Your trip starts from Edinburgh, and if you have the time we highly recommend adding on additional nights in our vibrant capital city to make the very most out of your time in Scotland.

From Edinburgh, we recommend a scenic route via the Queensferry Crossing and the charming coastal villages of Fife to reach St Andrews, with a possible detour to Falkland Palace, adored by Mary, Queen of Scots. On arriving in this ancient town, home of golf and also Scotland's oldest university, take time to walk along its wide sandy beach (featured in the film Chariots of Fire), discover its impressive Norman cathedral, and enjoy a pint of beer in one of its traditional pubs. 

Driving Time: Approx 2 hours

Head north to Highland Perthshire this morning. Explore the ancient town of Dunkeld with its beautiful Cathedral on the banks of the River Tay, and the bustling town of Pitlochry, where you can enjoy a short walk to the salmon fish ladder and dam, or enjoy your first sample of whisky at the Blair Atholl distillery. 

Continue to Royal Deeside, and walk in the footsteps of Queen Victoria who fell in love with this area, and is home to picturesque villages Braemar and Ballater, as well as the famous Balmoral Castle, the holiday home of the Royal family.  

Driving Time: Approx 3 hours

There isn't as far to drive today, which allows plenty of time to explore the region of Speyside & the Cairngorms. Speyside is famed for its delicious malt whiskies, and Glenlivet, Glenfiddich & Aberlour are just some of the well-known distilleries you can visit here. If you can drag yourself away from whisky tasting (you will need to designate a responsible driver!) we also recommend taking time to explore the Cairngorms National Park. There are some fantastic short walks to enjoy in the area around Aviemore and Rothiemurchus, which may help to burn off some of that whisky! 

Driving Time: Approx 2.5 hours (allow extra for exploring more of the Cairngorms)

A scenic route from Aviemore leads you down to Fort Augustus, a picturesque town sitting on the Caledonian Canal and the most southern tip of Loch Ness. Watching the canal boats navigate the locks here is a fascinating experience, or take a boat trip on Loch Ness to see if you can spot Nessie herself! Continue up the scenic A82 road alongside the banks of Loch Ness, stopping off to visit the grand ruins of Urquhart Castle. 

Once in Inverness, there is plenty to discover nearby including the atmospheric Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite rising came to an end in 1746, and the 14th century Cawdor Castle with its literary connections to Shakespeare's Macbeth. 

Driving Time: Approx 2.5 hours

Today you join Scotland's very own answer to Route 66, the NC500 route. Enroute to Thurso, visit Dunrobin Castle and the scenic Black Isle, where if you are lucky, you may even spot dolphins! Stopping off at John O'Groats it is possible to enjoy a short walk to Duncansby Head, a 5-mile round trip which leads you to the most north-easterly point of mainland Scotland with some incredible sea stacks. You will also pass the rugged peninsula of Dunnet Head, the most northerly point and home to some incredible birdlife including puffins, razorbills and guillemots. The fresh air and sea breezes mean you will enjoy a welcome rest in Thurso this evening! 

Driving Time: Approx 3.5 hours 

Continue on the NC500 right across the top of Scotland to reach Durness. The wild and rugged beaches along the way are the real highlight of today, so take your time to enjoy them! Melvich Beach with its sandy dunes and large areas of machair, Strathy Bay with its caves and sea stacks, and Torrisdale Bay, where you can spot seals and sea otters are just some of the untouched beaches which will entice you. The Smoo Caves, the largest coastal caves in the UK are another real highlight of this section, and you should be sure to take time to enjoy one of the geological tours here before finishing in Durness. 

Driving Time: Approx 2 hours

Leaving Durness, the Kylesku Bridge takes you over the Atlantic to Scourie, where you continue south through Sutherland. Discover the white sands of Achmelvich beach, and then arrive in Assynt, a wild landscape of mountains and lochs. If you fancy getting your walking boots on, it is possible to climb the little, craggy hill of Stac Pollaidh, which offers a perfect viewpoint over Assynt. Finish in Ullapool, a pretty fishing village nestled at the head of Loch Broom. 

Driving Time: Approx 3 hours

Continue to wind your way through the mountains and lochs of the breathtaking landscapes of Wester Ross. Stop for a picnic lunch beside the island-strewn Loch Maree, widely regarded as the most beautiful in Scotland, and reputedly with its own monster! Or head right round the Applecross Peninsula, driving over the twisting Bealach na Ba mountain pass, and tucking into a freshly caught seafood platter at the Applecross Inn. From Applecross, drop down to the Kyle of Lochalsh. It is here you will find the 13th century Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland's most photographed castle and a true icon of the country. Once you have filled your camera with fantastic shots, drive over the Skye Bridge to the magical Isle of Skye. Depending on availability you may stay in either Broadford or Portree whilst in Skye.

As there is so much to see today, we suggest an extra night in Torridon or Applecross to make the most of your sightseeing today.

Driving time: Approx 4-6 hours (depending on the route you take)

Quite rightly one of Scotland's most popular islands, there is plenty to do here to fill a day and in fact, if you have time, we highly recommend adding some extra nights if you can. Some highlights include the dramatic Nest Point lighthouse, the fairy pools below the jagged Cuillin Ridge and the dramatic landscapes of the Trotternish Peninsula including the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr. We will provide details of a couple of optional walks you can do, or take it easy and explore other highlights including Dunvegan Castle and the colourful town of Portree.

Leaving Portree drive south to a contrasting part of Skye, the green Sleat Peninsula. In Armadale enjoy a walk through the beautiful gardens of the ruined Armadale Castle and visit the Clan Donald museum before taking the ferry (1 hour) to Mallaig on the mainland.

Follow the "Road to the Isles" south along the white sandy beaches of Arisaig Sound before reaching the Glenfinnan Monument at the head of Loch Sheil, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the start of the Jacobite rebellion and the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct - where the "Harry Potter" steam train passes over daily. Take a short detour to pass by the mighty Ben Nevis and discover the atmospheric valley of Glencoe, famous for the tragic Massacre of Glencoe which took place in 1692. If you have the time recommend adding in an extra night in Fort William or the Glencoe area to give you more time for sightseeing. Continue to Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland and an attractive seaside town. 

Driving Time: Approx 4 hours

The islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa are easily visited from Oban on a short day trip. Mull is home to Tobermory, famous for its lovely multi-coloured houses lining the bay, Iona is a small crofting island known to be the "Cradle of Christianity" in Scotland, and Staffa, home to the spectacular Fingal's Cave, the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Hebridean overture. If you would prefer to stay on the islands, we can arrange extra nights in Mull for you. 

Alternatively, you may wish to spend the day relaxing in Oban, enjoying one of the amazing seafood restaurants or perhaps visiting Dunollie or Dunstaffnage Castle. 

Either Glasgow or Edinburgh can be your final destination today. If heading to Glasgow, we recommend a route taking in the 18th century Inverary Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll, and then skirt the banks of Loch Lomond as you return to Glasgow, perhaps stopping off to enjoy lunch in the pretty lochside town of Luss on the way. Alternatively, if you would like to get back to Edinburgh, head round the northern edge of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park before taking in the Trossachs (home of the legendary Rob Roy), stopping to visit his grave in Balquhidder or the bustling little Trossachs town of Callendar is perfect for lunch. One last stopover in Stirling is a must to visit impressive Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument, a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of William Wallace.

We can arrange additional nights in either Glasgow or Edinburgh for you. Just let us know where you would prefer to finish up!

Driving Time: Approx 2h 15 (to Glasgow) or 3 hours (to Edinburgh)