Scotland. That land where you’ll see 8 rainbows in one day and the rolling green hills never stop. With Ireland and England next door, Scotland is seriously overlooked. On our Ireland & UK road trip, it was my absolute favorite country. The landscape is utterly unique to anything I’ve ever seen, the people are so friendly, the fresh seafood is to die for.. the best way to describe Scotland is MAGIC.
My Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide is below. Read on to find my suggested itinerary and then more details for each location.
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Suggested Itinerary
- Loch Lomond
- The Isles
- Loch Ness
- St. Andrews
- Edinburgh
Fly into Glasgow if you can as Loch Lomond is just 30 minutes North of the city. Edinburgh is a short drive away, so you can also fly in there if needed, but this will add time to your journey.
Rent a car so you have the freedom to travel wherever you want. The roads are easy to drive on and it doesn’t take too long to adjust to the other side.
Download the Harry Potter audiobooks to play on your road trip. It makes is a 100% more fun, trust me.
Start – Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a beautiful oasis of Scotish charm. Made famous by the song Loch Lomond, it attracts international visitors, but you wouldn’t know it. Nestled between Ben Lomond and other stunning hills, this lake is peaceful and serene. You can enjoy walking around it, boating on it, or even take a seaplane trip. I suggest starting here because it’s a great way to jump into nature and start your vacation off to a relaxing start.
Hotel
Book 2-3 nights at the Cameron House on Loch Lomond. This was my hotel of our entire 3-week honeymoon. It looks like a castle, the interiors are beautifully decorated and they have the best free breakfast, ever. Book here so you can earn free nights.
Happy Hour
Grab drinks at the Great Scots Bar. Make sure to grab a seat on the porch that overlooks the lake. They have fire pits, heat lamps, and blankets to stay warm on chilly days.
Dinner
Eat at the Boat House and try the seafood pizza for something new.
Things To Do
- Walk around the Loch
- Hike Ben Lomond (whole day activity)
- Golf
- Take a boat cruise around the Loch
- Visit the Doune Castle
- Book a seaplane tour
- Learn how to do Clay Pigeon Shooting
- Visit the spa at Cameron House
- Have traditional afternoon tea at Cameron House
- Go on a Pony Trekk
You can read my blog post dedicated to Cameron House here to learn more.
The Isle of Islay
This is the whisky isle. Well, the famous one at least. There are distilleries all over Scotland, but The Isle of Islay is home to brands like Lagavulin. If whisky and distillery tours are your jam, make sure to visit this Isle! It’s a bit of a challenge to get there, so make sure you stay at least 2 nights to make it worth your time.
Transporation
Catch THIS ferry to the Isle. The trip will take about 2 hours and make sure to reserve in advance so you can grab a spot for your car.
Hotel
Stay at the Islay House in Port Ellen so you are near distilleries, the ferry and more food options.
Best Distilleries To Visit
- Lagavulin – tours are £6, or£35 for the ultimate experience. I gave my husband a bottle of Lagavulin 16 on our wedding day. It’s a great tour to start with.
- Bowmore – tours are £7 and tastings start at £20. This brand is a top-notch whisky brand, so head here if you’re a whisky nerd.
- Laphroaig – tours are£10 and include a tasting of 3 drams. If you want to get your hands dirty try their £15 peat harvest expeirence. Or, if you want to go really big, do their £100 ultimate water tour which is over 4 hours long and allows you to live as a distiller for a day.
The Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye was my favorite part of Scotland. The drive from the Low Lands to the Highlands will take your breath away. The seafood here is the best in the world. Make sure to stay at least 2 nights in the Isle of Skye to make enough time to relax and see everything.
Hotel
Stay at the Sligachan outside of Portree so you can wake up in nature.
Eat
At the Sea Breezes for the best seafood dinner of your life. Make sure to call for reservations – they usually book up fast each night.
Top Things To Do
- Hike The Old Man Of Storr
- Visit the Fairy Pools
- Whiksy taste at Tasliker or visit a local brewery
- Shop in downtown Portree for local wool goods
- Tour the Eileen Donan Castle
Want more Isle of Skye ideas? Read my whole blog post dedicated to the Isle here.
Loch Ness
On your way down from the Isle of Skye, make sure to spend 1-2 nights along Loch Ness so you can go hunting for Nessie. Yes, I’m serious. There are a lot of fun to visit places made popular in songs, books and media. Just like Loch Lomond, Loch Ness offers plenty to see, do and eat for a relaxing few days if you are looking for more nature time.
Hotel
Stay at the Loch Ness Lodge & Spa for a luxurious stay on the loch. You’ll find sweeping views and stunning rooms.
Eat
Head to the charming Dores Inn for homebaked food and killer views of the area.
Things To Do
- Visit the Urquhart Castle
- Hike the Falls of Foyers
- Hunt for the Loch Ness Monster
- Cruise on the loch
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St. Andrews
Are you a golf fan? If so, make sure to add a night or two at St. Andrews. We didn’t have time to stop here, but Robin was geeking out about the idea of playing a round at Royal St. Andrews.
Hotel
Lodge at the Macdonald Hotel for a luxury stay next to the courses.
Eat
Head to the Blackhorn for a great burger between rounds of golf.
Things To Do
- Golf at the Royal St. Andrews
- Tour the Eden Mill distillery
- Visit the St. Andrews Castle
- More golf?
Edinburgh
Last stop – Edinburgh! Make sure to spend at least 3 nights here to allow time to explore the winding, magical streets of this city. Edinburgh quickly made my list of most beautiful cities in the world. Everything feels magical and almost out of Harry Potter which is understandable, considering JK Rowling wrote the first few books while living here)
Return Your Car at the airport and take the Airlink downtown. There is wifi on the bus, it takes about 30 minutes.
Hotel
Stay at the Ibis Hotel for a good location, small but cute rooms and a decent free breakfast.
Eat
For food, my favorites were the Elephant House (where JK Rowling wrote) and Oink down Victoria Street for an amazing pulled pork sandwich.
Drink
Grab at drink at the Big Lebowski bar for the most creative themed bar I have ever been to. Make sure to try a few different cocktails, they are all so fun and unique.
Things To Do
- Visit the Edinburgh Castle – go right away in the morning to avoid crowds.
- Walk around Old Town Edinburgh for charming streets.
- Stroll the Princes Street Garden.
- Visit the National Gallery (it’s free!)
- Hike to the top of King Arthur’s Seat
I hope this helps you plan an amazing trip to Scotland! We both fell in love with the country on our honeymoon and can’t wait to go back. If you have any questions or need advice, please please leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you asap! Or, if you have tips to add, leave a comment!
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I can’t wait to go here! It seriously loos GORGEOUS. I’m very into the fall muted colors.
xx
-Skyler
navigatingthis.com
Author
You would LOVE it here!!!! Put it on your list ASAP girlfriend!
Kara