Don’t miss any of the awesome places in Scotland in just one week with this master plan. Breathtaking colourful landscapes, world-class turquoise lagoons, unique castles, stone circles and impressive waterfalls and canyons. With this plan you can’t miss any great spots and see it all in one week. The mainland, Isle of Skye and Isle of Lewis & Harris.

Trip overview:

• 1 week
• 2160 km (by car)
• 50 km (by foot)
• 2 ferries to take
• 3 mountains to mountaineer
• 7 castles to explore

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Exploring Scotlands’ mainland

Starting in Edinburgh we headed up north to the first stop called Dunnottar Castle.

Right next to this place, a little further north is the Slains Castle. The best thing about this castle is that it’s free and not overrun yet. So everything can be explored.

Driving further north you can stop at Bow Fiddle Rock.

You can walk along the cliff or walk down to explore the area which is totally recommendable.

The hill on the left is pretty much hollow and you can walk through it onto the other side.

After such a long drive you need Whisky.

Stop at the Opp Macallan Distillery and go for the tour. The distillery was built with focus on the visitor experience, so it’s one of most modern and tourist friendly distilleries in Scotland.

The tour takes you through all the stages of the Whisky production and ends with a tasting.

After the tasting you’ll get access to one of their warehouses.

Next stop is at the lake Lochness and Urquhart Castle. The best place to go at Lochness.

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Isle of Skye

Driving off the mainland and entering the Isle of Skye, the first place you must see is Old man of Storr. The hike from the car park takes around 1.5 – 2h for the roundtrip. The first part of the path is ok, the upper part can be muddy and slippery, make sure to wear good shoes.

Another cool place right nearby is called Rubha nam Brathairean- Brothers Point. The hike to get to the scenic view takes around 2h. We skipped that, but if you have more than one week or skip other parts of this trip do it.

Just a few minutes further north comes the Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls Viewpoint. If you have a drone you must fly it out into the ocean and get the massive cliff into the picture like this.

Next must see place on Isle of Skye has the weird name Quiraing. Start from the point The Quiraing Car Park and walk all along the ridge of this alien landscape.

Arriving at Quiraing and on top of it you can enjoy this fantastic view.

You can also walk up on the steep side of the hill (left side) and have this view down to Quiraing.

Next place to see in Isle of Skye is Fairy Glen. You immediately notice when you arrived as the landscape changes to this unique arrangement of small volcano like hills just like a fairy tale landscape.

Further up the valley you’ll get this view.

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Isle of Lewis and Harris

If you intend to visit the Isle of Lewis and Harris take the ferry from Uig to Tarbert and visit the first stop on the new island called Luskentyre Beach.

Right next there stop at Seilebost beach.

Another incredible place especially for photographers is around Traigh Seilebost.

If you want to know how to take such pictures, check out our photography courses

• Basics
• Like a pro

Following the road towards Northton you pass these funny places.

Heading back and going north you must stop at the place called Calanais Standing Stones.

Another great spot and next on the list is Great Bernera, Bosta Beach and Mangurstadh.

Next place to see or stay is called Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. You can book these houses under this link. The inside of the houses are modernly refurbished and a unique accommodation possibility for your visit on Isle of Lewis and Harris.

Only a 20 minutes drive away you can  visit  the Blackhouse, Arnol where they still burn turf to heat the houses as they did until the end of the second world war. It offers an insight into how people used to live in Scotland.

Take the ferry back to Isle of Skye and continue to explore the remaining places to see there.

Isle of Skye

First place to visit in summer is the Dunvegan Castle. Unfortunately, it’s closed during the winter from mid October to end of March. If you visit Scotland during that time skip the castle and spend the time at the next place called Coral beach.

From the parking lot it’s a 30 minutes walk to get to this caribbean-like beach.

On the very west side of Isle of Skye you can stop at the Parking Neist Point.

If you’re up for another Whiskey stop at the Talisker Distillery for another tasting / tour.

Next place to stop is Fairy Pools Car Park.

From there walk around 15 minutes to the Fairy Pools for this fantastic view.

Last place to see while on Isle of Skye is called Sligachan. The famous Scottish stone bridge you see in many pictures.

Scotlands’ mainland

Back on the mainland you need to stop for the Eilean Donan Castle.

Further south you’ll get to the Harry Potter movie area. This famous bridge is called Glenfinnan Viaduct View Point.

Next place to visit is the Glencoe valley. Just drive / hike around in the area to see all shades of green.

Next stop is another castle on a small island in the water called Castle Stalker. During summer it can be visited.

Next stop is an even cooler castle called Kilchurn Castle. You walk for around 10 minutes from the car park. The castle is under restoration right now.

Entering the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park you may see the famous Scottish highland cattle.

Next to this you can stop at the Falls of Dochart Killin.

Next place to visit is the mountain Ben A’an. You can park the car at Ben A’an Car Park and walk up from there. It will take you a brisk 45 minutes to get up.

After this and close by stop at the devil’s Pulpit (Finnich Glen). Walk along the canyon until you reach the stairway leading town to the riverbed.

The path down is quite adventurous but it’s worth it. Down at the riverbed you look into this insane green mossy canyon with the red floor.

If you follow the right side of the river you can get to this point. But you might get wet feet.

Next spot on the list is the Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis.

Make sure you stop at the famous Drygate brewery and taste their delicious craft beers.

Last stop is Edinburgh. Check out the Castle and the streets of Edinburgh.

Stop for some fish and chips and try the stuff called black pudding. If you want the culinary Scottish experience, try haggis. There are lots of places that offer it. Basically it’s sheep intestines cooked in a sheep stomach and served with potatoes and neeps.

Must see place in Edinburgh is for sure the castle.

Also the hill near the city called Arthur’s seat is worth a visit.

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