SCOTLAND IN 7 DAYS

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‘We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation.’ Voltaire

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If you’ve never been before, there are many reasons to pack your bags right now and head towards breathtaking panoramic views of hills, glens, rivers and mountain peaks.

And once you’ve been, it’s a place you’ll keep on wanting to go back to again and again.

Here are some of the reasons why:

• Stunning natural landscapes including rugged mountains, beautiful lochs (lakes), and stunning coastline.
• Rich history and culture that dates back thousands of years. There are ample opportunities to explore ancient castles, historic sites, and museums.
• Outdoor activities from golfing on world-renowned courses to skiing in the mountains to fishing in the rivers and lochs.
• World-famous whisky Scotland is known for! This is the place to tour distilleries and sample some of the country’s finest whiskies.
• Vibrant cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, which offer a range of attractions, including museums, galleries, restaurants and shopping.
• Wildlife including red deer, otters, seals, and eagles with endless choice of wildlife tours to explore the country’s natural habitats.

Scotland offers a unique and diverse travel experience and it’s not an easy task to plan the trip with so much to do and see. This is exactly why I wanted to share some of the very best things to do in Scotland on your next trip. Yes, there’s a shed load of things to do, but as long as you plan well, you can see a hefty chunk of places.

I have put together an itinerary that met all my expectations while travelling parts of Scotland that you might find helpful planning your trip.

Without a further ado let’s dive into 7 wonderful days in breathtaking Scotland!

7 Days Itinerary

Day 1 Flight and New Town Edinburgh

• Early morning flight to Edinburgh.
• Explore New Town. Allow 3 – 4 hours
• Lunch – 1820 Bar Johnnie Walker Bar 1.5 hour
• Holyrood Distillery & whisky tasting, 1 hour, around 5pm
• Dinner 7.30pm – the Ivy on the Square.

Day 2 Old Town Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle (allow 2-3 hours)
• Lunch at The Witchery around 12.30 (352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF), 1.5 hour
• Royal Mile. Walk down the Royal Mile exploring medieval architecture, allow 2-3 hours. To see on the Royal Mile: Saint Gile’s Cathedral, the Real Mary King’s Close, Scottish Parliament House, the Palace of Holyroodhouse (1-2 hours), Arthur’s Seat behind the Palace of Holyroodhouse (1 hour).
• Dinner at The Sheep Heid Inn 8pm.

Day 3 Stirling & Glasgow

• Morning drive to Stirling to visit the Stirling castle 1h and the National Wallace Monument 1h
• Drive to Glasgow circa 35mins and stay overnight
• Dinner around 7pm at the Ivy Buchanan Street.

Day 4 Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Fort William

• Morning drive from Glasgow to Loch Lomond, circa 1 hour. On route you will go through the wonderful winding road of Dukes Pass which takes in the gorgeous scenery of the Trossachs and provides views of haunting Loch Katrine. Key Stop Suggestions: the Duke’s Pass Scenic Drive, Loch Chon, Falls of Dochart, Conic Hill, Loch Katrine.
• Drive from Loch Lomond to Glencoe on A82 – approx. 1 hour 30 minutes This road will keep you in the park all the way and you’ll be wanting to make numerous stops to try and capture this incredible scenery on your camera.
• Drive from Glencoe to Fort William – approx. 30 minutes with plenty of great stops along the way including: the meeting of the 3 waters waterfall, the Three Sisters and Loch Achtriochtan.
• Dinner at Crannog at Garrison West around 8pm.

Day 5 Fort William, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness and Glenfinnan

• Morning drive to Fort Augustus on the southern tip of Loch Ness, circa 50 mins.
• River cruise 1h
• Walk up to Loch Ness View Point
• Light Lunch at the Boathouse around 12pm
• Drive to Steall Waterfall about 1h drive from fort Augustus. A beautiful walk in the midst of sparkling nature with waterfalls, streams and lush green moorland.
• Drive to Glenfinnan for 3pm to watch the Jacobite train passing over beautiful 21-arch viaduct that appears in the movie “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”.
• Drive back to fort William, circa 20 mins.
• Dinner at Ben Nevis inn 19.00

Day 6 Fort William, Cairngorns National Park and Blairgowrie

• Jacobite morning train 4 hours
• Drive through Cairngorns National Park to Glenbeag Mountain Lodges. Driving A924 is a fabulous experience with some stunning views of mountains.
• Dinner at Dalminzie castle at 7pm.

Day 7 Blairgowrie

Relax at Glenbeag Mountain Lodges.

Day 8 Edinburgh & flight back

Drive to Edinburgh circa 2.5h

Now, let’s dive into the detail and what you should see and do.

Breathtaking Edinburgh

One of the most visited cities in the world and home to many famous landmarks, museums, and cultural events.

Edinburgh has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages and is a vibrant capital city of Scotland with its skyline, cobbled streets and colourful characters as your backdrop.

I have written an article about some of the top things to see and do in Edinburgh, from medieval old town, elegant Georgian New Town, breathtaking view points and best places to eat! You can read it HERE.

Charming Stirling

Stirling, located in central Scotland, is a historic and charming city that offers a wealth of things to see and do. Here are some reasons why you should consider visiting Stirling:

Stirling Castle

The Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most historically important sites and was once a favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens.

We really enjoyed meeting costumed characters in the roles of bodyguards, court officials, maids of honour and servants who welcome visitors into 16th century life.

Other highlights include the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, Castle Exhibition, Regimental Museum, Great Kitchens, Tapestry Studio and the nearby Argyll’s Lodging, a 17th century town house.

Address: Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EJ

The Wallace Monument

The Monument is situated on the Abbey Craig just outside Stirling and it overlooks the scene of Wallace’s greatest victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Make sure you climb up all the way to the top as the views are stunning and definitely worth the effort.

Glasgow

Glasgow, once a major center of the shipbuilding industry, has a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene.

Top attractions to visit

We only briefly visited the city but it’s definitely worth including it in your itinerary for a couple of nights. Here are some of the top attractions and activities that the city has to offer:

• Stunning architecture from the Victorian-era buildings of the city center to the modern designs of the Riverside Museum and the SSE Hydro.
• Great destination for shopping, with high-end boutiques, vintage shops, and markets to explore.
• Diverse and exciting food and drink scene and also home to many craft breweries, distilleries, and bars.

Food & Drinks – The Ivy Buchanan Street

Located just a stone’s throw from the city’s nightlife, and the famous “Style Mile” shopping hub, the Ivy offers the stunning main restaurant, outdoor Parisian-style seating, two beautiful onyx bars, and the refined glamour of private dining space for those special occasions.

There are no bad food choices, but if I had to name a few favourites… salt-crusted sourdough bread & oatmeal-rolled lathallan haggis bon bons to start with, followed by roasted scallops and steak tartare.

Address: 106 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 2NB

Overall, Glasgow is a vibrant city and a great destination for history and architecture enthusiasts, music fans, foodies, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Picturesque Loch Lomond

The drive from Glasgow to the bonnie shores of Loch Lomond brings plenty of opportunity for photography, wildlife views and some exceptional Scottish history.

On route you will go through the wonderful winding road of Dukes Pass which takes in the gorgeous scenery of the Trossachs and provides views of haunting Loch Katrine, the subject of SS Sir Walter Scott’s ‘The Lady Of The Lake’.

You’ll also have the chance to enjoy waterfalls, forest parks and the famous Dumbarton Castle (pictures below) which sits on a volcanic rock, looking out onto the majestic River Clyde

Driving magical A82 to Glencoe

Driving along the shores of Loch Lomond you must take the magical A82 through to jaw dropping Glencoe.

If you love dramatic landscapes, drive along the A82 is regarded by many as one of the most visually impressive driving backdrops in the country.

Glencoe is a charming village located in the heart of Glen Coe Valley.

This place is especially famous for its magnificent mountains dotted with small waterfalls. Glen Etive, Glencoe Lochan, Devils Staircase and The Lost Valley are just some of key stops you’ll want to take during your drive through.

There are so many things to see and do in Glencoe and the surrounding area. Whether you’re interested in hiking, or just taking in the stunning scenery, you’re sure to find something to enjoy in this beautiful part of Scotland.

Fort William – known as the “outdoor capital of the UK”

Drive from Glencoe to the fort takes approximately 30 minutes although you’ll likely be stopping plenty of times.

Home to stunning surroundings and lots of Scottish charm, Fort William has a lot to offer from outdoor activities on land or water, a super famous railway station to the highest mountain in the UK,

Top attractions to visit

• Ben Nevis
• Steall Waterfall
• Glenfinnan Viaduct
• Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery
• Great Glen Way
• Nevis Range Mountain Experience
• Old Inverlochy Castle

Jacobite Steam Train

Described as the greatest railway journey in the world, this 84 mile round trip starts near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis and pass the village of Corpach which lies at the entrance to the breathtaking Caledonian Canal.

The train then stops at the village of Glenfinnan which lies just after the Glenfinnan beautiful 21-arch viaduct that appears in the movie “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”. The viaduct overlooks the picturesque Loch Shiel.

Beyond Glenfinnan are the beautiful villages of Lochailort, Arisaig and Morar. The Jacobite train continues on from here passing Morar (home to Britain’s deepest freshwater loch) and the silvery beaches used in the films “Highlander” and “Local Hero”. Final stop is Mallaig, a working fort.

TIP: Make sure book your tickets well in advance. They do sell out fast! There are usually a few spare ones available to purchase at the station for a standard class however first class/upgrades are almost impossible to buy last minute.

You can book tickets HERE. How about adding a special touch to make the journey super special like champagne or chocolates!?

For a great view over the viaduct, follow a path from Glenfinnan Station Museum that brings close to the viaduct in less than one hour. It’s the best place to see the Jacobite Express steam train passing by. The train passes every morning around 10:30 and in the afternoon around 15:15.

Food & Drinks

Once you’ve seen everything there is to see in the day, Fort William has a wide range of pubs, bars and restaurants to cosy up in and enjoy local ales and high quality Scottish food as you chat about the day’s adventures

Crannog at Garrison West

Crannog at Garrison West is a restaurant particularly known for its seafood situated on the shore of Loch Linnhe.

The menu at Crannog at Garrison West focuses on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and offers a modern take on traditional Scottish cuisine. The restaurant has won several awards for its food and is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the area.

The restaurant is usually moved to town centre, cosy Garrison West for the colder months so unfortunately we missed out on the loch views while dining. We still had a fantastic time and really enjoyed the food and very attentive service.

Address: 4 Cameron Square, Fort William PH33 6AJ

Ben Nevis Inn

The Inn is a traditional Scottish pub with a welcoming atmosphere located at the foot of Ben Nevis. The stunning views of the surrounding mountains, makes it a popular spot for hikers and tourists visiting the area.

The Inn serves a variety of Scottish cuisine, including hearty soups, fish and chips, and locally sourced game dishes, such as venison and pheasant.

Address: Achintee Rd, Achintee, Fort William PH33 6TE

Fort Augustus & Loch Ness

This pretty village lying on the impressive 60 mile long Caledonian Canal and the southern tip of Loch Ness offers spectacular views down Loch Ness! It’s a paradise for keen walkers and cyclists with many beautiful walks around the area, the most popular being the Great Glen Way.

Loch Ness with a surface of 56km² is the second largest loch in the country and it takes about 50 minutes drive from Fort William. I would also recommend pre-booking boat tickets to enjoy the stunning views of Loch Ness.

Top attractions to visit

• The Loch itself with its largest body of fresh water in the British Isles. Loch has a maximum depth of 230 meters, making it the second deepest loch in Scotland.
• The legend of the Loch Ness Monster, also known as “Nessie”.
• Outdoor activities such as hiking (popular the Great Glen Way), cycling, and fishing.
• History and culture including nearby attractions like Urquhart Castle and the Caledonian Canal built in the early 19th century to connect Loch Ness to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Local food and drinks including breweries, distilleries, and restaurants that serve up traditional Scottish fare.

If you have a few spare hours in your itinerary you can continue driving along the lake towards the village Drumnadrochit (40 minutes drive) and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the road. Urquhart Castle, located just outside of the town offers a breathtaking view of the lake.

Food & Drinks: The Boathouse Restaurant

The restaurant offers stunning views of the loch and serves a variety of dishes, including seafood, steak, and vegetarian options. The restaurant is also well known for its selection of whiskies, including many from local distilleries.

I do recommend grabbing an outdoor table with a beautiful view of the the Loch Ness.

Address: The Abbey Hall, Fort Augustus PH32 4BD

Spectacular journey across the hills A924

Glenbeag Mountain Lodges

Situated in the heart of Glenshee in the Cairngorm National Park the Glenbeag lodges offer breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills, glens, rivers and mountain peaks.

This is a perfect last stop after an intensive week of sightseeing across Scotland. I would recommend 2-3 nights to fully relax and recharge.

We stayed at the Cragdhu cabin which offers sauna’s as well as a hot tub for that extra special break. This lodge is extra spacious with 1 large double bedroom and ensuite shower, 1 twin room, an open plan living room, kitchen, bathroom and even a sauna inside the cabin. Outside a deck area leads to your own private hot tub. What else would you need?!

Food & Drinks: Dalmunzie Castle Hotel

A choice of local pubs and hotels are just within a 20 minute driving circle to the log cabins.

We visited Dalmunzie Castle Hotel, located next to us a 1.5 mile driveway.

The food and service were in their restaurant were fantastic and I do recommend a visit!

It’s also a very pleasant walk from the lodges with some stunning views.

Address: Spittal of Glenshee, Blairgowrie PH10 7QG

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