An Incredible 10-Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary
I have been to Scotland several times on a road trip. The first time I drove up with my family and spent two weeks in Scotland, including the driving time from the London area.
The second time was on a couple’s trip for a long weekend, by flying there and taking the train home. So, I have learnt about the different methods of transportation to Scotland and what sights and locations can be seen in varying periods.
This article is my 10-day Scotland road trip itinerary. The article is useful for people who are flying and want to explore Scotland in depth. Additionally, it works well for those driving from other parts of the UK and have two weeks to spend on the drive and their holiday in Scotland.
My expertise from working as a travel agent has allowed me to create seamless itineraries, and my acquired knowledge of hotels and restaurants has enabled me to give recommendations in confidence.
Read on to uncover more about my recommended 10-day road trip to Scotland.
How to Spend 10 Days in Scotland?
There are many options for where to start your Scotland road trip – it typically depends on where you are coming from. For those flying to Scotland, there are three airports to choose from: Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Inverness.
However, this itinerary starts and finishes in Edinburgh, either from the airport or train station. The itinerary is easy to adjust based on where you book your initial arrival.
I suggest flying to London if coming from abroad and then taking the train from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverly Station. The view out the window to the coastline on the portion of the train journey between Edinburgh and Newcastle is breathtaking.
You should book your train tickets on the Trainline website.
Detailed 10-Day Scotland Itinerary
There are similarities between this 10-day Scotland travel guide and my 2-week version; however, this itinerary includes less time in Edinburgh and no visit to Gleneagles. Therefore, if you think you may be more interested in the 14-day itinerary, you should read it.
Day 1 – Edinburgh & Glencoe
The train is convenient from London because the travel time is comparable to flying when you factor in airport procedures. Book your flight or train to arrive in Edinburgh as early as possible to maximise your time in Scotland. We arrived at 10:00 AM but woke up early to make this happen.
Top tip: book a seat in the quiet zone on the train from London to Edinburgh. Our journey was disrupted by noisy children and loud phone conversations, making it difficult to enjoy films or podcasts.
Upon arrival in Edinburgh, pick up a rental car from the airport. If you arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station, you can take a tram, bus, or taxi to the airport, which takes about 30 minutes. Be prepared for potential long waits at the car rental desks unless you have preferred status with a rental company.
Then begin the 2-hour and 15-minute drive to the Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe. If you take a morning flight or train, you will arrive in Glencoe around lunchtime.
Reserve a table at the Climbers’ Bar in the Kingshouse Hotel if you fancy a hearty meal with an excellent view. For a quicker, more casual meal, head to the Way Inn on the same property, which has unreserved seating at picnic tables and quick service food.
After lunch, head to Glen Etive, famously featured in the James Bond movie Skyfall. It is a short 5-minute drive from the Kingshouse Hotel, so it makes for a perfect next stop. Be prepared for traffic on the single-track road and frequent pull-ins to let other cars pass.
Places you can stop at along the drive include Stob Dearg Car Park for views of Buachaille Etive Mór, The James Bond Skyfall scene for an iconic photo spot, and Loch Etive (park at Glen Etive Estate Car Park).
Spend as much time as you like in Glen Etive before heading to another popular spot in Glencoe – the Wee White House. This charming site is in the direction of Fort William, your destination for the night.
The best parking spot for visiting the Wee White House of Glencoe is the Devil’s Staircase Car Park. Alternatively, you can park at Buachaille Etive Mòr Car Park, though it has large potholes that could damage your vehicle.
Overnight at The Lime Tree Hotel in Fort William.
Day 2 – Glencoe
Today, you will be exploring Glencoe on foot.
Glencoe has numerous hiking trails, but many are several hours long. However, you can do a short portion of some of the walks to see the breathtaking views and take some photos.
One option is to park at The Meeting of Three Waters and follow the trail up the steps at the back of the car park to get to the top of the hill. You can extend this hike to see the waterfall if you have time.
Another must-see in Glencoe is the Three Sisters Viewpoint. The car park fills up quickly, but if you can nab a spot, you can look at the incredible view and walk through the valley.
For lunch, head to the Clachaig Inn. The sandwiches are simple and might not satisfy those accustomed to New York-style sandwiches packed with fillings – the hot food options may be a better bet. Either way, enjoy the stunning view from the picnic benches on the property as you eat.
After lunch, take a 10-minute walk from Clachaig Inn to the location of “Hagrid’s Hut.” Though the structure from the Harry Potter films is no longer there, you can use your imagination to picture where the hut would have been on the forest edge. The exact location for Hagrid’s Hut is on Google Maps to help you find your way.
Next, drive to Glencoe Lochan and enjoy a walk around the lakeside trail. This easy hike has beautiful scenery and an interesting story to go with it. Lord Strathcona created the lochan for his Canadian wife, who was feeling homesick. He brought trees native to Canada to remind his wife, Isabella, of home.
Glencoe Lochan and Signal Rock/An Torr form part of the Glencoe Orbital Recreational Track, which you can follow for a longer hike leading to the Loch Leven viewpoint.
Overnight at The Lime Tree Hotel in Fort William.
Day 3 – Glenfinnan Viaduct & Isle of Skye
Today, you are driving from Fort William to Isle of Skye. There are two routes to travel between these regions (all by driving or with a combination of driving and ferry), so I suggest you take one on the way there and the other on the way back.
Begin your day with a visit to the Glenfinnan Viaduct to watch the Jacobite Steam Train cross the iconic bridge, just like in the Harry Potter movies. Glenfinnan Viaduct is on the way from Fort William to the Isle of Skye via the Mallaig ferry route.
To catch this moment, plan to arrive at the Glenfinnan Viaduct car park by 9:45 AM, giving yourself enough time before the train crosses at around 10:45 AM. If you arrive after 10:00 AM, it will be challenging to find a parking spot.
Read my detailed guide on how to visit Glenfinnan Viaduct to discover all my tips for this activity.
The next stop is Eilean Na Moine, another spot made famous by Harry Potter. Harry Potter fans will recognise it as Dumbledore’s final resting place. If you have never seen the Harry Potter films, it is a picturesque island with trees in the middle of Loch Eilt.
This spot is stunning, even without its Harry Potter connection. However, parking can be a challenge. When I visited, there was a small layby that could fit two cars. Some visitors have since reported that the layby has been filled with rocks to prevent people from parking there.
If you want to attempt to visit Eilean Na Moine, make sure you are wearing walking boots because the walk is short but boggy and uneven.
Next, head towards the Mallaig ferry port. Before reaching the port, make sure to visit one of the beautiful beaches in the area. When I visited, I initially aimed for the Silver Sands of Morar but found no parking spots. Instead, I continued to Camusdarach Beach. In this area, it is best to drive around until you find a suitable parking spot and a beach that looks good to you.
If you have not eaten yet, you could try The Tea Garden in Mallaig while waiting to board the ferry. It is conveniently located, serves decent food, and is dog-friendly.
After crossing the water between Mallaig and Armadale, you will have a 1-hour and 30-minute drive to your accommodation on the Isle of Skye. Make sure you book your ferry tickets online in advance.
Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel or Edinbane Lodge.
Day 4 – Isle of Skye
Begin your day exploring the Trotternish Loop, a scenic drive home to some of the Isle of Skye’s most iconic landmarks.
Arrive early at the Old Man of Storr, as parking spaces fill quickly. The hike to the Old Man of Storr is challenging but rewarding and offers stunning views of the loch and unique rock formations. For more details on this hike, refer to my article on the best walks on the Isle of Skye.
Next, drive to Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. The car park is well-marked, and the walk to the cliff edge is short, and you will only visit here for around 5 minutes. It is windy here, so be careful with your cameras and phones when taking photographs over the barriers to the falls.
If you need a bathroom break, you can head back to Portree or drive to Uig, where you will find public toilets and dining options such as The Galley Cafe & Takeaway.
When we visited in 2020, we could not find a public bathroom in the Trotternish Loop because it was in peak pandemic. However, nowadays you will have more success in this department. Plus, some toilets have been built in the car parks now too.
Continue your journey to the Falls of Rha near Uig. Park across from the Old Police House and follow the lane to the falls. It will be another brief but pretty stop.
Afterwards, explore The Fairy Glen, known for its grassy hills and stone circles. However, the stones are frequently removed from the spot, so you may only see remanences. There is no set walking route at the Fairy Glen – you can enjoy climbing up and down the rolling hills. There is paid parking at the Fairy Glen, and a short walk from the car park.
End your day at Quiraing, a place that is famous for its dramatic cliffs and breathtaking views. If time permits, consider the 2.5-hour hike, but even a short 30-minute walk from the car park will give you excellent photo opportunities.
If you want a relaxed dinner, consider booking Old School Restaurant in Dunvegan.
Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel or Edinbane Lodge.
Day 5 – Isle of Skye
Today, you will be exploring the west of Isle of Skye. As usual, you will need an early to make the most of your time in the Isle of Skye.
Start with a visit to Dunvegan Castle and Gardens. You can choose between a guided or self-guided tour of the castle. Look around the garden with its array of flowers. You may also be able to go on a seal boat ride there (at additional cost).
The castle is open only from April 1st to October 15th. So, wear insect repellent and long sleeves, as mosquitoes can be a nuisance. It was extremely busy when we visited in early September on a rainy day, so you may want to skip this if it is damp outside.
Next, head over to Coral Beach. The drive is about 10 minutes from Dunvegan Castle, but it may take longer due to the narrow lanes and the need to allow other people to pass.
Park at Claigan Coral Beach Car Park and walk through the cattle gates to reach the beach. The round-trip walk is about 45 minutes.
On a sunny day, Coral Beach has one of the most stunning views on the Isle of Skye with its luminous blue waters. On a rainy day, it is still worth seeing, but do not expect to see such bright-coloured water on the beach.
For lunch, stop by Dunvegan Bakery and Coffee Shop. I thoroughly enjoyed the baked goods served there.
Your final stop of the day is Neist Point Lighthouse on the far side of the Isle of Skye. The road to the lighthouse is single-track, so be prepared to pull aside frequently for oncoming traffic.
There is parking available in a small car park or along the road.
Try to visit Neist Point Lighthouse in the late afternoon or early evening to see the sunset. The walk to the lighthouse is a steep 40-minute round-trip. You do not need to do the entire walk to see the best viewpoint. At the top of the trailhead, there is a grassy pathway that leads you to Neist Point Cliff Lighthouse Viewpoint – the location is also visible on Google Maps.
End the day with dinner at The Three Chimneys. It is a fine dining restaurant near Neist Point Lighthouse. If you bring a change of clothes and have managed to time your Neist Point visit with your dinner reservation time, you can go straight to the restaurant.
Make sure you change before entering the restaurant. Otherwise, you must return to your hotel to change because the dress code is smart-casual. The restaurant is pricey, so it may not be the best choice if you have a strict budget.
Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel or Edinbane Lodge.
Day 6 – Isle of Skye
On your final full day on the Isle of Skye, start at the Fairy Pools in Glenbrittle. The 2.4 km walk from the car park follows a gravel path and involves crossing rivers via stepping stones. Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim in the cold pools.
The Fairy Pools car park has a fee and gets filled up quickly, so you might need to wait for a spot to open. During the summer, be prepared for midges by bringing a net hat and insect repellent. For more specific packing tips, refer to my Scotland packing list.
If you are a whisky enthusiast, you can consider visiting the Talisker Distillery on the west side of the Isle of Skye. However, you might need to adjust your schedule to fit this in as it might be a tight squeeze.
Look into doing a boat trip on the Isle of Skye. It will give you a unique perspective of the island and the chance to see wildlife such as seals, puffins, dolphins, whales, and eagles. Boat tours are available from several locations, including Portree, Kyleakin, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Elgol. Choose a tour that best suits your accommodation location and travel plans.
While exploring southern Skye, you will likely pass the Sligachan Old Bridge. The bridge is an ideal spot to take photos with the beautiful mountains as a backdrop.
Keep an eye out for Highland cows during your travels around the Isle of Skye. The cows can be spotted at various viewpoints along the A87 and the locations are easily found on Google Maps. There are designated places to park and see the cows up close.
Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel or Edinbane Lodge.
Day 7 – Isle of Skye to Oban
Today, you will leave the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge to travel to Oban. The drive will take over 4 hours, so you should ensure you have more than one person insured to drive the car.
En route, you will pass Eilean Donan Castle. Make a quick stop at the car park to snap some photos. Dogs are forbidden inside the castle. But I have heard that the view is more impressive from the outside. So, you may want to skip an inside tour anyway.
As you get closer to Oban, you will travel past Castle Stalker. Park at the Castle Stalker View Café and take a break with some food and drinks. Dogs are welcome in the café.
From the café parking area, you can walk down the path to Castle Stalker. It is a tricky climb along a skiddy gravel path, but you can also walk further along the road to reach the main path near The Old Inn.
Alternatively, you might want to try the restaurant at the Pierhouse Hotel for lunch or dinner, which is highly recommended in the area.
Finally, drive to your accommodation for the next two nights – the Perle Oban Hotel & Spa, rated by the Michelin Guide. Other options include The Manor House Hotel or Dungallan Country House, both in Oban.
I stayed at the Isle of Eriska Hotel, which has beautiful grounds, but was slightly too far from Oban and added extra driving.
Overnight at Perle Oban Hotel & Spa
Day 8 – Isle of Mull (and Staffa)
Today, you will go to the Isle of Mull for a day trip. If your visit to Scotland falls between late April and early August, you can see puffins on Staffa, with the best chances from May to mid-July.
If you are travelling outside this period, you can purchase round-trip ferry tickets from Oban to Craignure and spend a day exploring the Isle of Mull by car.
For a self-guided visit to the Isle of Mull, you can drive to Tobermory and walk around the main town on the island, look at the shipwrecks in Salen, take in the stunning view at Three Lochs Viewpoint, and taste the fresh seafood at the Creel Seafood Bar.
For trips between late April and early August, book a tour from Oban to Staffa. While you can opt for a self-guided tour to the Isle of Mull and arrange a boat to Staffa, it involves a lot of driving in one day, especially considering the extensive driving involved in a Scotland road trip.
You can find more details about tours to Staffa and self-driving options to the Isle of Mull in my comprehensive guide on how to get to Staffa.
For lunch on the Isle of Mull, visit The Creel Seafood Bar or The Keel Row. The Keel Row serves warm meals in a cosy pub setting, ideal for cooler days. On warmer, sunnier days, enjoy fresh seafood from The Creel Seafood Bar, next to the port where boats depart for Staffa. We ate from both spots during our day on the Isle of Mull.
For dinner on your way back, the ferry from Craignure to Oban serves food—ensure you book a ferry with a cafeteria rather than one with only vending machines.
The Creel Seafood Bar is usually open when you finish your Staffa boat tour, but you may not have much time to eat. We ordered fish and chips and had just five minutes to eat them on a picnic bench before rushing back to Craignure to catch our ferry to Oban.
Day 9 – Oban to Edinburgh
Set off from Oban and drive to Edinburgh Airport, where you will drop off your rental car. You will not need a car for the remainder of your trip because Edinburgh is walkable, and there is public transportation.
Take the tram or bus to the city centre. You can also take a taxi, but the buses and trams are convenient and take you to virtually where you need to get for a similar duration.
If you have come in your own car, you can drive straight to your hotel to park your car and drop off your belongings.
You have the remainder of the day to explore Edinburgh. Some ideas for things to do include:
- Walk around Dean Village
- Experience The Royal Yacht Britannia (former royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II)
- Stroll along on the Royal Mile
- Tour Edinburgh Castle
- Browse the Grassmarket area
- Explore the shops on Victoria Street
- Tour the National Museum of Scotland
- Hike up Arthur’s Seat
- Wander through Princes Street Gardens
- Look for Tom Riddel’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery (Harry Potter fans)
- Explore the Scottish National Gallery
- Walk the Water of Leith Walkway and the Stockbridge neighbourhood
- Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Taste some whisky at The Scotch Whisky Experience
Two restaurants I loved in Edinburgh include Tipo and The Scran and Scallie. For additional recommendations, I recommend checking out the Michelin Guide for Edinburgh.
If you plan to stay the night in Edinburgh in a luxury hotel, I recommend The Balmoral Hotel. You could stay in the suite where J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Otherwise, you should stay at Eden Locke Edinburgh. This is where I stayed during my most recent trip to Scotland and it was excellent.
Eden Locke has studio-apartment-style accommodations in a great location on George Street. I enjoyed my stay because the bed was cosy, the rooms were quiet, and the reception staff were friendly.
Overnight at The Balmoral or Eden Locke Edinburgh
Day 10 – Edinburgh Departure
It is the day of your departure after spending 10 days in Scotland. I would advise booking an afternoon or evening train or flight so that you have more time to explore Edinburgh. Most hotels will allow you to store your luggage with them after check-out.
Work through the rest of my list of things to do in Edinburgh with the remainder of your time.
If you have booked a standard train ticket back to London, make sure you pick up some food from one of the food outlets in Edinburgh Waverley Station because the selection of food onboard is limited.
Other Places to Visit With 10 Days in Scotland?
Scotland is home to many incredible destinations, making it difficult to explore them all in just ten days. You can consider the following locations to customise this itinerary according to your preferences:
- Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
- Mallaig – Silver Sands of Morar & Camusdarach Beach
- Cairngorms National Park
- Highland Perthshire
- North Coast 500
- Loch Ness
- Gleneagles
If you are interested in an itinerary that includes more of these sites, look at my 2-week Scotland itinerary, which features Loch Lomond, Isle of Skye, Mallaig, and Gleneagles.
Alternatively, if you prefer a shorter trip to the Scottish Highlands or want to focus on spending four days on the Isle of Skye, check out my dedicated itinerary to the Isle of Skye, where you can find information on the best times to visit Skye.
Where to Stay in Scotland?
Here are all the accommodations mentioned in this article that I recommend.
Conclusion: Scotland 10 Day Itinerary
Here is an overview of my 10-day Scotland road trip itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh, drive to Glencoe
- Day 2: Explore Glencoe and its hiking trails
- Day 3: Visit Glenfinnan Viaduct, head to the Isle of Skye
- Day 4: Discover the Trotternish Loop on Skye
- Day 5: Explore Dunvegan Castle and Coral Beach
- Day 6: Hike to the Fairy Pools and visit Talisker Distillery
- Day 7: Travel from Skye to Oban, stop at Eilean Donan Castle
- Day 8: Day trip to Isle of Mull (or Staffa from April to July)
- Day 9: Drive back to Edinburgh, drop off the rental car
- Day 10: Final explorations in Edinburgh before departure
This list provides a summary of all the tips I provided throughout the article.
- Rent a car because public transport around the Highlands is limited.
- Arrive early at popular spots like Glenfinnan Viaduct to avoid crowds.
- Consider visiting Scotland during puffin season (April to July).
- Allow extra time for single-track roads and potential traffic delays.
- Book train tickets to Edinburgh in the quiet zone for a more peaceful journey.
