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A firm favorite with travelers across the globe, Scotland is one of those countries that really ought to be on your bucket list. It is more than just an addition to a trip to England: Scotland is a place you could spend a lifetime and never bore. However much time you have to spare, you can be sure of a great time in Scotland, but trust us when we say, the longer you can give to Scotland, the more you’ll get – and that is not true of everywhere.
Starting in Edinburgh and ending in Glasgow (though it works just as well in reverse) our 7 day Scotland itinerary will take you through some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Plus, you’ll be able to sample Scotland’s delicious cuisine in authentic restaurants just as the locals do. Follow our itinerary and you’ll get to visit some gems that most tourists don’t even know existed.
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When to visit Scotland
Summer is the main tourist season, with July and August being the busiest months. They generally bring the best weather, but whenever you visit, pack for all seasons as we often say we get all four in one day. As with most places, hotel prices are higher during peak season, so visiting through the shoulder seasons is our best advice.
April, May and October are my favorite times to visit Scotland. The weather is generally calm and restaurants and attractions are open but tend to be quieter. Scotland is great in winter too; Edinburgh hosts a fantastic Christmas Market and has the best Hogmanay (New Year’s) celebrations in the country.
If you do visit during winter, be prepared for often sub-zero temperatures – particularly in The Highlands – and have a back-up plan in case transport is affected by adverse weather. Sometimes that back-up plan is as simple as having in mind a fireplace to gather around.
Getting to Scotland
By air
If you’re just visiting Scotland, or it’s your first stop on your UK adventure, you’ll likely arrive by air. Edinburgh and Glasgow both have major international airports with flights to destinations across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. If you’re heading straight to The Highlands, Inverness Airport is ideal, although you’ll need to connect in London or Amsterdam. All are well connected with the city centers.
By land
A great way to visit Scotland is to hire a car and set your own schedule. If you’re coming from England, you can pick up your car south of the border and drive to Scotland as the UK is all one country, there’s no need to pay a fee or even tell your rental company you’re going to Scotland.
Many also offer the option to drop your car off at a different location, so you could start your trip in London, see England and Wales and finish up in Scotland.
If you prefer public transport, Scotland has excellent rail connections with England. Direct trains run from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow with a journey time of around 4.5 hours. There are also regular trains from Manchester, York and Newcastle. Fares are often cheaper when booked in advance, so check times and book ahead of time.
A cheaper alternative is to take the bus, whilst it takes around 10 hours to travel between London and Edinburgh or Glasgow, it’s a great way to save on a night’s accommodation.
Travel tip: Unless stated otherwise, all the stops on this 7 Day Scotland Itinerary are accessible by public transport.
7 Day Scotland Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh
We know that one day in Edinburgh is never enough, so if you can, add on a couple of days before starting our 7 Day Scotland Itinerary. That said, there’s an amazing amount you can pack into a day in Scotland’s historic capital.
Edinburgh Castle should be at the top of your list. Perched on a hillside in the Old Town, the castle is home to the Honours of Scotland. If you thought the Tower of London was the only place to see crown jewels in the UK, think again. Scotland’s crown jewels are older than their English counterparts, dating back to the 15th century.
The best way to see the castle is to take a guided tour; there’s so much to see and with a tour, you can be sure of not missing anything. The castle also hosts the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a military spectacle which runs everyday throughout August.
Next, take a wander down the Royal Mile which runs for a mile between the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. If you want to get beneath the surface of the Royal Mile, consider taking a tour with a local which includes all the main sights, with a lot of history thrown in.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is another Edinburgh highlight. Having served as the royal residence in Scotland since the 14th century, it’s now also home to the devolved Scottish Parliament. The palace is open to visitors year-round.
Round off the first day of your 7 Day Scotland Itinerary on Princes Street. Edinburgh’s most famous street, this is the place to go for a spot of retail therapy. In between browsing the shops, take a look at the Gothic Scott Monument. It takes 30 minutes to climb the stairs to the top, but the views are well worth it.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
There really is no end to the hotels to choose from in Edinburgh, although if you’re coming during August you’ll want to book well in advance. With just one night in Edinburgh on our 7 day Scotland itinerary, the best bet is to pick a centrally located hotel. Opt for accommodation in the Old Town or New Town to be closest to the action.
Day 2: The Kingdom of Fife
Leaving Edinburgh behind, no matter how you’re traveling, this morning you’ll cross the Firth of Forth. Famous for its three bridges, whichever you cross, the views are stunning. The most impressive is the railway bridge, completed in 1890 and iconic with its red iron cantilevers.
To get a view of the bridges you can’t get from crossing them, take a cruise on the Maid of the Forth. It leaves from South Queensferry, at the south side of the bridges, so you won’t need to go out of your way to enjoy it.
St Andrews
Once you’ve crossed the Forth, enter the Kingdom of Fife. Now a county, it was once an important kingdom held by the Picts who settled Scotland in the Middle Ages. The largest town, and an unmissable stop on this 7 Day Scotland Itinerary is St Andrews.
Famous the world over as the “home of golf”, this small town is a place of pilgrimage for golf fanatics. No matter what your ability, there’s the opportunity to play a round at one of the tencourses. If you have a deeper interest, take a tour of the Old Course, endorsed by David Joy, no less.
St Andrews Cathedral dates from the 12th century. Now mostly ruins, St Rule’s Tower still stands. Climb to the top for some of the best views of St Andrews and out across the Firth of Tay to Dundee.
St Andrews Castle, once home to the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews, has a fascinating history. When you visit, take an eery walk through the bottle dungeon, a jail carved into the rock.
St Andrews has some great lunch spots, too. Being on the coast, you can’t go wrong with fish and chips. For a traditional fish supper (in Scotland, ordering a “supper” gets you chips) is Cromars.
North of St Andrews
This afternoon, continue northwards towards the Tay. If you’re driving, make a stop at Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve, a serene wildlife habitat set around Morton Locks. Before crossing the Tay Bridge, make one more stop in the sleepy fishing town of Newport on Tay.
Head down to the beach and grab an ice cream whilst you admire the Tay Bridge. The original bridge tragically collapsed in 1879 whilst a passenger train was crossing, killing all on board.
Day 3: Dundee & Tay Forest
Dundee
A night in Dundee, a few years ago, would not have appeared on any 7 day Scotland itinerary. For decades the city was dubbed “Dundrab” (which isn’t a great moniker, in case you were wondering), but in recent years Scotland’s fourth city has undergone quite the overhaul. Now remarkably cosmopolitan, there’s a load of great restaurants and bars to unwind in after a hard day of exploring.
Start day 4 with a stroll along the banks of the Tay to the V&A Dundee. The Scottish outpost of London’s famous Victoria & Albert Museum, this free exhibition will have you captivated for hours.
Scone Palace
On the outskirts of Perth, Scone Palace was once the crowning place of Scottish kings. Built on the site of the Pictish capital, the palace is a feast for the eyes. Pay a visit to the gardens, shared with red squirrels, deer and even peacocks.
Kings were crowned on the ‘Stone of Destiny’ which mysteriously appeared at Scone in the 9th century and disappeared around 500 years later. No one knows where it went, but there’s plenty of myths surrounding it which you’ll uncover with a tour of the palace.
Tay Forest & Pitlochry
Continue north from Scone to Tay Forest, a beautiful park set on the banks of the River Tummel. Explore historic Blair Castle, before heading west along the river to Queen’s View to take in the sunset.
The gateway to The Highlands, the beautiful town of Pitlochry is the perfect place to base yourself for the third night of your 7 Day Scotland Itinerary. The way Pitlochry appeals to such a mixed crowd makes it so special. From young hikers to coach trip groups and jetsetters from afar, you’ll meet just about everyone with an evening in Pitlochry.
Day 4: The Highlands
Start day 4 with a visit to Blair Athol Distillery, one of Scotland’s most famous whisky distilleries. It would be wrong not to include at least one distillery on your 7 day Scotland itinerary!
From here, continue northwards into the Cairngorms National Park. When you reach Aviemore, leave the main road to head for Cairngorm Mountain itself. The road runs as far as the ‘base station’ from where you can take a funicular railway to the top. The top station hosts an excellent restaurant, the Ptarmigan, which is the ideal place for lunch with a view.
Working your way back towards Aviemore, make a stop at Glenmore Forest Park. During summer, a wander around Loch Morlich’s sandy beaches is absolutely the right thing to do. And don’t miss an encounter with Santa’s helpers at Glenmore Reindeer Centre where the reindeer roam free on the mountain.
Round off your fourth day of our 7 day Scotland itinerary in the ski resort of Aviemore. Busy year round, Aviemore has plenty of hotels and some excellent restaurants. Head to the Old Bridge Inn for a wee dram, then enjoy a traditional, simple, yet delicious Scottish dinner at the Winking Owl for the perfect evening.
Day 5: Loch Ness and Skye
Day 5 is the longest travel day on our 7 day Scotland itinerary. Start it off with a trip to Culloden Battlefield. It was here in 1745 that the Jacobite Rising came to a bloody end with the British government defeating the Stuarts. On this site on April 16, it is estimated that over 2,000 lives were lost, the vast majority on the Jacobite side.
Loch Ness
The next stop on our 7 Day Scotland Itinerary is Loch Ness. The best way to see the scenery – and to get the best chance of sighting Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster – is to take a cruise. Book a one hour boat trip which includes stunning view of Urquhart Castle.
Travel tip: If you’ve hired a car and don’t fancy seeing Culloden, take the back road from Aviemore around the east side of Loch Ness. The drive is far more scenic and sees much less tourist traffic.
Having seen Urquhart Castle from the water, next explore the ruins on dry land before heading into the charming village of Drumnadrochit for lunch.
Eilean Donan
This afternoon provides one of the most scenic drives of this 7 day Scotland itinerary. Leaving Loch Ness behind, you’ll head west through Glen Moriston passing Loch Claunie and Loch Duich to reach your next stop, Eilean Donan Castle.
Set on a small tidal island at the meeting point of Lochs Duich, Alsh and Hourn, Eilean Donan is one of the most awe-inspiring castles in Scotland. Once you’ve been inside, be sure to stop at All the Goodness Coffee Shop for a slice of cake and the best view of the castle.
The Isle of Skye
A long-time favorite among visitors, Skye is the only Hebridean island to have seen a growth in population in recent decades. That’s thanks to the bridge which connects it to the mainland, which you’ll cross to reach the isle.
Across the bridge, follow the main road along the rugged coastline past towering mountains and dramatic waterfalls. Pause at Sligachan to walk to the Fairy Pools, the most scenic waterfall on Skye. Continue north to the main town, Portree, which is a great place to spend the night on Skye.
Day 6: The West Highlands & Loch Lomond
Leaving Skye
This morning, take a scenic drive to the far north of Skye to Uig, stopping off at the Skye Museum of Island Life. Then, work your way southwards to Armadale on the south coast to visit Armadale Castle and Gardens.
From Armadale, take the ferry across from Skye to Mallaig on the mainland. If you’re traveling by car, you’ll want book the car ferry in advance. Foot passengers can buy a ticket on arrival.
The West Highlands
From Mallaig, the drive south is a scenic one. If you’re traveling by train, you’ll be riding the West Highland Line, voted the most scenic train ride in Britain. You’ll pass, or cross, Glenfinnan Viaduct which rose to fame in the Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts Express was filmed crossing it.
Travel tip: The best views of the viaduct are had from the road, or by taking a cruise on Loch Shiel.
Continuing south, you’ll reach Fort William, the largest town on the west coast. This is a good place to pause for lunch or stock up on refreshments, before heading into beautiful Glencoe. Cross the wilds of Rannoch Moor before reaching the northern tip of Loch Lomond.
Loch Lomond
The largest lake by surface area, Loch Lomond is spectacular, especially in summer. Make a stop in Luss, a quaint village with some excellent coffee shops and souvenir shops. Next, pause at Loch Lomond Shores, a designer outlet and outdoor centre on the lakes southern tip. From here, you can take a cruise on the loch.
Day 7: Glasgow
After a night in Glasgow, Scotland’s culinary and nightlife capital, spend a day exploring the country’s second city. Just like Edinburgh, you’ll want longer here, but there’s still plenty you can squeeze into a day.
A real Glasgow highlight is a visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, housed in a stunning Victorian building. Leave time to explore the Riverside Museum and Tallship Glenlee and take a wander around Glasgow Green.
For the perfect end to your 7 day Scotland itinerary, sample one of Glasgow’s top Indian or Italian restaurants.
Getting back to Edinburgh
If you started in Edinburgh and need to return there (or visa-versa), it’s really easy to get between the two cities. If driving, the journey takes around an hour on the M8 Motorway. Trains run every few minutes, taking around 45 minutes and intercity coaches run every 15 minutes 24 hours a day.
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