Are you up for an adventure exploring a majestic place filled with jaw-dropping scenery? Where you are surrounded by lochs and mountains in sweet seclusion? A place that inspired stories including Harry Potter and The Outlander TV series. Come with us as we embark on an epic journey through the incredible Scottish Highlands.
DAY 1
Book tickets for Urquhart Castle here
For free parking in Fort Augustus, see here
The Car Rental
You will have the option to rent a car for a one-way trip or round trip from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. From either the international airport or the city center. We opted for a roundtrip route from Glasgow International Airport. We found the rental prices were cheaper leaving from Glasgow. It was also cheaper to do a one-way route. Our bus on the day of departure left Glasgow for Belfast early in the morning. There was an easy bus from the airport to the bus terminal. So, it may seem complicated but everything went smoothly. Check prices to see what works best with your timeline and budget. Watch out for electric vehicles that may appear to be cheaper. They are not recommended for travel in the highlands. Check out Discover Cars to compare rates for your dates.
Urquhart Castle
Your first day will be a bit of a doozy as we try to hit the ground running to fit in as much of what the highlands has to offer. It is a long drive but very scenic and a great way to get a feel for the amazing places you are going to be exploring.
Your first stop in the Highlands will be Urquhart Castle. This castle has an incredible history for Scotland. It played a pivotal role in Scotland winning its independence. Between 1296 and 1692 it changed hands from the Scottish Clans to the English many times. This was because it was a key strategic stronghold for holding the area. In its final days, it was purposefully blown up. This was to stop it from becoming a military stronghold the English could use against the Clans. With its incredible history and amazing views of Loch Ness, it is worth a visit. Especially for your first stop.
You are going to want to take your time at this incredible historic site, so try to arrive earlier if possible. The staff here are welcoming and well-informed about the Castle. There is a short video which plays every 15-30 minutes. A lot of people opt to skip the video but I highly recommend you watch it before exploring the grounds. It will help explain the importance of the castle in Scotland’s’ history. This will give you a greater appreciation for the place you are visiting. It also offers a wonderful surprise at the end of the video that should not be missed.
While you wait for the next video showing take a look around the visitor center. There are some great infographic dioramas about the castle. You can also grab a coffee at the café after your long drive or check out the gift shop while you wait.
When your ready to head down to the castle ruins. Try to imagine what it must have looked like in its prime. The people going about their everyday lives, the kitchens firing for the inhabitants of the castle. Walk through the entrance gate and head left into the tower dungeon. Check out the cell and see what you would have been in for if you didn’t follow the Lord of the Castles laws. Walk up to the second floor to get a better view of the area which you are starting to explore. From here you can make out all the main structures that are still left of the once-great castle.
As you learn about the people who lived here be sure to check out every nook and cranny of the site. Don’t miss any areas.
Fort Augustus
From the castle take a short drive to Fort Augustus. Located at the southern tip of Loch Ness. This beautiful scenic village is a fantastic spot to check out the Caledonian Canal. It is a place for people who love to walk and explore. Grab a bite to eat at one of the pubs or restaurants in the area. Then take in the chill vibe as the village prepares for the evening’s influx of visitors.
After you enjoy some of the local cuisine. Then take a stroll along the canal and make your way down to Scotland’s smallest lighthouse. Named Admire the Pepperpot Lighthouse. Keep following the path past the lighthouse. Take in the beautiful sunset skies down by the shore of Loch Ness. From here you will see people on all sides enjoying the sunset.
If you want to check out a little secret, turn to face the lighthouse from the shore of Loch Ness. Make a left, go up the hill and check out the Highland Club. The building is a former Fort, Monastery, and Abby. Which has been converted into beautiful modern apartment-style luxury accommodations. If you have the opportunity to stay here, be sure to take in the majesty and history of the building. I recommend keeping your blinds drawn. This way you can see the incredible views The Highland Club offers of the area.
When we did this trip, we stayed in Foyers Roost. It was a more affordable accommodation which still offered great views of Loch Ness. It was dark by the time we left Fort Augustus. So, we did not get to appreciate the incredible views until the next morning. Waking up to the serene views of Loch Ness was something special. It was incredible watching the mist roll over the forest onto the lake. Seeing the surrounding area slowly wake up was like being in another time.
If you stay here, you will want to take in the morning views. The drive on the way out is beautiful. Foyers Roost is nestled in the surrounding lush forested area up in the hills. You are surrounded by lush forests on either side. Hints of the beautiful Loch poke through the dense trees every so often. It was a nice surprise for our drive to the next destination after missing it the night before.
Want to book the same accommodations? Use our link to book with Booking.com here.
DAY 2
Isle of Skye
The next part of our journey takes you to a majestic place where the landscapes seem to be pulled out of a fantasy epic. The geological formations create amazing vistas. With rolling green hills, incredible high rock peaks, thick green forests, and sheer cliffs which fall into the ocean. It will fan the flame of your inner wilderness adventurer.
Here we will be doing the Torrernish Loop. It is a scenic drive around the Totternish Peninsula in the North Eastern part of the island. It takes you to most of the amazing sites the isle has to offer. The drive can be done in about an hour and a half without stopping. There are so many incredible places to see on it that you will need a full day to do the loop. We are only hitting a few of the incredible spots as time is short. We have already had a long drive from the morning to get to this majestic place. If you have more time, it would be well spent here.
Portree
Your first stop on the Isle of Skye is the capital, Portree. It sits on the east side of the island overlooking Loch Portree. It is a lovely, picturesque town. Filled with colourful buildings, little shops, restaurants, and cafes to explore. It is a perfect first stop on the Totternish Loop to introduce you to the area and get a feel for the locals who live there. You will want to get something to eat here to fuel up for the next stop on your journey, you are going to need the energy.
When we were here, we ate at Pizza Way. A little pizza shop offering an amazing Pepperoni Pizza and surprisingly good coffee. It was very affordable and delicious. We parked down by the water and ate our lunch with a view of the bay. Weather permitting, you can take a stroll along the bay before heading on to the next part of our trip.
The Old Man of Storr
After lunch and maybe a little shopping, get back in the car for a short drive to your next stop in the journey. This is a staple stop on the loop for many people. It is one of the main hikes that I was looking forward to doing when we did our road trip. It’s an out-and-back hike averaging about 1 hour and 45 minutes without stops. It leads you to views of the jaw-dropping geological landscape. With 674m-tall sharp rock face peaks on one side and grassy slopes on the other. Here you feel like you are on an epic journey across another world.
You will definitely want to be prepared with proper weather gear for this hike. Especially depending on the time of year you are visiting. We did it in late September which brings a lot of rain to the area. For us, it was raining pretty hard when we arrived at the trailhead parking. But we were willing to embrace whatever the weather threw at us.
About halfway up to the peak, the already lousy weather started to take a turn. It brought in close to gale-force winds and harder rain. In the distance, we started to see darker storm clouds creeping their way towards us. Visibility ahead was only a few meters and the steps were very slippery. We decided it was safer to call it there. The rest of the hike was steep steps, all accent next to a ledge on slippery rocks which we could barely see. The hike was already pretty epic up to this point with the amazing views despite the weather.
If you do go at this time of year, be prepared for the same kind of experience. If we had higher-rated rain gear and proper shoes with better grip we would have been able to complete this hike. Keep in mind that the weather at the peak can drastically change at any time of year. So at least have a raincoat handy and proper footwear.
For such a short trail you will feel like you are climbing up high in the mountains in some far-off world. Regardless of the weather on your visit, it is definitely worth it to climb The Storr. It leaves you with fond memories and an epic experience.
Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
After your hike, make a stop at the trailhead restroom to dry off if you got wet. Then its time to drive to the next stop on the loop. The Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls viewpoint. After you park, walk a short distance to the viewpoint and you will feel the power of the falls as you arrive at the cliffs edge. You get a real sense of awe staring at the magnificent water thrashing down to the sea below. There are some great photo spots of the falls. Especially if you are there when the lighting is right.
The Kilt Rock viewpoint is also quite spectacular. The sheer 90m tall cliffs are a sight to behold. Their amazing natural geometric shapes look like folds in a Scottish kilt. The cliffs will “sing” to you on a windy day which is most of the time. This is a result of man-made interference. The safety fencing for the viewpoint goes deep into the rocks. The bottom of the poles stick out lower down the cliffside. This causes an eerie howling sound coming from the edge as the wind blows up the poles. Almost like hearing a haunting pipe organ. It’s quite mystical and something to behold. It feels like banshees are singing their haunting songs to you as you take in viewpoint.
You only need about 15-20 minutes here. But it is worth the shortstop to experience the falls and the singing cliffs. You will want to stay here longer to take some better photos and listen to the singing of the cliffs. But with so much to see you need to jump back in your car and head out to the next leg of this day’s journey.
The Fairy Glen
Formed over 100,000 years ago by post-Glacier landslides and years of erosion. The Fairy Glen is a site to behold. With a rolling hill landscape, strange rock formations and mini mountain peaks. You can imagine being the center of a fairy civilization. It is a fantastic place to walk and explore. Seeing all interesting mini formations, creeks, rolling hills, and peaks. You will want to try to get here at least an hour or two before sunset. This will allow you to walk around and see all it has to offer and have time to take some great photos.
There is a small fee to use the parking for a few hours. When we were here, we arrived later in the day and it was already getting dark. We managed to climb a few of the rolling hills to see some of the landscape. But we didn’t get to see all that we wanted to. We stayed until the sun went down and then headed to our accommodation for the night. It was a long dark drive.
If you can, I recommend staying the night on The Isle of Skye. This will allow you to revisit some of the spots in the morning. You can also take in the beautiful island one last time at sunrise. We stayed at Kyle of Lochalsh as we found it to be more within our budget and was a better start for the next leg of the trip.
DAY 3
Eilean Donan Castle
The next stop on your journey takes you to one of the most iconic castles in all of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle. Located at Loch Duich just outside of Kyle of Lochalsh. The castle is featured in films like The Highlander and The World is Not Enough. It offers breathtaking views of the area and allows for some incredible photos.
Head over to the visitor’s centre after you park your car and grab some breakfast from the café. After breakfast, head across the bridge to explore a castle from the 13th century. Even if you do not go into the castle, it is a terrific place to stop to take some incredible photos.
When we did this trip, we grabbed breakfast and found a wonderful place to park between two trees. This gave us a great view of the castle while we ate. We opted not to go in as we had a bit of a late start to our day and just took photos after breakfast. You only need to pay for parking if you plan on crossing the bridge to get into the castle. The parking is included in the ticket. Even without going into the castle, we spent an hour there. Allow yourself 1-3 hours depending on whether you plan to go into the castle. If you have the time, I do recommend going into the castle. We arrived there later than planned and missed it. We were rushed because we needed to get to the next spot on our road trip.
Fort William
After spending some time at the castle it’s time to hop in the car again. We are headed to the next stop on your tour of the Scottish Highlands, Fort William. Located at the foot of Ben Nevis, the United Kingdom’s highest peak, it is the Outdoor Capital of the UK. This beautiful little town is an outdoor enthusiast and hiker’s dream. It is a hub for travelers who are hiking in the surrounding area and the epic Ben Nevis. It has loads of outdoor gear shops for you to find any gear you need for your hiking adventures. The locals are very friendly. They love to strike up a conversation about the area with would-be adventurers.
After getting soaked through on our hike at The Old Man and the Storr we decided to get a proper rain jacket for Robyn. We even looked for rain pants. We made sure to check all the stores to find the best deal and get the best available option.
If hiking is not your thing there are plenty of whisky shops and other places to browse through down the main strip of town. You can also grab some lunch at one of the pubs or restaurants. There are plenty to choose from and all offer great drinks and great Scottish food. We opted to have some Indian instead of local food this time and ate at Spice Tandori. It is a bit on the pricier side but the food is good and the service was excellent.
After you have done some shopping. Or exploring the town and grabbing some lunch. Check into your accommodation and hop back into your car for a short scenic drive. We are headed to a very iconic spot next.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Located in the West Scottish Highlands at the top of Loch Shiel we are headed to Glenfinnan Viaduct. An iconic railway crossing built between 1897 and 1901. It is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland and crosses the river Finnan at a height of 30 meters. It is probably most recognizable from the Harry Potter films. It is where the Hogwarts Express takes Harry Potter and other aspiring witches and wizards to Hogwarts.
The viaduct is a short walk from the parking lot. If you plan on getting some photos from above, be prepared to trek a bit in the mud up a semi-steep hill. There are a few potential viewpoints around the area where you can get some great shots. Photos of the viaduct are great without the train crossing it too. The spots are not exactly marked. But there are almost always people in the area standing in some of the spots waiting for the train’s arrival.
When we did this trip, we wanted to ride the Hogwarts Express across the bridge. Then go to the viaduct to take some shots of the train crossing the bridge. But we found that the train is booked up very early in the year and is quite costly. We were researching this about a month before the road trip and decided to ride the train on another visit. The train ride itself can cost anywhere from $65.00 GBP – $80.00 GBP per person ($83.00 -$102.00 USD / $110.00 – $137.00 CAD). The journey is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, one way. It leaves from Fort William and ends at Mallaig. You can get a 1-way ticket or opt for a return ticket for an out-and-back trip. If you do this, you will have approximately 2 hours to explore Mallaig. The train then returns to Fort William.
You can find more information here if you are interested in riding the train as well.
Even if you are not a fan of the films, this is an incredible spot to visit. It offers spectacular views, and the visitors center gives you a rich history of the area. Give yourself plenty of time for this stop as you will want to take in the incredible views of the area. Take a walk around the lower
DAY 4
Glencoe Visitor Center
Today is all about taking in incredible scenic views in one of the most beautiful areas in Scotland. Grab a good breakfast before you hit the road for an epic drive through the majestic Glencoe.
There are many trails and viewpoints in this beautiful area of Scotland. Driving up and down the A-82 taking in the vistas is a highlight of this trip. It feels like you are driving through a Tolkien-inspired landscape. Where the Riders of Rohan might be seen in the distance coming over one of the hills or mountains. There are so many awe-inspiring spots. You could spend the entire day driving around to take photos and take it all in.
Your first stop is the wonderful visitor’s center. It offers a plethora of knowledge about the surrounding area. As well as some very informative staff with suggestions of things to do. There are also a few nice walks around the visitors’ center. They are very scenic and are a great way to stretch your legs if you plan on hiking in the area.
After you have explored the visitors centre get back in the car and head out for this scenic drive. Head out to Glen Etive. It’s one of the few turnoffs in the Glencoe area and is a beautiful drive into a valley. It was featured in the James Bond film Skyfall. You can drive the road for a bit or stop and take some photos of the incredible vista. Be prepared for lots of cars in this spot, it is a very popular location as many people want to see the “James Bond Road”.
Once you have taken in the incredible vistas here, head back up to the A84 to continue this incredible drive. There are many pullouts along the highway. All with incredible views of waterfalls, forested areas, valleys, and mountains. It is all so incredible.
The Lost Valley Hike
When we did this drive, we stopped at most of the pullets you can find to hike up the side of the hills. This gave us some incredible views from different vantage points. It was awesome and I recommend you find a spot to do it. It felt weird at first. To pull over and start climbing one of the massive rocky hills with no trails, but you get some epic views when you do it.
There are so many hikes in the area and it’s hard to choose which ones to do. When we were here, we chose 1 big hike, Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley). This 6.3km out-and-back trail is listed as Hard on AllTrails. But I would say it is better listed as moderate. The trail took us almost 3 hours but we were taking our time as there are so many spots to take amazing photos. I would recommend AllTrails for this hike though, as there are some spots which can be hard to navigate. Many people turn back at the river crossing section as it is not marked here.
There were some technical spots closer to the end with a few class 3 scrambles. There were also some spots with exposure which is probably why the trail is listed as hard. But we managed them fine without incident. The reveal at the end of the trail is incredible. After scrambling up rock faces and crossing rivers. Then teetering past cliff ledges, the reveal of the vast open valley at the top is breathtaking. We found a couple in the valley at the end setting up camp for the night. We both agreed we would be doing the same next time we were in the area. This hike is a must. If you do plan on doing some hiking, make sure to research the various hikes. There are a lot and some can be quite long. The weather here changes quickly so be prepared for all conditions.
Parking for this trail is at The Three Sisters car park and is free. The lot can get quite full as a lot of people stop her for photos. It’s a great viewpoint of the area even if you are not planning on hitting the trail.
If hiking is not your thing, it is still an incredible drive through the area. As I mentioned there are lots of pullouts to stop to take photos. You can make a stop at Glencoe Village and grab a bite to eat. Check out the Bridge of Orchy, a popular spot for people who love walking. Go to Loch Tulla Viewpoint, an incredible spot for a view of the Loch. Then check out Kinlochleven. The first village in the world where every home had electricity. All because of the local hydro station. There is so much beauty to see here, the area is a feast for your eyes.
After you are done exploring the incredible area you can grab dinner in Glencoe Village. Or you can make a stop in Ballachulish on your way back to Fort William. It may have been a long day but the memories from this area will stay with you for a lifetime. And if you are like us, you will be planning your trip back to Glencoe on your drive out.
DAY 5
Corpach Shipwreck
We are starting our day with an walk to an incredible photo spot, Corpach Shipwreck. This shipwrecked fishing boat is a few minutes outside of Fort William. A short walk from the harbour in Corpach Village. Park your car in Corpach Harbour and head southeast towards one of the many bridges and cross the canal. Once you cross you will find yourself on a path which will lead parallel to the beach. You will find a stream which flows onto the beach that will block your path to the wreck. If you keep walking along the path, you can make a right further up which will lead you to the ship.
We took some photos from where the stream leads into the beach. You can get great shots of the shipwreck and Ben Nevis behind it on a clear day. This shot requires a telephoto lens but is worth it. Walking further up the trail allowed us to get up and touch the ship for some fun shots with Robyn “pulling” the ship.
The walk up to the ship is along a beautiful path called The Glen Way. It’s a great way to start your morning. Stretch your legs, take in the fresh air, and chat up a few locals who you will find walking the path. After admiring the shipwreck and getting your great shots it’s time to head back to the car.
From here you have several great options for day 5. You can head to Ben Nevis and go for a great hike of the United Kingdom’s highest peak. This will be an all-day event if you decide to summit it. It usually takes 7-9 hours depending on fitness level. It is definitely worth it if you are up for the hike as it offers incredible views and it is a great accomplishment. Keep in mind that this will be most of your day and you will still need to head to Sterling after the hike.
If you want a more relaxing day, you can head to the town of Oban, the unofficial capital of the Western Highlands. The town center offers some amazing shops and seafood restaurants for you to explore. Check out some of the Whisky Distilleries and take in the hospitality of the locals of this lovely town. It is on the way to Sterling so you can definitely spend a few hours here. Enjoy the local cuisine, do some shopping, and sample some of the famous Whiskey.
When we did this trip, we decided to go back to Glen Finnian Viaduct. We loved the spot and wanted to get some more shots with different lighting. After getting more shots of the viaduct and the steam train, we walked to Glenfinnan Monument. It is a good spot to learn some more about Scotland’s’ history and the 1745 Jacobite uprising. The tower can be climbed and offers some superb views of the surrounding area. When we got to the tower it was closed so we couldn’t climb it. But the area around the tower is very beautiful and worth a visit for the scenery and history.
Whichever your choice, your day ends in the city of Sterling. After a long day of exploring, check into your accommodation and go for a walk around town to find a nice dinner. We found a cute Thai restaurant, Sida Thai. It had great reviews and was a welcome change in food before calling it a night.
DAY 6
Stirling Castle
The final day of our Highland visit starts early and is a long one. We are headed to one of Scotland’s’ most iconic castles. A place that connects both the Highlands and Lowlands, Sterling Castle. The castle sits atop an intrusive crag and is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides. It was one of the most used royal residences for both its prime location and its defensive position.
This beautiful castle has been around since the 12th century. Most of the main structures are from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It plays an important role in Scotland’s history. There have been 8 sieges on the castle. Several of which took place during Scotland’s’ fight for independence. Many Kings and Queens were crowned here including Mary, Queen of Scots. Inside you will find an area which shows you the Royal lineage. It helps you learn who is related to whom and how they came to the castle.
On the south side of the castle, you will see the Queen Ann Gardens. Filled with incredible flora and offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. You will want to spend a lot of time here just smelling the sweet roses and strolling through the herb garden. We made sure to get a lot of photos here while we could as it is a popular spot for people and can get quite crowded.
There is much to see and do on the castle grounds. Check out the Stirling Tapestries. Tour the great kitchens. They have wax figures set up to let you see what life was like back then with the busy bustling kitchens. Don’t forget to check out the gallery of Stirling Heads. They are massive oak medallions. Carved with images of kings, queens, nobles, and Roman Emperors. This part was a highlight for me, the craftsmanship is incredible.
There is plenty to do for everyone. Whether you want to walk around and take photos or learn about the castle’s history. There are even guided areas included with your ticket. When we were here, we spent several hours taking in all that the castle had to offer. We spent from morning until mid-afternoon here. As we were here for so long, we ate lunch at the restaurant of the castle. It had some great menu options which were reasonably priced. It fueled us to keep exploring the castle. The castle is an all-day event not to be missed.
Book tickets for Stirling Castle here
The Kelpies
After exploring Stirling Castle and taking in its rich history, it’s time to head back down to your car. Our final stop takes us to a more modern spot but an incredible one all the same. We are headed to the Kelpies.
They are the second-largest equine sculptures in the world standing at 30 meters high. Located between Falkirk and Grangemouth, they can be seen from the M9 motorway. You will want to see these during daylight and at night as in the evening hours they light up. They are free to visit if you want to walk around them and the surrounding area. You can also see inside of them by booking a tour at the visitors’ center. It was closed when we arrived, so we just walked around the surrounding area. We took some photos and videos of the beautiful sculptures.
Most people are only here for about an hour. If you are a photographer, you will want to get a bunch of great shots in different lighting conditions. So, make sure to give yourself some more time to scout out your shots and take in the amazing sculptures. Be sure to stay until it starts to get dark. Not only do they light up which creates an amazing view of the night sky. But the lights change colour every few minutes. It’s a great stop to end our road trip offering a contrast from all the beautiful castles we had seen.
Our final stop was near the airport so we could drop off the car in the morning and catch the bus to Belfast. We arrived late and were out before sunrise.
Our journey will take you to so many amazing places around Scotland. The amazing landscapes, rich history, and incredible people will make you fall in love with this country. Before our time ended in Scotland, we had already decided that we had to come back. We had only just scratched the surface of what this incredible country has to offer. Scotland will always hold a special place in our hearts. I hope you get the chance to experience it for yourself. Let us know in the comments below if you have been to Scotland or are planning to. Did you follow our itinerary, or did you change it and explore some different places?