10:15 Spend some time at the beach: After a little drive, make sure to take some time to stop at the Applecross sands beach (about 7 miles north of Applecross).
in Edinburgh, we opted to rent a car for the Scottish Highlands and it was 100% worth it! living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! We had the best time exploring the waters, watching the cute seals with a hot chocolate in hand. Our 4 day Scottish Highlands itinerary includes all of our favorite spots from our trip, but spread out among 4 days instead of 3 so youre able to enjoy things at a more relaxed pace than we were able to. Genuinely friendly and hilarious; a perfect example of what I was hoping for in a Scottish man/guide =) As a proud lover of warm weather (and the U.S.most days), only Brian could have me strongly considering moving to Scotland. 
From Head Office Team, 2022 Scottish Tourist Guides Association. per person. The whole region has become the world over for its stunning walking trails and gorgeous views of Liathach, 1,054 m (3,456 ft) and the mighty Beinn Alligin, 985 m (3,230 ft).
Backdrop to many famous films, such as 'Highlander' and 'Made of Honor', this castle is another must-see iconic landmark! You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.
12:00 Depart Stirling Castle and towards the Highlands. 12:00 Explore Applecross: Spend 30 -minutes or so walking this tiny little village and see if you can spot the deer that roam freely around the town. Itll save you from having to find a place to exchange money and save you fees!
It really is a hidden gem thats beautiful any time of the year. If you have less time, or arent planning to visit all of these areas, you can easily break up this guide by region to fit your overall trip itinerary.
We actually have a Google Sheet travel itinerary doc that may help you format it into an excel doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/130RDdmcyMieGJH2TZoNQrwIRQVYRHJD_QRfl_g5jJUk/edit?usp=sharing, Your email address will not be published.
You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. A scenic drive through stunning Glen Shiel follows, returning to Inverness to stay your final night. There arent many gas stations on the Isle of Skye (we almost ran out of gasoops!) The weather changes often, so pack layers! Also, if you prefer, you can pop over to see some of the deer in the area too! Stop for photographs and/or a short visit. Youll get to eat raw limpets, mussels and get lots of seagrasses, scurvy grass (that tastes like mustard) and Common Sorrel (that tastes like apple).
In this Scottish Highlands itinerary were sharing all of our favorite sights, places to eat, and things to do in the Scottish Highlands. Check out our if you have extra time section at the end of this guide! We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Take a wander around the tiny harbour, see the shipwreck and explore the dramatic rocky bay. 10:30 Drive Strontian Ardgour: Make sure to head straight to the ferry terminal, you cant miss it the drive takes around 25-minutes. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. 09:00 depart Torridon Hotel: (or alternative accommodation in Shieldaig) and drive from Shieldaig to Applecross Sands Beach (1h / 23 miles via the coast) its one of the prettiest coastal roads in the Highlands. 17:00 Check into a cedarwood cabin: Today, its time to check into your very own cedarwood cabin. Start/finish this 3-day Highland Fling Tour from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. 
Add an extra day to incorporate more of Skye and having an overnight on the Island. 18:30 Arrival in the Ardnamurchan Peninsula: If its still light, head straight over to Castle Tioram and enjoy the sunset over the loch. We spotted 3 on our visit! Culloden is where the last battle fought on British soil took place in 1746. 
Here are a few lodging options to check out: There arent a ton of lodging options on the Isle of Skye. 12:00 Adventure time: After a little tea break, book yourself into a quad biking exploration of the region or (river height permitting) tubing down the river (with Full On Adventure), whilst zooming down the natural water shoots and rapids. 11:45 (or later, if you wish) Ferry Calmac to Mallaig: Grab yourself a ticket to hop on board the ferry from Armadale to the mainland, Mallaig. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. STGA accredited guides are passionate ambassadors for Scotland and in providing our visitors with information and inspiration, help deliver a memorable experience for them. Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands has a wide range of accommodation to choose from. Were heading there in one month! There are quite a few ways to get to the Highlands, either by train, plane or car. 09:30 Breakfast: As with your picnic the day before, head to the Sunart Centre for a tasty Scottish Breakfast. 09:30 Breakfast: Grab a hearty Scottish breakfast. 14:30 Continue on our tour and drive further into the Highlands. This drive will take you straight onto one of Scotlands highest mountain passes (which you can read more about, here). Dip, Cover or Wrap anything in sugar and I'm Yours! He will keep you so entertained that you will be sad when the trip is over. The Scottish Government is delighted to endorse the work of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association in recognition of their worldwide reputation and quality work and training. Spend around 45 minutes exploring this gorgeous place before heading further south. 
13:45 Drive to Lochcarron and onto Plockton: The total drive is around 90-105 minutes but I guarantee youll stop in many areas. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. You can also stay at the Torridon Hotel, which is in a picture-perfect setting.
We got the chance to see The Burning Hell & Jeffry Lewis, from New York City PS, theyre not as scary as their name sounds. 11:00 Stop for a Scottish tea: Before you head out exploring The Cairngorms, are sure to stop for a hot brew of Scottish tea at The Druie Restaurant Cafe.
When we visited the Scottish Highlands, we arrived from Edinburgh, where we had spent the previous day. 12:15 Hello Mainland Scotland: After a morning on the Isle of Skye, drive straight to Arisaig where youll be heading for a slower-paced exploration of the region.
If not, consider a longer trail or visit Spean Bridge, the Commando Memorial Monument or keep a lookout for the Nevis Range in the distance. 22:00 Sleep: Catch some well-earned rest. Your journey back to Edinburgh takes you across the famous Forth Bridges. 14:30 Head for lunch: After working up an appetite with quad biking or tubing, make another little pitstop at the Druie Restaurant and make sure to try their local venison dishes that are so delicious.
Train departs at 10:15 and arrives into Mallaig at 12:25. After lunch, walk the canal way and explore a little of the town before popping back in the car. 
Check out our 1 Day in Edinburgh guide! haha thanks so much youve made planning way easier , Yay! Once ready, head out for an exploration of the area.
The expected arrival time back in Edinburgh is around 6:30 PM. 11:00 Board the Corran Ferry Ardgour Nether Lochaber: Taking about 10-minutes, the ferry departs every 20 minutes or so and costs around 10 for a car. Wear comfortable shoes (I bought sneakers with memory foam and it was a BLESSING) and dress warm (bring a sweater and a jacket; Isle of Skye is pretty chilly and you will see some FANTASTIC scenery throughout the trip, but a lot of it is at the top of hills and the wind isn't very forgiving) and you will enjoy yourself immensely! 16:00 Drive from Arisaig to Camusdarach Beach: The drive will take around 15-20 minutes and make sure you head along the beautifully scenic coast road between Arisaig and Morar.
Make sure you pack a good pair of walking boots, a waterproof jacket and trousers, and warm thermals.
Our Guides Lunch in Aviemore. 
Stop for photographs as well and hear stories about what the Glencoe Masscre in1692. Similar to the rest of the UK, restaurants seem to open later, so if youre early risers like us, be prepared to wait a little bit for breakfast and coffee! 17:30 Depart Hermitage and travel south back to Edinburgh/Glasgow. Read our full post on all of Day 3 and the activities, here, 09:00 Breakfast: Fill up at breakfast for an exciting day ahead. Scotlands largest piece of outdoor art depicting mythical creatures of Scotlands folklore that your driver will tell you all about.
17:30 Arrive in Loch Ness area and tour up the west side of the Loch stopping for views on the way to Inverness. The crossing takes around 30-minutes. 09:50 Check into Fort William Train Station and take the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. 20:00 Dinner at the Plockton Inn: Gorge on some delicious haggis, fresh seafood or go for some Scottish beef. Theres no doubt by now that youve seen us banging on about how beautiful the Scottish Highlands are and how much we loved our visit. We went for the fish and chips (with lashings of vinegar). Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) It was FANTASTIC! 21:00 Grab a nightcap: Before leaving Kilcamb Lodge, head to their sitting room with a crackling fire and enjoy a hot toddy before your walk back to the cedar lodge. 
Required fields are marked *. This trip was to remedy that fact! living on the road in our. And if you can, request Brian Smith as your guide; you will NOT regret it. 5 Easy Ways To Avoid Paying Excess Baggage Charges At The Airport!
It's Princess, and I wrote that last part just for you. its a picturesque place thats well worth seeing when youre in the area.
Alaska in @brisketthevan Read all of day 5s activities and adventures, here. 16:20 Depart Pitlochry and travel south stopping at the Hermitage Woodland Walk (alternative if weather bad Dunkeld). You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. The Highland cows are everywhere. You would still need to rent a car to get to the other spots on this guide though.
13:00 Head back to the hotel: Drop the bikes back at your hotel (agreed with Sunart Cycles). Once you arrive, grab yourself a Tunnocks teacake and a piping hot cup of Scottish tea. Its really easy to spot when youre driving down and its likely youll make a few new friends on this tiny road too. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
10:00 Rent a bike: A second day of being more relaxed and on a slow adventure, make sure to reserve yourself some cycles from Sunart Cycles (which Tim, from Sunart Cycles) kindly delivered to our hotel for us.
23:00 Sleep: Catch some well-earned rest. See the buildings, the clothes and weapons, and how people lived 300 years ago. 
Scotland is one of those countries that has a heap of good quality, delicious and locally produced dishes that everyone should try at least once, with the Highlands being no exception.
), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors.
2021 Adventures of A+K. She catered to everyone's needs and made the whole experience extremely interesting. I promise, you wont be able to resist once you see them. 18:00 approx Arrive Fort William for an overnight stay. 17 Incredible Places To Go Skiing In Europe. Continue driving along Loch Ness until you reach the southern end of the lake and the cute little town of, Take a break from hiking and enjoy a delicious cup of. Before Yaya started at Cambridge, we both studied at St. Andrews (on the east coast) but for some silly reason, we never made it into the Highlands. (read our full post on the tour, here). If you have some more time, make a few stops to look out for the Loch Ness Monster and head on the Loch Ness trail which is a great route to walk if youre short on time. We are glad this helped! This website uses the following additional cookies: wordpress_logged_in_2d70ebc1b250fef041fa21ba54d190a9. 15:30 Time for a short hike: Stop off at The Torridon Activities, Located on the shores of Loch Torridon, its the perfect place for a little stroll, mountaineering and kayaking, time-dependent obviously. The postcode for the Dolphin Spirit RIB trip is IV1 1FF. The team will kit you out in thermal gear and goggles so youll be nice and warm. 2 nights overnight accommodation in Inverness (see 'Know before you go' for details), Appreciate the majesty of Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Experience film locations used in James Bond, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and Outlander, Your accommodation in Inverness is not included. It was incredible! Head out into the waters on the Sula Mhor (Calums boat) and keep your eyes peeled for these cute seals. 15:30 Arrive Pitlochry for a chance to explore on your own the many shops and cafes that line the Main street. 
Highlights within the Castle include the Great Hall, Royal Palace, Stirling Heads and much more. 13:00 Lunch in Fort Augustus: On your way further north, make a stop at Fort Augustus where you can head into the Lock Inn for some tasty grub. We visited the Scottish Highlands in August, which is the peak time, and it was amazing! 198.82
If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. 10:00 Drive to Rothiemurchus: this drive will take you about 45-minutes and youll end up smack bang within the UKs largest National Park, The Cairngorms. You also have access to the bunkhouse, which has a full kitchen you can cook meals in. In the evening, visit a local Highland Pub to drink some Scotch whisky or beer and eat some traditional Scottish food, whilst listening to some local musicians perform. Embark on a 3-day guided tour of the Scottish Highlands and visit highlights, including Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. The Queens View is named after Robert the Bruces wife Isabella but many think it was named after Queen Victoria who also visited here in the 19th Century. =) ). Fort William has good accommodation options for all budgets. 
Before we jump into our Scottish Highlands itinerary, we wanted to share a few things to know before you go, to hopefully make your trip as smooth as possible! Thank you for your recommendations. 
! Departing Edinburgh, we will take our first short drive heading north and stop at the mysterious Kelpies. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. There is much to see and do on this 3-day Highland Fling tour.
so keep an eye on your fuel gauge! I commend the passion and knowledge they bring to guiding and congratulate them on continuing to set the standard in this area.
Be inspired by tales from your guide of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Heading to the Scottish Highlands? Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. On the way, you can stop at Fort William or the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre if youre looking to learn more about the largest mountain in the British Isles. Take a look at our full itinerary, below.
Of course, you can explore the loch, the hilly roadways and also the tidal island of Eilean Tioram where Castle Tioram calls home.