Highlands & Islands

Upon your arrival in Edinburgh, you’ll pick up your rental car at the airport and make your way to your hotel. Spend your first day exploring Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, on a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour. You may also choose to include a visit to one of the city’s many fascinating museums, such as Kelvingrove or Saint Mungo, or join a tour of Tennent’s Brewery to sample the local beer. 

Spend an overnight in the Glasgow area.

(Approximately 55 km)

Today, you’ll drive from Glasgow to the Fort William area. Along the way, you can pause for a scenic cruise on Loch Lomond or stop to admire the picturesque cottages in the pretty village of Luss. You’ll then continue your drive north across the dramatic Rannoch Moor nature preserve and stop for photos of Glencoe—one of the most famous glens in Scotland—before arriving at your next overnight location. 

Spend an overnight in the Fort William area. 

(Approximately 180 km)

Today, you’ll travel along the scenic Road to the Isles, stopping at Glenfinnan Monument for photos of the railway bridge, before crossing to the Isle of Skye by ferry.

After exploring the Isle of Skye, you’ll return to the mainland by bridge and head to your hotel in the Kyle of Lochalsh area. You can stop along the way to take a photo of Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most popular castles in Scotland.

Spend an overnight in the Kyle of Lochalsh or Skye area. 

(Approximately 125 km)

Today, you’ll continue your drive north to Ullapool along the beautiful West Coast. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you drive, with the opportunity to stop and explore Inverewe Garden, a beautiful botanical garden on the coast of Scotland, before arriving in the bustling harbour village of Ullapool in the afternoon. 

Spend an overnight in the Gairloch/Ullapool area.

(Approximately 140 km)

Today, you’ll drive from Ullapool to Thurso along some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Scotland. You can pause to explore Durness’ John Lennon Memorial Garden, stop in Bettyhill to learn more about the dramatic history behind the clearances and take a stroll along one of the many sandy beaches of the northern coast before arriving in Thurso. 

Spend an overnight in the Thurso area. 

(Approximately 200 km)

Today, you’ll take a ferry from Scrabster or Gills Bay to Orkney for a day of exploration, including the neolithic village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar stone circle and Kirkwall's local shops. You’ll then drive across the Churchill Barriers and visit the Italian Chapel before returning to Orkney.

Spend an overnight in Orkney.

Today, you’ll head south from Orkney to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. You’ll then take the ferry back to the mainland and head south to Inverness, stopping at Dunrobin Castle for a fairytale castle visit. Afterwards, you’ll check into your Inverness accommodation and explore the city’s shops and pubs on foot.

Spend an overnight in the Inverness area. 

(Approximately 180 km)

Today, you’ll explore Loch Ness and Inverness by visiting Urquhart Castle or taking a Nessie-spotting cruise. You can also visit Clava Cairns or the Culloden Battlefield, or explore nearby castles like Brodie and Cawdor. 

Spend an overnight in the Inverness area.

Today, you’ll leave Inverness and head to the Speyside region of Scotland, an area famous for its distilleries. Here, you’ll stop to learn about the craft of making whisky at one of the distilleries along the way or visit the Speyside Cooperage to learn all about the ancient art of coopering (cask-making). You’ll then continue to Aberdeen on the east coast for your next overnight stay. 

Spend an overnight in the Aberdeenshire area.

(approximately 185 kilometres)

On your way south, you may choose to stop to visit the RRS Discovery or the V&A Museum in Dundee before crossing Tay Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife. For golf enthusiasts, you won’t want to miss St Andrews, a picturesque town famed for its golf courses, ancient cathedral and royal connections. As the day wraps up, you’ll drive along the scenic Queensferry Crossing on your way back to Edinburgh.  

Spend an overnight in the Edinburgh area. 

(approximately 210 kilometres)

Discover Edinburgh on a Hop-On-Hop-Off sightseeing tour before visiting Edinburgh Castle. You can also join a tour at the Johnnie Walker Experience or go to nearby Leith to visit the Port of Leith Distillery. In the evening, you may want to explore the spooky side of Edinburgh on an underground ghost walk or experience Scottish food and music at a Scottish Evening.

 Spend an overnight in the Edinburgh area.

After breakfast, return your car at Edinburgh airport, before boarding your return flight home to Canada. As most flights depart early, please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental.