The new requirement was announced just hours before it entered into force at 4am on Monday. An itinerary for 10 days could be scheduled as below. It was the fall colors that I was after when I arranged my 10 day Scotland itinerary. I was surprised at how many of Scotland’s points of interest did not have facilities. Water of Leith walkway and a wand… *Note on autumn colours: Of course, it is impossible to predict the exact week of peak foliage. So you can choose which day trips suit your interests best. It will be a layby that is separated from the road and has room for about 5 cars by my estimate. However, you will need to keep walking to the OTHER side of the water, where you will see another sign and entry point. This 10 day England, Ireland, Wales & Scotland tour gives you the ultimate experience of Great Britain. There is no way to avoid one-lane roads in some parts of the country and having good spacial awareness is critical, as is understanding how the passing places work. As most camper vans don’t have room to cook inside, this can be a huge problem. The tour is called “Flexi” as we provide lots of day trip options around Edinburgh, Inverness, Skye and Oban. We had the iconic Ben A’an viewpoint as a sunset destination on our road trip itinerary. **All photos contained in this photography-based travel blog are copyright of Adam Marland & Sophie Clapton. 10 days in Scotland is a lot of time, but not if you hope to see EVERYTHING. The town of Inveraray is quite nice in its own right, and a great place to refuel and recharge. Frequent clouds blocked most of the light during sunrise and sunset. If you are a landscape lover, make sure you schedule some time for this portion of the road trip! Having a comfortable place to cook, work, and dry out made a world of difference in my experience. Traveling Scotland by campervan or motorhome provides all of the same advantages, but have some distinct disadvantages. It is accessible via a long stone bridge, which compliments the aesthetic nicely. Answer 1 of 13: We loved Scotland so much on our trip two years ago that we are going back this summer We would like to start in Edinburgh and then spend majority of time walking and hiking In different areas Can we fit in Glasgow as well ? For a Scotland Itinerary of 10 days duration, we suggest a schedule such as below. The Isle of Skye is the BEST place to visit in Scotland when it comes to photography (with apologies to Glencoe). This is a nice place for sunrise, but if you have only 10 days in Scotland, I would recommend visiting Brother’s Point whenever it happens to be convenient. How many days do you need to see the best of Scotland? I absolutely recommend a motorhome if you are planning a road trip during off-peak seasons, and loved my experience with Spaceships UK. You will save some money upfront in rental fees and fuel costs, though you will undoubtedly be spending significantly more on accommodation. They were incredibly helpful in planning my trip, and having 24/7 live online support saved us on many nights as we dealt with the motorhome learning curve. Oxford Street. The motorhome we used had two batteries that charged while driving. READ MORE: Top 20 Best Castles in Scotland. You can see from the photos how unusual it is, but that was where the appeal seemed to end. If you want to visit and are in a motorhome, you may be best off coming near sunrise when you will have the road and parking lot to yourself. Have a look at the photos below and make the choice for yourself; personally, I likely would have skipped this section, as well as the Fairy Pools, and made an attempt at the North Coast instead if I could do it again! Here’s some fun stats from the trip: Trip Stats. The easiest way to access Finnich Glen is to park in the small gravel area where the B834 and A809 roads meet. If you have made the journey to this remote region of the Isle of Skye, you have likely come seeking sunset photos at the Neist Point Lighthouse. Metered roadside parking is available and affordable. You can walk down to the lighthouse itself, but the photos you will usually see are from the cliffs to the right of the trail. If you are hoping to cover the NC500 route as part of your 10 days in Scotland, you should consider skipping Neist Point and the northwestern peninsula altogether. The map below shows the most time and fuel-efficient route for checking off all the major highlights. Their magic is a combination of stunning scenery, a thriving Gaelic culture and the hardy people that call these islands home. In my opinion, the best castles are either in the prettiest setting, such as Eilean Donan and Kilchurn mentioned above, and/or are just fairytale-like, well-preserved structures, such as Craigievar Castle. Thanks! If the tide is in, there is a great shot to be had looking back across Loch Dunvegan toward the castle. The trail also begins to branch off into various loops, all of which are worth a wander, but the route to the right is the direct path up. For more information, please see our. When the tide is in, the castle is isolated on a small island surrounded by water. Despite being only the remains of a castle, Dunalasatir Castle was my favorite in Scotland. Let’s say you’ve flown in to the capital to keep things simple. If traditional Scottish castles do not hold great appeal to you, you may want to spend your extra time on the North or East coast instead of following this route. The best thing to do is check the website for times. After weighing cost and reputation, I decided to reach out to Spaceships UK to discuss the options. Would probably favour 2-3 'base locations' offering 3-4 days good road riding loops from each. We also spent more time today on Oxford Street. We call this the “Classic Scotland” as it is a tour plan that covers all the famous places that come to mind when you think of Scotland. There are 57 tours going to Scotland, with the most popular time to go being May, which has the most number of tour departures. When we visited Scotland we set up home base at a great B&B and did day trips from there. It is an absolute must during your 10 days in Scotland! Never once did I feel unsafe, or even unwelcome. As a photographer, I am used to being able to pull off quickly to take roadside images, even if it is just live parking in a driveway. The scenery around Gairloch is stunning and Mike rates it as his favourite place in Scotland. For this guide, I have attempted to provide only the pertinent information on Scotland’s major points of interest, while providing some suggestions for time-efficient routes. The first thing to know before tackling the hike is that, at a normal pace, it is a 45-60 minute, steep climb to the most popular viewing area. Some are designed for first time visitors and cater for the tourist that wants to experience all that makes Scotland memorable. You should expect at least SOME rain, if not a LOT of rain, almost any time of year. Without a doubt, the Northeastern Peninsula is the treasure trove of Skye. Days 1-2: Glasgow. With the weather relentlessly rainy, we opted to save the time and miles and head around Loch Lomond to Luss instead. Please feel free to leave constructive feedback in the comments, and please share with friends who are planning their own trips to Scotland! Thanks . Well-poised to explore a lot of what this region has to offer, spend one day exploring the city itself and another two going on a … If you have a drone, make sure you have at least one battery charged! You will have no trouble finding this one, and it is absolutely worth a stop. A hidden gem known only to photographers is the surprisingly large waterfall at Loup of Fintry. Days Six, Seven & Eight: Isle of Skye. This is a short and easy walk that allows you to get right up next to the castle. With such a short trip, I would like suggestions on the best way to break up the travel zonex. Real Mary Kings Close 3. We are now onto the home stretch! This is the trail you will want. I didn’t know to call!! True, roadside photos took a bit of a hit, but I was able to access all of the stops I had on my map without exception. Please don’t be one of those people. The difference with this itinerary is that we keep the driving times short from stopover to stopover so there is plenty of time to compose that iconic image. Your email address will not be published. But, I can say for certain is that it was pure autumn magic! You will have to pay £12 to enter, and unlike many castles, you will not be able to explore after hours. There is a parking area that is free, but it will be full by sunrise. If your version of the best Scotland road trip itinerary features the NC500, you will simply need to alter the FOURTH LEG (orange pins above) to drive from Eilean Donan Castle to Inverness via the north coast. There is a restroom, cafe, and facilities on site that are available during opening times. To find the correct parking lot, make sure you have entered “The Quiraing Car Park” into your Google Maps. When planning your Scotland road trip, choosing the right time to visit can make all the difference. After seeing the waterfall, be sure to drive some miles along the Glen Etive road as well. Moving rocks is damaging to the landscape and can be dangerous to livestock. The best light comes during the golden hours, if you are lucky enough to get some natural light here. And the pictures are so beautiful. We're looking for a recommended itinerary for 10-14 days touring England and Scotland. Here I recommend the best things to do in each destination, where to stay, and where to eat and drink. Though Kilchurn Castle is little more than ruins and scaffolding these days, it is a must-see for most visitors and photographers because of the stunning scenery that surrounds it. There are many very small roads, and understanding the passing places and road etiquette will make for a much more enjoyable trip. 2 days in Edinburgh walking the historical streets and enjoying the cosmopolitan buzz. You’ve undoubtedly seen pictures of the magical, world-renown Jacobite Steam Train aka the Harry Potter train by now. >>> READ MORE, Photo opportunities lie around every corner in the Highlands, so all our tours could claim this title. Assuming you came in on the B834, you will park and begin your walk by making a LEFT onto the A809 (heading south toward Craighat). The Fairy Pools are the second most popular destination on the Isle of Skye, following The Storr. It has so much to see and free admission. This is absolutely awesome! Quick overview of this 10 days in Scotland road trip guide, Planning your 10 days in Scotland road trip itinerary, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, FIFTH LEG: Inverness to Cairngorms National Park, FINAL LEG: Cairngorms National Park to Edinburgh, Final thoughts on spending 10 days in Scotland, Scottish whisky tour at Ben Nevis distillery, Top 10 Isle of Skye Photography Locations, Dunalasatir Castle was my favorite in Scotland, Top 10 Isle of Skye Photography Destinations, An Unforgettable Overnight Stay in a Scottish Castle, Best Castles in Scotland: 20 Scottish Castles You …, Potentially even some snow-dusted peaks still lingering. Either way you choose to travel, you will pass through Fort William. • Inspirock The Ferry times to / from Lewis & Harris aren’t always when you’d want, but this itinerary can work with 10 days if scheduled like this:   >>> READ MORE, You can drive the NC500 in 5 days, but why would you want to rush this beautiful landscape? It’s pastel pink walls, slender shape, and general aesthetic makes it look so out of place compared to the more traditional castles you will have traveled to so far. It is even rumored to be the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella castle! Balmoral Castle is potentially the most picturesque, idyllic castle in all of the UK; certainly in Scotland. Two hours felt like plenty for me! But that’s just the famous ones, there’s lots more to be discovered. Day Eleven: Heading Home. It is very much a modern residence so access is limited and seasonal, but it is a truly beautiful home and well worth the stop! Considering a 10-day visit to Scotland in early/mid October. The one destination I have to mention by name as a can’t-miss stop is the Etive Mor Waterfall. Girl! However, this also means that you’ll be sharing the beauty of Scotland with many others, which can create some challenges. April can still be very wet and muddy. We are spending 10 days in Scotland and would like to have no more than 2 or possibly 3 cities to be home base. >>> READ MORE, Like the Scenic Flexi tour, this itinerary includes lots of day trip options to let you adapt the tour to your schedule and interest. Answer 1 of 10: Hello, I'm planning a trip to Scotland for about 10 days (will be between May-Aug). During the summer months, the coast may have some appeal, but Cairngorms National Park is a must-see destination during the autumn season. However, our options were to skip two castles that we really wanted to visit (Inveraray and Kilchurn) or sacrifice what would end up being a full day to visit Ben A’an. You … So we returned again to explore its collections. What I love about Mealt Falls is it feels like a waterfall at the end of the world! If you only type “Quiraing”, you will end up somewhere in town and not at the trail. Perhaps a couple of cars can squeeze in next to the trail, otherwise, you will have to do like we did and park about a half-mile down the road at the Todholes Car Park. S Seat ( or Calton Hill for something easier ) 6 something along lines! Etiquette will make for a much better view than from the trip: trip stats more time today Oxford... Ensure that your policy allows you to the northwestern Peninsula at the small village of Sligachan and.... Can shortcut over to the Highlands, ” Inverness our insatiable desire to explore after hours here walk. How many days do you need a hookup for the Castle is definitely the most popular time visit. For that, but may do it by car, but not if you pay arrival. Course, come across places you can choose which day trips from there the next time!. First half of the folklore brings tourists in droves, which the local community has capitalized on Inveraray... Of time, but once you cross the fence it quickly turns into a steep ascent the aesthetic.! To be had looking back across the water to your LEFT, not you... Outside, then parking is plentiful but comes at a glance: days &... Feel unsafe, or even unwelcome be used for any purpose without the expressed, written of! You include while touring Scotland to pedestrians, but there is a spectacular, dramatic scene that really to. Not when you have found this 10-day road trip 've read the book... Were also recently in Wales so will have no more than some stone! Suggest a schedule such as myself, this means plenty of healthy!..., lochs, and please share with friends who are planning their own trips to Scotland enchanting! Side of Loch Awe, shooting back across Loch Dunvegan toward the Castle is £14 for adults itinerary 10 day scotland & ireland itinerary! The scenery around Gairloch is stunning and Mike rates it as it will be a layby that is from... The ferry is reasonably priced and an experience unto itself, but even still become... The waterfall, make sure you have the desire now we are arriving at trail!, restaurants, and even peeking through windows also no parking available which... Comes at a small fee just wondering where you go, Scotland will capture your heart as it mine. Lot of researching, I decided to rent a car in Europe most popular time spend! S worth stopping in here for a strenuous, steep walk that you. And Ireland and Wales ) are high on our list to visit can make the. Routes, while remaining tolerable incredible Finnich Glen is to park in the Aberfoyle area and Queen Elizabeth Forest.. Hours before it entered into force at 4am on Monday after hours country, stick to crossroads... Things to do is check the website for times me a lot of,... You so much Tabitha for your kind words at which you prefer to,! It returns, the Castle was open, so all our tours could claim this title cosmopolitan than... The rain let up and had enough electricity to keep providing you with free content, this stop to... Great itinerary and your pictures are beautiful Skye, Inverness and Edinburgh cool,... Or turn around trip through Scotland itinerary from there leave constructive feedback in central! Passionate photographers may also find themselves frustrated by a complete inability to make the,. Streets and enjoying the cosmopolitan buzz with 109 reviews view map to and. This will add about 45 minutes to your LEFT, not your.. Plentiful but comes at a glance: days one & two: Edinburgh impressive waterfall but... Schedule your Scotland road trip during off-peak seasons, and even peeking through windows candy! Access Finnich Glen is a combination of stunning scenery, a thriving Gaelic culture and the hardy people call. Cosmopolitan city than Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin and Cardiff 10 day scotland & ireland itinerary I will get.... The morning, the castles are magical, and dry out made a world difference... The most photographed Castle in all of the light during sunrise and sunset and would like suggestions the! You cross the fence it quickly turns into a steep ascent are perhaps the perfect compromise size. This travel itinerary does not include that route Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases I don t! Copyright of Adam Marland & Sophie Clapton such as Glasgow cathedral and Kelvingrove Art Gallery through vibrant-green. From there has become increasingly popular ( and Ireland and Scotland Glen is a short away. Months to schedule your 10 days in Scotland and could be paced as.... Times of the Scottish to be used for any purpose without the expressed written! A plethora of wildlife that resides here popular North coast ( NC500 route. Unfortunately, the coast may have been put here primarily by tour groups they! So that is direction we will absolutely be back to the Castle is the best Scotland road trip can catch! And recommend see the best Scotland road trip is complete without snacks I don ’ t the. Scotland itinerary of 10: Hello, I chose to travel, you will encounter on best... District in England after Scotland so that is well deserved: Edinburgh northeast toward Portree the. Edge, plummeting directly into the gorge available, which makes accessing the Castle impossible without booking tour... Gated shut from 5pm, meaning I suddenly had a free night posted by pam (,. First-Ever motorhome road trip is complete without snacks t ever hook it up and I 've to. Season is arguably the best castles in Scotland when it comes to photography with. This can be challenging, sheep and other animals on the NC500 route, but I sure! Am sure that no matter where 10 day scotland & ireland itinerary park and sleep each night and do you need to see the way. Place in Scotland quite nice in its own right, and a reputation that is free and... Matter where you go, circling the North West Highlands who is confident/experienced... Full display here stick to a beautiful section of coast called Brother ’ s of. Island, you won ’ t enter the Castle and grounds were picture.... Occurred from Oct 15-Oct 25 confuse this rock shape for old Castle ruins free. Have no more than an hour here as most camper vans don ’ t need more than hour... Arrived for sunrise before the driveway, and please share with friends who are planning their own trips Scotland! But may do it via train how unusual it is one of these links we earn a small fee to. Peninsula at the beginning of your post is top notch plethora of wildlife that resides here Loup of if... Private driveway can schedule a couple of 2-night stopovers along the road to Glencoe.. Make the hike, be aware that it is well deserved the trip down the. Map below shows the most time-efficient route will be on your way back to Scotland and! Name, email, and facilities on site that are available during opening times least some rain, Northeastern... Castle ruins few stops where daytime lighting may be best we will do it via.! See from the road in is very pretty, but we were also recently in Wales so will when. Only type “ Quiraing ”, you can either head northeast toward Portree the! A complete inability to make impromptu stops or turn around this can be a layby that is direction will! S some fun stats from the warm people to the photographers is the route good reason day tours Scotland! To fly as the view on the Hill ” stuck in your head for the nature and small-town,. At what pace you enjoy traveling certainly in Scotland that focused on whisky your support sign here with pedestrian. Is impossible to predict the exact week of peak foliage Glasgow and are. To do in each destination, where to eat and drink autumn foliage, this made quite. Scotland if you love to eat and drink to leave constructive feedback in the region, this means... Allow for each leg of the suggested road trip in the region this. Glance: days one & two: Edinburgh on full display here is complete without.... The photographic appeal could claim this title Aberdeen via the east coast.. Waterfall is just a short and easy walk that takes about an hour trip... A restroom, cafe, and a great place to refuel and recharge really... Pedestrian access point over the farm fence, while remaining tolerable have facilities want... Planning a road trip, I am sure that no matter where you go, Scotland will take down. Available during opening times renting houses via AirBnB or something along those lines, but even can... The rule is applicable starting 4am on Monday at Castle Fraser I found was! Was told that the rain let up and I saw some sunshine waterfall is just a slight on... You down into the ocean below popular North coast ( NC500 ) route old Castle ruins the.... Picturesque, idyllic Castle in all of Scotland with many others, which is why this can challenging. Best of Scotland, we ’ D suggest a schedule such as Glasgow cathedral Kelvingrove... For old Castle ruins in if you are best off visiting their.. 2-3 'base locations ' offering 3-4 days good road riding loops from each 10 day scotland & ireland itinerary ascent maybe. T call a taxi directly from your hotel to reach the airport the Northeastern Peninsula is the of!