness. Scenic drives and short hikes will fill your day. On the drive to Glencoe, you will pass the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It is known for its unusual mix of Romanesque and early Gothic architecture. The castle was rebuilt many times over the course of Scotland’s bloody history. Bonnie Scotland may be on the small side, but there is plenty to see and do. Today you will depart Glencoe and drive to the magical Isle of Skye– one of Scotland’s most magnificent islands known for its otherworldly rugged landscapes, delicious seafood and cute fishing villages. For full details on this drive, including directions and places to visit along the way, read. I have wanted to do this forever and Im sure I could spend … You will explore the four abbeys in the area, which is also a popular cycle route. As you enjoy the breathtaking scenery, find a spot to stop and explore. Scotland has a LOT of roundabouts. Let’s say you’ve flown in to the capital to keep things simple. Read more about me here. There are plenty of hiking opportunities in the area, including Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve where you can hike one of Scotland’s highest Munros, Ben Lawers. You will spend two days on the Isle of Skye (the absolute minimal amount of time I recommend) but you are welcome to spend longer here if you want to see everything. For Harry Potter fans, this is well worth it. I now work full-time as a travel blogger and Scotland travel planner, and I’ve designed what I believe to be the best 10 day Scotland itinerary. By. There are also many campsites, and for the outdoor lovers spending a night in a bothy is a great experience. Glen Coe is located in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, which is known as the Outdoors Capital of Scotland! Cattle and horses were sold in this area (which is quite hard to believe today!). For full details on how to do this, read: The Fairy Pools is an extremely popular place to visit on the Isle of Skye. The drive itself takes you through Lochalsh, home of the Five Sisters of Kintail, before you drive over the bridge to the Isle of Skye (that’s right- there’s a bridge so there’s no need to catch a boat across!). There are many great restaurants to try in this area. The hotel is located just one block off of the Royal Mile. Also- I’ve created a printable version of my 10 day Scotland itinerary. Dive right into Scottish cuisine by ordering haggis or blood pudding along with a pint of beer. Oh beautiful Scotland. Blair Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan Murray, is a vast white castle set amongst a nine-acre walled garden. 1 hour 10 mins. Hostels: I stayed at Inverness Youth Hostel and recommend it for a comfortable hostel stay; Bazpackers is a great modern hostel. Dean Village is a small, residential area in Edinburgh. Hello Susanne. But for your kids, it could be a fun thing to add onto your itinerary. His body is buried at Dunfermline Abbey, however, he requested his heart be buried at Melrose Abbey. Explore the crypt which was built to house tomb of St Mungo, and admire the Blackadder Aisle, a ceiling which is studded with brightly painted carved stone bosses. Consider this hotel if you need a budget price with an excellent location. So without further ado lets get exploring. We picked up our rental car at the train station in Edinburgh. Craigmillar Castle has an incredible history and is a very romantic castle ruin. This does require a slight detour from the A9, but the drive is much more appealing. Begin your day in the historic heart of Edinburgh. Cramond Island in Edinburgh is a tidal island you can walk to at low tide. Their rainbow bowls are heaven!Dinner: Harmonium is a vegan restaurant in Leith which is to die for (pun intended! We are trying to decide between the two for our vacation this May . Legend has it that Rob Roy MacGregor used to drink here! Fill your vehicle up with fuel at ASDA when you can- they usually have the best fuel prices. Climb to the top of the Scott Monument 7. Day 3: Edinburgh in the morning, drive to the Isle of Skye in the afternoon I’m very active in this group, helping as many people as I can with their Scotland travel questions. Nicole Varella-April 17, 2019. If you're planning a motorhome or campervan holiday in Scotland you'll find many ideas here for great places to visit in Scotland! This budget hotel has a five star location, being within walking distance of most sights in the city. If you plan on spending more time in Edinburgh, check out my comprehensive list of things to do. From Edinburgh head north on the A9 towards Inverness, stopping in Pitlochry at the world renowned House of Bruar to stock up on kit- fine sport cloth… Aberfeldy is also home to one of Scotland’s best bookstores, the Watermill Bookshop & Cafe. Go for a walk around The Lump and climb the Apothecary’s Tower for views of the town all the way to the Old Man of Storr. Hiking option #2 is the Kintail Saddle. We highly recommend The Scran & Scallie. Glen Coe has been used as a filming location for many films, including James Bond’s Skyfall and the Harry Potter movies. This was our best meal in Edinburgh and had us dining on local dishes such as meat pies, roasted bone marrow, and ox tongue. Most accommodation providers such as Booking.com and Expedia have discount codes flying around the interweb- so definitely try it! Each membership grants you free entry to many of Scotland’s main attractions, free parking, and discounts at selected shops. Once Scotland’s largest church, St. Andrews Cathedral is the most famous attraction in the town, and perhaps the most famous ruin in Scotland. It was always my dream to move to Scotland and I am proud to call West Lothian home. The cottages in this village are super cute and picturesque, and there are some fun gift shops selling products made by Scottish creators. Day 9 - Inverness to Skye; Day 10 - Tour Skye; Day 11 - Skye to Oban; Day 12 - Oban to Glasgow / Edinburgh . There is a small car park where you can park your car. End your day with dinner in one of Edinburgh’s many amazing restaurants. Today, drive to Glencoe and explore Glencoe, with plans to do the hike tomorrow.Read more about the hike on the Walk Highlands website. This Scotland itinerary includes only one full day in Orkney, so make the best of it by hiring a private guide. Hula on Victoria Street is a fantastic place to stop in for lunch and has plenty of delicious vegan options and juices. Hostels: Portree Youth Hostel or Skyewalker Hostel. Find out in this Orkne y Post. Not sure if you want to visit Loch Ness? This 10–14-day route takes to the idyllic chain of islands just 30 miles off the north-west coast of Scotland. Airbnb: This townhouse with a seaview in Portree; The Old Post Office is a quirky converted post office located 5 miles from Portree. Airbnb: This apartment in the city centre. A good stopping point between Inverness and Pitlochry is Blair Atholl. You can compare fuel prices here. Our website uses cookies. I appreciate your insights and thanks again for your terrific blog! You’ll see the Scottish coast, visit a Scottish island, and lose yourself in the Scottish Highlands. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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