The Scottish Highlands stir the soul with their dramatic beauty and rich cultural heritage. Misty mountains, ancient castles, shimmering lochs, and centuries of fascinating history combine to create one of the world's most captivating destinations. As specialists in bespoke UK travel experiences, we've crafted countless Highland itineraries for our clients. Here, we share our ideal week-long journey through this magnificent region, balancing iconic sights with hidden treasures.
Day 1: Edinburgh to Pitlochry — The Gateway to the Highlands
While not technically in the Highlands, Edinburgh makes the perfect starting point for your Highland adventure. After breakfast in Scotland's capital, head north across the impressive Forth Bridge. Your first Highland experience begins as you drive through the rolling hills of Perthshire.
Stop at Dunkeld, a charming riverside village with a magnificent partially ruined cathedral dating back to the 13th century. The cathedral stands in a beautiful setting by the River Tay, Scotland's longest river, and offers a peaceful introduction to Highland history.
Continue to Pitlochry, a Victorian spa town that retains much of its original charm. Check into your accommodation—we recommend the elegant Fonab Castle Hotel or one of the town's characterful guest houses—before exploring the town's independent shops and cafés.
In the afternoon, visit the nearby Blair Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl with its stunning white façade and beautiful gardens. Alternatively, tour the Blair Athol Distillery for your first taste of authentic Scotch whisky, complete with an expert-led tasting session.
Dine at one of Pitlochry's excellent restaurants serving traditional Scottish cuisine. We particularly recommend Fern Cottage Restaurant for its seasonal, locally-sourced menu.
Day 2: Pitlochry to Aviemore — The Cairngorms National Park
After breakfast, drive north into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, the UK's largest national park and home to five of Scotland's six highest mountains. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as you travel through ancient Caledonian pine forests and past rugged mountain peaks.
Make a stop at the House of Bruar, often called "The Harrods of the North," for quality Scottish products and a walk to the Falls of Bruar—a beautiful series of waterfalls that inspired the poet Robert Burns.
Continue to Dalwhinnie Distillery, one of Scotland's highest distilleries, for a tour and tasting. Their whisky-chocolate pairing is a particularly delightful experience.
Arrive in Aviemore, the outdoor capital of the Cairngorms, in the afternoon. Depending on your interests and the season, you might enjoy a gentle hike around Loch an Eilein with its picturesque ruined castle, or take the funicular railway up Cairngorm Mountain for panoramic views (when operating).
For a unique Highland experience, visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Britain's only free-ranging herd of reindeer. A guided hill trip allows you to walk among these gentle creatures in their natural habitat.
Stay at the luxurious Macdonald Highlands Hotel or one of the area's cozy lodges. For dining, The Old Bridge Inn offers excellent Scottish cuisine in a traditional setting with live folk music on some evenings.
Day 3: Aviemore to Inverness — Loch Ness and Culloden
Depart Aviemore and head northwest toward Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Your first stop is the haunting Culloden Battlefield, where the 1746 battle marked the end of the Jacobite Rising and changed Highland culture forever. The excellent visitor center provides context through immersive exhibits, while walking the atmospheric moor where so many fell is a moving experience.
Just a short drive away, visit the mysterious Clava Cairns, a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age cemetery complex featuring standing stones and burial chambers. These ancient stones have gained additional fame as the inspiration for a key location in the popular Outlander series.
Continue to Loch Ness, perhaps Scotland's most famous body of water. While monster spotting might be ambitious, the loch's beauty is undeniable. Visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle, dramatically situated on the loch's shore, offering spectacular views and a fascinating history spanning over 1,000 years.
Arrive in Inverness in the late afternoon. Take a stroll along the River Ness and visit Inverness Castle (currently being transformed into a major visitor attraction) for views over the city.
Stay at the elegant Rocpool Reserve Hotel or one of the city's quality guest houses. For dinner, River House Restaurant offers superb seafood with views over the river, or try Mustard Seed for excellent Scottish cuisine in a converted church.
Day 4: Inverness to Ullapool — The Northwest Highlands
Today's journey takes you through some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes as you head into the remote Northwest Highlands. Leave Inverness and drive west along the beautiful shores of Loch Broom.
Stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge, a dramatic mile-long canyon with a suspended walkway offering vertiginous views of the 150-foot Falls of Measach plunging into the gorge below.
Continue to Ullapool, a picturesque fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom. Despite its small size, Ullapool has a vibrant atmosphere with excellent seafood restaurants, craft shops, and often live music in its pubs.
In the afternoon, take a boat trip from Ullapool harbor to the Summer Isles, a beautiful archipelago with abundant wildlife including seals, dolphins, and sea eagles. Alternatively, drive the scenic route to Achiltibuie for spectacular views of the Summer Isles from land.
For the more adventurous, we can arrange sea kayaking expeditions or guided hikes in the area.
Stay at The Ceilidh Place, a characterful hotel with an excellent restaurant, bookshop, and regular cultural events, or choose one of the quality B&Bs in the village. Dine on the freshest seafood at The Seafood Shack (casual) or The Arch Inn (more formal).
Day 5: Ullapool to Skye — Iconic Highland Landscapes
Today's drive is one of the most scenic in Scotland, taking you through the heart of the Northwest Highlands to the Isle of Skye. The journey is as important as the destination, so allow plenty of time for stops.
Head south from Ullapool and make your first stop at Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, where you can learn about the area's extraordinary geology that attracts scientists from around the world.
Continue through Assynt, a landscape of strange, isolated mountains rising dramatically from a landscape of moorland, lochs, and bogs. This otherworldly terrain features prominently in numerous films and television programs.
Ardvreck Castle, a ruined 16th-century fortress on the shores of Loch Assynt, makes a perfect photo stop and comes with tales of deals with the devil and ancient clan conflicts.
As you continue south, you'll pass Loch Maree, considered by many to be Scotland's most beautiful loch, before reaching the stunning Torridon Mountains, whose ancient sandstone peaks are among the oldest in the world.
Cross the Skye Bridge to reach the Isle of Skye, known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages, and medieval castles. Check into your accommodation—we recommend the luxurious Kinloch Lodge for fine dining and elegant rooms, or The Three Chimneys for a remarkable culinary experience with comfortable rooms.
As the day ends, enjoy the changing light over the Cuillin Mountains, Skye's dramatic mountain range.
Day 6: Isle of Skye — Exploring the Misty Isle
Dedicate a full day to exploring Skye, an island of endless scenic wonders. Start with a visit to The Fairy Pools, crystal-clear blue pools on the River Brittle, set against the backdrop of the Black Cuillin mountains. The walking trail follows the river upsteam, passing a series of increasingly beautiful waterfalls and pools.
Continue to Talisker Distillery, Skye's oldest working distillery, for a tour and tasting of their distinctive peaty whisky with notes of sea salt and pepper.
After lunch in the nearby village of Carbost, drive north to the Trotternish Peninsula to see some of Skye's most iconic landscapes. The Old Man of Storr, a distinctive rock pinnacle, can be viewed from the road or experienced more fully with a hike up to its base.
Nearby, Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls viewpoint offers a spectacular sight where water plunges from the clifftop to the sea below beside cliffs resembling the pleats of a kilt.
Continue to the Quiraing, one of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes with bizarre rock formations, hidden plateaus, and pinnacles created by ancient landslips. A walkway through this landscape offers unforgettable views, though even a short stroll from the parking area provides magnificent vistas.
Complete your day with a visit to Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years. The castle houses important historic artifacts including the legendary Fairy Flag.
Return to your accommodation for dinner, or we can recommend local restaurants serving fresh seafood and local produce.
Day 7: Skye to Glencoe and Fort William — The Road to the Isles
Leave Skye via the bridge and head east toward the mainland. Your first stop is Eilean Donan Castle, arguably Scotland's most photographed castle, situated on a small island where three sea lochs meet. The restored 13th-century castle offers a fascinating glimpse into Highland history.
Continue south through Glen Shiel, where the dramatic mountains known as the Five Sisters of Kintail rise steeply from the roadside. This remote glen was the site of a 1719 battle during the Jacobite risings.
Drive along the shores of Loch Cluanie and through increasingly mountainous terrain to reach Fort William, situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.
From Fort William, take a short detour to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films. The visitor center tells the story of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, which began at Glenfinnan when Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard.
In the afternoon, drive through Glencoe, Scotland's most famous glen. The steep-sided mountains create a landscape of awe-inspiring beauty tinged with the melancholy of the infamous 1692 Massacre of Glencoe. Stop at the excellent visitor center to learn about the area's natural and cultural history.
For your final Highland night, stay at the historic Inverlochy Castle Hotel near Fort William for luxury accommodations, or the Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe for a more rustic experience with unparalleled views.
Enjoy a farewell dinner featuring Scottish specialties like haggis, smoked salmon, venison, or Aberdeen Angus beef, accompanied by a dram of single malt whisky.
Practical Information for Highland Travel
When to Visit
The Scottish Highlands are beautiful year-round, but each season offers a different experience:
- Spring (April-May): Fewer tourists, blooming wildflowers, and milder weather make this an excellent time to visit. Wildlife is active, and baby animals can be spotted across the countryside.
- Summer (June-August): The busiest season with the longest daylight hours (up to 18 hours in midsummer), ideal for maximizing sightseeing. Book accommodation well in advance.
- Autumn (September-October): Spectacular foliage, especially in areas with deciduous trees like birch and oak. The heather-covered moors turn purple, creating stunning landscapes.
- Winter (November-March): Quietest season with snow-capped mountains creating dramatic scenery. Some rural attractions and accommodations close, and daylight hours are short (7-8 hours in midwinter). Driving can be challenging in snow.
Driving in the Highlands
A self-drive tour is the most flexible way to explore the Highlands, but keep these tips in mind:
- Many Highland roads are single-track with passing places. Learn proper etiquette: pull into passing places on your left, or stop opposite ones on your right to let oncoming vehicles pass.
- Drive on the left and remember that distances often take longer than expected due to winding roads.
- Keep your fuel tank topped up as petrol stations can be few and far between in remote areas.
- Weather can change rapidly; be prepared for all conditions, even in summer.
- For those who prefer not to drive, we can arrange private guided tours with a chauffeur-guide.
What to Pack
The Highland weather is famously changeable, so come prepared:
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (even in summer)
- Layers for changing temperatures
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots
- Midges (tiny biting insects) can be troublesome in summer, especially near water. Bring insect repellent and consider a midge net for your head if you plan extensive outdoor activities.
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards—you'll want to capture the extraordinary landscapes
This seven-day itinerary provides a wonderful introduction to the Scottish Highlands, combining iconic sights with lesser-known treasures. At Citriabbal Travel Agency, we specialize in creating bespoke Highland journeys tailored to your specific interests, pace, and accommodation preferences. Whether you're drawn to history, outdoor activities, whisky, wildlife, or simply the magnificent landscapes, we can craft the perfect Highland experience.
Remember that the true magic of the Highlands lies not just in the destinations but in the journey between them. Allow time to stop spontaneously when a view captures your heart, to chat with locals in a village pub, or to simply stand in silence as the mist rolls over ancient mountains that have witnessed centuries of history.
Contact us to begin planning your own Highland adventure, and discover why this remarkable corner of the world captures the hearts of all who visit.
