Fast Facts for Scotland 8 Day Travel Itinerary:
- Largest cities– Glasgow (635,000) and Edinburgh (526,000)
- Capital city– Edinburgh
- Best time to visit– Late May to Early September
- Our Top Destinations– Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Glencoe
- Best Way to Arrive– Flight into either Edinburgh (EDI) or Glasgow (GLA) airport
- Best Way to get around– Uber or trains in the cities. Turo or car rental in the Highlands. Small group tours from the main cities are a great option as well! (for more information on small group tours, check out our Highlands Tour HERE)
Climate and Timing of Travel
When planning your ultimate Scotland 8 day travel itinerary, the first question you need to ask yourself is when to go. For most travelers looking to make the most of their first trip, we suggest the time between late May and early September. Not only is this the warmest time to visit Scotland, but also affords the most daylight hours for activities.
Scotland sits at roughly the same latitude as the Alaskan panhandle. With this in mind, the extremes of light and dark at such a latitude need to be taken into consideration. For example, visiting Scotland in mid June offers over 17 hours of daylight whereas a trip during mid December provides just over 7 hours. Now let’s talk about rain.
It’s impossible to discuss the weather of Scotland without touching on rain. As one of the wettest countries in Europe, Scotland’s reputation for precipitation comes well founded. With that in mind, we recommend you not let the rain factor much into your travel plans. A well known Scottish saying is as follows: “If you don’t like the weather, wait 30 minutes and it’s likely to change.” Overall the climate is highly variable and good weather can wax and wane on seemingly an hour by hour basis. Perhaps 24-48 hours before a travel day it would be reasonable to consider when the driest times are predicted, however we recommend simply bringing some good rain gear, a dry sack, and not to let the rain ruin your ultimate Scotland 8 day itinerary. Now to the post!
Scotland 8 Day Travel Itinerary
Day 1: (Edinburgh Airport to Glencoe: 2.5 hours)
Get your rental car at Edinburgh airport
After arriving early into Edinburgh airport, proceed to your pickup location and get your Turo car rental. Edinburgh airport is just northwest of the city proper. With this in mind, we think it best to have a car rental pickup at the airport to avoid the need to backtrack into the city. Now that you have your rental, leave Edinburgh airport behind as you drive to your first night’s destination in Glencoe, with of course some choice stops along the way.
Visit Linlithgow Palace
The first stop on your ultimate Scotland 8 day travel itinerary is Linlithgow Palace. A favored residence for the Stewart royal family, Linlithgow Palace is a magnificent construction dreamily set upon its own park-like grounds alongside Linlithgow Loch.
After parking, we first advise checking out St Michael’s Parish Church. Constructed in the early 13th century, the church is named for the patron saint of the town, St Michael. After a 15th century English attack resulted in the burning of much of the town and the church itself, years of dedicated reconstruction has resulted in the striking stone church now present. Entrance is free and St Michael’s Parish is certainly worth a visit for the architecture alone.
Upon leaving the church, you will immediately find yourself in front of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Entrance to the palace is £8 and we recommend you pay the admission and tour the facility (more on hours of operation and pricing found HERE). The palace is in ruins but still interesting to peruse. The surfaces are mainly of large stone slabs and informative placards are positioned throughout the palace to provide context for different locations. Make sure to visit the highest point of the palace for sweeping views of the loch and surrounding countryside.
Just a quick note on visiting Scotland’s historic sites. Depending on your suspected itinerary, you may benefit from purchasing an Explorer Pass. This pass involves a one time fee and allows you to explore many of Scotland’s popular destinations such as Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and many more. The pass is valid for 1 or 2 weeks depending on when you are purchasing. For more information on fees and sites your can visit click HERE!
Upon concluding your tour, we recommend walking down to the loch for yet one more view of this magnificent structure. The loch is a site for sailing and other recreational activities. A 2.25 mile trail circles the loch and can be completed in about 1 hour should you choose as well.
Stop at The Kelpies
After leaving Linlithgow, the next stop on your ultimate Scotland 8 day travel itinerary is The Kelpies. Prominent in Scottish folklore, the Kelpies are shape shifting water spirits that often take the shape of horses. On the drive from Linlithgow to Glencoe there are two enormous Kelpies sculptures that we decided to stop and view.
At the time of their completion in 2013, the Kelpies sculptures were the largest equine sculptures in the entire world. Although they no longer hold that distinction, the pair of 98 ft tall 300 tonnes sculptures are still a marvel to behold. The sculptures are set in a picturesque park with walking trails, food trucks, and even a small gift shop dedicated to the Kelpies sculptures on site. Parking is for a small fee and there are nice bathroom facilities available as well.
The park is also set along the Forth and Clyde Canal. Whereas this canal no longer serves as a main artery of goods and people traveling through the central Scottish lowlands, it is still a picturesque spot to witness an age-old part of Scottish culture and see some fascinating flat bottom boats.
Explore Stirling Castle
Continuing your route towards Glencoe will bring you past your final stop for day 1 of this ultimate Scotland 8 day travel itinerary. Stirling Castle is one of the most historically significant and architecturally impressive castles in all of Scotland. Furthermore, the castle is set alone atop Castle Hill and the panoramic views of the Scottish countryside and the National Wallace Monument in the distance from the castle walls are worth the price of admission in themselves. For more on admission and hours of entry, the Stirling Castle visitor page can be found HERE.
The castle is well preserved and maps provided at admission assist in your touring of the site. Our can’t miss attractions include viewing the surrounding countryside when walking the outer walls, exploring the Royal Palace, and visiting the Great Hall. Fans of cinema may recognize different sites in the castle as those seen in popular shows such as Game of Thrones and Outlander or movies like Outlaw King and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
After exploring the castle, walk through the beautiful little Snowdon Cemetery on your way to enjoying your first Scottish beverages in the quaint beer garden at The Portcullis. Have some dinner and get back on the road and finish your drive to Glencoe.
IMPORTANT! Please note that this day 1 itinerary is ambitious. We arrived at Edinburgh airport just before noon and the drive from Stirling to Glencoe was not one we would care to relive. It was getting dark by the time we left Stirling after dinner and our supposed 2 hour drive to Glencoe certainly took over 3 hours. Perhaps we are just soft Americans not used to driving a manual transmission on the other side of the road, but the combination between the dark night, rain, narrow windy roads, large 8 person passenger van we were driving, double decker buses traveling in the opposite direction, and abundance of red stag along the highway, created a very tense environment for myself and fellow contributor Ethan in the front seat. Everyone else slept in the back unaware of our turmoil lol. If you are arriving at Edinburgh airport earlier in the day, you can likely still hit all of these sites without a similar white knuckle drive to end your night. Otherwise, consider skipping the Kelpies or Linlithgow or perhaps having your meals on the go to maximize your daylight and avoid taking your first long drive in the highlands after dark.
Scotland 8 Day Travel Itinerary
Day 2 (Glencoe to Uig on the Isle of Skye: 3 hours 15 minutes)
Stop at the Glencoe Visitor Center
After surviving your death-defying drive from Stirling the night before, sleep off a little jet lag and enjoy a slower morning at your Airbnb in Glencoe. Drink some coffee and then pack back into the van before setting out for your first stop of day 2, the Glencoe Visitor Center.
There is a small fee for parking but admission to the Glencoe Visitor Center is otherwise free (hours of operation and fees HERE). Highlights of the center include various exhibits highlighting the rich cultural heritage and adventurous nature of the region, a small gift shop, and a robust and delicious little cafe/deli (our recommended breakfast spot). Before leaving, touch base with the helpful staff at the information desk. Here, you can receive information on current construction, trail conditions, and parking to best spend your time in the area.
Hike the Lost Valley
After prior research and additional confirmation from the information desk at the Visitor Center, we decided on the Lost Valley Hike. The Lost Valley Hike is a 3.9 mile out and back trail with 1,115 ft of gain. The hike is not particularly long but does require moderate fitness and a little scrambling at certain points. Those up to the challenge will not be disappointed.
The hike is gorgeous! You will be treated to sweeping views of lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, and towering peaks. Some of the highest peaks in the region are known as the “Three Sisters.” These three ridges provide the type of backdrop every photographer dreams of. Leaving the Three Sisters behind as you ascend into the hillside, you will eventually come upon the Lost Valley. Named for the “hidden or lost” place of refuge that clan Macdonald took themselves and their cattle during times of conflict, the Lost Valley is secluded, serene and worth the climb.
Last two points on hiking in Glencoe. Particularly during peak times, the parking can be challenging. We were lucky enough to find a pull off spot on the road a short walk from the trail head. The parking lot was completely full and chaotic. Secondly, it is important to note that hiking trails in Scotland are rarely marked. With this in mind, it is highly advisable to always have a reliable map or app with your preloaded trail map available when hiking in the highlands.
Experience Eilean Donan Castle
As you continue your drive to the Isle of Skye, leaving the beauty of Glencoe behind, make sure to stop at Eilean Donan Castle. This place is from a fairy tale. Situated on a small tidal island at the confluence of three lochs, Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most picturesque places in Scotland.
Parking is available for a small fee. The grounds are home to a gift shop and Visitor Center, a deli/coffee shop, and of course, the castle itself. You can cross the cobblestone bridge and explore the castle for a fee. We simply stopped and enjoyed the view from afar and were sufficiently enthralled (information on hours of operation and prices found HERE). Looking for more fantastic photos? There is a Eilean Donan lookout on a higher elevated adjacent road you can check out at your discretion as well. After leaving the castle grounds, consider grabbing a quick bite at Manuela’s Wee Bakery before continuing on to the Isle of Skye.
Arrive at the Isle of Skye
Congrats you have made it to the Isle of Skye! On your way along the Isle, don’t forget to stop and say hi to some furry friends at Hector’s Highland Coos. After a long day of hiking and sightseeing, also make sure swing by the Co-op Food Shop in Portree to get groceries for your next 48 hours on the Isle. The dining options are certainly less than your previous stops on this itinerary and you won’t want to end your day early having to drive back into town for food. When first arriving on the Isle, you can also consider stopping at the popular Isle of Skye Candle Co Visitor Center, but we were eager to get to our lodging and did not.
The first thing to know about the Isle is that it is rugged and remote. Whereas these traits certainly add to the allure of the region, they also make travel there sometimes more challenging. Particularly during the popular travel months of summer, we advise you to book your accommodations early. Especially for those traveling in larger groups, lodging books quickly and there is far less to choose from than the more southerly destinations in the country.
The main town on the Isle of Skye is Portree. The town is small but has restaurants, bars, shops, gas stations, and various lodging options to cater to most travelers. When we traveled as a group of 6 in August, we stayed north of Portree near the town of Uig at the Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse. It was hostel type living with an amazing view and we thoroughly enjoyed our 2 night stay.
Other popular options near Glencoe
Although this itinerary only calls for a single night in Glencoe, if you have an extra day this is where you should spend it. Aside from the other beautiful hikes and outdoor pursuits around Glencoe proper, just north of Glencoe is Fort William. Commonly known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK” Fort William is the site of two main Scottish attractions, Ben Nevis and the famous Jacobite Express steam train. The Jacobite Express is the iconic train seen in Harry Potter. It takes visitors on a gorgeous journey along the Glennfinnan Viaduct and through the highlands. This train ride is EXTREMELY popular, so book far in advance if interested. If you’re not lucky enough to book passage, other train rides through the highlands are available as well. As for Ben Nevis, this mountain stands at 4,413 ft making it the highest in all of the UK. Hiking Ben Nevis typically involves taking the Mountain Track trail which is 9.9 miles roundtrip, gains 4,402 ft, and often takes between 7-9 hours. For those looking for highland views without the climb, you can also take the Nevis Range Scenic Mountain Gondola up over 2,000 ft for dramatic views and a whole different highlands perspective.
Just a quick note on scenic lookouts along your way! As with the drive from Stirling to Glencoe, the drive from Glencoe to the Isle of Skye is filled with scenic sights and lookouts. We recommend you check beforehand and perhaps even have certain lookouts stop already added on your gps during your drive. From Stirling to Glencoe, top lookouts include Loch Tulla Viewpoint, Lochan na h-Achlaise View, Meeting of the Three Waters, and the Three Sisters Viewpoint. From Glencoe to Isle of Skye top sights include Glengarry Viewpoint East, Loch Loyne Viewpoint, Loch Cluanie Viewpoint and the Eilean Donan Castle Lookout.
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