Ten Days of Road Tripping in Scotland ; From Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye

Ten days of road tripping in Scotland means exploring a land of legends, misty lochs and wild landscapes as far as the eye can see.

Ten Days of Road Tripping in Scotland

Days 1 to 3 – Edinburgh

Twenty-Four Hours in the Scottish Capital

The ten-day road trip in Scotland begins under a grey, rainy, typically Scottish sky. Outside Edinburgh airport, the Europcar rental car is waiting, booked in advance to save time. The capital, mysterious and steeped in history, immediately asserts its style. Its dark, imposing architecture reveals itself step by step, between narrow lanes and old buildings. After a few hours of walking, a lunch break is a must.

The Southpour restaurant offers a tasty meal in a cosy setting. The welcome is warm and the dishes carefully prepared. The day ends at the hotel, after this first intense immersion in the Scottish atmosphere.

Central Edinburgh

The second day starts early with breakfast at The Elephant House. This café is famous for having hosted J.K. Rowling while she wrote the first Harry Potter books. Ravaged by a fire, it has since reopened. The plate is simple, but the iconic place is worth a detour for fans. The visit continues along the Royal Mile, the historic artery linking Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood. Shops, secret closes and a medieval atmosphere set the pace of the walk.

Along the way, the statue of philosopher David Hume recalls a curious tradition: rubbing his toe to gain wisdom. At the end of the street, Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city. During the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the crowds are too large to get in. So it is off to the quieter little streets of the Old Town. From there, superb views of the New Town reveal more orderly Georgian architecture. At the end of the day, the car heads to the botanic garden.

The Botanic Garden

During these ten days of road tripping in Scotland, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh offers a peaceful stop. This vast 28-hectare space is free and open to all. The paths lead to a great diversity of plants, trees and flowers. The glasshouses, which charge admission, recreate different atmospheres according to climate. The experience is immersive and well designed.

Last excursion around the capital: Rosslyn Chapel. Made famous by Dan Brown’s novel, this mysterious chapel served as a set for the film The Da Vinci Code. Its architectural details are well worth the entrance fee. To close this stay in Edinburgh, breakfast at Black Medicine Co before tackling Arthur’s Seat. This summit, nestled in Holyrood Park, offers a spectacular panorama over the city. Allow 2 h 30 for the full loop, with good shoes. After this climb, it is off to Stirling and its famous castle.

Day 4 of the Ten-Day Road Trip in Scotland – Stirling and Perth

Stirling Castle

A grey sky accompanies the arrival at Stirling Castle. It is the first fortress visited during these ten days of road tripping in Scotland. Eagerly awaited, the place nevertheless leaves a mixed impression. The visit is limited to large empty spaces and a few antique pieces of furniture. After an hour of walking among the old stones, it is off to Perth for the rest of the trip.

The night is spent in a guesthouse with a warm welcome. To discover the area, a walk along the River Tay and a stop at St Matthew’s Church. In the evening, dinner in a restaurant specialising in gin and whisky. Fish and chips and onion rings accompany a local gin, chosen from over 300 labels. A lovely way to taste Scottish culture.

Day 5 – Inverness and Loch Ness

The Roads of Glenshee, Loch Ness and Urquhart and Dunrobin Castles

After Perth, it is off to Inverness. On the way, the landscapes of mountains, lochs and forests are sublime. A short stop at Glenshee lets you enjoy the scenery. In Inverness, a surprise: no accommodation is available. So it is off to Drumnadrochit, near Loch Ness, to spend the night. The village is nothing special, but it makes it possible to visit Urquhart Castle.

The ruins are only moderately convincing, but the view over the loch remains superb, much more than the visit itself. The next day, on the way to Thurso, a stop at Dunrobin Castle. A real favourite: an imposing building, refined interiors, splendid gardens and a sea view. A memorable visit of more than two hours.

Day 6 – Thurso

Thurso Beach

Next stop, Thurso, the northernmost town on mainland Britain. This seaside town reveals a unique, wild atmosphere. Once the bags are dropped off, it is off to the Victoria Walk, a coastal path along the beach. Rocks, sea spray and open views set the pace of the walk. The contrast is striking with the green landscapes inland.

Day 7 of the Ten-Day Road Trip in Scotland – Ullapool

After the Thurso coast, the road leads to Ullapool, a small tourist port of about 1,500 inhabitants. The booked accommodation overlooks vast green spaces, home to hundreds of sheep. For lunch, The Frigate serves simple food and excellent homemade cakes, facing the sea. The village is discovered on foot, along the shore, between seascapes and a peaceful atmosphere.

Day 8 – The Isle of Skye

Portree

The exploration begins with a stop at Eilean Donan Castle, unfortunately too crowded for a close-up visit. Facing the castle, the snack break is at All the Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop, a charming gourmet shop with a view.

The road then leads to the colourful village of Portree, the largest town on the Isle of Skye. The island is reached via the Skye Bridge. The brightly coloured houses offer a unique charm. After settling in, a hike on the heights of Portree reveals a superb panorama over the town and its surroundings. The next day, the road continues towards Fort William.

Day 9 – Fort William

The Glenfinnan Viaduct

Arrival in Fort William, a town famous for the nearby Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Jacobite Steam Train. The Harry Potter saga made this train iconic. On the wise advice of the B&B host, it is best to arrive an hour before it passes. The best spot is up high, above the viaduct. Depending on the season, the train passes around 10:45 am and around 3 pm. From the Glenfinnan car park, the path is easy and well marked. A rain jacket is advisable, as the wait can be long. The train crosses the viaduct in under two minutes, then continues towards Mallaig. A few minutes later, a regular train passes in the other direction, far less impressive.

In Fort William, the visit continues with The Wildcat, a charming coffee shop serving coffee and sweet treats. The high street charms with its little shops and friendly atmosphere.

Ten Days of Road Tripping in Scotland – Mallaig

On this second day, the departure is from the station to take the famous Jacobite Steam Train. Booking online is strongly recommended because of its popularity. In standard class, the journey begins in a thick white smoke. The trip, calm and sometimes monotonous, nevertheless offers breathtaking green landscapes. A break of about twenty minutes takes place at Glenfinnan station. The train then reaches Mallaig, its terminus, after about two hours.

On site, two hours are enough to visit the harbour and a few shops. The tea break at The Tea Garden Café offers a welcome treat. The return to Fort William is by train, in relative calm. The day ends with dinner at Café Mango, a restaurant combining Indian and Thai cuisine.

Day 10 – Highland Titles

Nature Reserve

For the last full day in Scotland, it is off to Highland Titles, three kilometres from Duror. This nature reserve offers the chance to buy a small plot to help preserve wildlife and flora. Note that this land remains symbolic and does not grant real ownership. After a walk on site, it is back to Edinburgh. And so end these ten days of road tripping in Scotland.

This first stay wins you over with the richness of its landscapes and its cultural diversity. The desire to come back and explore other regions is certain, as the country is full of wonders. To discover the capital in more detail, the article Edinburgh in Winter ; Four Days in the Scottish Capital (in French) is an excellent complement.

Tourist Office

Ten Days of Road Tripping in Scotland