• • Isle of Skye: Explore the dramatic landscapes, rugged mountains (like the Old Man of Storr), and charming villages of this iconic island. Hiking, photography, and simply soaking in the scenery are must-dos.

  • Loch Ness & Inverness: Search for the legendary monster, explore Urquhart Castle, and visit the capital of the Highlands.

  • Glencoe: Experience the breathtaking beauty and poignant history of this iconic glen, a paradise for hikers and photographers (and fans of 007 movie Skyfall).

  • Cairngorms National Park: Hike, ski, or simply enjoy the stunning scenery of Britain's largest national park. Visit charming towns like Aviemore and Braemar, or the late Queen's last home Balmoral Castle. 

  • Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park: Explore the "bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond, hike in the Trossachs, and visit picturesque villages.

  • Orchney Islands: Discover Neolithic sites like Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, explore Viking history, and enjoy the unique island culture.

  • Outer Hebrides: Escape to a remote archipelago with stunning beaches, Gaelic culture, and incredible wildlife.

  • Stirling Castle & Wallace Monument: Explore Stirling Castle, a historic royal residence, and climb the Wallace Monument for panoramic views.

  • Eilean Donan Castle: This picturesque castle, perched on an island, is often voted the most beautiful castle in Scotland.

  • Northwest Highlands: Explore remote and rugged landscapes, including dramatic coastal scenery and mountains.

Here is an example of a road trip in the Highlands - but you can totally tailor it to match your interests and timing! 

• From Edinburgh, drive to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs to explore the beauty of this National Park. 

• Drive north towards the Cairngorms National Park and pay a visit to Balmoral Castle.

• Continue north towards Loch Ness, enjoying the scenic Highland landscapes. Check out Urquhart Castle, visit a distillery, take a boat trip or a hike along the lake.

• Drive west  towards the stunning Glencoe valley for some breathtaking views and visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter films). Consider timing your visit to see the Jacobite Steam Train cross the viaduct. Check train schedules for timings.

• Head north to the Isle of Skye stopping to visit Eilean Donan Castle on your way. Cross the Skye Bridge to explore sites such as Quiraing, the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr and Portree. 

• Drive back south along the scenic west coast towards Oban, known as the "Seafood Capital of Scotland." Visit McCaig's Tower for panoramic views or consider a boat trip to one of the nearby islands, such as Mull or Iona.

• Driving back East to Edinburgh, stop off in Glasgow or the historic town of Stirling to visit the Castle and the Wallace Monument.

Perhaps not as renowned as Edinburgh, Glasgow is a vibrant city with a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving arts scene. If you are planning to spend a day or two in Glasgow here is a quick guide: 

What to do: 

• Walk around the city centre: George Square, Buchanan street, Merchant City.

• Explore the magnificent medieval Glasgow Cathedral (free) and the old cemetry nearby.

• Museums (all free!): Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum (great architecture by Zaha Hadid), Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) 

• Walk around in a park: Kelvingrove Park, Botanic Gardens, Glasgow Green

• Ashton Lane - cute street with a lot of pubs and restaurants

• Bath Street - great for pubs, like the Slouch

Where to eat and drink:

• Errol's Pizza - amazing pizza - Southside

• Bramble - Brunch - Southside 

• Sugo Pasta - delicious pasta - city centre

• Mowgli - Indian food and great atmosphere - city centre

• Bibimbap - Korean restaurant - city centre

• Panang - Asian food - city centre

• BABS - mediterranean restaurant - city centre

• Devil of Brooklyn - Cocktail bar - city centre

• Tabac - Cocktail bar - city centre