The Perfect 7-Day Scotland Itinerary: Best Places to Visit
Here is a classic Scottish itinerary that concentrates the best of this captivating country in just one week, combining natural and cultural attractions.
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Scotland is legend, mystery and romance. A multi-stop tour is the best way to explore this small country with a high concentration of castles, lochs and distilleries, populated by likeable locals who never take themselves too seriously and perhaps, if you believe in such things, by ghosts and wizards too.
Numerous guided tours of Scotland exist, but organising your own holiday is a joy that builds anticipation for your departure.
Picture yourself driving freely up and down winding country lanes or enchanting coastal roads, admiring heather moorlands and valleys that look like the set of a fantasy film (and probably were), romantic castles overlooking a loch or perched atop a hillside, and charming fishing villages. Then suddenly, as if by magic, you spot a steam train whizzing past that looks remarkably like the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter (and indeed it is).
Now imagine parking your car and boarding a boat in search of Nessie, the legendary monster of Loch Ness. And what could you do before heading home? Perhaps wander the charming, vibrant streets of Edinburgh buying kilts, tartan scarves and bottles of whisky as souvenirs.
By car, train or coach, whether it’s three days or two weeks, themed or classic to see the most famous destinations: how will you plan your Scottish tour? Below you’ll find all the information you need to decide your itinerary: transport options, best time to visit, costs, starting cities, must-see attractions, recommended routes, useful information and more.
Not sure where to start creating your Scottish tour? Do you prefer a ready-made itinerary to going it alone? We suggest the finest self-drive tours in Scotland, designed for those wanting to see the best of this magnificent nation, plus themed itineraries for those with specific interests.
Our suggested classic itinerary is a complete one-week self-drive tour of Scotland allowing you to visit the capital and the loveliest villages whilst admiring the breathtaking landscapes that have made this country so famous. Along the way you can visit castles and distilleries and enjoy a boat cruise on the loch hunting for the Loch Ness monster.
You’ll need seven full days to complete the itinerary at a leisurely pace, though you can shorten it by driving through Glen Nevis and Glencoe without stopping for walks. With a few extra days you can add a final stop in the vibrant city of Glasgow, make an initial detour to St Andrews, or spend longer on the Isle of Skye.
For those with more time available, we recommend a two-week self-drive tour of Scotland allowing you to venture further north, often overlooked by tourists, and visit charming villages where time seems to have stood still alongside the more well-known destinations.
Scotland is the land that inspired J.K. Rowling’s magical world: the author conceived much of the saga while living in Edinburgh, and many of the most iconic locations from the books and films have real counterparts among the castles, viaducts and Highland landscapes.
We’ve gathered the locations and places that brought Harry Potter’s universe to life: the Edinburgh café where Rowling wrote the first chapters, the Glenfinnan Viaduct travelled by the Hogwarts Express, the streets that inspired Diagon Alley, and the wild landscapes that form the backdrop to the world’s most famous young wizard’s adventures.
Public transport in Scotland works rather well. The Scottish railway network is extensive, trains are punctual and clean. Coach connections are also excellent: various companies operate local and long-distance routes, and some offer the possibility to book online at discounted prices.
The best way to explore Scotland thoroughly remains a hire car.
The advantages of a hire car over public transport are considerable: you can reach destinations not served by coaches and trains, travel at your own pace, stopping whenever you wish – perhaps to photograph a sudden rainbow or pop into a charming pub along the way – traverse remote wilderness or stunning coastal roads.
Furthermore, if there are two or more of you, hiring a car in Scotland works out more economical than trains and in some cases even coaches.
As mentioned, the best way to get around Scotland is definitely a hire car, both for freedom from timetables and connections, and for the ability to easily reach even remote attractions or locations.
However, not everyone can or wants to hire a car, so finding an alternative solution becomes essential. If you’re based in a large city like Edinburgh or Glasgow and want to discover Scotland’s beauty, coach tours are ideal.
Those not intending to hire a car, working with a limited budget, short on time, or wishing to take guided excursions can opt for organised coach tours: local companies that accompany you on small coaches to various parts of Scotland such as the Highlands, the islands or Loch Ness.
Tours depart early in the morning and return before dinner, travelling on coaches with a maximum of 16 passengers.
The itineraries visit predetermined locations. In some cases this will be just a quick stop for the classic souvenir photo, in others you’ll have the chance to independently explore certain attractions with a set time limit indicated on site. During the journey, the driver will entertain you with stories about Scottish history, customs and culture, plus additional information about the places you’ll visit.
If a one-day tour isn’t enough or if you’d prefer not to return to the city every evening, you can opt for multi-day tours. Typically these tours let you choose whether to include accommodation (usually in budget-friendly establishments) or transport only, arranging your own lodging separately.
The weather in Scotland is extremely changeable, so even if you travel in summer, pack heavy clothing, a jacket and waterproof shoes. Always dress in layers so you can easily adapt to the changing weather.
The best time to visit Scotland is summer, when temperatures are more pleasant and long daylight hours mean you can spend more time outdoors. Moreover, the cities are full of cultural events, including the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. Unfortunately, it’s also peak tourist season, so flight and hotel prices increase.
To enjoy lower prices, travel late spring or early autumn, when mild temperatures allow for splendid walks.
Autumn in particular is a good time for those wanting to trek, as nature turns red and gold and the landscapes become even more evocative. You’ll find few tourists, allowing you to appreciate nature’s beauty all the more.
Scotland might look small on the map, but in reality it takes quite a while to travel from south to north.
Bear in mind that roads in rural areas are narrow and winding, with plenty of hairpin bends, and sometimes road conditions aren’t great, so you’ll need to travel at reduced speeds. You may also find yourself waiting for a flock of sheep to cross the road.
You won’t mind driving slowly as it gives you the chance to admire Scotland’s breathtaking views from the window, but it’s good to know beforehand so you don’t overpack your itinerary.
The duration of a Scottish tour depends greatly on the transport you use, your interests and the type of holiday you want. For example, if you love trekking and want to stop at various locations for walking excursions, you’ll need more time; the same applies if you’re keen on art and history and want to include many cultural visits.
Generally, one week is sufficient for a self-drive tour covering the main destinations, but the ideal duration of a Scottish tour is 10-15 days.
The recommended cities to start your Scottish tour are Edinburgh and Glasgow because they’re the only two with international airports served by low-cost flights; both airports have car hire agencies with online booking. Moreover, from both cities a road network allows you to easily travel to any location in Scotland.
Which one to choose depends on your itinerary stops. Bear in mind the two cities are very close (only 60 km apart), so you can also choose based on the most convenient flight deals available at the time of booking.
Flying to other Scottish cities requires a connection, usually in England, which significantly increases travel time and costs.
Here are a few things worth knowing to best plan and enjoy a Scottish tour.
When planning a Scottish itinerary, an important aspect often overlooked by travellers is the opening hours of museums and monuments, shops and restaurants.
In Scotland, as in most northern European countries, tourist attractions and shops generally close by 17:30, whilst dining at restaurants typically starts at 18:00-19:00 with kitchens closing around 21:00-21:30. The exception is large cities, where you can find shops and restaurants with extended opening hours.
In cities and along all main roads it’s easy to find petrol stations and almost all have 24-hour self-service pumps.
Things change completely when travelling in rural Scotland or other remote areas. In these zones petrol stations are scarce, so it’s always wise to start with a full tank and maintain a good fuel level to avoid needing fuel when filling up isn’t possible.
Driving in Scotland is a unique experience for the marvellous landscapes you’ll traverse and the relaxing feeling that time has stood still.
Don’t be put off by left-hand driving: you’ll adapt quickly and it’s far easier than expected.
Be careful in rural areas: some minor roads are single-track but have sufficient passing spaces for traffic to flow freely in both directions. It’s not unusual to encounter livestock or even wildlife suddenly appearing from the roadside, so always stay alert.
To drive with peace of mind and enjoy your trip, before booking a hire car read the insurance terms carefully. It’s always advisable to choose comprehensive insurance covering all damage in case of accident.
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