How to Plan the Best 14-Day Road Trip to Scotland?

I have been planning itineraries for myself and my family for decades, including our tour of Scotland by car in 2020. Plus, I went on a mini road trip around Scotland in 2024 on a long weekend. So I know certain regions of Scotland well.

Additionally, I was a professional travel agent for two years and planned extensive road trips and travels for my clients.

There are so many options to see Scotland in two weeks by car, but if I were to tell my friends or family where to go on a Scottish road trip, the itinerary featured in this article is what I would suggest. It makes the most of the West Coast of Scotland, with a fun coastal route, but also heads inland to see more of the unique destinations in Scotland.

If you are looking for a shorter itinerary to Scotland, check out my 4-day Scotland trip suggestion.

Scotland 14-Day Itinerary

For those planning to drive to Scotland from London as part of their 2 weeks in Scotland, consider stopping in the Peak District and/or the Lake District overnight to break up the journey since you will likely pass nearby these areas on the road to Scotland.

However, if you are driving and stopping overnight, you may need to cut out some days to make it fit in a 14-day Scotland itinerary, such as some of the time in Edinburgh. Also take a look at my ten-day Scotland itinerary.

We spent one night in the Lake District on the way to Scotland, then one night in Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and one night in the Peak District on the way home.

When embarking on a road trip to Scotland, I recommend having at least two people willing and able to drive.

Ensure you add a second driver on your rental car or if you are driving your own car, you should have someone else insured to drive it. It is worth the additional cost when embarking on a driving trip around Scotland with the long stints of driving required each day.

Since Isle of Skye is featured in my itinerary, find out the best time to visit Skye.

Read on to find out the route for this 14-day Scotland itinerary.

Day 1 – Edinburgh

• Arrival to Scotland
• Explore Edinburgh
• Dinner suggestion: tipo
• Overnight at Eden Locke, Edinburgh

Today marks the start of your 14-day road trip to Scotland. I recommend flying to Edinburgh airport if you are coming from abroad, or if you are local to London, I would take the train.

We flew on the way there, and while it was marginally quicker than flying, it was a pain having to pack our toiletries into a small bag for the plane.

You can book your tickets on Trainline.

There is also the opportunity to drive from around the UK to Scotland. I have also done this, and it was lovely driving from the South to the North through the Peak District and the Lake District. However, you should spend a night to break up the journey as it is a little too far to do in one day comfortably from the London area (6 – 8 hours).

If you fly to Scotland, you do not need to pick up a rental car for the first few days of your trip because you will not need a car in Edinburgh. It is a short (and economical) 30-minute journey from the city centre back to the airport when you need to pick up a car rental later.

The rest of the day is dedicated to exploring Edinburgh to help you settle in and stretch your legs after the journey.

Check in (or drop off your luggage) at your hotel.

I suggest booking Eden Locke. It is studio-apartment style accommodation in an ideal location. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and found the bed comfortable, the shower was large and had good water pressure, and the check-in/check-out process was efficient.

The Eden Locke Hotel is recommended on the Michelin Guide for hotels.

Some suggestions for free things to see and do in Edinburgh include:

• Explore the Royal Mile
• Browse the Grassmarket area
• Visit the shops on Victoria Street
• Visit the National Museum of Scotland
• Hike up Arthur’s Seat
• Walk through Princes Street Gardens
• Visit the Scottish National Gallery
• Wander around Calton Hill
• Stroll through Dean Village
• Explore the Water of Leith Walkway and the Stockbridge neighbourhood

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are designated World Heritage Sites.

For dinner tonight, you could try tipo. I was impressed by the delicious flavours and friendly service at tipo. It is within walking distance of Eden Locke Hotel.

Day 2 – Edinburgh

• Explore Edinburgh
• Dinner suggestion: The Scran and Scallie
• Overnight at Eden Locke, Edinburgh

You have another opportunity to explore Edinburgh today. Refer to the previous day’s suggestions or consider visiting the following paid activities in Edinburgh:

• Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Edinburgh Castle
• The Royal Yacht Britannia (former royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II)
• The Scotch Whisky Experience

The Scran and Scallie is a renowned restaurant in Edinburgh. We ate there for lunch, but you can also visit The Scran and Scallie for dinner.

The restaurant is in the lovely Stockbridge neighbourhood, so you can walk off your meal along the Water of Leith Walkway.

Day 3 – Edinburgh to Glencoe

• Pick up car rental from Edinburgh Airport
• Drive from Edinburgh to Glencoe with a stop in Loch Lomond
• Lunch suggestion: Coach House Coffee Shop and Store, Luss
• Overnight at Glencoe House, Glencoe

Make your way from the hotel back to the airport to pick up a rental car.

It is possible to rent a car near Edinburgh Waverley Station; however, you may not want to navigate the city centre by vehicle. Particularly, if you are used to driving on the other side of the road. Plus, I find there is better stock when picking up from an airport than from within a city.

It is easy to get from Edinburgh back to the airport. We took the bus, and it was straightforward to purchase a ticket on the bus. You can ask the driver for a single/return journey, and then you tap to pay for the ticket with your card. You could also take a taxi or the tram.

We always like to rent cars from Avis as we find the service is trustworthy all around the world, but also, we have preferred status, which means we generally can skip the queue and sometimes can get an upgrade.

If you are looking for the lowest price for a car rental in Edinburgh, you should check out Discover Cars.

It is time to drive from Edinburgh to Glencoe; however, it is worth stopping in Loch Lomond en route, in particular the town of Luss. Walk around the quaint village and admire the buildings and the lakefront. You should stop in Luss for lunch at Coach House Coffee Shop. It is dog-friendly and serves soups, scones, cakes, and more.

After, you can arrange a boat tour of Loch Lomond. There are numerous departure points, but we booked with Sweeney’s Cruise Co. because they had some last-minute availability and were dog-friendly. We enjoyed the boat tour on Loch Lomond.

During the drive from Loch Lomond to Glencoe, you will pass incredible scenery. You will be tempted to stop at numerous points along the way.

If you have time, you can stop at some of the viewpoints; however, the next few days are dedicated to exploring Glencoe – hence you are staying overnight in the area and will return. So, I suggest that you enjoy your time in Loch Lomond and the view from the car into Glencoe.

If you want to take a much longer route, you could drive the Argyll Coastal Route from Loch Lomond to Fort William and drive along the coast the whole time.

Check-in to your accommodation for the next three nights at Glencoe House – great for those looking for something upscale. If you are looking for a more modest hotel option, consider the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe.

The total drive from Edinburgh to Glencoe, via Loch Lomond, will take approximately 3 hours.

Day 4 – Glencoe

• Explore Glencoe and Glen Etive
• Lunch suggestion: Kingshouse Hotel
• Overnight at Glencoe House, Glencoe

Your first stop of the day is to see the Wee White House of Glencoe. You may have noticed this quaint building against the beautiful backdrop on the drive to Glencoe the day before.

Parking can be challenging to get close enough to the white house to take a photo. The best option is to park at the Devil’s Staircase Car Park, which is essentially a layby. You will need to walk along and cross the road to get to the white house.

The other option is to park in Buachaille Etive Mòr Car Park; however, be very careful when pulling into the car park to find a spot as there are huge potholes and very uneven terrain. Do not attempt to park in that car park if you have a low vehicle because it will get scraped.

Continue to Glen Etive, which is the location where some important scenes in James Bond Skyfall were filmed. The road to Glen Etive is narrow, and there is only space for one car, so you have to pull aside numerous times to let people through. Therefore, it is best to visit Glen Etive when it is not too busy.

The start of the road is close to the Kingshouse Hotel, and you may want to stop at the car park at the beginning of the Glen Etive road to take some photos of Buachaille Etive Mór.  

Keep driving until you reach the filming location of the James Bond Skyfall scene.

It is a narrow area, so you must pull your car into a layby to stop for a photograph. Luckily, there were other people at the spot when we arrived; so they could take our photo.

You can then continue to Glen Etive Estate Car Park. Here you can walk to Loch Etive, which is used in Harry Potter films.

It may be time for lunch, so if you are in the mood for a hearty lunch, you can eat lunch in the Climbers’ Bar at Kingshouse Hotel. It is a proper sit-down meal with table service. I ate the pie of the day, which was delicious. Otherwise, Kingshouse Hotel also has its Way Inn that serves quick food, such as sandwiches, burgers, and sausage rolls.

It is time to walk off your meal with one of the many beautiful hikes in the area. Even if you do not want to hike for hours, it is worth walking along the first parts of the trail to get an idea of the scenery. You will be able to take better photographs when hiking than from inside the car.

Your first option is to park at The Meeting of Three Waters. Follow the trail up the steps to the back of the car park for a view of an impressive landscape. You can also continue the hike to the waterfall.

Another must-see spot in Glencoe is Three Sisters Viewpoint. It has a decent-sized car park that fills up quickly because it is so popular. So, you may need to return on one of your other days in Glencoe if the car park is full. We waited for 10 minutes one day, and no spaces became available. Another day, we came and a young lady was playing the bagpipes, which was magical.

Again, you do not need to complete the entire hike to get blessed with exceptional scenery – just like the Quiraing hike in Isle of Skye.

It has been a busy day, so you are free to continue exploring places you have come across on your day or return to your accommodation to rest.

Day 5 – Glencoe

• Explore Glencoe
• Lunch suggestion: Clachaig Inn
• Overnight at Glencoe House, Glencoe

Today, you have another day to dedicate to exploring Glencoe. Arrive at Glencoe Visitor Centre for opening (9:30 AM). Here, you can learn more about the area and its history. There is a little turf house and a short walking trail. You must pay a parking fee unless you are a National Trust member.

Drive a little further to Claichaig Inn, where you can park the car. There is a short walk to find “Hagrid’s Hut”. The hut was built for the Harry Potter film, so there is no longer a structure, but by using your imagination, you can visualise it.

You can also do the Signal Rock and An Torr walk; however, I opted not to do it in the end as we ran out of time, and I heard it was more of a forest walk than one with a view at the end.

Stop for some lunch at Clachaig Inn. I will preface by saying that the sandwiches are very basic and did not pass the test by my partner, who is North American and used to New York-style sandwiches stuffed with delicious fillings. Go with low expectations or order one of their hot food options. The view while we ate from the picnic benches outside was spectacular.

Following your lunch stop, drive to Glencoe Lochan and walk around the lakeside trail. It is another easy hike, possible to do with dogs, and has stunning scenery.

Signal Rock/An Torr and Glencoe Lochan make up the Glencoe Orbital Recreational Track, so you join the routes for a longer hike and then walk to the Loch Leven viewpoint.  

Day 6 – Glenfinnan Viaduct to Isle of Skye

• Visit Glenfinnan Viaduct
• Drive to Isle of Skye
• Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel, Isle of Skye

This morning you will leave your accommodation in Glencoe to drive to Isle of Skye. En route, you will be stopping at Glenfinnan Viaduct to watch the Jacobite Steam Train cross the bridge.

To time your visit to Glenfinnan Viaduct, you must arrive 1 hour before the train crosses – which means arriving at Glenfinnan Viaduct car park at 9:45 AM in time for the train at approximately 10:45 AM. If you arrive any time after 10:00 AM, there will not be any parking spaces.

Find out my detailed instructions for visiting Glenfinnan Viaduct here.

There is a café at Glenfinnan Viaduct, or there is the Glenfinnan Station Dining Car, where you can eat lunch. However, I cannot vouch for either location as I did not eat there.

Start the drive from Glenfinnan Viaduct to Isle of Skye. I recommend booking ferry tickets for the route from Mallaig to Armadale – but make sure you book these tickets in advance as they sell out (I know from experience).

Your first stop on this journey will be at Eilean na Moine. For Harry Potter fans, you may recognise this as Dumbledore’s final resting spot. For those not interested in the Harry Potter movies, it is a small island with trees in the middle of Loch Eilt.

It is a beautiful sight even without the Harry Potter history. However, parking is a nightmare to reach Eilean na Moin. When I visited, there was a small layby that could fit two cars. However, some people have reported that the layby was filled with rocks to stop people from parking there. Plus, it is a short but boggy and uneven walk to reach the water’s edge.

Continue to the Mallaig ferry port, but just before you reach the port, you should visit one of the gorgeous beaches in the area. On my visit, I had initially aimed for Silver Sands of Morar, but there were no parking spots. So, we continued towards Camusdarach Beach. When you are in the area, you can drive around until you find a good parking spot and a beach that you like.

If you have not already eaten, there are some restaurants in Mallaig. We ate at The Tea Garden while we waited for the ferry. It had a convenient location, served decent food, and was dog-friendly.

Once you have crossed the water between Mallaig and Armadale, you have around a 1-hour and 30-minute drive to your accommodation.

The total drive today from Glencoe to Mallaig and then to Edinbane (with several stops) will take almost 4 hours.  

Check-in to your accommodation on Isle of Skye, where you will spend the next four nights.

Day 7 – Isle of Skye

• Explore Trotternish Loop
• Dinner suggestion: Old School Restaurant
• Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel, Isle of Skye

Start your first day with an early breakfast at your accommodation or head to Café Arriba in Portree for a full Scottish breakfast. From Portree, it is a 15-minute drive to the Old Man of Storr, your first stop of the day.

Be sure to arrive at Old Man of Storr early, as parking fills up quickly. The hike to the Old Man of Storr is challenging but rewarding and has stunning views of the loch and rock formations. Discover more about the hike in my article on the best walks in Isle of Skye.

Next, drive to Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. The car park is well-signed, and the walk to the cliff edge is short, taking only 5 to 10 minutes.

For a refreshment break, consider heading back to Portree or driving to Uig, where there are public toilets and dining options like The Galley Cafe & Takeaway.

Continue your journey to the Falls of Rha near Uig. Park across from the Old Police House and follow the lane to the falls. Your visit will be brief but scenic. Then, walk around The Fairy Glen, known for its grassy hills and stone circles. It is perfect for a light hike and offers beautiful, whimsical scenery.

End your day at Quiraing, known for its dramatic cliffs and breathtaking views. Time permitting, consider the 2.5-hour hike, but even a short 30-minute walk from the car park will provide you with excellent photo opportunities.

Conclude your day with dinner at the Old School Restaurant if staying at Edinbane Lodge, Greshornish House Hotel, or The Three Chimneys.

Alternatively, dine at your accommodation if you are staying at Kinloch Lodge or Coruisk House.

Find a more detailed version of this Isle of Skye itinerary here.

Day 8 – Isle of Skye

• Explore West Skye
• Lunch suggestion: Dunvegan Bakery and Coffee Shop
• Dinner suggestion: The Three Chimneys
• Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel

Today, you will explore the far corners of the West Isle of Skye. Start early to make the most of the day’s activities.

Begin your day at Dunvegan Castle and Gardens. The castle offers guided or self-guided tours, and its gardens are perfect for nature enthusiasts. Also, check if the seal boat trips are available during your visit.

Note that the castle is only open from April 1st to October 15th. Remember to wear insect repellent and long sleeves, as the area is known for mosquitos, especially on damp summer days.

Next, drive to Coral Beach. The drive to Coral Beach is about 10 minutes but can take longer due to the narrow lanes.

Park at Claigan Coral Beach Car Park, then walk through cattle gates along the path to the beach. The walk takes about 45 minutes round-trip. On a sunny day, Coral Beach has one of the most picturesque views on the Isle of Skye with its luminous blue waters.

For lunch, head to Dunvegan Bakery and Coffee Shop. Indulge in their delicious baked goods to recharge before your next activity.

The final sightseeing stop is Neist Point Lighthouse on the far west side of the Isle of Skye. The road to the lighthouse is single-track, so expect to pull aside frequently for oncoming traffic.

Park in the small car park or along the road near to the trailhead. The walk to the lighthouse is a steep 40-minute round-trip. Aim to visit in the late afternoon or early evening to catch the sunset. For a shot of the lighthouse without the steep walk, follow the slightly worn-down grass path at the top of the hill to Neist Point Cliff Lighthouse Viewpoint.

Conclude your day with dinner at The Three Chimneys, a fine-dining restaurant near Neist Point Lighthouse.

Book well in advance and note that the dress code is smart-casual, so bring a change of clothes and shoes.

If staying at Kinloch Lodge or Coruisk House, prepare for an hour-long drive back after dinner.

Day 9 – Isle of Skye

• Explore South Skye
• Dinner suggestion: Edinbane Lodge
• Overnight at Greshornish House Hotel

Get an early start today to visit all the sites.

Begin with a visit to the Fairy Pools in Glenbrittle. The 2.4 km walk from the car park follows a gravel path with river crossings accessed by stepping stones. Bring a swimsuit if you feel brave enough to swim in the icy cold pools.

The car park charges for use, and if it is full, wait for some cars to leave. In summer, prepare for midges by bringing a net hat and insect repellent. I talk more about specific packing recommendations in my Scotland packing list.

Next, consider visiting Talisker Distillery, if you are a whisky enthusiast, on the west side of the Isle of Skye. However, you may need to remove another activity to fit it in.

A boat trip is a must-do on the Isle of Skye and gives you a chance to see the island from the water and spot wildlife like seals, puffins, dolphins, whales, and eagles. Boat tours depart from various locations, including Portree, Kyleakin, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Elgol. Choose a tour based on the location of your accommodation and the logistical convenience.

During your travels around southern Skye, you will likely pass the Sligachan Old Bridge. This area is perfect for photographs, with the bridge in the foreground and mountains in the background.

On your journey around Isle of Skye, keep an eye out for Highland cows. These remarkable animals can be seen at several viewpoints along the A87, easily found on Google Maps. There are places to park and view the cows.

After an action-packed day, arrange dinner at your accommodation.

Day 10 – Isle of Skye to Oban

• Drive from Isle of Skye to Oban
• Lunch suggestion: Castle Stalker View Cafe
• Overnight at Perle Oban Hotel & Spa

It is time to leave Isle of Skye and head towards a different part of the coast. On your way to Oban over the Skye Bridge, you will pass Eilean Donan Castle. Pull into the car park for a quick look and snap some photographs. It is not dog-friendly inside the castle, so we were unable to enter. However, I heard that the view is better from the outside than from the inside.

The drive from Isle of Skye to Oban is quite long (over four hours), so I highly recommend splitting the driving with another person in your group.

Towards the end of the drive, you will pass Castle Stalker. Park at Castle Stalker View Café and stop for some food and drinks. Dogs are allowed in the café.

Then, head down the path to Castle Stalker immediately from the café parking. It is a precarious climb along a slippery gravel path. Or you can walk further along the road to get to the main path near The Old Inn. You could also try out the restaurant at the Pierhouse Hotel, which is renowned in the area.

Now you can drive to your hotel for the next two nights – Perle Oban Hotel & Spa (Michelin Guide rated).

Day 11 – Isle of Mull

• Day trip to Isle of Mull
• Lunch suggestion: The Creel Seafood Bar or The Keel Row
• Overnight at Perle Oban Hotel & Spa

Today you will be visiting the Isle of Mull.

If you are visiting Scotland between late April and early August, you have a chance of seeing puffins on Staffa. However, the highest likelihood of seeing puffins on Staffa is from May to mid-July.

For those visiting Scotland outside of this period, you should book round-trip ferry tickets from Oban to Craignure to explore the Isle of Mull on your own for a day.

You can drive to Tobermory (the main town), look for the shipwrecks in Salen, enjoy the majestic views at places such as Three Lochs Viewpoint, and eat fresh fish at the Creel Seafood bar.

When visiting Scotland between late April and early August, you should book a tour from Oban to Staffa. It is possible to do a self-guided tour to Isle of Mull and book just the boat to the island of Staffa, but it is a lot of driving in one day, especially with all the other days of driving on this road trip to Scotland.

I have written more about tours to Staffa and the option to drive to Isle of Mull in my detailed guide on how to get to Staffa here.

For lunch on the Isle of Mull, you can visit The Creel Seafood bar or The Keel Row. The latter option serves warm meals in a cosy pub, which is great for cooler days. On a warm and sunny day, you can get fresh seafood from the Creel Seafood bar, which is right next to the port where boats leave to go to Staffa.

For dinner on the way home, the ferry from Craignure to Oban will serve food (but make sure you have booked a ferry with a cafeteria and not the one with only a vending machine).

The Creel Seafood Bar should also be open when finishing your Staffa boat tour, but you may not have time to eat your food. We ordered fish and chips and had 5 minutes to eat them on the picnic bench before having to race back to Craignure to catch our ferry back to Oban.

If you booked an Oban to Staffa tour, you could rest on the bus on the drive back to your hotel while enjoying the scenery.

Day 12 – Oban to Gleneagles

• Drive from Oban to Highland Safari and Gleneagles
• Lunch suggestion: Highland Safaris Café
• Dinner suggestion: The Birnam, Gleneagles
• Overnight at Gleneagles

It is time to check out and drive to your next activity – the Highland Safari. The drive will take around 2 hours from Oban to Aberfeldy.

If you were to drive from the Isle of Skye to Aberfeldy, you would drive through Cairngorms National Park. However, if you are following this road trip route with the stay in Oban, you will pass Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Note that some parks have no service, so make sure you have downloaded offline maps.

You must book an excursion with Highland Safaris in advance. Dogs are not allowed on the safari, but they can go in the café and walk around the grounds where there are some deer in an enclosure.

Highland Safari tours typically start at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. So, if you are coming from Oban, it is better to book one of the later times to give you time for a leisurely drive.

You can have lunch in the Highland Safaris Café before or after your activity.

The drive from Highland Safaris to Gleneagles is an additional hour.

Check in to Gleneagles Hotel and enjoy the hotel facilities.

I would suggest making a reservation in advance for The Birnam Restaurant if you want the slightly more casual option.

Day 13 – Gleneagles

• Enjoy the facilities at Gleneagles
• Lunch suggestion: The Dormy, Gleneagles
• Dinner suggestion: The Strathearn or Andrew Fairlie, Gleneagles
• Overnight at Gleneagles

Enjoy a full Scottish breakfast at the hotel.

Today, you can explore the Gleneagles property and enjoy the activities and facilities available. If you are a golfer, pre-book a round of golf.

While my brother and Dad played golf, we enjoyed the walking trail along the golf course with the dogs. We also used the hotel pool, played pitch and putt, and rode bikes around the property.

You can book lunch at the Dormy, which is located on the golf course. Then, you can choose between one of the hotel’s fine dining restaurants for dinner: The Strathearn or Andrew Fairlie.

You may also wish to have a drink in the bar before dinner.

Day 14 – Departure from Edinburgh

It is your departure day on this Scotland road trip itinerary. Depending on your flight or train time, you may need to leave Gleneagles early and head straight to drop off your car rental.

If you have time, I suggest visiting Stirling Castle as it is on the way to the airport.

If you are taking a train on your onward journey, drop the car off at the airport and take a bus, tram or taxi to the city.

You can check train times and prices on Trainline.

Where to Stay During a Road Trip to Scotland?

Here are all of my top picks for accommodation in Scotland.

From my background of working in luxury travel, I am familiar with many 5-star hotels.

The Gleneagles Hotel lived up to my expectations and I spent two wonderful nights there. You can typically get a better rate for accommodation if you stay mid-week.

Conclusion

Make sure you get your accommodation and car rental or train tickets booked to get started.

To help you plan your perfect route, take a look at my detailed 10 day Scotland itinerary or 4 day Scotland itinerary, depending on how much time you have.

If the puffins caught your eye, don’t miss my guide to visiting Staffa and how to get there.

Or if you like hikes, you will enjoy my round-up of the best Isle of Skye walks, and if you’re still building your packing list, I’ve got a Scotland packing guide too.

Ready to see the Harry Potter train in action? Here’s exactly how to visit Glenfinnan Viaduct. And if Skye is on your route—as it should be—check out my Isle of Skye travel guide for tips on where to go and what not to miss.

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