Highlands & Islands

Upon arrival in Edinburgh, pick up your rental car at the airport and make your way to your hotel. Spend your first day exploring Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, on a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour. You may also choose to include a visit to one of the many fascinating museums in the city, such as Kelvingrove or Saint Mungo, or why not join a tour of Tennent’s Brewery to sample the local beer.

(Approximately 55 km)

Drive from Glasgow to the Fort William area. Along the way, you may choose to include a cruise on Loch Lomond, or stop in the pretty village of Luss for photos of the picturesque cottages and the loch. 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 in your next overnight location.

(Approximately 180 km)

Travel along the scenic Road to the Isles, stopping at Glenfinnan Monument for photos of the railway bridge, famous from the Harry Potter films, before crossing to the Isle of Skye by ferry.

Return to the mainland by bridge and go to your hotel in the Kyle of Lochalsh area. Stop along the way to take a photo of Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most popular castles in Scotland.

(Approximately 125 km)

Continue your drive north to Ullapool along the beautiful West Coast. The scenery is spectacular, and there are opportunities to stop in some of the villages along the way. You also have the option to stop at Inverewe Garden, the tropical haven on the coast of Scotland, before arriving into the bustling harbour village of Ullapool in the afternoon.

(Approximately 140 km)

Drive from Ullapool to Thurso along some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Scotland. Stop to explore Durness’ John Lennon Memorial Garden, and stop in Bettyhill to learn more about the dramatic history behind the clearances. Don’t forget to take a walk on one of the many sandy beaches along the northern coast, before arriving into Thurso for a two night stay.

Take the ferry from Scrabster or Gills Bay to spend a day exploring Orkney, or join an organized tour out of John O’Groats village. There is much to experience today such as Skara Brae—a 5,000-year-old village, the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, and the town of Kirkwall, with its many shops selling local produce and crafts. Drive across the Churchill Barriers and stop at the Italian Chapel for photos before returning to the mainland.

(Approximately 200 km)

Head south from Thurso to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. Along the way you can choose to stop at Dunrobin Castle, a fairytale castle on the East Coast. Check in to your overnight stay in Inverness, before exploring the city and its traditional music pubs on foot or on another Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour. Spend the day exploring the Loch Ness and Inverness area. Why not visit Urquhart Castle on the shores of the loch, or take a cruise to see if you can spot Nessie?

For Outlander fans, don’t miss the nearby Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield. There are also plenty of castles to explore in the area such as Brodie and Cawdor.

(Approximately 180 km)

Leave Inverness and head into the Speyside region of Scotland, an area famous for its alcohol production. Stop to learn about the craft of making whisky at one of the distilleries along the way. You can also choose to stop at the Speyside Cooperage to learn about the craft of making whisky barrels. Continue to Aberdeen on the East Coast for your next overnight stay.

(Approximately 185 km)

On your way south, you may choose to stop to visit the stunning Glamis Castle or the brand new Victoria & Albert Museum in Dundee before crossing the Tay Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife.

Don’t miss St Andrews, a picturesque town famed for its golf courses, ancient cathedral and royal connections. From there, take the Queensferry Crossing on your way to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.

Discover Edinburgh on a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour before visiting Edinburgh Castle. If you have developed a taste for whisky, join a tour at the Scotch Whisky Experience, or go to nearby Leith to visit the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia.

In the evening you may want to explore the spooky side of Edinburgh on an underground ghost walk or taste Scottish food and music at a locally held Scottish Evening.

(Approximately 210 km)

After breakfast, return your car at Edinburgh airport, before boarding your return flight home to Canada.