Grand Explorer

Highlights of Scotland

Edinburgh Skyline from Calton Hill

Looking towards Edinburgh Castle & the Old Town from Calton Hill

Overview

This 10 day itinerary is a wonderful introduction to Scotland. It includes a selection of the country’s highlights & finest mountain, sea-side and loch-side scenery.

Beginning in Edinburgh this self-drive route travels to the stunning west coast & into the heart of the Highlands, visiting Glencoe, mystical Loch Ness & the Capital of the Highlands along the way. It explores Speyside & Whisky Country and ends in the beautiful Scottish Lakeland.

Castle Stalker, West Coast

Looking across to Castle Stalker, West Coast

Day 1 & 2 - Edinburgh

Arrival in Edinburgh. Enjoy a City Sightseeing Bus Tour, a visit to Edinburgh Castle and explore the many attractions of this wonderful city.

Edinburgh is a great place to wander – narrow alleys, flights of stairs and hidden courtyards tempt you off the main streets at every turn, and for one of the most spectacular views of any city in the world just take a walk up Arthur’s Seat.

Day 3, 4 & 5 - West Coast & Highlands

Collect your car and and head north via Stirling to visit the medieval Castle. A wonderfully scenic journey takes you through spectacular Glencoe and into the heart of the Highlands. Your destination for the next 3 nights is on the beautiful west coast.

Enjoy a host of outdoor activities around Fort William, the outdoor capital of the UK, or visit romantic Dunvegan Castle & the magical Isle of Skye. Oban is also close by for a visit as well as a day trip to the Islands of Mull, Iona & Kerrera.

Day 6 & 7 - Speyside & the Highlands

Your route now takes you by the shores of brooding Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle and on to Inverness - the Capital of the Highlands. Your destination is Speyside - the heart of Scotland's Malt Whisky Industry.

You have a full day to explore numerous Distilleries as you wind your way through the charming towns and villages of Speyside, including the famous brands of Glenfiddich and Glenlivet.

Nearby is the pretty village of Cawdor with its 14th century castle and the seaside town of Nairn with its Championship Golf Courses and miles of sandy beaches.

Day 8 & 9 - The Trossachs

Travel from the Highlands to the Lowlands to your final destination in the Trossachs with a drive through the heart of our country. En-route stop at Dalwhinnie Distillery, the highest distillery in the Highlands.

The Trossachs is great walking country where you can bag a Munro by scaling the Mountain tops or enjoy easier hill or loch-side tracks.There are numerous wonderfully scenic drives all around you or take a leisurely trip on a paddle steamer on Loch Katrine.

Day 10 - Onward Travel

It is a short journey to Edinburgh to return your car before your onward travel.

Highland Games