Category: Itineraries

The Ultimate 2 Week Road Trip in Scotland (Highlands, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye - A Complete Itinerary)

10/11/2023

If you're planning a trip to Scotland, then chances are this is a once in a lifetime trip, and although two weeks can generally be a bit longer than most people have for a vacation, this itinerary is fully customizable and is definitely able to be cut down if you're only visiting for one week instead of two. From Edinburgh to Loch Ness, the incredible Highlands to the waterfalls and cliffs of the Isle of Skye, this itinerary covers it all - and although it's not enough to see all of Scotland, it at least lets you explore a large part of it - with hidden gems that many people won't ever get to see in Scotland.

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

How to Plan a Scotland Trip

If you're planning a trip to Scotland, then there's a few things you'll want to know. Lucky for you, we've already experienced this first hand and have compiled all our learned knowledge into this short, easy to read list. :) The most important thing to remember is that in Scotland they allow wild camping, meaning as long as there's no posted signs saying you can't park overnight, or as long as you don't trespass into private property, you'll be able to park your RV or Campervan wherever you'd like to spend the night.

Basic Knowledge - In Scotland they speak English, however, they can often have a thick accent that can make it difficult to understand. In addition to English, there are about 60,000 locals that can also still speak Gaelic, the traditional language of the Scottish people - no matter, every single local we met was the most kind and welcoming, offering to help or share recommendations. When you visit, most people also won't need to worry about getting a visa as long as you're not coming to Scotland to permanently live, study, or work there or for an extended amount of time. Another important thing to know is that Scotland, as a part of the United Kingdom, uses the British Pound (GBP).

Eating and Dining - Most foods in Scotland are quite similar to those in England and Ireland, think fish 'n chips, meat pies, and generally meals centered around a fish or meat and potatoes. However, there are a few more unique items we encourage you to try like Haggis, Scotch Eggs, Scotch Whiskey, and Black Pudding (also found in Ireland). They might not necessarily be "delicious," but definitely a unique experience in Scotland.

Getting Around - Our best recommendation for getting around the countryside, or the highlands, of Scotland is to rent a car, campervan, or RV. If you're staying in Edinburgh then transportation is quite a bit easier with the local bus or trams, and many places are simply within walking distance. If you aren't able to rent a vehicle, then some buses do actually go out towards the highlands and Inverness areas as well. If you are able to rent your own vehicle, then it's important to know a number of things before you head out on the road (and make sure to double check if your rental is an automatic vs. manual). Right off the bat, it's important to know that in Scotland they drive on the left, and once you get out of the city then you'll notice that many roads are quite small. Often, roads will be very narrow, and often a two way road will feel more like a one way road. However, these roads will typically have "pull off" areas, and either the smaller vehicle or the car closest to the pull off will slowly pull in to allow the other car to pass. If you both meet in the middle with no pull off, then unfortunately the smaller car will have to back up to the last pull off and allow the other car to pass. It's also important to note that Scotland has a Zero Tolerance policy when it comes to drinking and driving, meaning their legal limit is so low that even one beer can get you over the limit. You'll find that some distilleries and breweries will ask who the driver is for a tour, and give you a "to-go" pack.

Wildlife - Unbeknownst to us, Scotland has some surprising wildlife that we didn't expect. In addition to many farm animals (you won't believe how many sheep and cows there are), Scotland also has a few other animal sighting opportunities like deer, otters, puffins and hedgehogs just to name a few. Now, most people visiting Scotland are most interested in one specific animal - the Highland Cow. I'll be honest, before visiting we truly thought we would see these cuties everywhere and in every farm field - however, that's simply not the case. Although you can see them spotted throughout the countryside, on our entire 2 week road trip we only saw them 4 different times - way less than we thought we would. Remember, it's always important to never approach wildlife or feed them.

Weather & Best Times to Visit - Personally, we visited in the Fall (specifically in October) and found it to be the perfect time for us. The leaves were beautiful, the wildlife was out and about, there were chances to see the Northern Lights, and even though it was a bit rainy and windy we loved that the majority of the crowds were gone and how we had most places completely to ourselves. However, it wouldn't be fair of us to just promote the time of year when we visited - and so, it's important to note that most websites and bloggers, including Google, say that the "best time" to visit Scotland is in the Summer months - so of course it's completely up to you. :)

Watch our Scotland vlog below to see these places in action!

Scotland Ultimate Map

$5.50

A collection of all our finds from our 2 week road trip in Scotland. From castles and ruins to hidden cafes and beaches, our collection of spots, including where to find the Highland Cows (!!), has it all to make your trip to Scotland the absolute best it can be. Available for instant access on your computer or phone - it's perfect for planning your trip ahead of time or to use in real time while on the go to see what's closest to your current location! Each spot comes with a unique note with best tips for visiting (or things to expect) as well as our own photos. This purchase gives you lifetime access to our Scotland Ultimate Map - including any extra stops we add in the future!

*Once purchased, you will be sent a PDF on how to access the map and provided access to the map with the gmail you use at checkout. In order to access the map, you will need to be signed in to the same gmail/google account email you used at check out. Please allow us up to 24 hours to give your email access to the map. We also recommend downloading the Google Maps app for the easiest way to access the map via mobiles while on the go!*

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Our Scotland map includes every single place we visited during our 2 week road trip, and you can even use it on the go!

Our 14 Day Scotland Itinerary

Although this trip generally follows the exact 2 week roadtrip we took through Scotland, we made a few tweaks and changes that should make it smoother and easier for you to follow. (Basically, we learned from our mistakes and don't want you to repeat them.) Although we took an RV through Scotland, this could just as easily be done with an easier-to-drive compact car, and we've included possible hotel stays for each location if you choose to do this instead, which will help make your Scotland road trip the easiest one you've ever planned! Of course, each stop can be added to or taken out to personalize it. ;)

Day 1 : Edinburgh

Fly into Edinburgh (or Glasgow)
- Depending when you get in, you may want to wait to pick up the rental vehicle tomorrow.
Pick up Rental Vehicle of Choice :
- We drove a 22 foot/7 meter RV through Scotland, and this is the max size we would drive with - if you're nervous about driving at all we recommend choosing something smaller and stay in hotels along the way.
Explore Edinburgh :
- Arthur's Seat - A free hike typically taking 2-3 hours that leads to epic 360 views overlooking Edinburgh. Although there's actually quite a few free things to do in Edinburgh like Walking Tours & Museum Visits, this is one of our favorites.
- Edinburgh Castle - Costing £19.50 per adult, a visit typically takes about 2 hours to really explore this castle that has been used as a military fortress since the 17th century.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse - Known as the official residence of the royal family in Scotland, this will also cost £19.50 per adult, but you can save £1.50 if you book online in advance.
Places to Stay :
- Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - Nice campground close to the city with all facilities. (£23.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh - A nice hotel near the city center with gym and restaurant.

Day 2 : Lamberton

Drive 1 Hour to Lamberton (OR Skip This & Spend Another Day in Edinburgh) :
- Located on the border of England, it was our personal goal to drive the entire length of Scotland, and this was a great way to accomplish that. Since it's near the coast the views are also stunning!
Things to Do :
- Scotland Sign Photo - If you do drive to the border, there's an area with parking for both nation's entry points, one for England and one for Scotland - each having their own flags and signs.
Places to Stay :
- Shepherd's Rest - A campground with nice large pitches, perfect for RVs, and all facilities. If you don't have a tent or camper you can also stay in one of their unique Shepherd's huts! (£20.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- The Castle Hotel - Stay in an old castle with breakfast included!!

Day 3 : St. Andrews

Drive to St. Andrews :
- About 1.5 hours North of Edinburgh, you'll find the traditional town of St. Andrews located on the coast with castles and beaches. If you're wanting to walk the St. Andrews Old Golf Course, then make sure to visit on a Sunday!
Things to Do :
- St. Andrews Golf Course(s) - With the Old, New, and Jubilee courses, you have multiple options to explore. The Old Course is open every Sunday to the public as a park, and although you can't play a round of golf, you can walk the grounds.
- West Sands Beach & Dook Cafe - Near the golf courses you'll see the beautiful stretch of sand called West Sands Beach. Here you can try a variety of water sports like surfing, canoeing, and windsurfing - we also recommend stopping at Dook Cafe on the dunes for a delicious snack and hot chocolate!
- St. Andrews Castle & Castle Sands - At £8.00 per adult, we didn't actually go in, and we felt it was pretty visible from the street. Situated right on the coastline, we also recommend walking down to Castle Sands for some beautiful views, just make sure to watch out for any rogue waves!
- St. Andrews Cathedral - At £7.50 per adult, we also didn't go in ourselves as we didn't feel like there was a lot here to really see. However, being built in 1158, it might be worth checking out.
- Try Haggis - Near the Cathedral and Castle is Northpoint Cafe, famously known as the spot where "William met Kate" - as in the Prince William and Kate Middleton. They have a great option to try Haggis - a traditional Scottish dish - that comes in a small portion of pieces you can share with your group. (They also have delicious other options as well!)
- St. Andrews Heritage Museum & Gardens - At this free museum you can learn about local traditions like Raisin Weekend and people of influence that shaped this community.
Places to Stay :
- Gallowhill Caravan & Camping - Nice pitches with all facilities on site, and dog friendly! (£30.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Holiday Inn Express Glenrothes - About a 20 minute drive from St. Andrews and sits right on a park and near many stores and restaurants.

Day 4 : Cairngorms National Park

Drive to Cairngorms National Park :
- About 1.5 hours North towards the highlands, there are two main areas of the park you can enter and drive through. Personally, we explored the West side of the park, but we've listed some things to do in both areas below. (Note : If you really want to explore both sides of the park, you could explore the East side during this visit and the West side on your drive from Fort William down to Edinburgh on Day 13.)
Things to Do :
- Pyramid (East) - Technically a large cairn, you can find this pyramid like structure by following the circular woodlands path on Balmoral Estate and heading towards "Prince Albert's Cairn."
- Balmoral Castle (East) - This castle is free to visit, but we've heard you might need to pay for parking. There are also multiple hiking trails nearby (including to the "pyramid") and a cafe.
- Queen's View Visitor Center - "Queen's View" viewpoint is a stunning spot that overlooks Loch Tummel. There's also a cafe/tea room!
- Blair Castle (West) - £17.00 per person to explore the grounds and castle itself, which is home to Europe's only remaining private army.
- Braur Falls (West) - This 1.5 mile walk has a slight incline and brings you to two different waterfalls, the upper and the lower. Beware, it can get muddy in the rainy season though. At the entrance to the hike, there's a delicious fish n' chips house as well!
- Enter the Highlands - As you continue North, no matter which side of the park you're on, you'll eventually enter the highlands! We entered on the West side of the park and there was a nice parking area with a sign.
Places to Stay :
- Rothiemurchus Camp & Caravan Park - Great RV spots with all facilities on site. They also have small cabins for rent if you don't have an RV or campervans! (£33.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- The Speyside Hotel - A fancy, victorian style hotel with a small pool.

Day 5 : Loch Ness & Inverness

Drive to Loch Ness/Inverness :
- About 1 hour North of the center of Cairngorms National Park, Inverness and Loch Ness are arguably one of the most popular areas to visit in Scotland. Namely because of one important mysterious figure, Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.
Things to Do :
- Loch Ness by Jacobite - A 1 hour cruise down the famous Loch Ness, with an optional stop at the Urquhart Castle.
- Rogie Falls - About 30 minutes outside of town, this 1 mile walk will bring you around some stunning sights, a chance to see salmon, and a 30 foot waterfall.
- Inverness Castle - Although this castle has been closed to the public since it was built, it's currently closed for some major renovations with plans to finally open to the public in 2025. You can however see the castle from the nearby bridge over the River Ness.
- Fort George - Admission into this 18th century fortification right along the water will cost you £10.00 per person.
Places to Stay :
- Kessock Caravan Park - Located a little to the North of Inverness and a great place to stop if you're heading towards the North Coast 500. (£30.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa - Hotel in the city center of Inverness with a large pool.

Day 6 : Keith (OR Inverness)

Day Trip to Keith (OR Explore Inverness) :
- Keith is a small town located about 1.5 hours East of Inverness and happens to be part of the Malt Whiskey Trail. We initially stopped here as this is the town where part of Tyler's family originates, however, as one of the cutest small towns we visited in Scotland, we can't help but recommend it to you as well.
Things to Do :
- Strathisla Distillery - The oldest running distillery in the highlands, the majority whiskey produced here goes into Chivas Regal. For £20.00 per person you can head on a distillery tour & whiskey tasting!
- Bow Fiddle Rock - A natural sea arch that requires a 1.6 mile walk to see.
- World's Best Lemon Cheesecake - Ok this may or may not be technically true, but we happened to stop at Boat 'n Barn cafe during our visit and I swear they had the best lemon cheesecake I've ever tasted. The rest of the food was great too!
Places to Stay :
- Keith Holiday Park - Nice campground in the city limits. (£33.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Banff Springs Hotel - The closest hotel to Keith with a bar and restaurant on site.

Note : If you are driving an RV or other vehicle reliant on propane and need to fill up, the Tore Gas Station is the last place to do this before continuing North, with the next LPG fill up near the Isle of Skye.

Day 7 : Begin the North Coast 500

Begin the North Coast 500 :
- The North Coast 500 is exactly that, a 500+ mile stretch of stunning drives along the North Coast of Scotland, also considered one of the best drives in the entire world. Based on our experience, the furthest you would get in one day would be to John O' Groats, which is the furthest North you can drive in Scotland and Great Britain. We recommend taking your time along the coast to explore, and not pushing yourself too hard to make it all the way to John O' Groats.
Things to Do :
- Skelbo Castle - A 14th century castle ruins on private property. We wouldn't necessarily recommend driving out of your way for it, but it's a neat spot if you end up wild camping at the location we mentioned below.
- Golspie Town & Beach - With an award winning beach warning you to keep an eye out for seals, this cute town has a lot to offer. Unfortunately most of it was closed when we visited, but this would be a great spot to stop for lunch, a coffee, ice cream, or other snack!
- Dunrobin Castle & Gardens - For £14.00 per person, you can enter the Dunrobin Castle & Gardens, the largest castle in the northern highlands with 189 rooms that has supposedly been inhabited since the 1300's.
- Badbea Historic Clearance Village - A beautiful short walk that brings you to a historical abandoned settlement built by families once displaced. The trail is quite natural, so we recommend wearing good walking shoes that you don't mind getting dirty.
Places to Stay :
- Seal Watching Wild Camping Spot - if you end up wanting to staying here, head towards Skelbo Castle, there will be a pull off along the water's edge that's open for wild camping. (free!!)
- Evelix Pods Dornoch - Cute, private pods that include a kitchen and heated floor.

Day 8 : John O' Groats

Make it to John O' Groats :
- Spend the morning finishing the rest of the drive to John O' Groats, then the rest of the day exploring this cute coastal town. (Note : Depending on the season, you can also add a day or two while you base here to visit the Orkney Islands.)
Things to Do :
- Cafe Groats - A great spot for a meal with a delicious lobster chowder.
- John O' Groats Brewery - Housed in what is now the oldest building in John O' Groats, the current brewery is in what was once the home of Jan de Groot, who the town is named after. Head through the shop to the back for a small room that can seat about 6 people.
- 8 Doors Distillery - Scotland's northernmost mainland distillery, we weren't able to visit ourselves, but they offer full distillery tours for £24.00 per person that includes a 5 sample tasting.
- Whale Watching Tour - Depending on the season you visit (with the best time being during Summer months) there may or may not be orca & whale watching tours available. This is said to be one of the best areas to see dolphins, orcas, and minke whales so keep your eyes open as you walk along the coast as well!
Places to Stay :
- John O' Groats Caravan and Camping - Campground with all facilities located in town at the end of the road with epic views of the ocean and Orkney Islands. They also have sheep right next to the property! (£20.50 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Seaview Hotel - Located in the city with wifi and laundry services!

Day 9 : Continue the North Coast 500

Continue the North Coast 500 :
- We recommend trying to make it to Durness or even further past that. During our road trip we stopped in Durness because we were having terrible weather, but it made for a bit of a longer drive on Day 10.
Things to Do :
- Dunnet Beach - A beautiful beach with large stretches of white sand. There were only 2 others at the beach when we visited!
- Castletown Beach - Although empty when we visited, this beach is said to be a popular spot for water sports!
- Halladale Inn - The only open restaurant we saw in a long time. Personally, we thought their food was excellent and we highly recommend getting the hot chocolate with cream & marshmallows! (They also are located on a camping/rv park!)
- Strathy Point Lighthouse - The drive to this lighthouse is a little tight, but worth it in our opinion. We not only saw sheep and llamas, but the famous highland cows! Once you make it to the end of the road, it's a short walk out to the lighthouse itself. (p.s. You can actually stay at the lighthouse!!)
Places to Stay :
- Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - Nice campground located right on the beach! (£23.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Halladale Inn Northcoast Touring Park - Nice pitches with all facilities onsite and camping pods if you don't have a camper! They also have a fantastic cafe onsite. :) (£35.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Sango Sands Oasis - Campground located near the cliffsides with breathtaking views. (£31.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Northern Sands Hotel - A small, cottage style hotel located near the beach with a restaurant and bar on site.

Day 10 : End the North Coast 500

End the North Coast :
- Today we would recommend trying to finish the North Coast 500, or at least making it as close to Isle of Skye as you can.
Things to Do :
- Anchorage Bar - Unfortunately this spot was closed when we visited, but we at least had to pay homage to our home state when we had a chance. ;)
- Kylesku Bridge - A stunning bridge with beautiful views overlooking some nearby mountain ranges and a loch. There's also a large parking lot here, perfect for a quick stop to enjoy lunch or a picnic.
- Ardvreck Castle & Calda House - Ruin structures from the 15th century that sits right on the edges of a loch.
- Glacier Detectives Marker - Although the sign itself isn't much, when you stop at this pull off and look towards the cliffs chances are you could see a unique sight. Depending on how much it's rained recently and how windy it is, you might happen to see a waterfall flowing upwards.
Places to Stay :
- Inverewe Gardens Camping and Caravanning Club Site - Make sure to stop by Coffee & Bakes Poolewe in the morning for some excellent pies, baked goods, and incredible hot chocolate - the campground itself also has free wifi!
- Shieldaig Lodge Hotel - Located in the small town of Gairloch, this hotel also looks like an old castle and is near a nature preserve.

Day 11 : Isle of Skye

Begin Exploring the Isle of Skye :
- This Isle is an incredible place, and there's a reason the Isle of Skye is at the top of most people's lists when visiting Scotland. We recommend choosing one of the "loops" to do first - either the southwest loop or northeast loop based on the main roads on the isle - to cut down on backtracking and in order to make the most of your time here! Either way, you'll find some incredibly photogenic spots on the Isle of Skye. Personally, we did the southwest loop first, but of course you can flip flop and do either loop. (Note - This is another place where you could easily add another day to explore. There is so much to do on Isle of Skye, that just having two days will mean having two full days.)
Things to Do :
- Eas a' Bhradain - You'll see this waterfall as you drive by into the Isle of Skye, just after there's a parking area so that you can hike down for a closer view. We loved this waterfall and it wasn't too busy, just very muddy.
- Sligachan Old Bridge - Although we personally weren't too impressed, there's a rumor that if you stick your face into the water under the bridge for 7 seconds and then let it air dry, you'll have eternal beauty.
- Fairy Pools - An iconic stop on the Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools are a collection of a series of waterfalls, some of which also have small "pools" at the bottom of them before turning into the next waterfall. Although the fairy pools themselves are free to visit, you will have to pay for parking and walk about 2.6 miles roundtrip if you want to go to the very end of the trail. During the summer months, many people also choose to go swimming in these pools!
- Neist Point Lighthouse - This free attraction has quite the narrow road leading to it, and even so can get very busy. We didn't do the entire walk down the stairs to the lighthouse itself, but we did go up and to the right for iconic views of the lighthouse and the peninsula that it sits on. We found information saying the hike down to the actual lighthouse itself is only 1.4 miles, however it looked quite steep.
- Dunvegan Castle and Gardens - In order to enter both the castle and gardens it'll cost you £16.50 per person (or £14.50 for just for the gardens) and so we didn't go in ourselves, but we've heard this is one of the most well kept up castles in Scotland!
Places to Stay :
- Skye Camping and Caravanning Club Site - Nice campground right on the bay - they even have highland cows on site!!! (£23.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Sligachan Hotel - Located right at the beginning of Isle of Skye next to the river for some epic views and modern room interiors.

Day 12 : Isle of Skye

Continue Exploring the Isle of Skye :
- On our second day we explored the northeast loop of the Isle of Skye, but like we said above, you can easily flip flop these two days!
Things to Do :
- The Fairy Glen - I'll be honest, although this is an iconic stop on the Isle of Skye, we truly weren't that impressed with the views here compared to the all the others along the Isle. Although it's a beautiful, peaceful spot, if you're short on time this is one that we think you could skip.
- Duntulm Castle - Although the castle itself isn't as impressive, it's the location that'll leave your jaw dropping. Situated right on the edge of cliffs with free roaming sheep, the hike out to the castle is short and worth it, however it's worth noting that it can get very windy here.
- Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls - With a large parking lot, these incredible views don't require hardly any of a hike. With a stunning waterfalls cascading over the cliffs into the ocean, this is arguably one of the best sights on the entire Isle.
- The Old Man of Storr - This giant rock will stick out of the landscape for miles, and I'll be honest this was a bit too long of a hike for us with the amount of time we had. However, if you're looking to get a closer look, then you're looking at a 3.4. mile hike that on average takes people about 2 hours.
- Portree - This adorable seaside town is a great place to stay the night or just stop for a meal. We stopped at the fish n' chips shop on the marine and although they don't have any seating, it was a great meal even on the go!
Places to Stay :
- Portree Campsite - Campsite with views of the mountain ranges and laundry services! (£29.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Bracken Hide Hotel - A unique, self contained hut with mountain views that even has free breakfast and parking.

13 : Fort William

Begin the Journey back to Edinburgh :
- I'll be completely honest, we didn't do much this day other than drive back towards Edinburgh and clean up the RV to get it ready to return. If you want to add more to your adventures in Scotland, this is a great chance to explore more of the West side of Cairngorms National Park. (See more on Day 4.) You can also explore some sights near Fort Williams, which we've listed below.
Things to Do :
- Steall Waterfall - Featured on Harry Potter, this 120 meter waterfall is stunning, and is just over 2 miles.
- Nevis Range Mountain Gondola - At just under £25.00 per person for a day pass, this gondola ride reaches heights of 650 meters and offers stunning views of Ben Nevis Mountain.
- Jacobite Steam Train - Considered one of the best train rides in the entire world, and largely referred to as the "Harry Potter Train," the entire ride takes about 6 hours and costs £89.00 per person for a return ride.
Places to Stay :
- Ben Nevis Holiday Park - Very large pitches with many cabins to rent as well, they also have nice shower and bathroom facilities and sometimes even live, local music! (£29.00 per night for electric motorhome pitch)
- Nevis Bank Inn - Located right in town with free parking!