Thanks so much! and reading our Lonely Planet Scotland guide.We were kind of giddy and excited, until we landed in Edinburgh. And occasionally Henry has to remind me to get out of the right lane. While this may sound like a short amount of time, it is often the way when you have limited holidays and want to fit in a visit to other countries in the UK and Europe. If you’re jetting in from afar, Edinburgh is very likely to be your starting point. 5 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary. You might also check into some of the things Jen and I did on our two days in Edinburgh: If you are traveling with kids (or are a kid at heart), be sure to check out my post on the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh. If you aren’t exhausted, I think it’s always a good idea to just wander around the streets of Edinburgh and see what you find. You however, have part of a day, so let’s get going! Let me know in the comments what you would do differently. Suggested Itineraries in Scotland To get the most out of your time in Scotland in 1 or even 2 weeks requires a little strategizing, and we offer some suggestions below. With another earlyish start, you can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history. As you continue on you’ll pass The Three Sisters, three beautiful mountain peaks. It is only open April through July as this is where the Queen likes to hang out. If you are visiting at a different time of year, try to fit Holyroodhouse into your itinerary. Personally, I don’t like whisky, so I am happy to report that gin is also quite popular in the area. If you still have some time before dinner I recommend walking up Calton Hill for magnificent views on the city. Day 10: Drive along Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness to Inverness (sleep in Inverness) Day 11: Inverness and side-trip to Culloden and other sights (sleep in Inverness) Day 12: Head south, enjoying your choice of sights in Eastern Scotland or St. Andrews (sleep in Pitlochry, Ballater, or St. Andrews) It was a little scary and dark, but mostly fun and interesting. Left!” at every intersection and round about. Back in the car for 50 minutes and you are in beautiful Fort William. Perthshire is a glorious location filled to the brim with things to do, featuring acres of forests, incredible attractions, and city gems to explore. Sorry for the criticism but I can’t be the only one feeling this way. So if you’re looking for inspiration on what to see in Scotland in 4 days read on for my tried, tested and refined 4 day Scotland itinerary! Required fields are marked *, © Copyright 2016-2020 Wayfaring Kiwi | Privacy Policy, A Perfect Itinerary for 4 Days in Scotland, The ultimate guide to planning a trip to Scotland. Day 4 Road Trip through Scotland. Discover Glasgow and its very different vibe from Edinburgh. Can you suggest some advices which will help us to plan as most of the tours do not take kids below 5 years. If you didn’t stop at Mohr for snacks, there are several restaurants and pubs in Callander. It fills up! You’ll make your way back to the city centre for lunch, and then explore Glasgow on foot. I recommend purchasing the Explorer Pass, For booking hotels, I recommend comparing prices with Booking.com, Expedia & direct, Going on a road trip? It’s easy to use – walk out from baggage claim and turn left. This itinerary includes a little bit of everything: castles, historic buildings, lochs, street art, a whisky distillery, a drive through the highlands and more! It costs a little more to get an automatic, but if you aren’t comfortable driving a manual anyway, this is not the place to practice. For quick, healthy take-away, we like Pret-a-Manger on North Bridge. Another 20 minutes in the car and you arrive at Doune Castle. Plus, a fair bit of driving. I love Revolution on Mitchell Street for a meal and cocktails. Afterwards you’ll catch the bus again to Callendar House, a mansion in Falkirk set in beautiful grounds with an incredible history. If you don’t have a picnic lunch, you can stop at the small Gulabin Café in the Spittal of Glenshee. Hello, I’m Yvette and I’m from New Zealand. The truth is, you can see and experience a lot with just 4 days in Scotland. It is both expensive and challenging to park in the city. If you are planning to road trip Scotland, I hope you already know that they drive on the left hand side of the road over here. Things to See & Do in Perthshire - 4 Day Itinerary. Edinburgh Castle is widely considered one of the best castles in the world. The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestry is a must see, Scotland has the unicorn as its mascot. You can walk out to 120-meter Steall Falls and back in just 2.25 miles. There are a lot of great places to eat in Edinburgh, but we are picking somewhere close to the end of your walking tour and the start of your next activity. Discover Scotland at your own pace with this tailor-made 5-day self-drive itinerary with iconic sites like Glen Coe and Loch Ness. You can walk from the pub along the river on easy trails to shake the car feeling off. After exploring the beautiful cathedral, be sure to go for a wander through the Glasgow Necropolis, an old Victorian cemetery, located just behind the cathedral. From here you’ll catch a bus to The Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures. The map starts on the west coast of Scotland, but, of course, you can do the drive in reverse if you prefer. There is a break at a coffee shop if you need caffeine or a snack. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It takes about 4.5 hours to drive from Edinburgh to Inverness on this route, provided you don’t make any stops, but of course you are going to stop. Each has its own payment system and pass system. You might want to book online if you are traveling during a busy time. I recommend booking car hire with Auto Europe, Check the Scotrail website for train times and to buy tickets in advance. DAY 4 - Glasgow. For these top things to do in Scotland, you will need a car. I have never been to Scotland But I have been doing some research as I shall be visiting soon. 2h10 drive - 120 Miles - 193 km. For a nice lunch in a trendy-Scottish pub and restaurant, try The Devil’s Advocate. The Argyll Coastal Trail features the Highlands & Islands, Castles & Standing Stones, fishing villages and world-class seafood restaurants. You’ll then have another chance to stretch your legs when you go for a walk around Glencoe Lochan. If you fly to Edinburgh, take the tram from the airport to downtown Edinburgh. You’ll get to experience local foods, a variety of hikes, scenic towns, castles, and more! In fact, one bartender I spoke with said gin is surpassing whisky in popularity. It was landscaped to look like the Canadian Rockies, and the lochan looks like a miniature Lake Louise! © 2020 Melynda Harrison/TravelingMel, All Rights Reserved. You can purchase my Edinburgh city guide for a full look at the city’s must-sees. Your email address will not be published. Urquhart Castle is a ruin on the shores of Loch Ness. In just under two hours, you will arrive in Cairngorms National Park. Now clearly, 4 days in Scotland is not nearly enough for all the “must sees” in Scotland, but I think you can get a good sampler. Also both me and my husband don’t know to drive so any help here to have a good trip covering nice places would be great. The land of the Scots – perfect for a little road trip! My favourite things to do in Edinburgh include: Argyll Coastal Trail. You can visit the gardens, grounds, and a few exhibition rooms. and what tour company do you recommend? You’ll pick up your rental car from Glasgow [I recommend hiring a car from Auto Europe] and drive to Luss, a wee village on the banks of Loch Lomond. Includes 3 star accommodation. We stopped here because I thought it would be a cheesy roadside attraction and I love those kind of places. We spent many a sunny afternoon on the deck with a pint. From Mohr 84, it’s just 20 scenic minutes to the cute town of Callander. My husband and I are planning our first trip to Scotland and Ireland. You aren’t far from where Rob Roy is buried in a little cemetery outside a stone church. You’ll see the Royal Mile, Greyfriar’s Kirkyard (home of Greyfriar’s Bobby and inspiration to JK Rowling), the Grassmarket, and the historic streets of Edinburgh. We stayed at the Radisson Blu on the Royal Mile. You can take a boat tour of Loch Ness, walk along the Great Glen Way, admire the locks leading to and from the Loch, check out the shops, or just have a drink and take in the sights. Admiring Glasgow Cathedral from the Necropolis. While both destinations are amazing and beautiful with so much to offer, and I always try to help them make the right choice for their needs, I don’t think this has to be an either-or choice. On the second day of your 4 day trip to Scotland, you’ll ride the train from Edinburgh to Falkirk. Note: This post contains affiliate links. I’ll even throw in a ghost tour. The Palace is at the opposite end of the Royal Mile as the Edinburgh Castle. Your email address will not be published. Nevis Bank Inn is a modern hotel across the street from the River Nevis. Whether you've got a couple of days or whole week, you'll find fantastic route inspiration and details on fascinating attractions to see along the way. I recommend stopping at Mhor 84 in Balquhidder for lunch or tea (1 hour 15 minutes from Glencoe). I think the best place to visit in Scotland is Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Doune Castle was used in the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones, and Outlander. There is a lot of entertainment wrapped up in this one as you meet characters from the 17th century, but you will learn a lot, too. We took Henry there for his birthday a few years ago and enjoyed walking around the rural roads and eating in the café while he was on the tour (no under 18s allowed on the tour). I spent just 4 days in Scotland on my first trip here. 2017 was Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology, but honestly, each year should be Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology – there is just so much to see and discover.In hindsight, a 5 day Scotland itinerary wasn’t quite enough. Here are a few of my accommodation recommendations: After starting your day with a hearty breakfast [you’ll need it] you’ll first head to Edinburgh Castle to explore Scotland’s most famous castle [grab your skip the line ticket here– it’s quicker and cheaper to buy online]. My first visit to Glasgow didn’t go all that well, you can read my post about why I didn’t like Glasgow but why I love it now. For more tips, here’s a look at my outdoorsy highlightsof the capital. All pretty great countries but pretty far away too. I often get asked by my readers which trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland? Keep yourself and others safe- remember to check the government guidelines and plan ahead before you travel. Here you’ll have the opportunity to see ancient Pictish carvings, the Cramond Lioness [a rare Roman sculpture that was found in Edinburgh] and the Lewis Chess pieces– one of the best archaeological discoveries in Scotland. My mom and Ed are coming to Scotland and asked me to make some recommendations for a Scotland itinerary 4 days long. Day Two: Linlithgow Palace and Oban. Our Scotland Itinerary is around 800 miles (1300km), with around 23 hours of actual driving over a 10 day trip. Grab a rental car and start driving west. I recommend having lunch at the Clachaig Inn, one of the best pubs in Scotland, which is nestled in the heart of Glencoe, surrounded by magnificent views of the mountains. If you drive from Edinburgh directly to the Isle of Skye, it takes between five and six hours with 235 miles of driving. I’ve made some amendments [I know Scotland a whole lot better now] but 80% of this itinerary is where I went and what I did. In the video and the post, you’ll see Edinburgh Castle, the Free Walking Tour, and Calton Hill, which are mentioned in this article. Have you tried my 4 days in Scotland itinerary? 1 Week; This tour takes in Scotland's scenic and historical highlights. Tip: Book your tour online. Fitting this in at the end of the day may be a little much, but if you can do it, it’s worth it. After lunch I recommend you spend a couple of hours in my favourite museum, the National Museum of Scotland. After exploring the castle, catch the 11 am free walking tour of Edinburgh with Sandeman’s New Europe. We are planning for a trip to scotland for 4-5 days in end july with our1.5 year old. Even with nearly 20 weeks of left-side driving under my belt, I still chant “Left! I liked your Scotland videos. Skip to 5:37 in the video if you just want to see the castle and not the hike. You’ll continue on, passing The Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum. Day 3 – Inverness to Fort Williams: The Great Glen. Has my blog helped you with your travel plans? DAY 4 - Loch Lomond. Start from Edinburgh to Stirling ( Having seen Edinburgh Castle, Will give it a miss) and Take A84 through Callander--> Bridge of Orchy--> Glen Coe--> Fort William--> Night halt at Mallaig.. Day 2 . Mary Queen of Scots was crowned at Stirling Castle and it served as much as a palace as a fortification. You can book a gin tour online. Pull into the Three Sisters Car Park to take in the three peaks and visualise The Lost Valley nestled between two of the sisters. Do not miss the St Mungo's Cathedral and the Glasgow University. I wouldn’t try to fit both The Glenlivet tour and the Caorunn tour into your journey, but that’s up to you, of course. Day 4 Scottish Highlands Itinerary: Isle of Skye Explorations . It certainly turns me away from watching more of them, which is too bad because I otherwise really enjoyed the content. Time to get out of Dodge! Get off the beaten track by following one of Scotland's National Tourist Routes, or check out our brilliant driving and road trip itineraries. Our 4 day Scottish Highlands itinerary includes all of our favorite spots from our trip, but spread out among 4 days instead of 3 so you’re able to enjoy things at a more relaxed pace than we were able to. This 4 day Scotland itinerary is a replica of my first trip here. There is a huge range of outdoor activities for every level. Day 1. The lochan is surrounded by peaceful woodland and easy waymarked trails. Hostelworld is the best place to book hostels, Airbnb is another affordable alternative to accommodation in Scotland (psst- get $33USD credit for your first booking here), For booking a variety of tours and attractions I recommend Get Your Guide, Visiting lots of attractions in Scotland? 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