Are you planning a trip to Scotland? Perfect! Here, you will be given a detailed itinerary for spending 7 days in Scotland.
Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s a paradise for outdoor and history lovers.
From the beautiful castles to the Scottish isles and their stunning beaches, there is so much to see in Scotland in a week!
In order to help you make the best of your time, we put together this ultimate 7-day Scotland itinerary.
You will explore the best of what this beautiful country has to offer, including its famous castles, stunning countryside and vibrant cities. So pack your bags and get ready to explore Scotland in a week!
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QUICK SUMMARY – 7 DAYS IN SCOTLAND
- BEST TOUR: Rabbie’s Highland Explorer: Skye & Far North
- MUST SEE: Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Skye, Fort William, Glenfinnan
- BEST STARTING POINT: Edinburgh
- BEST HIKES: Fairy Pools and Old Man of Storr
- FOR HARRY POTTER LOVERS: Jacobite Train and Harry Potter walking tour in Edinburgh
- FOR WHISKY LOVERS: Whisky Tasting and Folklore in Edinburgh and The Scotch Whisky Experience
How to get to Scotland
The best way to get to Scotland is by flying to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
They are the main airports in Scotland and you can find loads of flights (including some cheap ones) from the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Once you arrive, you can take a bus or train to the city centres.
If you’re coming from London, there are also direct flights from London Heathrow to Edinburgh.
You can also opt for the train however since it’s a pretty long journey, you should consider taking the overnight train. It’s a great experience and will save you a hotel night as well.
How to get around Scotland
There are two ways you can get around Scotland easily: by renting a car or booking a tour.
Scotland is very rural and most sights are pretty remote which means that it’s difficult to explore with public transport.
While you do not need a vehicle in Edinburgh or Glasgow, you will as soon as you leave the city.
You can easily rent a car here and then explore the country as you wish. Remember, we drive on the left side of the road in Scotland. Besides that, everything is pretty straightforward.
In terms of tours, here are some fantastic tour companies in Scotland:
- Rabbies Tours. This is the most popular tour company in Scotland. They provide excellent service.
- Timberbush Tours. Another very popular option for tours in Scotland.
The Ultimate 7-day Scotland Itinerary
Now that you know how to get here and around, let’s jump into the itinerary of this 7-day self-drive tour of Scotland!
Scotland Itinerary Day 1: Edinburgh
You will start your 7 days in Scotland in the capital: Edinburgh. This historic city is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It’s also Scotland’s most visited city so you will have plenty to see and do!
Start your day in the Old Town and walk up the Royal Mile. This is the most famous street in Edinburgh and it’s where you’ll find most of the city’s attractions.
After that, head up to Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks.
PRO TIP: You can buy a ticket on-site but it’s slightly cheaper if you buy it in advance online. You can also opt for a guided tour of the castle.
If you want to do something a bit more unique, you can go to Camera Obscura. Here you will find an entire world of illusions. Perfect for Instagram photos!
If you are a Harry Potter fan, make sure to book the Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh.
As you probably know, J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books in Edinburgh and there are so many facts to know about HP in the Scottish capital.
The Harry Potter tour is very good fun and will allow you to discover the Old town and its stories as well.
If Harry Potter is not your thing, then you should consider joining the historic walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town. It’s very interesting and the perfect activity to optimise your time.
In the evening, consider joining the Whisky tasting tour. This tour is provided by a local company and includes whisky tasting (of course!) with 4 different types of single malts.
The guide will also explain loads of things about the whisky culture in Scotland and will share some tales about Scottish folklore.
It’s super interesting and very good value for money. More info here.
WHERE TO STAY:
The best place to stay in Edinburgh is in the Old Town or the New Town. That way, you can easily get to all the main sites on foot.
Here are some recommendations:
- Luxury: The Balmoral Hotel is one of the most iconic hotels in Edinburgh and by far the very best place to stay in the city.
- Mid-range: Elder York Guest House
- Budget: Princes Street Hostel
READ MORE: Edinburgh 2-day itinerary: How to spend 2 days in Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland Itinerary Day 2: Edinburgh
On your second day in Edinburgh, you will explore more of the city.
Start your day with a visit to Holyrood Palace. This is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland and it’s where they stay when they are on an official visit to the country.
The palace is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile and can easily be accessed on foot.
You need to book a ticket to visit the Holyrood Palace which can be done here.
Once you are done, head to Arthur Seat. This is an extinct volcano located in Holyrood Park and it offers fantastic views of Edinburgh.
From Holyrood Palace, walk in front of the Scottish Parliament.
GOOD TO KNOW: The Scottish Parliament is a rather interesting building. Its construction went 10 times above budget and a lot of people in Edinburgh aren’t fans of the design. If you are interested in learning more about the building and Scottish politics, make sure to go on one of their guided tours.
You can then follow the path up to the top of Arthur Seat. It takes about 45 minutes to get up there.
While this is far from being the hardest hike in Scotland, it is still a hike which means that you will need good shoes to go up.
Once you are at the top, make sure to walk all the way around as there are different panoramas to enjoy.
In the evening, make sure to try some Scottish food in one of the numerous pubs in the Old Town or New Town.
Scotland Itinerary Day 3: Inverness and Culloden
Today you will head to Inverness and the Culloden Battlefield which means it’s time to pick up your rental car.
PRO TIP: You can find the best rates using the comparison tool Skyscanner. It’s very important for you to have a car for the next few days since public transport is rather limited and it will be saving you a lot of time.
Inverness is a city located in the North of Scotland, by the Moray Firth.
It takes around 3 hours to get there from Edinburgh so make sure to leave early in the morning! Once you arrive, it’s time to explore the city.
You can start by walking around the River Ness and then move to Inverness Castle which overlooks it. This is a really nice castle with amazing views of the river.
If you want to know more about the famous sites and their history, make sure to join the local walking tour. It’s a great way to learn more about Inverness, especially since you only have one day.
Inverness is also famous for its fabulous Victorian Market, do not miss it! It’s a great place to find souvenirs but also grab lunch. There are loads of cafés.
Once you are done exploring Inverness, drive to the Culloden Battlefield. This is the site of a battle fought in 1745 between Scotland and England and it’s very significant in Scottish history.
It takes about 15 minutes to drive from Inverness to Culloden so make sure to leave with enough time.
At the battlefield, you can visit the exhibition centre which explains everything that happened there in an immersive way.
The visit usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours in total.
Culloden Battlefield is a site managed by the National Trust of Scotland which means that you will have to pay an entrance fee unless you are already a member.
Once you are done, drive back to Inverness and spend the night there before heading off on your next adventure!
WHERE TO STAY:
Here are some recommendations of places to stay in Inverness.
- Luxury: Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa
- Mid-range: Culliss House B&B
- Budget: Black Isle Hostel
Scotland Itinerary Day 4: Isle of Skye – Fairy Pools and Neist Point
Today you are heading to the Isle of Skye, a stunning Scottish island famous for its amazing landscapes.
It takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to get there from Inverness so make sure to leave early in the morning.
Once you get to the Skye Bridge, cross over to the island and keep driving up to Sligachan where you can stop to admire the bridge.
You will then head to the fairy pools. It’s a stunning group of rock pools and waterfalls located right next to the Cuillin mountains.
You can leave your vehicle at the carpark and start the walk to the pools. The shorter walk (there and back) is an easy 45 minutes walk but if you want to make it longer and do a loop, you can also do so. It will take 2 to 3 hours in that case.
The fairy pools are incredibly beautiful. Make sure to not stop at the first ones and go all the way to the top since it only gets prettier!
Once you’re done, head back to the car and drive up to Neist Point. It’s a bit over an hour drive but it will be worth it since this is one of the best places on Skye to watch the sunset.
You can park your car on the side and the road and start wandering. If you are still up for a hike, it’s very much worth going to the lighthouse.
The stairs can be a bit challenging but the views from there are absolutely amazing. Alternatively, you can just admire the views from the cliffs.
You will then head to Portree, the main town on Skye. That’s where you will find most restaurants and accommodations.
WHERE TO STAY:
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Portree.
- Luxury: Cuillin Hills Hotel
- Mid-range: Rockview
- Glamping: Portree Pod
Scotland Itinerary Day 5: Isle of Skye – Old Man of Storr and Fairy Glen
Today you’ll be exploring the northern part of Skye.
PRO TIP: If you can, pack a picnic since there aren’t many places where you can get lunch in this part of the island and it’s better to be safe than sorry!
First, drive to The Old Man of Storr. This is a rocky peak located on the Trotternish ridge in northern Skye and offers stunning views over the landscape.
It’s one of the most famous hikes in Scotland and well worth your time and effort.
Try to get there early so you can easily park (it can get quite busy during the day). The walk is classified as easy to medium but it is pretty very steep so make sure you have good shoes and water with you.
From the car park, follow the path up to the top. If you feel that it’s too difficult for you, you can stop before and will still get to enjoy the views but if you can make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded. It’s also the best photo spot!
Once you’re done, drive up to the Fairy Glen. This is a beautiful and unique landscape of rolling hills with circular shapes.
You can explore the area for a couple of hours, walking around and taking photos of the stunning views.
ALTERNATIVE: If you are still up for a long hike, you can also go to the Quiraing, one of the most famous natural landmarks on Skye. This is well worth your time and effort as well but it is a 7km hike which can be a bit too much for one day if you went to the Old Man of Storr this morning. Only you can know if you can do both in one day or not. Fairy Glen and the Quiraing are very close anyway so my best recommendation is to wait until after the first hike to decide.
End your day in Portree where you can get a delicious meal at the Portree Hotel and a walk around the port for sunset.
READ MORE: 4 Best Isle of Skye Beaches that you must see
Scotland Itinerary Day 6: Fort William and Glenfinnan Viaduct
Today you’ll be heading back to the mainland and make a stop in Fort William, one of Scotland’s most famous towns.
Before getting to Fort William though, make sure to stop at Eilean Donan Castle. It’s located near the Skye Bridge and is one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland.
It’s worth a visit even if it’s just for the photos!
Once you’re done, drive to Fort William and take some time to have lunch and check out Neptune’s Staircase, an 8-lock staircase connecting the Caledonian Canal.
You can also find some great views of Ben Nevis from here, Scotland’s highest mountain.
Afterwards, make your way to Glenfinnan Viaduct which is located around 30-minute away from Fort William.
This viaduct is famous for being ‘the Harry Potter bridge‘. Not only is it one of the most famous Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland but it’s also a pretty impressive piece of engineering, spanning the entire valley and it offers one of the most beautiful views in Scotland.
If you are visiting in summer, make sure you time your visit with the Jacobite train so you can see the real-life version of the Hogwarts Express on the viaduct!
End your day with dinner in Fort William or head back to your accommodation if you are too tired from the day’s adventures.
WHERE TO STAY:
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Fort William.
- Luxury: The Garrison
- Mid-range: MacLean Guest House
- Budget: Garrison Cells
Scotland Itinerary Day 7: Glencoe and Edinburgh or Glasgow
Start your final day of the trip in Scotland’s most famous and breathtaking glen, Glencoe.
This is a must-see for any first-time visitor to Scotland. Not only does it have an incredible landscape but it also has a great deal of history attached to it.
Take some time to explore the area, take photos, and maybe even go for a short hike like Glencoe Lochan or the An Torr / Signal Rock walk.
It’s also worth stopping at the visitor centre in Glencoe. They have very interesting exhibitions explaining how Glencoe was created and the staff can give you some recommendations of hikes that will fit into your schedule.
GOOD TO KNOW: If you are a fan of Outlander, you will recognise the landscapes of Glencoe very quickly.
This is the filming location that was used to film the very first scene of Outlander when Claire and her husband Frank drive up to Inverness.
When you’re done, make your way back to Edinburgh or Glasgow, whichever is the one you have your flight back from!
PRO TIP: If you can fly out of Glasgow, it would be ideal. That would mean a bit less driving and will also give you the last afternoon to discover another city.
Map of this Scotland 7-Day Itinerary
Planning a one-week trip to Scotland – FAQs
You can find below answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about holidays in Scotland.
How to travel Scotland in 7 days?
The best way to explore Scotland in 7 days is to rent a car and follow a precise itinerary like the one above. There are many things to see in Scotland and it’s important to be focused and organised if you want to get the best out of it.
Public transport is good in the UK but not great to explore the highlands. Most of the places you’ll want to see will require a car so it’s important for you to hire a car or a motorhome.
If you don’t feel like driving on the other side of the road or don’t want to organise everything, you can also opt for a tour of Scotland like this one.
Is 7 days in Scotland enough?
7 days in Scotland is enough to get a good taste of what this beautiful country has to offer. You can explore Edinburgh, drive through the Highlands, go to the Isle of Skye and visit some of the most famous castles and landscapes.
If you want to explore more of what Scotland has to offer, you can also extend your trip for another week or two! There are so many places to discover in Scotland that even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough anyway!
Ideally, two weeks in Scotland would be the best amount of time. That will allow you to see many things without having to rush either.
How much spending money will I need for a week in Scotland?
It depends on your travel style. If you are staying in mid-range hotels and eating meals out, plan to budget around £1000 for 7 days in Scotland. That should cover accommodation, food and also transport costs if needed.
If you opt for a more luxurious stay or prefer to eat out every day, then you might need to budget more.
If you want to save money, then staying in hostels and guesthouses, self-catering, or camping will help lower your costs to around £400 to £500 for week.
If you like hiking, you will be in heaven in Scotland since there are many opportunities to do so and it’s free!
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