Scotland rewards a planned route more than most of Europe, because the distances in the Highlands are long, the single-track roads are slow and the best places are not near each other. These are the ways we put a Scottish trip together.
Highlands and islands
Inverness, Skye, Glencoe and the west coast — the classic route, and the one most people picture.
- Typically 7–10 days
- Ferries need booking ahead
- Best May to September
- Midges peak June–August
Whisky touring
Speyside, Islay and the Highlands, with distillery visits built into the driving days rather than bolted on.
- Speyside for concentration
- Islay for peat
- Book tastings ahead
- Nominated driver or a car service
Edinburgh and the borders
The city, the castle, the old town closes, and the abbeys and hill country south of it.
- Best outside August festival month
- Walkable historic centre
- Easy rail from Edinburgh
- Good short-trip option
Scotland and Ireland together
Short flights and a ferry link the two, and for a long-haul trip from Australia the pair makes a better fortnight than either alone.
- Typically 14–18 days
- Open-jaw flights
- Belfast–Cairnryan ferry
- Drive on the left in both
Highland roads are slower than they look and phone coverage is patchy in the glens. We plan shorter driving days than most itineraries do, because the alternative is arriving after dark.
Where this leads
Blog attracts, things to do informs, tours convert — in that order.