what to do in scotland in a week
One week in Scotland: Which Itinerary for 6, seven or viii Days?
Y'all're planning to visit Scotland during your next trip and you're looking for the all-time itinerary?
Y'all're at the correct place!
In social club to help y'all programme your stay, I have prepared for you this 1 week Scotland itinerary. During your 6, 7 or 8 days trip, yous will visit Edinburgh, do a road trip through the Highlands, and notice the magnificent Isle of Skye.
In this guide, in add-on to the best things to do and must-see attractions, I volition also give you all my best tips as well equally my list of the best accommodations depending on your budget.
So, how to spend a calendar week in Scotland?
Let'due south discover out!
Sommaire
- 1 calendar week in Scotland: Which Itinerary for 6, seven or eight Days?
- 1) Edinburgh (2 days)
- Where to stay in Edinburgh
- ii) Discovering the Highlands (iii days)
- Where to stay in Fort William
- 3) Isle of Skye (two days)
- Where to stay on the Island of Skye?
- Scotland Tours: 1 week
- Yous're traveling to Scotland? These articles volition help you!
- 1) Edinburgh (2 days)
one) Edinburgh (two days)
If y'all want to visit Scotland in a week, the best is to get in in Edinburgh, the capital.
As i calendar week is quite brusque and you don't want to waste product fourth dimension with public transports, y'all should really hire a car (unless you lot program to go there with your own, of course!).
Personally, I always use the Rentalcars.com website for my car rentals. Here is why:
- You can easily compare all car rental agencies rates and reviews for a given location. You're 100% sure to get the best price for your 1 week car hire in Scotland.
- You can opt for their "Full protection" insurance, to be fully refunded in example of accident or theft. Tested and approved – they refunded me more than 1300€ in total! The refund process is very quick and simple. 1 E-mail with the info they ask for and y'all get your refund in less than v days.
- Cancellation or modification of your reservation is free of accuse!
You need to rent a automobile for your trip? If y'all know your travel dates, your should really compare the rates and rent your machine as before long as possible. It'southward the best way to get the best price (auto rental prices only go up with time).
Afterward getting your car, drive to the city center of Edinburgh, the first finish of your 1 week road trip in Scotland.
Edinburgh is a city of history and the identify of many legends.
The city is divided into 2 parts:
- Old Town, the medieval city
- New Town, the gimmicky city
The great thing is that both can easily exist visited on foot!
For this kickoff mean solar day of your ane-week itinerary in Scotland, you should start with a visit to Sometime Town commune and its iconic main street: the Royal Mile. The street runs from Edinburgh castle downwards to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
I suggest y'all to commencement with a visit to Edinburgh Castle, the almost famous monument of the city.
Perched on an aboriginal volcano, information technology majestically dominates the town and marks the showtime of your bout in Old Town. The visit is very interesting and you should program at to the lowest degree 2 hours to meet everything.
As well, keep in mind that it's ofttimes crowded at Edinburgh Castle, especially in summer!
And then the best is clearly to buy your skip the line tickets online here, so yous don't waste time waiting in line.
Simply past the castle, at the beginning of the Royal Mile, y'all will observe one of the oldest attractions in the city: the "Photographic camera Obscura and World of Illusions". It's well worth a visit, especially if you're traveling with your children.
In this unusual museum, you lot will find the amazing earth of optical illusions through several activities, including an animated panorama of Edinburgh. The visit takes 1 to 2 hours.
But similar for the castle, you should really buy your tickets for the Camera Obscura in advance by clicking here.
Yous can then walk downward the Imperial Mile.
With its unspoiled medieval architecture, this beautiful cobbled street takes you back to the Eye Ages. Don't forget to explore the numerous modest perpendicular alleys on either side of the avenue.
Hither are the most important monuments to come across on the Imperial Mile :
- Saint Gile's Cathedral
- Canongate Kirk
- The Existent Mary King'due south Close (this guided tour is amazing!)
- Milne'south Courtroom
- Dunbar's Close Garden
- White Horse Close
- Scottish Parliament Business firm
You will also notice several costless museums:
- The Museum of Edinburgh, about the history of the city
- Writer's Museum focusing on Scottish literature
- Museum of Childhood and its collection of antiquarian toys
- The People's Story, every bit its name suggest, tells the story of the people of Edinburgh
And if you're upward for a snack, you should stop at Clarinda'due south Tearoom. There, y'all will be able to enjoy a tea in a "so British" temper, with small-scale flower tablecloths, lace and porcelain dishes. Located almost at the end of the Majestic Mile, at 69 Canongate Street, this tea room closes quite early (4:30pm).
Afterward this sweet break, you should visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse: located at the very terminate of the Royal Mile, it was the prestigious habitation of Mary Stuart and is today one of the Queen'due south second homes.
Y'all tin can visit the interior, the art galleries, the abbey ruins and the gardens. Here too, the best is to buy your ticket in advance.
Behind the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you lot can also walk to Arthur's Seat. This lovely short hike in the moors will take you lot to the top of an ancient volcano dominating the metropolis. You volition for sure beloved the stunning 360° view from the acme of the hill!
At the terminate of the solar day, for your first dinner in town, you lot tin can for example go to David Bann restaurant. A not bad place to relish delicious, light and original cuisine at an affordable price in a relaxed atmosphere. It's located on St Mary's Street (you should volume in accelerate).
To finish the evening with a typically Scottish visit, why not take a night stroll through the picturesque Greyfriars Cemetery, located on Candlemaker Row? It'southward said to be the most haunted cemetery in the globe!
Guided tours are organized every evening, yous need to volume yours right here.
Voyage Tips - Advice
To learn everything about Edinburgh'due south Old Boondocks, the all-time is for sure to opt for a guided bout!
You lot will accept the chance to learn more about the city's cracking historical sites such as the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Castle or the Parliament.
The best guided tour of Edinburgh can be booked directly hither:
And if you're a fan of Harry Potter, y'all should definitely book that guided visit. It'due south amazing!
Subsequently a good night's sleep, for your 2nd day of your ane week tour in Scotland, you will caput to the contemporary districts of New Boondocks.
The modern side of Edinburgh was built at the end of the 18th century and stretches around iii main avenues: Princes Street, Queen Street and George Street.
Vast elegant squares, light-green spaces and typical Georgian architecture expect you for this day of sightseeing!
In New Boondocks, you shouldn't miss:
- Princes Street Garden: this vast garden mark the border with Old Town. It offers large lawns, shaded areas and a beautiful view over the castle and medieval city.
- Charlotte Foursquare: one of the most beautiful areas of New Town. You can see the official residence of the Prime Government minister (Bute Firm, at No. six), a typical Georgian house (Georgian House, No. 7 – Y'all tin visit information technology!) and very pretty streets in a poetic setting.
- Calton Hill: this small-scale hill located in the Regents Garden offers a nice view over Onetime Town and the ocean.
- The Museums (free): The Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery
- Dean Village: in this old millers village, y'all can enjoy a prissy walk along the river. It can be reached on foot from Edinburgh city middle in 15-20 minutes.
- Majestic Botanic Gardens: admire the world's largest collection of rhododendrons, detect a Chinese garden, greenhouses, an arboretum and wander through the flowers with your new squirrels friends 😄 – These are just some of the things you can do in these beautiful 28-hectare gardens.
Spend your terminal night in Edinburgh and go up early to striking the road the next morning.
You can find more information about Edinburgh in my detailed article: The 20 things to exercise in Edinburgh.
Voyage Tips - Advice
in Edinburgh urban center center, parkings are expensive and limited to four hours maximum.
There are also several long term car parks (including one right at the foot of the castle), but they are also quite expensive. Then the best is really to attempt to detect a free parking space on the outskirts of the city, well-nigh the Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Park or Murrayfield Stadium for instance.
Some other adept solution is to opt for a free in a "park and ride" outside the metropolis and accept a shuttle bus to the city center.
If y'all desire to discover the best places to visit in Edinburgh, you should purchase the "Royal Edinbhurg Ticket" here. It gives skip the line access to the Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the guided passenger vehicle bout. Simple and very convenient!
Where to stay in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel: Youth hostel located only 800 meters from the railroad train station and Princes Street. Bed in a dormitory from 30€ per night, breakfast at half-dozen€. Strong points: cleanliness, great location, friendly staff.
- Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket: Located in the city centre, x minutes walk from the castle. Contemporary and elegant double room from xc€, breakfast included. Strong points: the very helpful staff, the spacious rooms, the very comfortable bed. It is my favorite for its amazing value for money!
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh: Located on the historic Majestic Mile Street, x minutes from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Chic and refined double room from 200€ per dark, breakfast at 14€. Strong points: key location, spa, heated indoor pond puddle, gym, and the fantabulous breakfast!
- Radisson Collection Hotel, Purple Mile Edinburgh: 5 star hotel located on the Imperial Mile, 600 meters abroad from the castle. This luxury hotel offers comfortable and elegant double rooms starting at 300€ per night, breakfast at 18€. Strong points: located in the center of Edinburgh's celebrated centre, the interior design, very helpful staff, accented comfort. This is the all-time hotel for a luxury stay in Edinburgh!
ii) Discovering the Highlands (three days)
For the 2nd function of your 1 week itinerary in Scotland, you lot volition spend 3 days exploring the Highlands, one of the most beautiful regions of the country.
You will for certain love the Highlands mystical and fairy-tale temper, with its endless moors, hills, numerous castles and lakes (the famous lochs!). There is a good reason that then many films have chosen this fantabulous region as a backdrop.
And then, don't miss the Highlands during your one week road trip in Scotland!
In this region there, are very few houses, lots of sheep and a huge wilderness. The program for the next 3 days is therefore mainly dedicated to hiking and discovering wonderful natural places.
By machine, it volition take you about 2.5 to 3 hours drive to reach the Highlands from Edinburgh. By bus, the journey takes about 4-5 hours with the Scottish Citylink buses.
First, head to Glencoe, a charming village located in the eye of Glen Coe Valley. This place is especially famous for its magnificent mountains dotted with modest waterfalls.
Glencoe is the starting betoken for many hikes, including the Lochan Trails. These short forest walks (almost 1 hour) are perfect to become a first grasp of the Scottish landscapes!
If you're motivated, you lot tin as well do the superb Pap of Glencoe hike that leads to the top of the mount of the same name.
The ascent isn't very hard, even if it's quite a climb, and the panoramic view over the valley and loch Leven from the superlative makes this hike one of the best in Scotland. Plan nearly 4 hours for the circular trip.
If you accept the time, or if you don't want to do "Pap of Glencoe" hike you can likewise do:
- The walk on the hill of Betoken Rock. This beautiful 45 minutes hike starts close to Glencoe Company Centre.
- The Lost Valley Hike starts about 9km from Glencoe. It volition have you effectually 3 hours circular trip.
At the end of the day, your should caput to Port Appin to admire the charming Castle Stalker, located in the centre of Linnhe loch. It was build during the 14th century and information technology's one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.
It tin just be reached by boat, simply you will accept a dandy view over Castle Stalker from the pocket-sized beach located nearby and from the route.
Spend the night in one of the hotels I recommend a chip beneath.
Afterwards your amazing first solar day in Glencoe, yous shoud devote your second day in the Highlands to a visit to Glenfinnan.
This charming village, located only a few kilometers from Glencoe and Fort Williams, has been very popular among tourists since the release of the Harry Potter films. A few major scenes were actually shot there!
You will be able to admire the cute 21-curvation viaduct that appears in the movie "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets".
For a slap-up view over the viaduct, you tin can follow a path from Glenfinnan Station Museum that brings you close to the viaduct in less than one hour.
It's the all-time place to see the Jacobite Express steam train (Hogwarts Express's real proper name) passing by.
The train passes every morning around x:30 and in the afternoon around 15:00.
Here are a few other points of involvement to encounter in Glenfinann, Scotland:
- The Glenfinnan Monument, built on the edge of the Loch Shiel in honour of those who fought in the Jacobite Risings. It's possible to climb to the top of the belfry (with a guide) to savor a beautiful view of the loch and the surrounding hills.
- Glenfinnan Church building: an accurate and charming Gothic church overlooking Loch Shiel
- Glenfinnan Station Museum: This tiny museum located in the ancient train station volition permit you to larn more about the viaduct and history of Scottish railways
- Walks from the Glenfinnan Company Centre: These prissy 45 minutes to 1 60 minutes loops will allow you to visit the surroundings.
At the cease of the afternoon, your should return to Fort William, only 30 minutes by car or bus from Glenfinnan.
You can spend some time to discover this quite touristic city, with its cobbled streets, pubs and very prissy bookstore.
And if y'all want to enjoy a chip more nature, you should really get to the Steall Falls, about 20 minutes drive from downtown Fort William.
Hither y'all can bask a beautiful walk in the midst of sparkling nature with waterfalls, streams and lush greenish moorland. Not often mentioned in travel guides, information technology's nevertheless a great walk to do during your 1 calendar week trip in Scotland!
Spend a 2nd dark in the Highlands.
For this third day in the Highlands, you will get to the famous Loch Ness. Impossible to visit Scotland in a week without going there!
Of course, anybody has heard nigh it and its famous monster. I must however acknowledge that Nessie is quite shy, and you will have fiddling adventure to see her 😅.
With a surface of 56km², Loch Ness is really the 2nd largest loch in the country. It's located between Inverness (the upper-case letter of the Highlands, in the Due north) and Fort Augustus (in the South).
In the morning, head for Fort Augustus, about 50 minutes bulldoze from Fort William.
This pretty village built on the southern tip of Loch Ness offers great views over the lake. From at that place, you tin can take a cruise: by Zodiac for speed enthusiasts, or on a small prowl ship. Information technology'southward an activity you should really do during your half-dozen, 7 or viii days trip to Scotland!
Have lunch at Fort Augustus, then drive along the lake towards Drumnadrochit (forty minutes drive) and relish the cute scenery from the road.
The village of Drumnadrochit is cute, with pretty terraces and an interesting museum about the myth of the Loch Ness monster. It'southward also the starting bespeak of a few cute walks, including one going to Glen Urquhart.
If there is but 1 affair you should practice in Drumnadrochit, it's conspicuously the visit to Urquhart Castle, located just outside of the town. Y'all can visit the ruins of this medieval castle built on the border of the Loch Ness and savor a breathtaking view of the lake.
To combine the 2 best things to do at Loch Ness (the cruise and the visit to Urquhart Castle), you can also opt for a bout for only €25 per person. It includes a ane hour boat trip on Loch Ness and a visit to the castle. You demand to book it in advance right hither.
After your visit, bulldoze up to Inverness, where y'all can make a terminate, and and then become to Dores about xiii km south on the eastward banking concern of the loch. This charming hamlet has a lovely pebble beach and offers a beautiful view over the loch Ness.
Here, you lot can also come across Steve Feltham, the famous "monster hunter" who has lived here since 1991 and continues his relentless quest to find Nessie. He sell small clay figurines to finance his activities.
After this day around Loch Ness, it's time to return to Fort William and spend one terminal night there.
Y'all can learn more virtually the Highlands in my detailed article: The xx best places to visit in the Highlands.
Voyage Tips - Advice
If you travel to Scotland betwixt June and September, you volition need to protect yourself from midges, the voracious insects that invade wetlands during high flavor. There's even a website that lists infestation zones in real fourth dimension .
Where to stay in Fort William
- Fort William Backpackers: Located in the center of Fort William. Bed in a dormitory from 22€. Strong points: the atmosphere, the welcome, the location. The best choice for backpackers!
- Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Society: Located 1.5 km from Fort William. Scottish manner double room starting at 100€/nighttime with breakfast included. Strong points: indoor heated pond pool, the free parking, the breakfast.
- Nevis Bank Inn: Located on the banks of Nevis river, ten minutes away from Fort William's town middle. Large double room from 190€, breakfast included. Strong points: pleasant staff, very make clean and a practiced restaurant.
- Inverlochy Castle Hotel: 5-star hotel located vi km abroad from Fort William. The identify is actually a small castle that offers double rooms with a view on the gardens and the meridian of Glen Nevis. Prices start at 550€ breakfast included. Strong points: the extraordinary setting, the astonishing breakfast and the wonderful staff. The best pick for a luxury trip to the Highlands!
3) Isle of Skye (2 days)
For this final part of your 1 week stay in Scotland, you lot will spend ii days on the Island of Skye, one of the virtually amazing places to visit during your road trip in Scotland.
2 days is the minimum to make the trip from the mainland: in that location are a lot of things to meet on this beautiful isle.
During these two days, you will tour the island by car, walk through moorland and bogs, along steep cliffs, and find breathtaking waterfalls.
To become to the Isle of Skye from Fort William, the easiest mode is to take the ferry from Mallaig, 1 60 minutes away.
Mallaig is a cute minor fishing port, with some nice snack confined and restaurants. Information technology'southward also the arrival destination of the Jacobite Limited from Fort William.
You should get to Mallaig early plenty in the morning to have one of the first ferries and accept every bit much fourth dimension equally possible on Skye. At that place are 9 crossings a day. Count about £6 per passenger round trip and £xx for the motorcar.
For this first 24-hour interval, you volition discover the South Due west of the Isle of Skye
Upon arrival, take the road towards Sligachan: you will probably take a few breaks to adore the views over moors, mountains, lochs and waterfalls.
Yous should brand a short terminate in Sligachan to take pictures of its photogenic stone bridge, with the beautiful Cuillin Hills in the background.
Non far from Sligachan, about 20 minutes drive away, don't miss the Fairy Pools, located in the center of the Cuillin Hills mountain range. This succession of waterfalls cascading into a turquoise water pool takes on a tropical look as soon every bit the sunday shines through the clouds.
To reach the Fairy Pools, you volition need to park your car and walk for well-nigh 30 minutes in the middle of nature. And if y'all're there around luncheon time, information technology'due south really a magical place to stop at for a picnic.
You can then go on to explore the Cuillin Hills, whose landscapes are among the most beautiful on the island.
In the afternoon, you lot can drive back to Dunvegan and visit its castle (£fourteen archway fee for the castle and gardens) and/or go on a boat trip to run across the seals (from Dunvegan Castle, around £7 per person).
You can too become to Neist Point Lighthouse, the famous lighthouse you can see on many postcards of the island.
At the end of the day, head to the town of Portree where y'all'll spend the night.
On the next day, you will continue your one calendar week itinerary in Scotland by discovering the Due north-Eastward coast of the isle of Skye.
From Portree, take the A 855 road along the coast. You will make several stops during your journeying.
Your kickoff stop will be to see the Old Man of Storr, a beautiful natural site located about x km north of Portree. You lot tin just adore it from the road, or stop at the motorcar park, which is also the starting indicate for a prissy hike.
The hike will take you closer to the Old Man of Storr, an impressive 50 meter tall vertical rock. Information technology will take you 2 to 3 hours to practice the round trip, photo breaks included!
The Quondam Man of Storr is also know to be 1 of the best photo spots of the Isle of Skye: the site is fantabulous and offers amazing viewpoints over the Trotternish peninsula.
Afterward your hike, you should caput to Kilt Stone waterfall, about fifteen kilometers further north. This impressive waterfall flows directly into the sea from a high cliff!
After your visit, keep heading north and become to Quiraing mount range covered with moorland and peat bogs. There are some beautiful hikes to do hither, and you can relish great views over Staffin Bay.
Continue on the route and you will soon reach the ruins of Duntulm Castle, abandoned in front end of the sea.
You can get close to the castle, but the ruins aren't accessible to the public for safety reasons. In this enchanting setting, information technology is fourth dimension to let yourself be lulled by the gusts of wind and to soak up the mysterious atmosphere of the place.
Not far from Duntulm Degree, you lot tin can too visit the Skye Museum of Island Life to find a group of typical 19th and 20th century thatched cottages and immerse yourself in the former daily life of Scotland's rural population (admission is £2.5 per person).
After this long epic journey, get back to Portree where you volition spend your last night on the island earlier taking the ferry back to Mallaig on the side by side day.
It will then be time to head back to Edinburgh or Glasgow to take hold of your render flight!
Even so, keep in listen that you lot will need around 4 hours to drive back to Edinburgh from Mallaig (and this does not include the return ferry crossing).
And so if your flying leaves early on, it might be better to remove one day from this itinerary (for example spend only two days in the Highlands) to devote the penultimate day of your i calendar week road trip in Scotland to the return journey.
You will thus make certain that yous don't miss your flying the adjacent day!
For more than info nearly the Isle of Skye, yous tin can read my detailed guide: The xx best things to exercise on the Isle of Skye.
Voyage Tips - Advice
If you lot only have half-dozen days in Scotland and not a total week, you should remove i day in the Highlands.
If you take an actress twenty-four hour period and yous can spend 8 days in Scotland: later your ii days on the Isle of Skye, make a 1 day terminate at Loch Lomond, in the fantabulous Trossachs National Park. Located halfway between Skye and Edinburgh, this is the platonic stop to carve up your journey!
Where to stay on the Isle of Skye?
The Isle of Skye being very touristic, I strongly suggest you lot to book your accommodation equally early equally possible. Here are those offering the best value for money!
- Portree Youth Hostel: Youth hostel located in the center of Portree. Dormitory bed from 23€. Potent points: ideal location, cleanliness, staff. The all-time Youth Hostel of the island!
- Sky Lodges: Located at two.9 km from Portree. You volition stay in pocket-sized, well-equipped and tastefully decorated wooden chalets starting at 130€ per night. Potent points: the ecological concept, the modern facilities, the cleanliness.
- Cuillin Hills Hotel: Located in a 6 hectare estate facing the bay of Portree. Double room with traditional decoration from 210€ per night, breakfast included. Potent points: the magnificent view, the succulent meals, the charming staff. My favorite hotel for its excellent location on the Island of Skye!
- Skeabost House Hotel: Located on Loch Snizort, in Portree. Very cosy double room with view on the park or Loch from 270€, breakfast included. Strong points: the superb view, the comfort of the rooms, the very warm atmosphere, the golf game course. This is my recommendation for a romantic stay on the Island of Skye!
Scotland Tours: i week
On Voyagetips.com, I give you all my all-time tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Scotland by yourself. (All my Scotland travel guides are hither)
Notwithstanding, if y'all prefer to volume a 7-day Scotland tour with a travel bureau, I recommend you to check the 10 all-time Scotland tours by clicking the push beneath:
Book your trip now and relieve money!
Scotland travel Guides
- Purchase the Lone Planet Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.great britain
- Buy the DK Eyewitness Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
You're traveling to Scotland? These articles will help you!
Find all my articles about Scotland: All my articles to assistance you program your trip to Scotland are listed there.
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