The Scottish Highlands is a land of myth and legend, where misty mountains rise dramatically from glassy lochs, ancient castles stand guard over rugged landscapes, and small villages welcome visitors with warm hospitality and drams of whisky. Having lived in Scotland for fifteen years and explored the Highlands extensively, I've crafted what I believe is the perfect 7-day itinerary that balances iconic sights with hidden treasures.
Planning Your Highland Adventure
Before diving into the day-by-day itinerary, here are some important considerations for planning your Highland adventure:
Best Time to Visit
The Scottish Highlands are beautiful year-round, but each season offers a different experience:
- Spring (April-May): Witness the awakening landscape with blooming wildflowers, newborn wildlife, and fewer tourists. Weather can be unpredictable, but days are getting longer.
- Summer (June-August): Peak tourist season with the best weather and longest daylight hours (up to 18 hours in June). Attractions are open, but accommodations should be booked well in advance.
- Autumn (September-October): My personal favorite - the heather-covered hills turn purple and gold, midges are gone, and crowds thin out while the weather remains relatively stable.
- Winter (November-March): Dramatic and atmospheric with snow-capped mountains, but challenging for travel. Many attractions and accommodations close, and daylight is limited (as little as 6-7 hours in December).
Getting Around
The best way to explore the Highlands is by car. The freedom to stop at viewpoints, take detours to hidden gems, and travel at your own pace is invaluable. While public transport exists, it's limited and would make this itinerary very difficult to follow.
If you're not used to driving on the left, allow yourself time to adjust. Many Highland roads are single-track with passing places - learn the etiquette (pull over to let faster vehicles pass, and give way to vehicles coming uphill).
Essential Highland Packing Tips
- Waterproof clothing: The Scottish saying "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes" is accurate. Be prepared for rain at any time.
- Layers: Temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day.
- Midge repellent: If visiting between May and September, these tiny biting insects can be a nuisance, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Good walking boots: Even if you're not planning serious hikes, many attractions involve walking on uneven, muddy terrain.
- Binoculars: Useful for spotting wildlife and enjoying distant views.
- Camera: The landscapes are truly spectacular!
7-Day Scottish Highlands Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh to Glencoe
Begin your Highland adventure by driving northwest from Edinburgh, crossing the boundary into the Highlands at Perth.
Morning:
Start early and make your first stop at Dunkeld, a charming village on the River Tay with a beautiful partially ruined cathedral dating from the 13th century. Take a short walk along the river before continuing north.
Afternoon:
Drive through the spectacular Sma' Glen and stop for lunch in Pitlochry, a Victorian town known for its whisky distilleries. If time permits, visit Blair Castle with its stunning white façade and beautiful gardens.
Continue through the dramatic mountain pass of Drumochter and into the Cairngorms National Park. Make a brief stop at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore to learn about traditional Highland life.
Evening:
Drive through Fort William (perhaps stopping to glimpse Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain) and into Glencoe, one of Scotland's most atmospheric and historically significant glens. Check into your accommodation in the Glencoe area.
As the evening light fades, take a quiet moment at the Glencoe Visitor Centre to learn about the infamous 1692 massacre and soak in the brooding atmosphere of this haunting valley.
Day 2: Glencoe and Glenfinnan
Morning:
Rise early to experience Glencoe in the morning light. Photographers should head to the famous Three Sisters viewpoint. For the active traveler, consider a morning hike to the Lost Valley (Coire Gabhail), a hidden glen where the MacDonalds of Glencoe hid their rustled cattle. The hike takes about 2-3 hours round trip and offers spectacular views.
Afternoon:
Drive west to Glenfinnan, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard to begin the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The Glenfinnan Monument commemorates this historic event, while the nearby viaduct is famous for carrying the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.
Time your visit to see the Jacobite Steam Train (runs May to October) cross the viaduct around 3 PM. Climb the hill behind the visitor center for the best views.
Evening:
Return to Glencoe and enjoy dinner at the historic Clachaig Inn, a traditional Highland pub with excellent food, a vast whisky selection, and occasional live music. The pub has a fascinating history connected to the Glencoe Massacre and offers a true Highland atmosphere.
Day 3: Isle of Skye
Morning:
Depart Glencoe early and drive to Mallaig, where you'll take the ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. The drive itself is spectacular, taking you along the "Road to the Isles" with views of the Small Isles and the white sands of Morar.
Once on Skye, visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle, which offers insight into the powerful MacDonald clan who once ruled the Hebrides as the "Lords of the Isles."
Afternoon:
Drive north to Portree, Skye's colorful main town, for lunch. Then explore the Trotternish Peninsula, home to some of Skye's most iconic landscapes, including:
- The Old Man of Storr - a distinctive rocky pinnacle visible for miles
- Kilt Rock - dramatic cliffs resembling a pleated kilt with a picturesque waterfall
- The Quiraing - an otherworldly landscape of bizarre rock formations created by an ancient landslip
Evening:
Check into your accommodation in northern Skye. For dinner, try fresh seafood at one of Portree's excellent restaurants. If you're interested in whisky, consider an evening tour of the Talisker Distillery (book ahead), Skye's oldest working distillery, known for its peaty, maritime character.
Day 4: Isle of Skye
Morning:
Explore the western part of Skye, starting with Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. The castle gardens are beautiful, and you can take a boat trip to see the local seal colony.
Afternoon:
Drive to Neist Point, Skye's most westerly tip, marked by a dramatic lighthouse perched on cliffs. This is one of Scotland's best spots for watching seabirds and possibly catching sight of whales, dolphins, and basking sharks.
On the return journey, stop at the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle - a series of crystal-clear blue pools and waterfalls that flow from the Cuillin Mountains. It's a magical place for a walk, and the brave can even try wild swimming in the refreshing (read: icy) waters.
Evening:
Return to your accommodation. If you're interested in traditional Scottish music, check if there's a ceilidh or live music session at a local pub - The Edinbane Inn regularly hosts traditional music nights.
Day 5: Skye to Loch Ness
Morning:
Bid farewell to Skye, crossing back to the mainland via the Skye Bridge. Make your first stop at Eilean Donan Castle, perhaps Scotland's most photogenic castle, situated on a small island where three sea lochs meet.
Continue through Glen Shiel, keeping an eye out for red deer on the mountains known as the Five Sisters of Kintail.
Afternoon:
Follow the shores of Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle, a picturesque ruin with a turbulent history and stunning views over the mysterious loch. Keep your camera ready - you never know when Nessie might make an appearance!
Continue to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, for a late lunch and a stroll around the charming city center.
Evening:
Check into your accommodation near Loch Ness or Inverness. For dinner, try traditional Scottish fare like cullen skink (smoked haddock soup), haggis with neeps and tatties, or Aberdeen Angus beef, accompanied by a dram of Highland whisky.
Day 6: Inverness and Speyside
Morning:
Start your day with a visit to Culloden Battlefield, where the 1746 battle marked the end of the Jacobite Rising and changed Highland culture forever. The visitor center provides an immersive, evocative experience that brings to life the horror and historical significance of the battle.
Nearby, visit the Clava Cairns, a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age cemetery complex featuring burial cairns and standing stones. The atmospheric site may seem familiar to Outlander fans, as it inspired the fictional Craigh na Dun.
Afternoon:
Drive east into Speyside, Scotland's most prolific whisky-producing region. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail, visiting distilleries such as Glenfiddich, The Macallan, or smaller operations like Benromach or Cardhu. Most offer tours and tastings, but remember to designate a driver or consider booking a private tour.
Between distillery visits, stop in Grantown-on-Spey or Aberlour for lunch at a traditional pub or tea room.
Evening:
Return to your accommodation. If you're staying in Inverness, enjoy dinner at one of the riverside restaurants followed by a ghost tour of the city, which reveals tales of battles, Jacobites, and Highland superstition.
Day 7: Cairngorms and Return to Edinburgh
Morning:
Begin your journey south through the Cairngorms National Park, stopping at Carrbridge to see the old packhorse bridge, the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands.
Continue to Aviemore, a popular resort town surrounded by ancient Caledonian pine forest. Take a short hike at Loch an Eilein to see a picturesque ruined castle on an island, or visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Britain's only free-ranging herd of reindeer.
Afternoon:
Drive south through the Cairngorms, stopping at Blair Castle if you didn't visit on Day 1. Alternatively, visit the House of Bruar, known as the "Harrods of the North," for Scottish gifts and produce.
As you continue south, make a final Highland stop at Queen's View near Pitlochry, a famous viewpoint overlooking Loch Tummel that allegedly got its name from Queen Victoria who admired the vista in 1866.
Evening:
Return to Edinburgh, reflecting on your Highland adventure as the dramatic mountains give way to gentler landscapes. If time permits, enjoy a farewell dinner in Edinburgh, perhaps at a restaurant specializing in Scottish cuisine where you can toast your journey with a final dram of Highland whisky.
Practical Tips for Highland Travel
Accommodation
The Highlands offer a wide range of accommodation options:
- B&Bs and Guesthouses: My personal recommendation for experiencing genuine Highland hospitality. Hosts often provide invaluable local advice and hearty Scottish breakfasts.
- Hotels: Range from luxury castles and country houses to simple roadside inns.
- Self-Catering Cottages: Ideal for families or longer stays.
- Campsites and Glamping: Great for those who want to immerse themselves in the Highland landscape.
Regardless of your preference, book well in advance, especially if traveling between May and September.
Driving Tips
- Calculate driving times carefully - Highland roads may be slower than you expect due to their winding nature and single-track sections.
- Fill up with fuel whenever you can, as petrol stations can be far apart in remote areas.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car, including warm clothes and snacks, as breakdowns in remote areas can mean waiting for assistance.
- Be prepared to encounter sheep or cattle on roads, especially in more remote areas.
Wildlife Watching
The Highlands are home to some of Britain's most iconic wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
- Red deer on hillsides and moorland
- Golden eagles soaring over mountains
- Ospreys fishing in lochs (spring and summer)
- Otters along coastlines and waterways
- Red squirrels in pine forests
- Seals, dolphins, and occasionally whales around the coast
Dawn and dusk are the best times for wildlife spotting. Remember to bring binoculars and maintain a respectful distance.
Responsible Tourism in the Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are experiencing increased tourism, which brings both benefits and challenges to local communities and environments. Here's how to ensure your visit is responsible and sustainable:
- Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code: Respect the countryside, leave no trace, and be considerate of local communities.
- Support local businesses: Eat at local restaurants, shop at local stores, and use local guides where possible.
- Consider public transport: If feasible, reducing car use helps minimize environmental impact.
- Wild camping: If wild camping, pitch late, leave early, and leave no trace.
- Respect wildlife: Observe from a distance and never feed wild animals.
Conclusion
A week in the Scottish Highlands offers just a taste of this magnificent region. From dramatic mountain scenery and mysterious lochs to ancient castles and warm Highland hospitality, the experiences you'll gather will stay with you long after you've returned home.
This itinerary provides a balanced introduction to the diverse landscapes and cultural heritage of the Highlands, but remember that some of the most memorable moments often come from unplanned detours and conversations with locals. Allow yourself time to explore, to sit quietly by a loch, to chat with a local in a village pub, or to simply pull over and admire a view that takes your breath away.
The Highlands have a way of calling visitors back time and again. As the old Scottish saying goes, "Haste ye back" - return soon.
"In the Highlands, I forget who I am and what I lack. I feel blessed, utterly and unreservedly - for being here, for being given eyes to see, a heart to feel." - Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain
