Scotland Travel Insights

Self-Drive Scotland: Inverness, Isle of Skye, the Trossachs & Edinburgh - 5 Days

Walk in the footsteps of royalty with this five-day highlights tour of Scotland's spectacular scenery. Discover "paradise in the Highlands" at Balmoral Castle as you pass through the sweeping plateaus of the Cairngorms. Cruise the mysterious Loch Ness and explore Scotland's most photographed castle at Eilean Donan before hiking rugged peaks on the Isle of Skye. A delve into the history and atmospheric backstreets of enchanting Edinburgh rounds off this small but perfectly formed itinerary.

5 Days in Scotland - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas

From touring ancient castles to sampling local whisky to walking along serene beaches, there's plenty to do on a five-day trip to Scotland. You can keep things basic with a three-stop tour that takes you from the beautiful city of Edinburgh to the mountainous region of Glencoe. Or, make the most of your stay by visiting five destinations, including the Highland capital of Inverness and the coastal village of John O'Groats.

Whisky & History in the Scottish Highlands - 5 Days

This 5-day tour of Scotland is designed for history and whisky enthusiasts. Begin with a private walking tour in Edinburgh. Next, a driver accompanies you to the Highlands to enjoy your first toast at Dalwhinnie Distillery and a tour of the renowned Culloden Battlefield, followed by more distillery stops in Dufftown. Then, embark on the Skye & Raasay Whisky Trail—accompanied by stunning scenery—a beautiful architecture tour of Glasgow, and a final historical stop in Bannockburn.

Scenic Scotland Road Trip: Edinburgh, Inverness & Fort William - 5 Days

This five-day road trip through scenic Scotland gives you a great taste of the highlights. Begin in Edinburgh to do some sightseeing between Old Town and New Town before heading into Stirling and the Highlands to visit plenty of small towns, castles, abbeys, and historic sites. Then, head to Inverness, home of Loch Ness, and board the Jacobite Train—popularly known as the "Hogwarts Express." The grand finale is a visit to the majestic Glen Coe mountains.

10 Days in Scotland - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Spending 10 days in Scotland allows you to experience delicious food, local whisky, private tours of magnificent castles, and unique encounters with local wildlife. Your trip can hit up to six destinations to see as much as possible, from the capital city of Edinburgh to the mountains of Glencoe. Or, take a slower pace to explore up to four areas, including Inverness in the Highlands and stunning islands like Skye and Islay.

Best of Scotland by Train: Glasgow, Inverness, Isle of Sky & Edinburgh - 10 Days

Take a scenic, 10-day journey through Scotland by train. Begin with two days of sightseeing in Glasgow before boarding your first train to the Highlands. Stop in Stirling en route to Inverness, home to Culloden Battlefield, Urquhart Castle, and the famed Loch Ness. Then, it's on to the stunning Isle of Skye to take in the dramatic coastline and mountain scenery. Finally, board the Jacobite Train to reach Edinburgh to experience the best of the Scottish capital city.

Signature Scotland: Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Isle of Skye, Glencoe & Glasgow - 10 Days

This eventful 10-day trip through Scotland invites you to experience it all! Start in Edinburgh to sightsee and take a delicious local food tour before heading to Aberdeen to explore Dundee and visit a historic golf course in St Andrews. Next, spend time in Inverness and the Isle of Skye, visiting historic sites, distilleries, and castles. Then, transfer to Glencoe to walk the beautiful scenery, cruise around Loch Katrine in a famed steamship, and embark on a memorable architecture tour in Glasgow.

1 Week in Scotland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Seven days in Scotland gives you ample time to see its historic cities, breathtaking mountains, magnificent castles, and stunning coastlines. How you spend your week depends on just how adventurous you want to be. You can visit three to four destinations from Edinburgh into the Highlands or take an active trip to two natural areas like Cairngorms or Craignure.

How Many Days to Spend in Scotland

From ancient castles to whisky distilleries and Highland Games (not to mention a mythical monster in Loch Ness), there's a reason bonnie Scotland is awash with "Outlander" fans. At roughly the same size as South Carolina, Scotland is small enough to explore the highlights in one week. However, you'll need at least two weeks to explore the mainland and one or even two extra weeks to take in the major islands.

Best Time of Year to Visit Scotland

True, most colloquial Scottish terms for the climate refer to fickle—and mostly "dreich" (dreary)—weather, despite which the sun shines more than you may imagine: Palm trees even grow on the west coast, sustained by warm Gulf Stream waters and air. Scotland frequently defies its stereotypes and can be sublime in any season, each uniquely showcasing the country's rugged beauty. So don't let the Scots' talk about the weather put you off.

Hike Scotland's Highlands & Islands - 14 Days

Pack a lifetime of outdoor adventure into just 14 days when you hike the highlights of Scotland. It starts with three days on the country's most scenic trekking route—the West Highland Way—which passes through gorgeous Highland scenery. That's just the beginning, as you'll then travel on a historic steam train to two of the most beautiful isles in the country: Skye and Islay. Here you'll hike around otherworldly mountains, explore rugged coasts, and reward yourself with some of the best whiskey in the world.

2 Weeks in Scotland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Two weeks in Scotland is more than enough time to experience the country's best adventures, from one coast to the other. See the cities, Highlands, and lochs; visit medieval castles and tour national parks home to exotic animals. Embark on mountain hikes, countryside bike rides, boat trips on Loch Ness, and sightseeing on the Isle of Skye. If that's not enough, you can hop over to Ireland and enjoy the music, food, and literary heritage of one of the world's great cultures.

Hiking the Scottish Highlands - 7 Days

Live a hiker's dream with a one-week adventure in Cairngorms National Park—the largest protected area in the UK. Throughout this excursion into the unspoiled Scottish wilds, you'll traverse the very same paths as Highlanders have through the ages. Beyond discovering hidden trails and hiking to viewpoints offering unforgettable panoramic views, you'll enjoy the country's other highlights. These include tours of Edinburgh, boat rides on Loch Ness, a trip to Trossachs National Park, and more.

Scotland in December: Travel Tips, Weather & More

With short days and long, cozy nights, December is an atmospheric time in Glasgow and Edinburgh with traditional festivities and Christmas markets. Elsewhere, this is one of the quietest (and cheapest) times of the year to enjoy Scotland's beauty on a scenic road trip, whether you prefer wildlife and whisky tasting in the northern Highlands or cliff walks and seafood on the rugged west coast.

Scotland in November: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Scotland quiets down this month, letting visitors take advantage of low rates and light crowds in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Better yet, pair your city excursion with a scenic road trip in the Scottish countryside (or isles) for invigorating hikes, whisky tasting, and castle spotting—all capped with cozy autumn evenings, perhaps by the fire.

Scotland in October: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Autumn is a spectacular time to explore Scotland's cultural cities and rugged scenery. The weather is becoming crisp and cool, and you can say goodbye to the bothersome gnats, called midges, that disappear with the last hints of summer. In other words, this is the perfect time for romantic road trips—with lower rates for luxury resorts—while golfers, hikers, and wildlife-seekers have plenty of options.

Scotland in September: Travel Tips, Weather & More

With early hints of autumn, September is considered one of the best months of the year to travel to Scotland. This is a great time to explore Edinburgh's top sights and take a scenic road trip with fewer crowds than in August, though you can always find a festive vibe at the Pitlochry Highland Games with members of the British royal family.

Scotland in August: Travel Tips, Weather & More

It's festival time in Edinburgh when the capital bursts to capacity with several top-notch events featuring books, films, and military bands—and, of course, the world's largest arts fest called Fringe. Nature-seekers, for their part, can find plenty of space elsewhere, from the coasts and islands to the rugged Highlands. Wherever you travel, you'll want to plan your trip far in advance during the peak season.

Scotland in June: Travel Tips, Weather & More

The transition from spring to summer is an excellent time to explore Scotland before the peak crowds arrive. In June, the landscapes are fresh and green, the weather is warming up, and the days are extra long for enjoying an array of outdoor activities, from hiking and whisky tasting in the Highlands to sea kayaking off the west coast, perhaps with a whale sighting near the Isle of Mull.

Scotland in May: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Welcome to one of the best months of the year to visit Scotland. Not only is the weather warming up this month, but it’s generally sunnier with colorful blossoms and green foliage, which means excellent conditions for spring hiking. And the cherry on top? You'll beat the summer crowds arriving next month.

Scotland in April: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Spring is officially here. April is an uplifting month when the Scots dust off winter and embrace sunnier, milder weather and blooming flowers (though snow-covered mountains might persist). This is an ideal time for taking an outdoorsy road trip broken up by hikes and coastal walks before the summer crowds arrive. Don't miss the festival dedicated to whisky near Cairngorms National Park.

Scotland in March: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Get here now: March is the end of low season—a good time to snag travel deals and explore uncrowded attractions, from Edinburgh Castle to the Isle of Skye (combine both for the ultimate road trip). Daylight hours are also increasing as spring approaches for more time outdoors. Keep in mind that there may be an uptick in crowds and prices if Easter falls early.

Scotland in February: Travel Tips, Weather & More

February is a cold and potentially snowy month to visit Scotland; still, it's easy to stay warm with uncrowded cultural attractions, whisky distilleries, and a vast wilderness offering endorphin-inducing activities (and lengthening daylight hours to enjoy them). In fact, this month is Fort William's annual mountain festival for the ultimate fix of outdoor inspiration.

Scotland in January: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Sure, it's crisp and cold, but those who head to Scotland in January will be rewarded with the quietest environs and lowest prices of the year. This is a great time to bundle up and explore uncrowded cities and snow-dusted scenery. After an early sunset, look for seafood restaurants and snug pubs, especially on January 25 when Scots celebrate their national poet: Robert Burns.

Best of Scotland - 14 Days

Embark on a two-week adventure in Scotland that covers all corners of this beautiful Celtic nation, from the cities to the coastal Highlands. You'll visit Edinburgh's medieval landmarks, tour charming country villages, walk amid ancient castles at Loch Ness—and that's just the start. After admiring the sweeping coastal views on the Isle of Skye, you'll hike through wooded glens and along rushing rivers in national parks. The kicker is a visit to actual "Harry Potter" filming locations while riding a train used in the film.

Scotland in July: Travel Tips, Weather & More

July brings the warmest temperatures of the year for exploring the western lochs and isles (and occasional waterfalls) and taking road trips on the north or east coasts. Of course, there's plenty to do in and around lively Glasgow and Edinburgh with easy access to trails, castles, and beaches—just make sure to bring a layer wherever you go.

Family Tour of Scotland - 2 Weeks

Get ready for a 14-day adventure you and your family are sure to remember. This packed itinerary offers the full Scotland experience, from city tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh to epic hikes, driving trips, and boat rides around the unspoiled Highlands. Rounding out this great escape are food tours, art walks, island excursions, wildlife safaris, and bike rides through national parks.

Scotland & Ireland - 14 Days

Fourteen days is ample time to experience the best of Scotland and Ireland, be it touring Edinburgh Castle, hiking the Highlands, or reveling in the historic streets of Dublin. The adventures are almost too many to list: wildlife safaris in national parks, boating across Loch Ness, cycling around Glasgow, and exploring the untamed beauty of the Isle of Skye. If that's not enough, you'll hit the road on a drive to some of the most beautiful locales in southern Ireland, like the Wicklow Mountains and County Cork.

Luxury Scottish Highlands: Aviemore, Inverness & Oban - 7 Days

Explore the Scottish Highlands in style on this immersive week-long getaway. With a private driver at your disposal, you can sit back and enjoy breathtaking scenery as you travel from the wilds of Cairngorms National Park to historic Inverness and on to the west coast fishing village of Oban. By day you'll fish for salmon in Highland rivers, tour historic battlefields, and cruise across the legendary Loch Ness—while nights are spent in a succession of luxurious country house hotels.

Scenic Scotland: Edinburgh, Highlands & Islands - 10 Days

Taste your way through the Highlands and islands of Scotland on this 10-day self-drive itinerary that combines stunning scenery with unforgettable culinary excursions. Start in the capital of Edinburgh, where you'll visit local markets and artisan shops on a foodie's walking tour. Learn about the history and culture of the Highlands in Inverness, then head to the Hebrides to hop between the islands of Skye and Islay—where you'll savor local seafood and sample smoky single malts at the islands' famed distilleries.

The North Coast 500: Road Trip through the Scottish Highlands - 5 Days

Experience one of the world's most scenic driving routes on this 5-day journey along Scotland's North Coast 500. Beginning and ending in the Highland capital of Inverness, you'll follow the loop counterclockwise as you wind your way past mist-shrouded mountains, hidden lochs, and rugged coastlines. A relaxed pace allows you to take your time and explore plenty of sandy beaches, charming fishing villages, and unspoiled nature.

Ultimate Scotland: Golf, Whisky & Trekking in the Highlands - 14 Days

This epic two-week adventure brings together some of Scotland's most iconic experiences, from golfing at St Andrews to whisky tasting on the Isle of Skye. Explore the hidden corners of Edinburgh's Old Town, take a three-day trek along the famed West Highland Way, discover the wild beauty of Cairngorms National Park, and hop over to the Hebrides Islands to sample world-class cuisine and tour whisky distilleries.

Scenic Scotland: Edinburgh, Inverness & Skye - 7 Days

This week-long itinerary perfectly introduces Scotland's most scenic locales—blending a self-drive adventure with unforgettable guided excursions and experiences. Beginning and ending in the charming capital of Edinburgh, you'll set off into the rugged Highlands for a road trip to remember. Step back in time at the Culloden Battlefield, cruise the legendary waters of Loch Ness, and tour whisky distilleries on the Isle of Skye.

Planning Your Perfect Honeymoon in Scotland

Conjuring up romance effortlessly and with subtlety, Scotland is a stunning destination in which to celebrate your love for each other. For the backdrop to your honeymoon here, expect dazzling skylines of moody mountaintops, emerald-green glens, myriad remote, sand-rimmed islands ideal for escaping or eloping, and a mysterious fortress or three for every horizon. But for vacationing newlyweds, what truly makes this land so romantic are the stories that lace each place you pass through: legacies of great romantic writers like Sir Walter Scott, tales of trysts involving the likes of Mary, Queen of Scots and more. Here are the most romantic destinations in Scotland for honeymooners, with suggestions of what to do in each.

Best of Scotland: Edinburgh & the Highlands - 7 Days

This seven-day adventure combines Scotland's most memorable tourist destinations with a tour of the countryside in the magnificent Scottish highlands. You will start your trip by exploring Edinburgh's galleries, castles, and pubs before heading to the spectacular castles in Inverness. You'll spend two nights in Portree, where you'll visit castles and famous geological sites and tour the hiking routes before traveling to Glencoe, which is home to spectacular scenery.

Scottish Highlands Adventure: Fully Guided - 7 Days

This private, fully-guided tour of the Scottish Highlands is designed especially for the adventurous at heart. Spend a week exploring the wild places, mountain ranges, and rugged coastlines of Scotland’s most spectacular regions. Hike around the famous Isle of Skye, sea kayak among seals in the Sound of Arisaig, and mountain bike in Cairngorms National Park. An expert guide will lead you while sharing their local knowledge. In the evenings, relax in boutique hotels, enjoying Scottish culinary delights and warm Highland hospitality.

Scottish Wildlife Adventure: Mull, Staffa & Iona - Fully Guided - 7 Days

Explore Scotland's wild west coast on this seven-day guided tour. Discover the remote Inner Hebridean isles of Mull, Staffa, and Iona, where you'll go in search of rare wildlife and take in Atlantic scenery. Your knowledgeable guide will help you spot the area's diverse bird and sea life, including white-tailed sea eagles, puffins, whales, dolphins, and seals. The time of year determines the species you'll encounter; birdlife such as puffins are prevalent in spring, while marine mammals are seen later in the summer.

Winter in the Scottish Highlands - 6 Days

Experience winter in the Scottish Highlands on this unforgettable six-day itinerary. Surrounded by frozen lochs and ancient pine forests, you'll settle into a wonderland of scenic treks, wildlife watching, whisky tasting, and cozy fireside evenings. Spend three days with an expert guide who will take you hiking in this spectacular landscape and share fascinating tales of local history and their vast knowledge of the local flora and fauna. The guide will be able to tailor activities to your interests and activity level and act as your driver for those days.

Hike Scotland's Highlands & Islands: Glen Coe, Ben Nevis & the Isle of Skye - 9 Days

This active 9-day hiking itinerary travels through some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes. Starting in the heart of the Highlands, you’ll walk along the West Highland Way, experiencing the wild beauty of Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe. The first leg of your walking journey ends at the adventure capital of Fort William, where you’ll get the chance to scale Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. After a memorable ride on the historic Jacobite Express Steam Train, board a ferry for the Isle of Skye, where you’ll have three days to explore the rugged mountains, secluded coves, and idyllic villages of the Inner Hebrides.

Scottish Highlands Self-Drive Tour: Edinburgh, Inverness & Loch Ness - 8 Days

Discover the enchanting history and dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands with this 8-day self-drive itinerary. Starting in Edinburgh,  drive north to the rugged highlands, where you’ll explore ancient castles, visit important battle sites, sail Loch Ness, and ride the world’s most scenic railway.

Discover the Scottish Highlands: Perthshire, Cairngorms National Park, Ben Nevis & Edinburgh - 9 Days

Begin your scenic Highlands tour in the rolling hills of Perthshire and head to Cairngorms National Park, famed for its royal summer visitors.  Meander through the Spey River Valley and its world-famous distilleries to the rugged coastline of the Moray Firth.  Next up is Torridon, an ancient wilderness that embodies the quintessential Highlands landscape.  The return journey takes you to the Great Glen and the majesty of Ben Nevis before ending your adventure in Edinburgh.

Discover Scotland - 9 Days

With historic cities, quaint towns and villages, beautiful countryside, and some of the best whisky distilleries in the world, Scotland makes for a wonderfully diverse and relaxing vacation. Combining day trips to Glasgow, St Andrews, and Loch Ness, you'll spend eight nights in Edinburgh, taking in everything this historic capital has to offer. Wander centuries-old castles, tour modern galleries, and visit medieval seaside villages.