
If a Scotland Highlands road trip itinerary is on your bucket list, you’ve come to the right place! This itinerary will allow you to experience the very best of the Highlands in the best way possible – by car!
Whether you dream of seeing romantic castles, fairytale-like scenery, or stunning lochs, or are excited to sample ALL the scotch you can, this road trip has a little bit of everything to help you make the most of your visit to the Scottish Highlands.
Planning your trip? Use our favorite resources!
For accommodations – Hotels.com | Expedia | VRBO
For car rentals – Discover Cars
For tours & excursions – Viator
For cheap flights – FareDrop
For travel insurance – Safety Wing
So what part of Scotland is considered the Highlands?
The Scottish Highlands cover almost 10,000 square miles in northern Scotland and also include the surrounding islands. This Scotland itinerary will give you a fantastic overview of the Highlands and allow you to experience so much in just 10 days.

Here’s the breakdown of your Scottish Highlands itinerary:
Day 1 – Glasgow to Oban
Day 2 – Day trip to the Isle of Mull
Day 3 – Oban to Fort William
Day 4 – Fort William to the Isle of Skye
Day 5 – Isle of Skye
Day 6 – Isle of Skye
Day 7 – Isle of Skye to Inverness
Day 8 – Inverness to Cairngorms National Park
Day 9 – Cairngorms National Park to Trossachs National Park
Day 10 – Trossachs National Park to Glasgow
Let’s dive in, shall we?
10 Day Scotland Highlands Road Trip Itinerary
To make the most of this itinerary, I recommend arriving in either Glasgow or Edinburgh the night before and getting your rental car either that night or first thing on the morning of Day 1. Further down in this blog post, I’ll discuss the best ways to arrive in Scotland depending on where you are coming from.
For the sake of consistency, I’ve set the starting and ending location to Glasgow for this trip, but if it works better for you to begin and end in Edinburgh, you can do that as well. The cities are close together (a little over an hour apart by car) so the driving time on the first and last day of this itinerary won’t be much different regardless of which city you start in.

Day 1 – Glasgow to Oban
Total Distance: 97 miles
Length of Drive: 2 hours 15 minutes
Head out this morning and drive towards Oban.
You’ll be heading through Trossachs National Park to get to Oban, so you have a few options on how you can spend your day.
You can take some time in Trossachs National Park and see some of the sights in the area. There are plenty of hiking trails, castles, cute villages, and fun attractions in and around the national park.
If you want to start off your trip with some castle ruins, Buchanan Castle and Kilchurn Castle are some great choices.
Sea Life Loch Lomond is a neat aquarium for those traveling with kids.
For those who want to do some hiking, consider Finnich Glen, Ben Lomond, or Pucks Glen.
And if you are a whisky fan, visit Glengoyne Distillery.
You’ll be heading back to Trossachs National Park on the last day of this itinerary as well, so you can plan some of these things for today and some for the last day or however you’d like to arrange your trip.
For those who would rather spend more time in the city of Oban, there are lots of great ways to enjoy your day there.
An obvious choice is to book a tour of the Oban Distillery, one of the most famous whisky brands. You can either sample 4 drams of their whisky or do a tour and then taste one sample, whichever appeals to you the most.
There’s more to Oban than just the whisky, though! You can explore Dunollie Museum, Castle & Grounds to learn more about the Clan MacDougall and their history in the area. There’s also the Oban War & Peace Museum and Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel.
Don’t forget to take some time to explore the harbor area and eat some great local seafood! There are plenty of options to suit every budget.
At the end of the day, head up to McCaig’s Tower and Battery Hill and watch the sunset.

Day 2 – Day trip to the Isle of Mull
Today you’ll take a ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull, a stunning island with tons to explore.
The ferry that services Oban to Craignure is CalMac. You can find all the information on ticket prices and times here.
If you want to see as much of the island as possible in one day, I’d suggest getting a reservation for your car and taking it to the island. You’ll be able to cover more ground and get to all the spots you want to see.
You can also rely on the bus system on the island, but you will be more restricted on times and where you can go. You can find all the information on the Isle of Mull bus here.
For those who want a different experience, you could rent a bicycle or an e-bike and get around that way.
As far as things to see and do, there are so many options!
If you want to spend your day hiking, Ben More is a great choice and will give you a fantastic view of the entire island! I’d only recommend this hike if the weather is decent though because otherwise it can be a dangerous hike and you won’t get the nice views that make the hike worth it in the first place.
If you want to spend your day a little more low-key, you can visit the Tobermory Distillery and spend some time in the town. There are some good restaurants and shops there.
Some other highlights on the island include Eas Fors Waterfall and Duart Castle. There are also lots of beaches where you can relax on the sand and have a picnic.
I’d recommend catching a ferry back to Oban tonight so you can head out from the city in the morning.

Day 3 – Oban to Fort William
Total Distance: 82 miles
Length of Drive: 2 hours
Today you are going to see some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Scotland!
When you leave Oban, head east along A85 to Tyndrum and then make your way towards Glencoe (also spelled Glen Coe) along A82. This will give you the perfect drive through Glencoe and the gorgeous mountains.
As you drive, feel free to stop and take as many pictures as you want – everywhere you look is going to be stunning!
I highly recommend you take the detour through Glen Etive to Loch Etive. This was one of our favorite areas in Glencoe. We saw dozens of red deer and the loch itself is gorgeous. It has been featured in multiple movies such as Harry Potter and James Bond.

There are also plenty of great places to take a hike if you want to get out and stretch your legs. Some good choices include Buachaille Etive Mor, Buachaille Etive Beag, and Hidden Valley. I highly recommend using AllTrails to find the best hiking trails in the area.
Once you drive through Glencoe, continue north on A82 towards the Fort William area.
There are several things you can choose to do here. You can head toward the Ben Nevis Visitor Center and spend some time hiking around there. Since the hike to Ben Nevis (the highest peak in Britain) takes an entire day, I’d suggest going to see Lower Falls and Steall Waterfall.
If you’d rather spend some time closer to Fort William, you can walk around Old Inverlochy Castle, see the engineering ingenuity of Neptune’s Staircase, or sample some whisky at Ben Nevis Distillery.
Grab some dinner in town and stay the night in Fort William.

Day 4 – Fort William to the Isle of Skye
Total Distance: 90 miles
Length of Drive: 2 hours 45 minutes
Today you’ll drive through Glenfinnan on your way to catch the ferry to the Isle of Skye.
If you are a Harry Potter fan, you must stop and see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was made famous from the movies. If you’re lucky, you can catch the Jacobite steam train (the Harry Potter train) crossing! Check out the train’s timetable here.
You should also take a few minutes while in Glenfinnan to check out the Glenfinnan Monument and Saint Mary & Saint Finnan Catholic Church. Each of these will take only a few minutes to explore but are worth the stop.
Once you’ve made your way to Mallaig, you’ll catch a ferry to Armadale and the Isle of Skye. In the summer, there is a ferry about every hour and the trip takes 45 minutes. You can view the prices and timetable here.
NOTE: In the winter the ferry only runs a couple of times a day, so it may not work to take the ferry in the off-season. You may have to drive the long way to Skye if this is the case. The drive from Fort William to the Fairy Pools takes about 2.5 hours, so you can decide if you have time or want to make the stops in Glenfinnan before heading to Skye.
Once you get to the Isle of Skye, whether you took the ferry or drive across the bridge, head to the Fairy Pools.

The Fairy Pools are a stunning collection of rock pools and waterfalls branching off from the River Brittle with gorgeous mountains in the background. You can spend as much or as little time here as you’d like.
At the very least, take the footpath down along the river and see the crystal-clear water in the pools. You can see how this place got its name – it feels very magical and otherworldly!
Afterward, if you have the time and desire, make a stop at the Talisker Distillery. We had a great visit here since Sam loves their whisky, and the tour was very informative, even for someone like me who knows practically nothing about Scotch.
When you’re finished for the day, make your way to Portree, the largest town on the Isle of Skye. This will be a great place to base yourself for the next two days since it will have the most accommodation options, grocery stores, and restaurants.

Day 5 – Isle of Skye
Total Distance: 41 miles
Length of Drive: 1 hour 15 minutes
Today you’ll be exploring the northeast section of the isle. There is a road that makes the whole loop around, and you can go either way.
pro tip:
If you want to take a hike first, I suggest going counterclockwise so you can hike Old Man of Storr early. If you are more interested in seeing the Fairy Glen with as few people as possible, then take the route clockwise.
Since we took the route clockwise when we went, I’ll mention the attractions in that order, but know you can go either direction.
Start off your day early at the Fairy Glen. This stunning area is full of unique formations and beautiful scenery. Take some time to walk around and soak it all in.

When you’re finished here, hop back in the car and make your way to the Quiraing, a famous landslip with great hiking that rewards you with beautiful views.
There’s a great hike here that will take you about two hours and is 3.9 miles round trip. If the weather is good it’s worth it, but if it’s rainy and cloudy you might want to skip it as you may not be able to see anything. That was the case for us, so it’s on the list for next time!
After the Quiraing, head to Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls for a quick peek at the waterfall that pours into the ocean over a pleated rock formation. You only need a few minutes here to snap a few photos.
Next, drive to the Old Man of Storr, a famous rock formation where you can also take a nice hike. If you don’t want to hike, you can just admire it from the road.
This hike will take you about 1.5 hours to complete and is 3 miles roundtrip. As with the Quiraing, if the weather is bad it probably won’t be worth hiking since it can be very slippery and you won’t be able to see anything. Our day on this section of the Isle was rainy, so we missed all the hikes, but on our next trip, we’ll be hitting up these hikes for sure!
Spend the rest of the day in Portree. Walk around and see the colorful buildings by the harbor and grab a bite to eat in town.
If you aren’t tired of walking yet, take the Scorrybreac Trail to get a nice view of the loch and harbor.

Day 6 – Isle of Skye
Total Distance: 75 miles
Length of Drive: 2 hours 30 minutes
Today you’ll be heading out to the westernmost part of the Isle of Skye.
Start your day by driving to Coral Beach, about 45 minutes from Portree.
This is a wonderful place to spend some time when the sun is out. The white beach created from bleached Coralline seaweed makes this place look like a tropical paradise, even if the water may not be as warm as it seems!
Take some time to walk along the beach, check out the rock pools, and view Lampay Island.
Once you’re finished at Coral Beach, backtrack to Dunvegan Castle & Gardens. This stunning estate is worth exploring for an hour or two. You can even go out on a boat to view the Loch Dunvegan seal colony up close!
While you’re in Dunvegan, if you’re looking for something a little unique and off the beaten path to explore, check out the Giant Agnus MacAskill Museum, a museum dedicated to the tallest Scotsman who ever lived, at 7ft 8in tall!
Make your way to your last stop of the day, Neist Point.

Neist Point is the westernmost part of the Isle of Skye and has a lighthouse you can walk out to. Take the hike out and then afterward don’t miss the lighthouse lookout point located up a trail to the right of the car park. We somehow missed this on our trip and I was so disappointed!
Drive back to Portree for the night.

Day 7 – Isle of Skye to Inverness
Total Distance: 113 miles
Length of Drive: 2 hours 30 minutes
Say goodbye to the Isle of Skye! Today you’ll head back to the mainland and make your way to Inverness and Loch Ness.
Shortly after you leave the Isle of Skye, don’t miss a stop at Eilean Donan Castle.
This is one of the most photographed and popular castles in Scotland. While I didn’t think the inside of the castle was all that impressive, it’s definitely worth stopping to take some pictures of the outside.
pro tip:
If you want the best view of the castle, head up to the Eilean Donan Lookout. You’ll find it by taking a left out of the castle parking lot, and then taking the first right, and then the first right again. The road will take you up to an amazing viewpoint where you can see the castle and the stunning lochs and hills around it.
From Eilean Donan Castle, keep driving along A87 to A887, stopping to take pictures and admiring the landscape as you go. Then take A82 along Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle.

This was one of my favorite castle ruins to explore. The view of Loch Ness is just spectacular and the grounds were really neat to walk around. Even if you feel “castled-out,” don’t miss this one. Maybe you’ll even spot Nessie while you’re there!
Once you’re done at Urquhart, head up to Inverness, often called the capital of the Highlands. Spend some time exploring the city. If you’d rather spend more time along Loch Ness, you could consider a boat tour on the lake.
Stay in Inverness for the night.

Day 8 – Inverness to Cairngorms National Park
Total Distance: 52 miles
Length of Drive: 1 hour 30 minutes
Today you’ll head toward Cairngorms National Park.
As you leave Inverness, you should make a stop at the Culloden Battlefield. Even if you aren’t an Outlander fan, this site is a great place to explore and learn about the history of the Jacobite uprising in 1745.
After checking out the visitor center to get the lay of the land, you can then wander the grounds and take a look at the monuments and clan markers.
After you’re finished here, make a quick stop at the Clava Cairns.

These bronze-age cairns were part of prehistoric burial grounds. It’s pretty fascinating to see something so old still intact. Take a few minutes to walk around and explore.
From here, make your way into Cairngorms National Park.
There are plenty of things to do here depending on your interests. You can do some hiking, explore the Tomatin Distillery, check out some old bridges, or just explore the quaint towns.
When we were here, we went to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre and had an amazing time.
We got to take a hike out to the reindeer herd and learned all about them. We also got to feed them.

I felt like a little kid and had an absolute blast here. They usually only schedule one trip a day, so check their website to see when they are running and to buy tickets if you are interested.
Depending on the time of the hike, you may want to come here first and then backtrack to Culloden and Clava Cairns later if those are of interest to you.
We didn’t get to spend a ton of time in Cairngorms National Park when we visited other than the reindeer centre, but there is so much to do here and I can’t wait to go back and see more!
At the end of the day, you can stay in one of the villages in the national park. Aviemore is one of the larger ones and has a few options.

Day 9 – Cairngorms National Park to Trossachs National Park
Total Distance: 115 miles
Length of Drive: 2 hours 45 minutes
Today you’ll be heading from one national park to another.
You can spend some more time in the Cairngorms this morning if you missed anything yesterday, and then you’ll head south towards Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond.
There are a few things of interest along the way. Queen’s View Visitor Centre is a great place to take a little walk and stretch your legs. There’s also a tea room if you’d like a spot of tea.
If you are a Monty Python fan, you can find the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog’s cave at the Tomnadashan Mine along Loch Tay. Parking can be difficult though as it’s a tight single-track road.
Once you reach Trossachs National Park, I’d recommend spending your time along the many lochs here. Drive around and explore the cute villages and the gorgeous scenery. Luss is one of the most popular villages on Loch Lomond and would also be a good place to stay for the night. There’s even a cute Faerie Trail there that would be a lot of fun to do with kids.
If you’d rather do a longer hike, Ben Lomond is a great option. It will take about 4-6 hours to complete, so make sure you have enough time in the day to finish it. There are also dozens of other hikes throughout the national park. Check out the options on AllTrails to find one that suits you.
Stay in one of the villages for the night.

Day 10 – Trossachs National Park to Glasgow
Total Distance: 39 miles
Length of Drive: 1 hour 15 minutes
Today’s your last day! If your flight leaves in the evening, you can head to the airport this morning, but if you have the whole day to explore, you have a few choices.
You could spend more time in Trossachs National Park, maybe get out on the waters of Loch Lomond and do an island discovery cruise or take a hike.
You could also head into Glasgow and spend the day in the city. There are tons of things to do there, including museums, cathedrals, abbeys, theatres, and much more.
We only had a few hours in Glasgow when we visited and only got to see Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, but we enjoyed our time there and recommend it.
In the evening, return your car and catch your flight home!

If you have less than 10 days for the Scottish Highlands…
If you don’t have enough time for this 10-day road trip in Scotland, no worries! There are several ways you can modify this itinerary to fit your schedule.
3-5 days
I’d suggest staying in the southwestern part of the Highlands and exploring Oban, the Isle of Mull, Trossachs National Park, and Glencoe/Fort William. Prioritize the things you want to see the most among these options with the number of days you have.
6-7 days
With around a week to explore, I’d see the places above and then add on the Isle of Skye. You could even head up to Inverness if you’ve got the time, but I’d cut out Cairngorms National Park and save that for another trip.
If you are interested in a great 7-day Scotland road trip for first-timers that includes Edinburgh and hits a lot of the places on this itinerary, check out this post.
8-9 days
If you have 8 days, I would recommend cutting out the second day on the Isle of Skye and also cutting out the last day in Loch Lomond. You can explore Trossachs National Park on the day you drive to Oban.
If you have 9 days, you can decide if you’d rather spend two days on the Isle of Skye or the extra day in Loch Lomond and cut the other one.

If you have more than 10 days for the Scottish Highlands…
If you’ve got time for more than a 10-day Scotland road trip, lucky you! There are SO many things you can do to extend this Highlands itinerary.
- You can explore additional islands like Lewis & Harris in the Outer Hebrides. You can take the ferry from Uig on the Isle of Skye to Tarbert. Here you can find beautiful beaches, standing stones, distilleries, and places a little more off the normal tourist radar.
- You can drive the North Coast 500, which takes you on a loop through the northernmost part of Scotland to a less crowded but just as stunning area of the country.
- You could add additional days on the Isle of Skye or any of the other areas where you’d rather spend a little more time. You could also spend an extra day or two on the Isle of Mull and take a day trip out to the Isle of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave.
- If you want to spend some time in the bigger cities, consider adding a day or two for Glasgow and/or Edinburgh. These cities have very different vibes but they both have so much to offer.

Best time to visit the Scotland Highlands
While Scotland is beautiful to visit in every season, there are definitely pros and cons to each depending on what you’d like to do. Here are some things to think about to help you decide the best time to visit the Scottish Highlands.
The most popular season to visit the Scotland Highlands is summer (July and August). The days are long, the weather is warm, and just about all the attractions and restaurants are open. There are also lots of festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Highland Games.
But this is also the busiest and most crowded time of year. Hotels and places to stay are more expensive and fill up fast, and the narrow roads have a lot more traffic, which could make it more stressful if you aren’t used to one-lane roads. You also will have to deal with the midges, which are biting insects that come out this time of year. If you want a quieter experience, summer is probably not the best choice.
May, June, September, and October are the shoulder months and are some of the best times to take road trips through the Scottish Highlands. There are fewer people, reasonable prices, and many attractions are open. The weather also tends to cooperate a little more during these months.
The only downsides during these months are that the days are not as long as in the summer and temperatures can still be chilly. You probably won’t be doing any swimming this time of year, so if you love the water and want to have that experience in Scotland, this might not be the right time to visit.
November to April is the low season for Scotland. There is the possibility of snow in the winter which makes driving more difficult, and there are lots of attractions that are closed. You might also have a harder time finding a place to stay.
However, if you enjoy winter sports, you could definitely go skiing in the Highlands. There are also a lot fewer people around, and the landscape covered in snow is absolutely stunning.
No matter what time to decide to visit the Scottish Highlands, you won’t be disappointed!

How To Get To The Scotland Highlands
The best way to get to the Scotland Highlands is by car, bus, or train, but you’ll have to get into Scotland first.
The two major international airports are Glasgow (GLA) and Edinburgh (EDI). You can fly into either one, depending on what works best for your budget and schedule. The two cities are pretty close together so it doesn’t really matter where you fly into.
I use Google Flights to check flight prices and track them so I can get the best deal.
If you are coming from another country in Europe, you can also get here by bus or train. I like the website Rome2Rio to help me find the best, cheapest public transportation options and to look at timetables.
If you are in England you could also consider the Caledonian Sleeper train from London. You can actually take this train all the way to Inverness or Fort William, so if you’d like, you could start your road trip from there instead of Glasgow or Edinburgh.

How To Get Around The Scotland Highlands
You will need your own vehicle in order to follow this itinerary since you will be going to places that public transportation does not reach.
However, you should note that many roads in the Highlands are narrow and one-lane, and since you are in the UK, you’ll be driving on the left side of the road.
If you are from mainland Europe or North America this might seem really stressful, so if you are not a confident driver you might want to consider another option or have someone else drive.
I’ve driven in the UK quite a bit and the first day is always a little nerve-wracking, but after that, it’s pretty smooth sailing. I find that since you are sitting on the opposite side of the car, it feels more natural to drive on the other side of the road.
Take your time and don’t let it stress you out too much – a road trip through Scotland really is amazing and you should definitely do it if you can!
I highly recommend using Discover Cars to book your car rental. They search hundreds of rental companies and have great prices, and you always get free cancellation and 24/7 customer service.
NOTE: most cars in the UK have manual transmissions. If you do not drive a manual car as a daily driver, I’d highly recommend spending the extra money to rent an automatic. You don’t want to be trying to learn to drive on the other side of the road AND remembering how to shift (with your other hand, I might add).
If driving sounds too stressful for you, there are other ways to experience the Highlands. You can take public transportation to the major towns and cities, but you’ll be more restricted on where you can go. You won’t be able to get out to the rural areas and you might not be able to spend as much time as you’d like at each location.
You could also consider basing yourself in Glasgow or Edinburgh and taking day trips with a tour company. Check out websites like GetYourGuide or Viator to see all the options available.
You can also join a multi-day group tour where you don’t have to plan a thing. I like Tour Radar for finding and comparing all the companies and what they have to offer.

What To Pack For Your Scotland Highlands Road Trip
Regardless of what season you are visiting Scotland, you’ll need to pack pretty similar items. The weather is always changing and it can go from sunny one minute to rainy and windy the next. You’ll want to make sure you’re prepared no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
Here are some items you should consider when packing for your Scotland Highlands road trip.
Plug adapter/converter
Scotland uses a type G power plug. If you aren’t from the UK, you might need an adapter. I’d definitely recommend a plug adapter that is also a power converter so you don’t fry any of your electronics.
Camera
A good phone camera will serve you well for most shots, like all the amazing landscapes you’re going to see. Trust me, you’ll want to take pictures of EVERYTHING.
But if you have one, I’d definitely recommend bringing an actual camera with a zoom lens so you can get some close-up shots of the adorable sheep, hairy coos (those adorable shaggy cows), and red deer you may see.
Hiking shoes & good socks
Since there’s a good chance you’ll be hiking and exploring in all sorts of weather, I suggest bringing actual hiking boots or shoes and a good pair of wool socks. You want to keep your feet warm and dry, and you want to make sure you have something comfortable and supportive for all the different trails and streets you’ll be on.
Rain jacket
There’s a 99% chance you’ll experience rain at some point on your trip to the Scottish Highlands, but don’t let that ruin your trip! Bring along a good rain jacket so you can still enjoy yourself!
Bug spray
If you are visiting Scotland in the summer you’ll probably encounter midges, a pesky biting insect. Bring some really good bug spray and apply it liberally. Ticks can also be a problem, so make sure you check yourself when you get back from any hiking or outdoor activities.
Layers
Pack a variety of clothes that can be layered for any kind of weather and temperature and you’ll be set.
Day Pack
I love having a day pack separate from my suitcase so that I can throw in everything I need for the day’s adventures and then just head out. I like having one that’s big enough to store my extra layers, snacks, water bottle, camera, and anything else I deem necessary that day.
Laundry detergent sheets
I never travel anywhere without laundry detergent sheets. I always keep a few of these in my suitcase so I don’t have to remember to bring them – they are always on hand so I can do a load of laundry whenever I need to.
Power bank
A power bank is practically a necessity for travel these days. You always want to make sure your phone is charged so you can take photos, navigate, and double-check your hotel reservation address.
Conclusion: Scotland Highlands Road Trip Itinerary
No matter when you visit, a road trip through the Scotland Highlands will not disappoint. The stunning scenery, the amazing castles and landmarks, and so much more will be sure to make your trip unforgettable.
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