Highlands and Islands of Scotland Self Drive

Arrive at Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport and spend your first day exploring Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, on a hop on hop off
sightseeing tour. You may also choose to include a visit to one of the many fascinating museums in the city, such as Kelvingrove or St Mungos, or
why not join a tour of Tennents brewery to sample the local beer.
Overnight: Glasgow area

Pick up your hire car and drive from Glasgow to the Fort William area. Along the way, you may choose to include a cruise on Loch Lomond, orstop in the pretty village of Luss for photos ofthe picturesque cottages and the loch. Continue your drive north across the dramatic Rannoch Moor and stop for photos of Glencoe, one of the most famous glens in Scotland, before arriving in your next overnight location.
Overnight: Fort William area

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 on the
ferry. Explore the island this afternoon. You may choose to go to the colourful harbour town Portree, or stop at the Clan Donald Centre to learn more about the history of the clan on Skye. Return to the mainland by bridge and continue 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 photographed castles in Scotland.
Overnight: Kyle of Lochalsh or Skye area

Continue your drive north to Ullapool, along the beautiful west coast. The coastal scenery is spectacular, and there are opportunities to stop in some of the villages along the way, for example Plockton. You also have the option to stop at Inverewe Garden, the tropical haven on the coast of Scotland, before arriving into the bustling harbour town of Ullapool in the afternoon. Overnight: Ullapool area

Drive from Ullapool to Thurso along some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Britain. Stop to explore Durness with its 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.
Overnight: Thurso area

Take the ferry from Scrabster or Gills Bay to spend a day exploring Orkney, or join an organised tour out of John O’Groats. There is much to experience today such as Skara Brae, the 5000 year old village, the Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as 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.
Overnight: Thurso area

Head south from Thurso to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. Along the way you can choose to stop at Dunrobin Castle, a fairy-tale castle on the east coast. Here you can explore the castle or the Victorian Museum with its vast collection, or enjoy falconry in the castle gardens. Check in to your overnight stay in Inverness, before exploring the city and its traditional music pubs on foot or on a hop on hop off sightseeingtour.
Overnight: Inverness area

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.
Overnight: Inverness area
 

Leave Inverness and head into the Speyside region of Scotland, an area famous for its distilleries. 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.
Overnight: Aberdeen area
 

On your way south, you may choose to stop to visit the stunning Glamis Castle or the brand new V&A Museum in Dundee before crossing the Tay Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife. For golf enthusiasts, don’t miss St Andrews, a picturesque town famed for its golf courses, ancient cathedral and royal connections. Cross the Queensferry Crossing on your way to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.
Overnight: Edinburgh area
 

Discover Edinburgh on a hop on hop off sightseeing 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 Royal Yacht Britannia. 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.
Overnight: Edinburgh area
 

Your epic journey around the coast of Scotland has come to an end. Return your hire car (if you have not done so on arrival into Edinburgh on day 10) and fly out of Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport. As we say in Scotland – Haste Ye Back!"