SCOTLAND ROAD TRIP ITINERARY- EDINBURGH TO ISLE OF SKYE

I’ve been to Scotland twice and on each trip I like combine city and countryside. If you’re pressed for time but want to experience two very different sides of Scotland, Edinburgh and Isle of Skye are a great choice. Read on for your Scotland road trip itinerary, and check out this post that covers how to have a successful road trip in Scotland.

Scotland is the U.K.’s northern most country. It shares a border with England and it’s home to around 800 small islands. While Scotland isn’t that large, it’s just over 30,000 square miles, it packs a punch. The geography of the country is very unique and a major part of its appeal. In fact, Scotland was recently voted the world’s most beautiful country. You can find rugged coastlines, mountainous terrain, stunning beaches and world class cities all in one country.

Scotland’s weather

The weather in Scotland is something that a lot of people ask about. My first visit to Scotland was at the end of February, and my second visit was in mid September. I’ll admit, I was quite nervous leading up to my February trip. I was told that it would be wet and cold with constant rain. I’m happy to say that wasn’t the case. It barely rained and we saw the sun each day, with temperatures in the mid-40s. We even felt hot sometimes while walking in the bright sun!

It’s important to remember that the weather in Scotland is unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers (regardless of the month you visit) and always have a jacket and umbrella nearby. It also gets very windy near the coast. I highly recommend a lightweight water repellent jacket, like this one or this one that are classics and will last forever. You’ll also look chic and really fit in!

Scotland is an easy destination to travel to. Direct flights are offered from over 32 countries, and it’s only 75 minutes from London and 110 minutes from Paris. I flew direct from Stewart International Airport, which is located outside of New York City, to Edinburgh on Norwegian. Unfortunately as of April 2021 this route is no longer running, but flights are easy to find from most large airports.

Once in Scotland I highly recommend renting a car. You are doing a road trip after all! Even if you don’t plan to do a real road trip, I still suggest renting a car for even one day to easily explore the area surrounding Edinburgh. Sure you can take the trains (and I’ve heard the country has a great train system) but I prefer to have my own car to make detours as I wish and stay on my own schedule. Scotland is full of historic ruins, beautiful castles and scenic hikes, you definitely don’t want to miss out on something nearby just because you didn’t have a way to get there.

My favorite car company to rent from has always been Hertz, and I was so excited to try a rental with Hertz Europe in Scotland. The experience was amazing! The car we got was perfect (the European version of a Nissan Rogue) and felt very safe. It had cameras on all sides to help with parking and if we went over a traffic line on the winding country roads, or got too close to something, an alert would go off. This was especially helpful in Scotland, a country where they drive on the opposite side.

Edinburgh is such a walkable city, and you should spend time exploring its charming neighborhoods. My two of our favorite areas to wander are Dean Village and Circus Lane in the Stockbridge area. Dean Village is picturesque residential village with a river winding through its streets. Circus Lane is a mews lane that was built in the 1700’s when Edinburgh’s New Town was developed. It is a quiet residential street that oozes charm and is full of beautiful homes and gardens.

While my favorite thing to do in Edinburgh is just wander around and explore, some not-miss activities include visiting the Edinburgh Castle and climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat. And if you’re a Harry Potter fan there is a whole list of additional must-dos!

After your time in Edinburgh, it’s time to start the Scotland road trip.

On my two visits to Scotland I drove from Edinburgh up and east, towards Aberdeen. I love this route because you hit iconic Scotland highlights along the way, including castles, bucolic towns and Inverness. Your final destination is Isle of Skye, and while you can can choose to go the more direct route heading west from Edinburgh, I do recommended seeing the beauty of Northeast Scotland. I have done this trip straight through without spending the night and I have also spent the night.

Highlights on this drive:

Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval castle perched on sheer cliffs along the ocean. It’s an incredibly dramatic sight and what I imagine when I think of “Scottish Castle.” We toured the grounds and had a great time walking within the ruins, it was very evocative.

Craigievar Castle is pink perfection come to life. Craigievar was said to be the inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle and it’s truly fit for a princess. It’s a pink castle located on a hill in the middle of the woods. Well worth a stop!

If you opt to spend the night along your way to Isle of Skye I highly recommend The Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar. It’s a five star boutique hotel that focuses on mixing modern art with traditional Scottish touches. It’s an absolutely stunning property that is one of my favorite hotels in the world. It’s also situated in an A+ location… right up the road from Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family!

Inverness is next up on the drive after Aberdeenshire. Here you can explore the luxurious Culloden House which is over 200 years old and was built when Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, attracted wealthy families from all over. The original house on the property was a 16th century Jacobean castle that was home to a range of Scottish royal and noble families over the years. The rich history of Culloden is so interesting and it’s a great place to spend a night in the Highlands to really steep yourself in the area’s rich past.

Stay: The Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar

Do: Visit Dunnottar Castle, stop at the pink Craigiervar Castle and explore the town of Braemar

Eat: The Bay Fish and Chips in Stonehaven, The Flying Stag in Braemar

Recommended length of stay: 1 night

The last stop on the itinerary, and a must on any Scotland road trip, is Isle of Skye. When you reach Skye prepare to be blown away by the otherworldly landscape!

Isle of Skye is in the Scottish Highlands and situated off the west coast of the country. It’s known for dramatic. views, rugged landscape, charming fishing villages and beautiful medieval castles. It truly lived up to my expectations.

I recommend making your home base in Portree, the main town on the island. It’s a colorful and lively port filled with cute shops and delicious seafood restaurants. Portree was a great base for exploring all that Skye has to offer, but have a car comes in very handy to reach all the points of interest and hikes on the island.

A major highlight of my time in Skye was the hotel I stayed at, The Bosville. This charming boutique hotel is located in the center of Portree. It’s a cozy and charming hotel with delicious restaurants and a perfectly Scottish pub. The hotel’s restaurant, Dulse & Brose, is amazing and most reservations come with a complementary breakfast. I had almost every meal in the hotel, that’s how good the food is! The Bosville also has a cozy pub with fireplaces- the perfect place to relax after a day of Highlands hiking.

Isle of Skye is a great destination for outdoors adventure lovers. The main activities take place out on the island’s rugged terrain. Hiking is huge here and there are trails for all levels of comfort.

My favorite area to explore and hike on Isle of Skye is Fairy Glen. This is a hilly area with a glen and it looks like something out of a fairytale (hence the name). Here you’ll find easy hikes and magnificent landscape views.

Brother’s Point is another great hike. This stop is not as popular as Fairy Glen, but is well worth it. This is a steep headland, with jagged cliffs leading down the the ocean. The water views are spectacular.

The Old Man of Storr is the most recognizable landmark in Skye. I just drove around it and admired the unique rock formations, but there are hiking trails. The trails here are very busy and it’s a medium difficulty hike.

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls is another great spot to visit on Skye. This is more of a viewpoint, but you can walk around the area. Mealt Falls is a beautiful, long waterfall that goes into the ocean. It’s very dramatic!

One of the most dramatic castle I saw in Scotland is located right outside of Skye, Eilean Donan. This 13th century castle is a very popular symbol of Scotland. It’s located on its own little island and has a beautiful long, curved bridge leading up to the entrance.

Many visitors to Skye check out Talisker Distillery, the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. Tours are offered of the warehouse.

Simply just driving around Isle of Skye is an experience. The roads are narrow, hilly and winding, but the views are incredible. I loved just driving around and stumbling upon small fishing villages and ocean viewpoints. I also had fun trying to spot the Highland Cows the area is famous for!

Some important things to note about Isle of Skye are the weather and the road conditions. Local drivers and huge tour buses will speed past you without slowing down on the tight, winding roads. Stay alert and drive with caution. Like the rest of Scotland, the weather in Skye is unpredictable. Something that really struck me was the wind, especially on the steep hikes near the ocean. Hike with care and pack a good windbreaker and you will be fine.

Isle of Skye is an incredible destination and a very unique road trip. No trip to Scotland, especially a Scottish road trip vacation, is complete without visiting this island!

Stay: The Bosville in Portree

Do: Hike Fairy Glen, Brother’s Point and Old Man of Storr. Visit Mealt Falls, Talisker Distillery and Eilean Donan

Eat: Dulse & Brose and The Old School in Portree. The Three Chimneys for a luxury, Michelin Star dining experience in Colbost

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 nights