5 day walking tour scotland

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Inveraray Castle

5 Day Tour of Scotland

Sensational 5 Day Scotland Tour – a journey of discovery, of our history, scenery and culture.

Join us in our wonderful whistle stop 5 day Scotland tour experiencing Scottish culture, absorbing yourself in the spectacular scenery and exploring fascinating historical sites. This is the ultimate five day tour to see as much of Scotland as you can, in a relatively short space of time. Take the stress out of having to navigate maps and negotiate the often-winding single-track roads. Sit back, relax and allow us to show you what Scotland has to offer our visitors, and enjoy a wee dram or two, with some traditional Scottish music along the way. This five day tour has something for everyone, as we travel from town to town, with some breathtaking views on your magical Scottish adventure.

Your Magical 5 Day Scotland Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Amazing Argyll & The Isle of Bute

Enchanting Puck’s Glen Mystical Forest Hike and Magnificent Mount Stuart House Visit

Your magical Five Days in Scotland touring adventure can depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh or any other designated town in central Scotland. We commence our five day journey by following the stunning Clyde Estuary, to the small seaside town Gourock, in the west coast of Scotland. We board the ‘wee ferry’ from McInroys Point (near Gourock), and sail the short journey across the Firth of Clyde, to Hunters Quay (near Dunoon). The three-mile voyage takes approximately 20 minutes. You will be in awe of the stunning Scottish scenery, as we approach the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll. Disembarking the ferry, we take a 6-mile drive north, alongside the Holy Loch en route, to our first adventure of the day at Puck’s Glen.

Pull on your hiking boots, as we prepare to hike through the enchanting fairy like Scottish Glen. Your group will be guided through one of the most stunning Glens in Scotland, on a mysterious woodland adventure. This enchanting trail crosses wooden bridges over cascading waterfalls and fairylike pools. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this (mile and a half) challenging walk, which has some steep inclines and uneven ground. You may even be fortunate enough to spot some amazing wildlife, such as red squirrels, deer, woodpeckers and pine martens.

Once we have completed this spectacular trek, you can sit back, relax and take a ‘wee breather’, as we journey south westerly through the craggy peaks and hidden glens of the Argyll forests to Colintraive. Boarding another short ferry crossing, (which takes 5 minutes) we sail from Colintraive to Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute. We then journey south through the Victorian Seaside town of Rothesay en route to the magnificent Mount Stuart House.

This neo gothic structure is a masterpiece of Georgian and Victorian architecture, set within 300 acres of a labyrinth of beautiful gardens and wondrous woodland. Join a public or private guided tour and explore this marvellous house, commissioned by the 3rdMarquess of Bute, built in the late 19thcentury. The interior design was inspired by history, astrology, art and dazzling mythology.

Once you get your breath back from this mesmerising visit, we travel back to Rothesay, where we will take our final sailing of the day to Wemyss Bay. Your day will conclude heading south to Largs or Seamill, where you will spend the first night of your wonderful 5 day tour of Scotland.

Overnight stay in Largs or Seamill.

Day 2: Largs to Oban

National Trossachs Park, Luss, Loch Lomond, Arrochar Alps, Inveraray, Kilmartin Glen and Oban

Departing from the historical seaside town of Largs, (famous for the Battle of Largs 1263 when the last pitched battle between the Vikings and Scots took place), we travel north to the tantalising Trossachs National Park.

Your first stop on day two of your five day tour of Scotland, takes you to the exquisite conservation village of Luss, beside the ‘Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through this picturesque village, offering stunning views of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond, the most southerly mountain in Scotland.

We continue touring north through the amazing Arrochar Alps, where we can stop for photo opportunities at the breath taking, ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ beauty spot, between Glen Croe and Glen Kinglass.

Our next destination is the charming Highland town Inveraray. This popular tourist town, lies on the western shores of the glistening sea Loch Fyne, famous for its delicious Oysters and delicious seafood.

You may wish to opt to visit the neo gothic Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, (Chieftan of the powerful Clan Campbell). Alternatively, you can enjoy exploring Inveraray Jail, a living nineteenth century prison which has some gruesome exhibits on display. Interestingly, many convicts were held here in the eighteenth and nineteenth century, before being shipped off overseas to Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania, many dying en route before they reached their destination.

Why not indulge in some local Scottish cuisine in a traditional inn, or meander through the whitewashed Georgian streets, and browse some of the local shops.

Departing from Inveraray, we continue our fantastic 5 day Scotland tour, travelling south westerly on the magnificent scenic coastal route to the village of Lochgilphead.

Veering north from Lochgilphead, we approach the fascinating Prehistoric burial Cairns, standing stones, stone circles and rock art of Kilmartin Glen. We will enjoy a climb up the rocky crag at Dunadd, which was once the major political centre of the Kingdom of Dalriatta.

Overnight stay in Oban.

Day 3: Oban to Inverness

Oban, Kilchurn Castle, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, The Great Glen, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston Falls, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness

Relax, and take some time out to explore Oban, (little bay in Gaelic), a bustling historical town, and gateway to the isles. You can browse the boutique shops, climb up to the famous tower, or even enjoy a visit to the 1790 Oban Whisky Distillery.

Having enjoyed spending some time in the morning exploring Oban, we set off travelling North to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.

En route to our next destination, we journey west to stop for some photographic opportunities overlooking the ruins of Kilchurn Castle at the head of Loch Awe. This fifteenth century built stronghold, was home to the Campbell’s of Glenorchy.

Travelling north, we drive through one of Scotland’s great, uninhabited wildernesses, Rannoch Moor. This vast moorland occupies nearly 150 square miles of unspoilt rugged terrain. Enjoy the tranquillity and look out for red or roe deer as we approach the dramatic three sisters mountains, in Glencoe.

We arrive at the often described, ‘eerie’ Glencoe. This dramatic and overwhelming mountainous site, is steeped in clan history and the heart wrenching woes of the massacre of the McDonald clan, by the Campbell’s.  You will stop in the ‘weeping glen’ to savour the atmospheric conditions and listen to stories about the ‘Massacre of Glencoe’

After lunch at the Clachaig Inn, situated in the very heart of Glencoe, your 5 day trip of Scotland ventures through Scotland’s Great Glen. This geological fault line bisects the Scottish Highlands into the Grampian Mountains, to the South East. Gaze in awe at the scintillating scenery as we tour through 62 miles (100 km) of the Great Glen, from Fort William to Inverness on the edge of the Moray Firth.

Time allowing, you have the option to visit the picturesque Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus, Invermoriston Falls or Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness before settling at your accommodation in Inverness.

Overnight stay in Inverness or Nairn.

Day 4: Inverness to Pitlochry

Clava Cairns, Culloden and Cawdor Castle

On day four of your five day Scotland tour itinerary, we visit the incredible prehistoric burial chambers and standing stones, Clava Cairns. These fascinating chambers and standing stones date back more than four and a half thousand years.

Only a five-minute drive from Clava Cairns, we travel to Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last Jacobite Rebellion, which came to a tragic end on April the 16th, 1746. You will have time to walk on to the sacred battlefield and visit the cairns and gravestones of fallen clans. It is considered a very atmospheric site, and gives the visitor an insight on the location and conditions the clans endured that fateful day. You can discover stories from the Jacobite and Government perspectives in the Culloden visitor centre.

Leaving the eerie Culloden Moor we take the short 10-mile drive, to the stunning five star visitor attraction, 14th century Cawdor Castle, just outside Nairn.

The castle is the ancestral home to the Campbell’s of Cawdor and also holds intriguing connections to Shakespeare and one of his most famous literary works, Macbeth. Today the castle is still home to the Cawdor family.

You may wish to stroll around the three gardens, which have been beautifully maintained and worth visiting. Additionally you could explore the ancient medieval tower, built around the legendary holly tree, held within the castle.

From Cawdor, we travel through the highest public road in Britain, journeying through the outstanding landscapes of the eastern Cairngorms en route to the Victorian ‘spa’ town of Pitlochry, in Perthshire.

Overnight stay in Pitlochry.

Day 5: Pitlochry to Stirling Castle

Edradour Whisky Distillery, Loch Tay, Dochart Falls, Rob Roy Macgregor’s Grave, Loch Lubnaig, Hairy Coo’s at Kilmahog and Stirling Castle

On the morning of your final day of your 5 day Scotland tour itinerary, you can choose to stroll through the picturesque spa town of Pitlochry, or visit the smallest farmhouse whisky distillery in Scotland, Edradour, for a guided whisky tour, where you may sample some of their golden nectar.

We then travel, skirting along the side of the scenic Loch Tay, to the Falls of Dochart at Killin.

From Killin, we will take the short drive to Rob Roy Macgregor’s final resting place in Balquhidder. We will enjoy a few stories about this legendary Highland Rogue set in the most beautiful serene surroundings, before heading east to Stirling Castle.

En route to this iconic castle, we will stop off at Loch Lubnaig and Kilmahog to (hopefully) spot some hairy heilan’ coos, and have a wee tune or two on the bagpipes.

When we arrive at the courtyard, you will be enthralled by the views, the cobbled paths and the talks given by the very experienced and knowledgeable guides on site, You will experience a fascinating tour of one of Scotland’s largest and most important historic castles in Medieval times. Stirling Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, and once you have visited, you will see why it is held in such high esteem.

Having completed your fact filled 5 day Scotland tour, you will be driven back to your chosen accommodation in central Scotland.

Book Your Memorable Unique 5 Day Tour of Scotland Experience Today

We are confident you will have wonderful memories and photographs of our magical country Scotland, to return home with. Your 5 Day Tour will provide an excellent snapshot of Scotland, but leaving you wishing you had more time to explore and discover our remarkable country. To avoid disappointment, we would recommend you contact us today as the diary is filling up fast for 2020 with the unique Kilted Piper Tours experience.

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• W Wednesday

January — December

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Kilted piper tours.

Kilted Piper Tours offer unique private tours of Scotland, enabling visitors to our country to experience the culture and beauty that our scenic Scotland has to offer. We provide day/multi day trips, shore excursions, bespoke and pre-selected tours from Glasgow, Edinburgh & Ayrshire. We are a unique tour group in that we provide a bagpiper to accompany you on your excursion, who can play a selection of well known Scottish tunes at the locations gratis as part of the service. Your tour is designed to suit your needs and to ensure your visit is more than just a trip, its an experience.

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5-day scotland itinerary: how to spend 5 days in scotland (+5 alternatives).

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Heading to the UK soon and looking for the perfect 5-day Scotland Itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!

Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and there is so much to do! From the beautiful capital city, Edinburgh, to the National Parks and lakes, there is a lot you can see in 5 days.

In this article, we tell you exactly how to spend 5 days in Scotland.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 QUICK SUMMARY – 5 DAYS IN SCOTLAND 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

• BEST TOUR : Rabbie’s Isle of Skye and West Highlands 4- day tour
• BEST THINGS TO SEE: Edinburgh, Cairngorms, Inverness, Loch Ness and Fort William or Edinburgh, Highlands and Skye
• BEST STARTING POINT: Edinburgh
• FUN THINGS TO DO: Riding the Jacobite train , hiking, Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh

In the first section, you will find the ultimate Scotland 5-day itinerary for first-timers.

This itinerary is packed with activities and was made to allow you to enjoy Scotland at its maximum.

With only 5 days in Scotland, you need to be organised.

The itinerary will help you to do that but you will also find some tips and tricks to make your trip even easier!

Later down in the article, you will also find some alternatives.

If you think the first itinerary is too much for you, you can discover what to see in Scotland in 5 days using other routes.

🔎 Table of Contents

Planning your trip to Scotland

Before getting started with the itinerary itself, it’s important to plan your trip.

With only 5 days in Scotland, you need to be quite organised if you want to make the best of your time.

Luckily, travelling in Scotland is pretty easy. As long as you know how to get around and where to stay, you will be just fine.

And that’s exactly why you are here. I’ve been living in the UK for years and I will help you plan the perfect trip now!

How to get to Scotland

The best way to get to Scotland is by plane. The main airport is in Edinburgh.

There are loads of cheap flights going there every day and that’s the first thing you should check.

From Edinburgh airport, you can take a bus, train or tram to reach the city centre. It’s very quick. It takes less than 30 minutes.

Click here to see the latest fares for flights to Edinburgh.

Another option is to fly to the second main airport in Scotland, Glasgow.

There aren’t as many flights and it’s a bit less convenient as you will want to spend more time in Edinburgh than Glasgow but depending where you are flying from, you may get a better deal.

If you choose to fly to Glasgow, you will need to reverse the following itinerary. That’s not an issue at all but it’s worth mentioning.

Click here to see the latest fares for flights to Glasgow.

How to get around Scotland

Scotland is the perfect country to experience the outdoors .

For this reason, the best way to enjoy it is by car (or with a tour). If you wish to explore the country by yourself, you should rent a car and go on the ultimate Scotland road trip.

As you only have 5 days, you may also want to consider going on a multi-day tour. Everything will be planned for you and you won’t have to worry about anything.

The last alternative is taking the train. Public transport in Scotland (and the rest of the UK) is excellent.

It’s very easy to get around by train however, you won’t get to enjoy the outdoors as much and that could be an issue.

Road Trip in Scotland

Renting a car and going on a road trip is perfect for people who like to take their time and be on their own.

Whether you are starting in Edinburgh or Glasgow, you will find loads of car rental companies.

To get the best deal, use Skyscanner . You may know it as a comparison tool for flights but they also do it for car rentals.

Click here to see the best car rental deals in Scotland.

Tours in Scotland

As you only have 5 days in Scotland, you should also consider going on a tour.

The good thing about going on a tour is that you won’t have to worry about anything. The tour company will sort everything out for you.

Also, you will be with a guide which means that you will get loads of information about everything you visit.

It truly is the best way to make the best of your time in Scotland. The local tour companies know Scotland like the back of their hand. They will bring you to the best places in the most efficient way. Meanwhile, the only thing you have to do is to enjoy!

I would recommend to fly to Edinburgh, spend a day there and then go on a 4-day tour around Scotland.

Here are some of the best 4-day tours around Scotland:

• Scottish Castles Experience : this tour features the same itinerary than the one below. It’s a great way to discover the mainland and what Scotland truly is about. The tour company, Rabbie’s, is a Scottish company. The tour guides are amazing. Click here to see the latest prices.
• Isle of Skye and West Highlands : this tour is a bit different as instead of focusing on the mainland, you will go through the highlands and head to the beautiful Isle of Skye . It’s a great tour especially if you’ve always dreamt of visiting the Scottish Isles. It’s a bit harder to do this itinerary on your own in only 5 days so going on a tour is a great option. Click here to see the latest prices.

Trains and buses in Scotland

The railway and bus network in Scotland is pretty amazing. You will find loads of trains and buses going to all cities and towns. It’s very easy to book tickets however, if you are planning on following the itinerary and going to the lochs, this won’t be ideal.

To book your train tickets, you can use Trainline . It’s very easy to use and you can keep your tickets on your phone.

For buses, check out Megabus . The tickets are super cheap!

Accommodation in Scotland

For accommodation, you can opt for hostels, hotels, B&Bs or Airbnbs . You will find below recommendations on the best places to stay.

Overview of your Five Day Scotland Itinerary

Map of the 5-day scotland itinerary.

Your Scotland Itinerary 5 Days

Now is time for the good stuff. Here is the ultimate 5-day Scotland Itinerary.

Please note that this itinerary is packed with activities.

It really is for people who want to do as much as possible however, we’ve indicated the optional activities.

That way, if you want to slow down, you will know what to skip.

Scotland Itinerary Day 1: Edinburgh

To begin your Scotland 5-day itinerary, you’ll be exploring Edinburgh, Scotland.

This is the easiest (and most affordable) city to fly into, so this is the perfect place to start your road trip.

As you only have 5 days, you shouldn’t be spending more than one in Edinburgh. If you choose to do so, you won’t get to see as much of Scotland.

That being said, if you’d rather spending more time here, check out this 2-day Edinburgh itinerary.

Morning: Arthur’s Seat

Start your morning at Arthur’s Seat. This is one of the most underrated places to explore in the country, but your 5 days in Scotland wouldn’t be complete without it.

Arthur’s Seat is an old Volcano located in Edinburgh that has since become a popular place to hike.

There are a few different trails to the top with varying difficulties, but each has an extremely rewarding view.

It’s best to hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat first thing in the morning so you can avoid the crowds.

On average, you’ll probably spend about two hours here.

The hike is not particularly hard but it is considered a hike rather than a leisurely walk so make sure to wear good shoes.

PRO TIP: You can go up to Arthur’s Seat even if the weather is not great. As you can see on my photos, it doesn’t need to be sunny however, if it’s too rainy and the view is blocked, it’s better to reserve it for a time when the weather is a bit better.

Also, the top of Arthur’s Seat is very windy so make sure to wear a good wind breaker.

Once you’re done with the hike to Arthur’s Seat, be sure to explore the rest of Holyrood Park and also check out the Palace of Holyroodhouse , the King’s official Scottish residence.

Lunch: Kilderkin

Address: 67 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BT

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite by hiking to the top of an extinct volcano, it’s time to grab some lunch.

While you make your way back to the Old Town, you will walk past the Scottish Government (which is a building that is famous for being particularly ugly and that went 10 times above budget).

You will also walk past the Holyrood Palace which is the residence of the British monarch in Edinburgh.

Head to Canongate and starts walking up towards the Old Town. You will find on the right hand side a traditional Scottish pub called the Kilderkin.

This is an excellent place for lunch because they have all sorts of drinks and several dishes with haggis. They also offer all the pub classics which means that everyone can find something.

It’s also very reasonably priced.

Afternoon: Edinburgh’s Old Town

The Old Town of Edinburgh is the most historic part of the city.

The main attraction in the Old Town is Edinburgh Castle, which sits on top of Castle Hill, another extinct volcano in Edinburgh!

This castle holds the country’s crown jewels and is also a museum open to the public. Tickets cost £15.50 per adult if you purchase your tickets online in advance or via a tour company.

While in Old Town, make sure to also walk the Royal Mile. This is the long bustling street leading up to Edinburgh Castle.

It’s lined with some historic and modern attractions that are worth stopping it, dating back a few centuries.

You will also find loads of souvenir shops.

The most popular stop along the Royal Mile is Camera Obscura. This fun museum is filled with optical illusion exhibits that will blow your mind.

If you don’t go inside Edinburgh Castle, this can be a great alternative. Tickets can be purchased here.

If you have a bit more time, consider stopping by the Scottish Parliament, Victoria Street (Real-life version of Diagon Alley) and St. Giles Cathedral.

To make the best of your time in Edinburgh Old Town, I particularly recommend going on a walking tour. The Old Town is full of gems and you can easily reach all of them on foot.

By going on a walking tour, you will discover more about the history of Edinburgh, the famous sites, Harry Potter and some cool anecdotes.

If you are a history lover and want to learn more about Edinburgh as a general thing, opt for the classic walking tour. See prices here.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, that’s no brainer, you must go on a Harry Potter tour! It’s so good! You will discover all the important sites and learn many fun facts! Click here to see the latest prices.

Dinner: The Jolly Judge

Address: 7 James Court, 493 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PB

After exploring the Old Town, it’s time for dinner! Since you didn’t get to try some traditional Scottish pub food for lunch, make your way to The Jolly Judge.

This is one of the top-rated pub restaurants in the whole city.

It’s located right in Old Town near St. Giles Cathedral and has mid-range prices so that you won’t break the bank.

The Jolly Judge is also open until 10 p.m., so if you also want to grab some drinks after and make it a longer night, you absolutely can.

Evening: Calton Hill

End your first of 5 days in Scotland by hiking up to Calton Hill after dinner. It may seem like a lot to hike again after starting the morning with a hike, but it’s completely worth it!

Calton Hill’s view is impeccable and it’s a lot easier to get to the top compared to Arthur’s Seat.

There is a National Monument that was never finished at the top of the hill and an art gallery. However, you should hike up to the top to catch the sunset over the Edinburgh skyline.

This can be a rather romantic way to end the day as you get prepared to see more of Scotland tomorrow!

If you are visiting in winter , make sure to go before dinner and not after otherwise it will be too dark.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

• Luxury:  The Balmoral Hotel is the ultimate place to stay in Edinburgh. It’s located by the station and is the place where JK Rowling wrote the last Harry Potter book. Click here to see the latest prices.
• If you’d rather a luxury Airbnb, this beautiful apartment in the Old Town will be perfect for you. See prices here.
• Mid-range:  The Angus Studio is a cute flat in Edinburgh Old Town. This Airbnb is perfect for a couple. The location is excellent and the amenities perfect. Click here to see the prices.
• Budget:  St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town is the best hostel in the city. It’s clean, comfy and well located. See prices here.

Scotland Itinerary Day 2: Cairngorms National Park

Next on your 5-day trip to Scotland, it’s time to head towards Cairngorms National Park!

This is one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and it’s also filled with tons of castles that you won’t want to miss.

Morning: Dundee

Begin your morning by making a quick stop in Dundee.

It’s about one hour north of Edinburgh and is located right on the coast.

Travellers often overlook it, but it’s a good pit stop before you continue the rest of your trip for the day.

While in Dundee, be sure to stop at the V&A Museum. It recently opened in 2018 and is the first design museum in the country.

It’s completely free to visit, but there are always some rotating exhibits that you may have to pay to enter.

Lunch: The Ship Inn & Waterfront Restaurant

Address: 121 Fisher St, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2BR

Grab lunch while you’re still in Dundee just because there are lots of options. One of the best restaurants in the city is The Ship Inn & Waterfront Restaurant, which has affordable prices and a great water view.

Afternoon: Castle Sightseeing

Now it’s time for the fun part! After your early lunch, make your way towards Cragievar Castle.

This is often referred to as the “pink castle” because of its colour.

This quaint castle truly looks like something out of a fairytale and is worth stopping at.

People inhabited it until about forty years ago! Tickets cost £14.50 per person to see the inside.

Next, make your way to Balmoral Castle, nestled inside Cairngorms National Park.

This is the Queen’s summer residence, but you’re allowed to visit the castle and grounds if you visit anytime besides the summer months.

Tickets can be pricy, but it’s worth it.

If you’ve watched the Crown, you should recognise this place. In season 5, Diana and Margaret Thatcher go there with the royal family.

Last but not least, stop at one more architectural marvel: Braemar Castle. It dates back to the 17th century and is what you’d expect a traditional Scottish castle to look like.

If you visited Balmoral Castle and still have your ticket, you can get discounted access to this castle.

Dinner: The Old Bridge Inn

Address : 23 Dalfaber Rd, Aviemore PH22 1PU

Finish the night by grabbing dinner at The Old Bridge Inn.

This is arguably the best pub near Cairngorms National Park, and they offer a wide variety of dishes.

The menu pleases even the pickiest of eaters. It’s located in Aviemore, a great place to spend the evening before continuing your 5-day road trip in Scotland tomorrow.

Where to stay in the Cairngorms

• Luxury: Loch Insh Chalets are perfect for a luxury stay. They are located on the waterfront and some of them have a private hot tub! See prices here.
• Mid-range:  The Birds Nest is a beautiful cabin in Aviemore. It can sleep up to 2 guests. See prices here.
• Budget:  An Cabar is a super cute tiny house in the Cairngorms. It’s entirely made of wood and a great choice for travellers on a budget looking for an authentic experience. See prices.

Scotland Itinerary Day 3: Inverness & Loch Ness

Next on your Scotland itinerary 5 days, it’s time to make your way to Inverness. This drive will only take about 40 minutes so that you can get started on your day relatively early.

Morning: Inverness Castle

The first stop of the day is the beautiful Inverness Castle! It was built in the 19th century and has a beautiful view of Inverness since it’s located slightly higher than the rest of the city.

Even though it was built only a short hundred years ago, a castle has been in this very spot since the 11th century, when King Malcolm III established his fortress here.

You may instantly recognise the name of Inverness Castle if you’re a Shakespeare fan. That’s because it was featured in Macbeth!

Compared to other castles you’ve visited so far in Scotland, this one is relatively affordable at only £6 per ticket if you purchase your tickets online in advance.

Lunch: Rocpool or The Grumpy Chef

For lunch, make your way back down to Inverness. There are tons of spots to eat here, but some of the top-rated lunch restaurants are Rocpool and The Grumpy Chef.

If you have a bit more money to splurge on a fine meal, be sure to eat at Rocpool. Prices are a bit more luxury and not as budget-friendly, but it’s a top-rated place for modern cuisine in the city.

Address: 1 Ness Walk, Inverness IV3 5NE

The Grumpy Chef is a more budget-friendly place to grab some quick food. They offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options on their menu.

Whether you’re in the mood for French toast or a ciabatta sandwich, The Grumpy Chef has got you covered.

Address: Chapel St, Inverness IV1 1NA

Afternoon: Loch Ness

As with most Scotland itineraries, you absolutely must visit Loch Ness.

This is one of the best places to see in Scotland in 5 days and is only a thirty-minute drive from Inverness.

While you can drive around Loch Ness for free, you can enter the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition for £8.45 per person.

While you’re at Loch Ness, be on the lookout for Nessie, the legendary monster who has lived in the depths of the loch for centuries.

Be sure to also stop at Urquhart Castle, which is located right along Loch Ness.

Construction began on it and the 13th century though it wasn’t finished until the 16th. Tickets cost £9.60 per person to enter the castle.

And of course, one of the best things to do here is to take a cruise on Loch Ness.

Dinner: The Dores Inn

Address: B862, Dores, Inverness IV2 6TR

For dinner, head back to Inverness and grab some delicious pub food at The Dores Inn.

This pub is family run and offers some of the best views in Inverness, besides the ones from the castle.

Despite being one of the best pubs in Inverness, it’s usually relatively quiet, especially if you choose to use their outdoor seating along Loch Ness.

Evening: Scotch & Rye

Address: 21 Queensgate, Inverness IV1 1DF

If you still have some energy left, go out for drinks at Scotch & Rye!

The inside of this cocktail bar and restaurant has a lively atmosphere with tons of Prohibition decor and memorabilia.

The bartenders serve up almost any cocktail you can imagine.

Be sure not to stay up too late because you have another busy day tomorrow on this best itinerary for Scotland!

Where to stay in Inverness

• Luxury:  Cheerful and Airy Flat is a wonderful Airbnb in Inverness. The home decor is absolutely stunning and the location is ideal. See prices here.
• Mid-range:  West River Apartment is an excellent option for mid-budget accommodation. It’s very cosy and well located. See prices here.
• Budget:  Crown Street is a private room Airbnb. It’s the perfect choice if you are on a budget. It’s very good value. See prices here.

Scotland Itinerary Day 4: Fort William

Fort William is an absolute must-see in Scotland, and luckily that’s what you’ll be seeing today! After waking up in Inverness, make the hour and a half drive to Fort William.

Morning: Nevis Range Scenic Mountain Gondola

If you’re wondering what to see in Scotland while you’re in Fort William, look no further than the Nevis Range. Make your way here first, as soon as you make it to Fort William.

Once you’re there, you’ll want to find the ticket booth and purchase admission to the gondola. Each ticket costs £22, which may seem pricey, but it’s worth it.

After you grab your ticket, hop onto the gondola and catch one of the most breathtaking views in the whole country!

It is a rather steep ride, and if it’s windy, the gondola could also be a little shaky. Keep in mind that every once in a while, the gondolas might stop so that someone can attach their bike to one!

Lunch: The Pinemarten Cafe or The Snowgoose Restaurant

Address: Nevis Range Parking, Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SQ

There are two places to eat at the top of the mountain: The Pinemarten Cafe and The Snowgoose Restaurant.

It’s best that you just grab lunch here because there’s a vast outdoor patio looking down the incredibly scenic mountain.

There are quite a few meals you can purchase, and they change depending on the day. Prices are also relatively affordable, but with a view like that, any price is worth it!

After lunch, be sure to walk on a few of the trails at the top of the mountain before heading back down.

Afternoon: Ben Nevis Distillery or Neptune’s Staircase

Here are two things you can do in the afternoon: visiting a distillery (perfect on a rainy day) or going to Neptune staircase and walk down to Corpach port (perfect on a sunny day).

Ben Nevis Distillery’s Address: Lochy Bridge, Fort William PH33 6TJ

Next on your 5-day self-drive tour of Scotland is Ben Nevis Distillery.

No trip to Scotland is complete without visiting a distillery of some sort, and this one is one of the most scenic parts of the country.

Ben Nevis Distillery is one of the oldest in the entire country.

This distillery is known for its whisky and offers tours to visitors. Admission is £5 per person, or you can pay £18 to go on a tasting tour. Either one is fantastic!

Neptune’s Staircase Address: Banavie, Fort William PH33 7NG

If it’s sunny then heading to Neptune’s staircase will be an excellent idea. At first sight, there is nothing that exciting about this place but I promise, you’ll be impressed!

Neptune’s staircase is a staircase made of 8 locks on the Caledonian canal.

In simple terms, it allows boats to go up!

As you get there, you can walk on the different bridges and get nice views of the stairs but it’s when a boat comes that it becomes truly impressive!

If you are down for a walk, you can stroll along the canal all the way to Corpach port. It’s an easy 30-minute walk.

Once you get to the port, you’ll discover stunning views of the loch and Ben Nevis.

On a nice and sunny day, you can even see the reflection of Ben Nevis on the loch. It’s so beautiful!

That said, it’s really not worth going on a rainy day as Ben Nevis will be hidden by the clouds.

PRO TIP: If you are a Harry Potter fan, you can stand by the railway at Banavie Station (next to the staircase) and see the Jacobite train coming! Make sure to check the timetables. The train doesn’t stop in the station but it goes fairly slow when it reaches this stage.

READ MORE: Harry Potter Train in Scotland: Ultimate Guide to riding the Jacobite train in real life

Dinner: Crannog Seafood Restaurant

Address: 4 Cameron Rd, Fort William PH33 6AJ

Eating seafood is an absolute must-do in Scotland, and there’s no better place to do it than while you’re in Fort William.

The Crannog Seafood Restaurant is one of the best seafood restaurants in Fort William and is located right on the pier, so there are excellent views.

Ask for a window seat if you can! Prices are mid-range, and the atmosphere is casual.

If you’re not a big fan of seafood, don’t worry. There are tons of other places to eat at in Fort William, so take your pick!

Where to stay in Fort William

• Luxury: This Airbnb is a beautifully decorated house with stunning views of the water and luxury amenities. See prices here.
• Mid-range: Lothlorien is a cute B&B in Fort William. Admittedly, it looks a bit old fashion but it is great value and breakfast is included! See prices here.
• Budget:  Fort William Backpackers is a hostel located in an old Victorian building in the heart of Fort William. See prices here.

Scotland Itinerary Day 5: Loch Lomond & Glasgow

Finish your last day in this beautiful country by visiting some of the best places to see in Scotland in 5 days.

Today, you’ll be visiting Loch Lomond and Glasgow before heading home!

Morning: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Begin your day by exploring Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, one of the best things to do in Scotland in 5 days.

This loch and park are arguably even more beautiful than Loch Ness, so it absolutely can’t be missed.

Instead of purposely going to certain parts of the park, try just driving around and pulling off to the side whenever you find a great viewpoint.

This is one of the best ways to explore, especially after a hectic week of sightseeing. If you do want to stop for a couple of hours, head to Balloch and go on a cruise on the lake .

The cruise is only 1 to 2 hours long and this will be an amazing use of your time!

It’s very pretty and a fun way to discover Loch Lomond.

Click here to see the prices.

Lunch: Mini Grill Glasgow Steakhouse

Address: 244A Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JW

From Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, make your way to Glasgow for lunch.

While there are many places to eat in this city, The Mini Grill Glasgow Steakhouse is a great option. It’s one of the more popular places to eat in Glasgow and has a friendly atmosphere and mid-range pricing.

Afternoon: Glasgow Sightseeing

Spend your last afternoon in Glasgow just doing some sightseeing. 

Again, I highly recommend going on a walking tour here.

The City Centre guided walking tour of Glasgow lasts 2.5 hours, during which you will learn everything you need to know about the city. There is no better way to discover the city quickly and in-depth.

Definitely, a winner when you don’t have much time. Click here to see the latest prices.

If you’d rather exploring on your own, it’s fine too! There are many great places to explore in the city, but here are a few top places to visit in Glasgow.

The equestrian statue of Arthur Wellesley is the most famous landmark in the city.

Not exactly because of the statue or the man himself but because it always has a road cone on the head! Yep, I am serious!

Believe it or not but Glasgow is notorious for this.

As a matter of fact, every time the cone is removed by the city council, people start placing bets on how long it will stay that way. It never lasted more than a few days!

You will see this statue on all postcards! It’s a local institution! You can find it just outside the Gallery of Modern art on the Royal Exchange Square.

The Glasgow Cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is a beautiful gothic church. The inside is very dark yet enchanting, which only adds to its appeal. It’s the oldest cathedral in the country, so it can’t be missed!

George Square is one of the main squares in Glasgow. In particular, this square was named after King George III and features lots of statues throughout, so it’s worth exploring, even if only for a half-hour.

The best museum in Glasgow is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It was opened to the public in 1901 but was recently refurbished in the early 21st century.

It’s filled with beautiful art and also is a true testament to the architecture in Scotland.

The Necropolis is a cemetery located on the heights of the city. It boasts some of the most breath-taking views of Glasgow so it’s well worth walking up there.

Finally, Glasgow is known for its street art! As you walk around, you will discover many beautiful murals!

Dinner: Ox and Finch

Address: 920 Sauchiehall St, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 7TF

For Dinner, make your way to Ox and Finch.

This is one of the favourite restaurants among locals and tourists, which only adds to its appeal.

The majority of the menu is tapas, and the atmosphere is very casual. Prices are mid-range, and there are tons of delicious meals and appetisers on the menu, including vegan options.

Evening: The Pot Still

Address: 154 Hope St, Glasgow G2 2TH

Finish your last day in Scotland by heading to your last Scottish pub, The Pot Still. This is the most famous pub in the entire city, and they sell tons of whiskies (over 700!) and other alcoholic drinks.

A pub has been located in this very spot since the 19th century, so it’s filled with history.

Where to stay in Glasgow

• Luxury: Kimpton – Blythswood Square Hotel is a 5-star hotel located in the city centre. When it comes to luxury accommodation in Glasgow, it really doesn’t get better than that. See prices here.
• Mid-range: Historical Tenement Flat is a beautiful flat in Glasgow City Centre. It’s very good value for money and well located. See prices here.
• Budget: Glasgow Youth Hostel is ideal for travellers on a budget who still want to be staying in a beautiful building. See prices here.

Other Scotland 5-day itineraries

Now that you know exactly how to pack as much as possible in those 5 days, it’s time to discover how to have a more relaxing holiday.

While the first itinerary is perfect for first-timers who want to see as much of Scotland as possible, it’s not exactly relaxing.

Here you will find some more itineraries that you can use to plan your 5 days in Scotland.

Scotland 5-day itinerary 2: Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Glenfinnan and Fort William

• Day 1: Edinburgh Old Town
• Day 2: Edinburgh New Town and Dean Village
• Day 3: Fairy Pools on Skye and Portree
• Day 4: Old Man of Storr and Quirrang
• Day 5: Glenfinnan and Fort William

Scotland 5-day itinerary 3: Edinburgh, Glasgow and Loch Lomond

• Day 1: Edinburgh Old Town and Arthur’s Seat
• Day 3: Glasgow City Centre
• Day 4: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
• Day 5: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Scotland 5-day itinerary 4: Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Inverness and Isle of Skye

• Day 1: Edinburgh Old Town and New Town
• Day 2: Loch Ness
• Day 3: Inverness
• Day 4: Fairy Pools and Portree on Skye
• Day 5: Old Man of Storr and back to Edinburgh

Scotland 5-day itinerary 5: Edinburgh, Outlander, St Andrews and Dundee

• Day 2: Edinburgh New Town, Stockebridge and Dean Village
• Day 3: Day tour to the Outlander filming locations
• Day 4: St Andrews
• Day 5: Dundee

Scotland 5-day itinerary 6: Edinburgh, Leith, Glenfinnan, Fort William, Ben Nevis and Glencoe

• Day 2: Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia
• Day 3: Glenfinnan Viaduct and Fort William
• Day 4: Ben Nevis
• Day 5: Glencoe (visitor centre and hiking the devil’s staircase)

You may also be interested in:

• Edinburgh 2-day itinerary: How to spend 2 days in Edinburgh, Scotland
• Harry Potter in Edinburgh
• Scotland Outdoor Bucket List: the best Outdoor Activities in Scotland
• The Best Scotland Quiz: 55 Scottish Questions and Answers for your trivia night!
• Best 3-Day Scotland tours from Edinburgh to book
• 10 Reasons Why You Should Never Visit Scotland

Founder of Beeloved City, I am originally from France and have been living in the UK since 2016. I've travelled to 25 countries as a backpacker, travel coordinator and for holidays. I spent a year in Australia before eventually settling down in Manchester, England

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The Great Glen Way

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Discovering the impressive castles on the route, including Uruhart Castle and Ardverikie Castle.

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$975 - 6 Nights / 7 Days / 5 Days Walking

Climbing the challenging highland section of the West Highland Way..

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Scotland's long distance walking routes

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Scotland's long distance routes provide superb opportunities to get out there on foot to discover and explore some of the best of Scotland's landscape and wildlife. The routes vary greatly in character, from sections of the Clyde Walkway through the centre of the city of Glasgow, through waymarked cross-country routes such as the ever popular West Highland Way, to unofficial, partly pathless challenges for experienced backpackers such as the Cape Wrath Trail.

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Spectacular 5 Day Tour of Scotland

Tour Departs: This itinerary is customized for a Glasgow or Edinburgh pick up and drop off.

Tour Includes: Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Oban, Fort William, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and Stirling Castle.

Private 5 Day Scotland Tour

Scotland 5 Day Itinerary Highlights

• Day 1 – Loch Lomond, Inveraray and Oban
• Day 2 – Oban, Fort William and the Isle of Skye
• Day 3 – Guided Tour of the Isle of Skye
• Day 4 – Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and Inverness
• Day 5 – Cairngorm Mountains, Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery, Blair Castle or Stirling Castle

Day 1 - Loch Lomond, Inveraray and Oban

Travelling west on your 5-Day Tour of Scotland, our first stop of the day is to the picturesque conservation village of Luss, on the shores of Loch Lomond. A perfect stop to stretch the legs, and capture some photographs of arguably the most beautiful loch in the world, Loch Lomond.

Heading North, we pass beneath the craggy mountain, “The Cobbler” (Ben Arthur), as we journey through the “Arrochar Alps”, and on for another photo-shoot at the spectacular viewpoint known as the “Rest and be Thankful”.

As we approach the Highland Harbour town of Inveraray, you have the option to stop for lunch at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, for a taste of some of the finest Scotland’s finest seafood. You may however, wish to opt for traditional Scottish pub cuisine at the ancient old Scottish Inn ‘The George’ in Inveraray town.

Arriving in Inveraray around midday, we visit the impressive Inveraray Castle and gardens. This proud fortress is the romantic Highland Home of the Duke & Duchess of Argyll. Enjoy some free time to browse the beautiful town shops, or take a stroll to the waterside to view the Clyde puffer “The Vital Spark”, once used for transporting coal, moored in the harbour.

In the town of Inveraray, we find the historic 19th century Inveraray Jail, where you can meet the warder and talk to the ‘prisoners’.

https://www.inverarayjail.co.uk

We then take a scenic drive to Oban, for our first overnight stay on our 5-day tour of Scotland.

Day 2 - Oban to the ‘Magical’ Isle of Skye

From Oban, we head north travelling along the banks of Loch Laich. Our first stop of the morning on day two, is at Appin to take in spectacular views across the loch to Castle Stalker.

Our next stop is Fort William for lunch and shopping. We continue along the shores of Loch Lochy to Invergarry, and travel onwards to the magical Isle of Skye for a spot of sightseeing, before stopping for the night in the colourful, popular small town of Portree.

Day 3 - Isle of Skye Guided Tour Experience

Departing Portree after breakfast, we take a scenic tour around the Trotternish peninsula, stopping to see the “The Old Man of Storr,” and the wondrous ‘Kilt Rock’.

After lunch in Staffin, our journey continues around the stunning coastline. We stop for more photo opportunities at the Minch which separates the north-west Highlands and the northern Inner Hebrides from Lewis and Harris. Before driving back to Portree for our overnight stay, we visit the Skye Museum of Island life.

Day 4 - Eilean Donan Castle, Fort Augustus, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness & Inverness

After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we cross the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh, and then on to Eilean Donan Castle, filming location of the movie “Highlander”. Here we stop for a visit and photo-shoot.

Travelling onwards through Glen Sheil, towards the Great Glen and the banks of Loch Ness, we stop at Urquhart Castle, and again at Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness before lunch. “The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition Experience” offer you the chance to discover all the known facts about the mysterious monster, “Nessie”. Get your binoculars ready for some Nessie searching. Before arriving at our accommodation in Inverness we enjoy a relaxing break at Tomnahurich, to view the lock system in operation, and learn more about the Caledonian Canal from the Lock keeper.

Day 5 - Aviemore, Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery and Option of Blair Castle or Stirling Castle

Departing Inverness, we journey on to Aviemore, where we experience the beautiful Speyside countryside. Chat to the driver and fireman at the Strathspey Steam Railway, and discover the mechanics of a steam locomotive and view the Cairngorm Mountains, famous for its winter sports.

Heading south, we continue our journey through Cairngorms National Park to visit and enjoy a guided tour at Highland Whisky distillery, Dalwhinnie. Here we can sample the “gentle spirit” of the Glen and learn about the “Angels Share”, created during the whisky maturing process.

Climbing over the Pass of Drumochter, and on through the Pass of Killiecrankie, we head into Perthshire to visit Blair Castle, home to the Atholl Highlanders, Europe’s last remaining private army. Alternatively, we can travel onwards to one of Scotland’s most important medieval fortresses, Stirling Castle. The grand castle perched proudly upon a volcanic crag, can be seen from miles around and offers an intriguing insight into Scotland’s turbulent history through the Wars of Independence and into the Renaissance period. Your 5-day Scotland tour concludes at your named accommodation in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

You will return home with fantastic memories and fun filled facts and knowledge of some of our ancient historical beauty spots.

Book your 5-day tour of Scotland today

Contact George today, to check availability on his wonderful 5-day tour. Make life-long memories on your wonderful Scotland touring experience. You can also check out our other fabulous selection of multi day tours in Scotland here .

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Explore Our Pilgrimage Routes in Scotland

Begin your Scottish adventure — tour a wild land steeped in myth and legend…

Unmissable Scottish Walking Tours with Walk the Camino

Explore the beauty and history of Scotland with Walk the Camino’s pilgrimage routes. These paths take you through Scotland’s stunning landscapes and offer the perfect opportunity to explore the nation’s storied past.

From the peaceful Scottish Borders to the majestic Highlands, enjoy an unforgettable walking tour in a land steeped in myth and legend.

With our St Cuthbert Way to Holy Isle Tour , you can set out on a 100km trek from Melrose to Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island. You’ll follow in the footsteps of St Cuthbert, experiencing the enchanting beauty of the Scottish Borders and the rugged coastline of the Northumberland Coast.

If you have any questions about our Scottish walking tours, please get in touch . 

St Cuthbert Way to Holy Isle

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Sensational Five Day Scotland Tour - a journey of discovery, of our history, scenery and culture

The Ultimate 5 Day Scotland Touring Adventure

Self-Guided Hiking Tours of Scotland

Imagine a Scotland hiking tour designed to meet your needs

A hiking tour where you tell us what you want, what day you’d like to start, when you want to finish and how far you wish to hike each day.

A hiking tour where you let us take care of all the accommodation and bag-transfer arrangements for you, tell you all about Scottish history and folklore and show you where to find the tastiest food and the best local whisky.

And to help you pick the perfect hiking trip in Scotland, we have carefully selected some of the best hiking trails in Scotland for you.

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4-5 days in Scotland: recommended itinerary + my best tips

The ultimate 4-5 days scotland itinerary + where to stay.

You’re planning to spend 4 or 5 days in Scotland ? You’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you this 4-5 days Scotland itinerary. You will start by visiting Edinburgh , the capital, and then will go on a road trip in the Highlands .

For each stage of your trip, in addition to the best things to do , I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget . You will see, planning your itinerary will be super easy!

So, how to spend a 4 or 5 days in Scotland? Where to stay?

1) Edinburgh (2 days)

Where to stay in edinburgh, 2) the highlands ( 2 days ), where to stay in the highlands (fort william).

• 3) Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (1 day)

Traveling to Scotland: flight prices

Scotland tours: 4-5 days.

• You’re traveling to Scotland? These articles will help you!

4-5 days in Scotland: the best itinerary

Let’s start your 4-5 day trip to Scotland with a visit to Edinburgh, the capital.

To visit Edinburgh in 2 days , the best is to devote one day to each part of the city.

• On your first day , you will visit Old Town , the medieval part of the city
• On your second day , you will discover New Town , the contemporary part of Edinburgh.

Old Town , the historic center of Edinburgh, stretches mainly around the Royal Mile : this famous streets runs from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

You can start by visiting the city’s iconic landmark, Edinburgh Castle . It stands at the top of an ancient volcano and dominates the town.

As it’s the most touristic monument in Scotland, you should really book your tickets in advance here. It will save you a lot of time!

Let’s face it: during your short 4 or 5 days stay in Scotland, it’s better to spend your time visiting rather than queuing for hours to get an entrance ticket 😅.

During your visit, you will be able to discover both the inside and outside of the castle.

The famous Crown Jewels , the War Museum and the beautiful gardens are a must see. From the castle grounds, you will also be able to enjoy one of the best views of Edinburgh .

After your visit to the castle, you can head to one of the oldest tourist attractions of Edinburgh: the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions .

This original and unusual museum is a great place to visit if you’re traveling with your family. There, you will discover numerous optical illusions as well as a 360° animated panorama of the city.

You can find more information about the Camera Obscura on the official website. To avoid queuing at the entrance, you should also buy your tickets in advance by clicking here.

On the way out, continue down the Royal Mile, wander in the alleys of the old town and admire the medieval architecture.

Here are the main monuments to see on the Royal Mile of Edinburgh:

• The Saint Gilles Cathedral , the oldest Gothic religious building in the city
• Canongate Kirk , a quiet small church
• The Real Mary King’s Close , to visit the underground streets and houses
• Dunbar’s Close Garden , a small, quiet and charming garden
• White Horse Close , a picturesque group of houses
• Scottish Parliament House , the seat of the Scottish Parliament

If you love history and want to learn more about Edinburgh , you should definitely visit the 2 following museums:

• The Museum of Edinburgh
• “The people’s Story” Museum: This interesting museum will allow you to learn more about the working-class people of Edinburgh from the 18th century to the present day.

They are both located near the Royal Mile and are free of charge .

After all these visits, you will deserve a sweet break 😄.

You can for example go to Clarinda’s Tearoom , one of the best tea rooms in the city: British atmosphere guaranteed with flower tablecloths and porcelain dishes! Address : 69 Canongate Street, almost at the end of the Royal Mile.

It’s now time to visit the city’s second most popular tourist attraction: The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Once the residence of Mary Stuart and now one of the queen’s second home, you will for sure love discovering its art galleries, state apartments, gardens , and the abbey ruins.

Here also, the best way to save time is to buy your tickets for the palace in advance by clicking here.

At the end of your visit, you can climb up Arthur’s Seat hill located nearby . The view over Edinburgh from the top of this ancient volcano is breathtaking!

At nightfall, to end this first day in Edinburgh with a typically Scottish visit, you can go Greyfriars cemetery. It’s reputed to be one of the most haunted in the world!

To get there, the best is to join one of the guided tours organized every evening. It needs to be booked here.

If you want to learn everything about Edinburgh’s Old Town , the best is to opt for a guided tour.

During your tour, you will have the chance to learn more about the city’s historical sites such as the Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Parliament.

This guided tour of Edinburgh can be booked directly here:

For the second day of your 4-5 day itinerary in Scotland , you will discover New Town , the contemporary part of the city.

This district organized around 3 main streets (Princes Street, Queen Street and Georges Street) is characterized by large squares and typical Georgian architecture .

Here are the best places to see in New Town, Edinburgh:

• Princes Street Garden: stroll through the alleys and enjoy the beautiful views over the medieval city.
• Charlotte Square, where the official residence of the Prime Minister is located.
• Calton Hill: from the hill, you can enjoy a panoramic view over the historic center (Old Town) up to the sea.
• The Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery , 2 free museums, perfect if you’re an art lover!
• Dean Village, a former milling village. You can reach it in 15 minutes on foot from the center of Edinburgh.
• The Royal Botanical Gardens, among the most beautiful in the world.

At the end of the day , if you’re up for more ghost stories and haunted places after visiting Greyfriars Cemetery, you should go on a Ghost Tour . Hop on a black double-decker bus and tour the the creepiest places of the city, where torture and executions took place. It needs to be booked here!

To learn more about the best things to do in Edinburgh, you should read my detailed article: Edinburgh: the definitve guide.

• Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel: Youth hostel located only 800 meters from the train station and Princes Street. Bed in a dormitory from 30€ per night, breakfast at 6€. Strong points: cleanliness, great location, friendly staff.
• Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket: Located in the city centre, 10 minutes walk from the castle. Contemporary and elegant double room from 90€, breakfast included. Strong points: the very helpful staff, the spacious rooms, the very comfortable bed. It is my favorite for its amazing value for money!
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh: Located on the historic Royal Mile Street, 10 minutes from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Chic and refined double room from 200€ per night, breakfast at 14€. Strong points: central location, spa, heated indoor swimming pool, gym, and the excellent breakfast!
• Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh: 5 star hotel located on the Royal Mile, 600 meters away from the castle. This luxury hotel offers comfortable and elegant double rooms starting at 300€ per night, breakfast at 18€. Strong points: located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic centre, the interior design, very helpful staff, absolute comfort. This is the best hotel for a luxury stay in Edinburgh!

For the second part of your 4 or 5 days trip to Scotland, you will spend 2 days to visit the Highlands.

For this road trip, you will need to rent a car (unless you came to Scotland with your own of course!). Personally, I always use Booking.com Cars website , for several reasons:

• You can easily compare all the car rental agencies prices at a given location
• You can get their “full protection” insurance. It’s the best way to be fully refunded in case of an accident or theft. Tested and approved, they have already refunded me more than 1300 euros!
• You can modify or cancel your booking free of charge.

If you know your travel dates, your should really compare the rates and rent your car as soon as possible. It’s the best way to get the best price (car rental prices only go up with time).

Voyage Tips - Advice If you don’t want to rent a car, the other solution is to opt for day trips from Edinburgh.

The big advantage is that you won’t have to take care of anything! Your guide and driver will take care of everything 😊.

To make it even easier for you, I have selected the best day trips from Edinburgh. Simply click on the orange links below to book them and for more information:

• From Edinburgh – Loch Ness, Glen Coe and Highlands: spend the day in the countryside to admire the scenery of Loch Ness and the Highlands. A Loch Ness cruise is also included!
• Edinburgh – Visit Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Stirling Castle: Visit Stirling, pass by Doune Castle, walk through the Trossachs Park and finish the day with a cruise on Loch Lomond.
• From Edinburgh – 1 day tour of the Highlands, Stirling Castle and whisky: a day trip by minibus with a visit to Stirling, a tour of the Trossachs Park and a visit to a whisky distillery, including of course a whisky tasting. If you are not a whisky lover, you can choose to visit Doune Castle instead.
• Highlands tour with the Hogwarts Express train! – The best tour for Harry Potter fans 😉
• Excursion to discover the lakes and castles of Scotland: visit in small groups (maximum 16 persons) of Doune castle and Argyl castle, stop in front of Stirling and Kilchurn castle. You will also pass by Callander, Loch Luibnaig, Loch Fyne and Loch Lomond.
• From Edinburgh – St Andrew’s and the fishing village of Fife: visit the historic and picturesque villages of the kingdom of Fife and the medieval town of St Andrews where Scotland’s oldest university is located. Discover Falkland, one of the most beautiful villages in the country.
• From Edinburgh – Outlander-themed excursion: visit the filming locations of the Outlander TV show, adapted from the novels written by Diana Gabaldon.
• From Edinburgh: Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders: day trip to discover the Rosslyn Chapel (a filming location of The Da Vinci Code movie) and the remarkable Melrose Abbey founded by the Cistercians.

If you have chosen the road trip option:

Once you have picked up your car, head for Glencoe , about 3 hours drive from Edinburgh .

The village is the starting point for many hikes in the Highlands. There are hikes available for everyone, so you can just choose the one that suits you the best depending on its length and difficulty.

The easiest are the Lochan Trails: these short forest walks take about 1 hour to complete.

If you’re up for a longer hike, the Pap of Glencoe , is clearly the best choice! This 4 hours round trip hike will take you to the top of the mountain of the same name. The view from the summit is just superb!

And if you’re looking for something in between, the Lost valley hike is quite nice too. It takes around 3 hours round trip.

When you will arrive, you should ask at Glencoe Visitor Centre for more information about the various hiking trails available.

Spend the night towards Fort Williams, 25 minutes from Glencoe.

On the next day, you will go to one of Scotland’s most famous places: the Loch Ness!

The Loch (the second largest in the country) is located between Inverness and Fort Augustus , an hour and a half drive from Fort William.

In the morning, you will thus head to Fort Augustus, the starting point of Loch Ness cruises.

During your cruise, you can try to catch a glimpse of Nessie, the famous monster!

After the boat trip and a good lunch break, head to the village of Drumnadrochit (40 minutes by car). Here, you can visit Urquhart Castle , a medieval castle built on the banks of the Loch.

To combine the 2 best things to do at Loch Ness (the cruise and the visit to Urquhart Castle), you should opt for a combined tour: it’s only €25 per person! It includes a 1 hour boat trip on Loch Ness and the visit to the castle. You need to book it in advance here.

If you’re not too tired and have some time left, you can then go to Inverness , the capital of the Highlands. Its castle is worth a visit.

On your way back, you can make a stop in Dores , a cute village offering a beautiful view of Loch Ness.

Return to Fort William for a second night in the Highlands.

For more information about the Highlands, you should read my detailed article: The 20 best things to do in the Highlands

Here is another option for your second day in the Highlands:

Instead of going to Loch Ness, you can go to Glenfinnan , 30 minutes from Fort William. The place is especially famous for it 21 arch viaduct that has been featured in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” movie!

Every morning around 10:30 and in the afternoon around 15:00 , you can see the Jacobite Express steam train (Hogwarts Express’s real name) passing by. A great moment for all Harry Potter fans 😄.

• Fort William Backpackers: Located in the center of Fort William. Bed in a dormitory from 22€. Strong points: the atmosphere, the welcome, the location. The best choice for backpackers!
• Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club: Located 1.5 km from Fort William. Scottish style double room starting at 100€/night with breakfast included. Strong points: indoor heated swimming pool, the free parking, the breakfast.
• Nevis Bank Inn: Located on the banks of Nevis river, 10 minutes away from Fort William’s town center. Large double room from 190€, breakfast included. Strong points: pleasant staff, very clean and a good restaurant.
• Inverlochy Castle Hotel: 5-star hotel located 6 km away from Fort William. The place is actually a small castle that offers double rooms with a view on the gardens and the peak of Glen Nevis. Prices start at 550€ breakfast included. Strong points: the extraordinary setting, the amazing breakfast and the wonderful staff. The best choice for a luxury trip to the Highlands!

3) Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (1 day )

That’s already the fifth day of your 4 or 5 day Scotland tour!

Today you will have to think about getting closer to Edinburgh. The best is thus to go to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park . Both the national park and the Loch are the largest in the country.

The place is really beautiful, and you will probably see a few sheeps during this day!

On your way through Trossachs Park, you’ll first reach Tarbet (1 hour 40 minutes from Fort William), where you can take a cruise on loch Lomond.

Then continue to Luss (southwards), a village known for its view of the Loch, and pass through Balloch . It is a 15 minute drive between the two.

In the afternoon , you should really hike to the top of Conic Hill (about 3 hours round trip). It offers panoramic views over Loch Lomond and the entire east coast, it’s really superb!

Before heading back to Edinburgh, pass by Doune Castle , and don’t forget to make a stop to visit Stirling Castle , one of the largest in Scotland. You should buy your skip the line tickets here.

From Stirling you will still have to drive for around 1h to reach Edinburgh.

If you’re planning only 4 days in Scotland , you can spend 1 day in the Highlands instead of 2.

Or, if you don’t want to drive so much , you can also spend 2 full days at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park , and don’t go to the Highlands.

In addition to the cruise and the Conic Hill hike I talked about, there are many others hikes to do there, so you will for sure find something to do! The advantage is that Loch Lomond is only 1h45 from Edinburgh, whereas the Highlands are 3 hours away from the capital.

As I suggested a bit earlier in this guide, you can also stay in Edinburgh for the 4 days and do day trips. The list of the best ones is just here (click here)

Flights prices to Scotland vary widely, so it is a good idea to compare them as soon as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner . It’s the best way to pay the best price!

If you need help to plan your 4-5 day itinerary in Scotland , don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located below.

On Voyagetips.com , I give you all my best tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Scotland by yourself. (All my Scotland travel guides are here)

However, if you prefer to book a 4-5 day Scotland tour with a travel agency , I recommend you to check the 10 best Scotland tours by clicking the button below:

Scotland travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling to Scotland ? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Scotland : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Scotland are listed there.

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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5 Day Scotland Itinerary – A wee Road Trip.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out my disclosure policy for more details.  

My main reason for wanting to go on a Scotland road trip was Outlander. There – I said it! But if you have read the books or watched the series, you will know that is a damn good reason, albeit one a little embarrassing to come from a fully grown adult. What or whom I was expecting to find is a story for another day, but I liked the idea of misty Highlands, men in kilts and finally becoming a whisky connoisseur if only to warm up because really who goes on a road trip in Scotland in November?

Someone who was in between Bali and South Africa apparently and in need of a good reason to bring her cashmere jerseys out of hibernation. So I set off not too optimistic I would find my personal Jamie, but was looking forward to taking a selfie with a baby Highland Cow, find Nessie, and get a smokey whiskey voice. I will tell you now that only one of these things actually happened.

Since I had never been and had limited time and couldn’t do the whole North Coast 500 or see the Cairngorms National Park (good reason to come back), I decided on a 5 day Scotland itinerary by car that was easily manageable for one person driving and would allow for some highlights I have been wanting to see: Edinburgh, Inverness – because, duh –  Outlander !, Loch Ness and some Scottish Highlands scenery.

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. But I can take only so much November weather and needed to start somewhere with my Scotland road trip.

A road trip in Scotland is lots of fun and roads are easy to navigate if you don’t get caught in snow (the first bits had melted just before I arrived!) and you don’t mind driving on the left. When planning a trip to Scotland I luckily had some assistance. That was just as well because when I asked the PR girl from  Visit Scotland  whether I needed a GPS or could just drive straight on, she laughed at me. Scotland is remote but roads are not as scarce as I thought they would be. Get a GPS or learn how to read a map!

5 Day Scotland Itinerary

Here is a map with all the stops for a 5 day scotland itinerary:.

Leith & Edinburgh

When asking where to go in Scotland you cannot miss Edinburgh. I started in Edinburgh or rather in Leith, the harbor area, which has a particular charm and is home to  Malmaison , my hotel for the night. As you may know, I have a thing for odd hotels,  having slept in a former prison before . Now I can add an old sailor’s home to my list – back in the day that was their home when getting on shore.

Read: More Hotels in Edinburgh

After checking in I didn’t do much except for taking a little stroll and to eat my first fish ‘n chips. Honestly, I needed all my strength to keep warm. Toto, we aren’t in Bali anymore! Alas, I apparently was the only one – blue skies seem to imply summer for Scots and I was the only one wearing a scarf, a hat and a few layers.

Things to do in Edinburgh:

Edinburgh: underground vaults tour the scotch whisky experience: guided tour and whisky tasting edinburgh: harry potter walking tour edinburgh castle: skip-the-line guided tour edinburgh: scenic bike tour, stirling & perthshire.

My first stop on my Scotland road trip itinerary was Stirling Castle. Have I mentioned that I am a history nerd? Yes indeed, so I was happy that my itinerary would have me see plenty of those.

Stirling Castle Tickets

Admittedly I was even more excited to get lost just before the castle and to end up seeing my first herd of Highland Cows. While Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most impressive and historically important castles, the cows were my personal highlight of the day.

Read More: The best castles in Scotland. 

If you are interested in the historical locations and sights too, I recommend you get yourself a Scotland  Explorer Pass  which gives you discount in many places and is already saves you money if you plan to visit more than two castles.

From Stirling Castle, I drove on to Pitlochry and checked into my “hotel” for the night, the Atholl Palace Hotel. I may or may not have mentioned that I not only wanted to see castles and palaces, but maybe also sleep in one and my wish was granted.

I was interested to find out that Atholl Palace which opened in 1878 has always been a hotel or rather a spa location since its beginning. Because the surroundings are just that stunning locals and foreigners alike were keen to come here for a holiday even in the 19th century. That unfortunately also meant there were no palace ghosts, a real downside for anything that old if you ask me.

While the outside is super impressive, I thought the rooms were a bit dated and the service a bit lackluster, maybe due to a big wedding they were hosting. Fortunately, that meant plenty of men in kilts which made more than up for it.

Mind you, I didn’t spend much time in my room but made my way to the Blair Athol Distillery close by (Pitlochry is tiny so you can walk and leave the car!) – whisky tasting is a must on any Scotland itinerary!

Tours will walk you through the distillery and you learn all about whisky making, why some whiskies are smokey and others aren’t, what the angel’s share is, and how much money you could spend on a bottle if you were filthy rich. And of course, you get to taste a little. Unfortunately for me, I realized once again: good whisky is wasted on me. I am so sorry, Scotland!

With that sad realization, I was happy to learn that Scotland also has a blooming gin industry these days and many restaurants and bars will offer great new versions with specialty tonics. If you want to try my personal favorite over a great bowl of pasta head to  Fern Cottage  and order a Strathearn Heather Rose.

Aberdeenshire & Castle Trail

Due to the wedding, the breakfast service was a bit overwhelmed the next morning and so I decided to get snacks from the petrol station and head off to the next castle:  Dunnottar Castle .

Nestled on a cliff overlooking the North Sea Coast it is quite spectacular. Even more spectacular is taking the scenic route via the Pass of Ballater to get there. It will take you an extra hour but is well worth it because here you get the Scottish Highland views you came for. After all, driving needs to be part of any road trip and luckily the roads in Scotland are well maintained.

Book a Dunnottar Castle Tour 

The weather was exactly what I needed it to be.

You want a bit of mist and clouds when you go on a road trip in Scotland and this is exactly what I got minus the snow which had come down just a week prior. In case you wonder what the poles on the side of the road are – they are markings for you not to get lost if you get caught in a blizzard. I was grateful I didn’t have to test their usefulness.

Wrap up when you visit Dunnottar Castle – it is as ancient as they come with its rock foundation dating to 440 million years ago and the ruins you can visit today are a bit drafty.

Dunnottar has played an important part in Scottish history from being a medieval fortress to a strategic vantage point during the Jacobite risings. thief holes with no windows (which scared me more than alleged ghosts). Check the weather forecast before you go, while you want a few clouds for added drama in your pictures, the castle does close for safety when the weather is too inhospitable.

If you want more, there is plenty of other castles in the area. It is not called Castle Trail for nothing. I was castled out and went straight to Aboyne in Aberdeenshire and to my home for the night:  Lys-Na-Greyne . Aboyne is a little village and to be honest not much to write home about except that the surrounding nature is absolutely stunning.

However, Lys-Na-Greyne is worth alone a detour. It is a little luxury guesthouse with six rooms, run by charming Gary and Joyce, and everything a guesthouse should be. That includes its very own fascinating history of alleged royals and a beautiful Irish Gallic name which translates to “Meadow of the Sun”.

This is also the one and only place where I ate haggis for breakfast and am proud to say: I liked it.

I was super excited for the next day as I was finally going to see Inverness and the Culloden Battlefield I had read so much about (and not only in Outlander, I would like to add!) – another must do on any Scotland road trip itinerary.

The Battlefield today has an amazing museum to it, telling the whole story of the Jacobite rising and Bonnie Prince Charles that culminated here. There is a mini movie theater with the final battle, weaponry that you can touch, and a really interesting audio walk through the actual battlefield. While I appreciate how the history is being presented here and brought to life, I find it important to remember that the location is the actual place where people fought and died, not a Disney make-belief.

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center Ticket with Audio Guide

I will admit that I was horribly disappointed by Inverness. Considering that it is meant to be a honeymoon destination in  Outlander  I expected a lot more charm. Then again, maybe the tristesse was a premonition that she disappears and ends up with another man…(and also I learned later that the scenes in the series weren’t even filmed in Inverness).

In hindsight, I wouldn’t return to Inverness in a hurry except as a base to travel from. There is an airport and it makes exploring the Scottish Highlands easier as well as being a perfect base to visit Culloden and of course, Loch Ness.

Loch Ness & Edinburgh

And what kind of Scotland tour would be perfect without trying to find Nessie?

I must admit that while I quite like the idea of diving with sharks, nothing would have gotten me on one of those ‘find Nessie’ boats. Unlike my friend Kathi who apparently had an amazing time (find out  here  if she got lucky) I admit that is a bit weird but I preferred to stay put at Urquhart Castle from where you have amazing views over the Loch (and can tick yet another castle of your list).

I do believe Loch Ness needs to be on any first timers Scotland itinerary though I was surprised to find that a) it looks a lot more like a river (it is 37km long!) and b) none of the gift shops sells Nessie-shaped gummi bears. The latter was a real bummer and I would appreciate if that can be changed for my next visit. Who doesn’t want Nessie-shaped gummi bears?!

Find Nessie! 

Loch ness: 1-hour cruise loch ness cruise, caledonian canal and urquhart castle visit.

From Loch Ness, I headed back to Edinburgh with a short stop at Killicrankie. I have recently become obsessed with Queen Victoria thanks to the new ITV series ‘Victoria’ and so I was happy to hear that she and Albert loved Scotland.

They both liked that Pass of Killicrankie so much that upon her visit in 1844 Victoria wrote in her journal: “I cannot describe how beautiful it is. Albert was in perfect ecstasies.”

If it is fit for a queen, it is definitely worth a tiny detour for all of us mere mortals.

While I loved the Highlands and my entire little Scotland road trip, it was only back in Edinburgh when I fell in love. There is something quite magical about the city. Something warm, despite the cold, something wonderfully open and welcoming, despite it being far away from the rest of the world.

I spent my last day just wandering first in sunshine and then in icy rain and just enjoying the sights and the atmosphere. And it was when I was waiting for my tram to take me to the airport and I was drenched in liquid gold from the sunset that I realized that shit, now I have another one of those countries on my list – one I want to go back to over and over again.

Pin for later! 

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16 comments

Beautiful pictures and stunning views. Astounding photographs! Thanks for the post!

Thank you, glad you liked it! 🙂

This is a great guide. The map is not available could you please restore it.

+1 – sounds like a phenomenal trip and would love a chance to see the map and have more detail on where you stopped and stayed.

Thanks – I restored the map. All infos on stops and accommodation are in the post. What else would you like to know?

Thanks, map is restored 🙂

I LOVED your blog. Im thinking of going in late March do you think it would be too cold? When did you go?

I went in November so it was definitely chilly but still alright as there wasn’t really snow on the roads yet. I think you should be absolutely fine in March! And also – thank you 🙂

Thanks for sharing your trip! What a beautiful place! Hope to see it with my own eyes one day.

Enjoyed reading about your trip here! Instead of real Inverness, you should visit the village of Falkland next time, which is where they filmed ‘Inverness’ in the series ???? It’s my favourite place ????

Oh man, I didn’t know it wasn’t set in real Inverness – I would totally have checked out Falkland. Well, it definitely wasn’t my last time so I have something to look forward to. Thanks for letting me know, Amy!

Thanks Annika for your kind words during your all too short visit to Scotland. It was a thrill to be selected by VisitScotland to be part of your tour and allow you to sample the delights of Deeside and especially the haggis.

It was such a delight staying with you Garry – what a special place you have created but mind you, it could be without you two! Thanks again for your hospitality!!

This was such a delight to read! I’m very happy you tried and liked haggis 🙂 The thing with the whisky will happen eventually… Took me three years in Scotland to start liking it!

Whenever you come back we need to get you to some west coast towns, so you see not everywhere is as grey as Inverness – there are some real beauts around!

Oh yes, and no worries, next time you are on the agenda too! You can show me where to find the best vegetarian haggis in Glasgow 😉

Thank you for this piece, it has made me feel rather wonderful. But then I might be biased, given that Scotland is the closest place to a home I have known. That said, I’m not sure whether home is a place, or a feeling, or a person? Whatever it is, your post made me feel like home.

I should add – I’m also rather happy you’ll be returning one day (and you will always find a warm welcome here), but I would perhaps recommend you don’t come in November next time?! 😉

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Walkabout Scotland escape to the hills

Walkabout Scotland

** UPDATE 9th September 2022 ** WS Adventures Ltd has ceased trading and will no longer be running hiking holidays. If you have a current booking with us please contact [email protected]

Exploring Scotland Join a small group of like-minded travellers and explore Scotland with the experts All our holidays are graded to allow you to choose between a relaxed and leisurely paced walking holiday to a challenging adventure.

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Walking the West Highland Way

Discover scotland’s first national hiking trail.

The West Highland Way is particularly close to my heart – and not just because it runs pretty much past my front door! When we founded Walk Wild Scotland nearly 20 years ago we took some of our very first guests along parts of this route. Since then I’ve enjoyed guiding dozens of small groups along its most scenic sections and walked the trail end to end myself – in all weathers. It’s such a fantastic introduction to the Scottish Highlands, so every year we always run at least a couple of tours along parts of this iconic route.

Landscape, history and culture

Opened in 1980, the West Highland Way was Scotland’s first National Trail and remains the most popular. It’s easy to see why.  From pretty lochsides to open moorland, craggy mountain passes and peat bog wilderness, the Way’s 96 miles (154 km) encompass a tremendous variety of landscapes. But it’s not just the scenery that draws people back here again and again. The route is also steeped in Scottish history and culture.  Some of the tracks are old Drovers Roads, the ancient routes that people used to drive their cattle to market. Elsewhere you follow parts of the Old Military Road, built by the Government to control rebellious Jacobites in the 18 th century. Along the route you’ll also encounter a wealth of characters:  Robert the Bruce, Rob Roy and Walter Scott’s ‘Lady of the Lake’ among them. It’s a heady mix.

Planning your West Highland Way Hiking Trip

One of the great things about this hiking trip is that it is entirely accessible by public transport. The start and end points have regular trains from Glasgow and there are also four train stations along the route if you need to walk it in sections. It’s well served by bus services too. Plan your journey with Traveline Scotland .

People generally walk the route from south to north. This means you can warm up with the lower, easier stages and work yourself up to more demanding Highlands. And as a lover of wild, empty places I would recommend going with the majority as it means you’ll meet fewer people walking in the opposite direction!

I’d recommend the West Highland Way official website as a good starting point for route-planning. To walk the route end to end most people take 5 to 8 days, though some superhumans have run it in under 24 hours! The route is broken into 8 sections though you can split these up however you like. Here’s a very brief guide to what to expect along the route.

Milngavie to Inverarnan

Stage 1 The route starts off in the Glasgow suburb of Milngavie on the River Allander. As a quick warm-up, I’d recommend a walk around ‘The Whangie’ or Queen’s View, where you’ll get an enticing first view of the route ahead. Check out Milngavie’s Things to Do web page  for info. From here you’ll walk through Lowland landscapes of lochs and woodlands and along lanes, tracks and an old railway line before reaching the outskirts of Drymen. This is the start of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park  and many people stay here for the first night.

Stage 2 Leaving Drymen you get your first real taste of the Highland landscape. I have lived here for years and never tire of it. The first hill of the Way, Conic Hill, is just 358 meters high but the panoramic views over Loch Lomond are breathtaking. It’s also on the faultline that divides the Highlands from the Lowlands, making it the official start of your Highland journey.

Descending to the loch shore I would highly recommend taking a bit of time out for a boat trip to the Island of Inchailloch, scene of Walter Scott’s ‘Lady of the Lake’. It’s a magical place at any time of year but particularly in May when the island is carpeted with bluebells. Returning to the path, you’ll pass through woodlands of oak and pine before arriving at the small community of Rowardennan. If you fancy nipping up Ben Lomond (974 metres), the most southerly of the Munros, this is the place to do it.

Stage 3 , to Inverarnan, might look like an easy lochside stroll but there is a surprising amount of up and down along the route. Look out for feral goats along the path, as well as Rob Roy’s Cave, reputed hiding place of the 18 th century folk hero. This stretch of the route is an enduring favourite with Walk Wild Scotland guests and we have had many good times walking it together over the years. We usually end up with a dram or two at the atmospheric Drovers’ Inn – it’s welcomed weary travellers for over three centuries after all, and we wouldn’t want to miss out.

Inverarnan to Kinghouse

Stage 4 The trail now enters a very different landscape of glens and mountains. As well as stunning scenery to admire there’s lot of history to soak up too. The ancient graveyard of St Fillan’s Priory is definitely worth a detour. You’ll also pass through the ‘King’s Field’ where Robert the Bruce was defeated in 1306. He and his men are said to have abandoned their swords in a nearby lochan.

The village of Tyndrum has a couple of handy shops and I’d suggest stocking up here, as it’s 28 miles to the next retail opportunity! Next, Stage 5 skirts around the peaks of Beinn Odhar and the conical Beinn Dòrain, which dominates the surrounding country. Look out for the impressive viaduct carrying trains of the West Highland Line . Running from Glasgow to Mallaig it is renowned as one of the world’s most rail scenic journeys.

At the start of Stage 6  you’ll be entering one of Europe’s last great wildernesses: Rannoch Moor. I love its haunting beauty. This remote expanse of peat bogs and lochans sounds like it has the makings of a challenging walk, but fortunately it follows the route of the Old Military Road making the ground underfoot is pleasingly solid. It’s very exposed, though, and the going can be arduous or magical depending on the weather. Either way, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Kingshouse to Fort William

If you’ve seen the James Bond film Skyfall, the next section of the route ( Stage 7 ) might look familiar. You’ll pass underneath the imposing slopes of Buachaille Etive Mòr as you enter dramatic Glencoe with towering hills on all sides. You can see why film location scouts love this place. Here the trail zig-zags up the Devil’s Staircase to reach its highest point. If you’ve made it this far you’re 78 miles in to your journey, so you can afford to take a few moments to enjoy the views of the Mamores Mountains and beyond.

The final stretch ( Stage 8 ) from Kinlochleven takes you on another Old Military Road with fairly straightforward walking. You know you’re on the home stretch when Ben Nevis looms into view – just over 5 miles to go! The path originally ended at the edge of Fort William but it’s now been extended to the town centre. Here you can put your feed up and celebrate your achievement in one of the many cafes and bars to be found in Scotland’s ‘Outdoor Capital’.

Great Scottish Trails

If the West Highland Way has whetted your appetite, there are plenty more long distance routes to explore across Scotland. There are 29 of them in all. Find out about Scotland’s ‘Great Trails’ .

And if you’d like a taster of the West Highland Way experience, why not have a look at our own walking tours including our  5 day Taster Tour . Walk Walk Scotland specialises in small group tours, some of them women-only, and all of our trips are led by experienced guides who know the area inside-out. We love sharing our local knowledge and enthusiasm as well as taking care of all the practical arrangements, so our guests can walk wild and relax in the comfort of a well-planned journey.

However you choose to travel along the West Highland Way, we hope you enjoy the trip!

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Welcome to Scotland!

Walk Wild Scotland is a Scottish walking tour company specialising in walking holidays and cultural tours throughout the Scottish Highlands & Islands.

Engaged in sustainable tourism, our small group tours offer a personal experience of Scotland’s wild nature and landscapes where you can feel safe in the hands of our qualified tour guides.

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Island Hopping the Inner Hebrides – Mull, Iona, Staffa & Kerrera

The Mythical Western Isles – A Women’s Tour To The Outer Hebrides

Four Hebridean Jewels – Island Hopping Mull, Iona, Staffa and Kerrera

Walking Along The West Highland Way – Women’s Tour

Waterfalls, Goats & Whisky on the West Highland Way

Walking the Southern Highlands & West Highland Way

Hiking Small Mount Ben A’an Trossachs National Park

Sailing & Walking Along Scotland’s West Coast and Islands

Where Mountains Meet The Sea, Highlands & Isle of Skye – Women’s Tour

Magic Of The Western Isles – The Outer Hebrides

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• Scotland Tour Packages from Edinburgh and Glasgow >

5 Day Scotland Tour

Our 5 Day Scotland Tour from Edinburgh and Glasgow takes you into the heart of the Highlands, giving a taste of the sights and sounds of Scotland. You’ll get to enjoy stunning landscapes, visit medieval cities, discover important archaeology sites, and see famous TV and film locations on this 5-day sightseeing trip. Our tour is led by an experienced guide, and you’ll travel in a small-group with a maximum of 16 guests.

Discover the dramatic Scottish countryside as we drive through valleys and over mountainous terrain. We’ll visit iconic viewpoints along the way including Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Eilean Donan Castle and more! A highlight of the trip includes a visit to the Isle of Skye which is home to one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world. You’ll also have the chance to take a seal-spotting boat cruise, visit a Scotch Whisky distillery and try to spot Nessie, the Loch Ness monster! On our 5-day Scotland tour, you’ll stay overnight in well-known towns including Inverness, the capital of the highlands. The tour is available on selected dates.

• Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund

Highlights:

Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland

• Leave in the morning with pick up from Edinburgh and then Glasgow on our 5 Day Scotland tour adventure!
• In Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery which houses one of Europe’s great art collections
• Drive into the Scottish Highlands, a rugged mountainous region with breathtaking scenery and views. We’ll pass several villages along the way including Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond, Arrochar at the foot of the Arrochar Alps, and Inveraray which is the seat of the Clan Campbell and Dukes of Argyll!
• Visit the Dunadd Iron Age Fort which dates back over 2,000 years and was the coronation site of kings and queens of Dalriada, the ancient Gaelic speaking kingdom
• See Kilmartin Glen, one of the richest Neolithic sites anywhere in Europe with some of the largest concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland. Visit the Kilmartin Museum to learn the history of the peoples who have lived and worshipped in this area for the last six thousand years
• Our first day ends with an overnight stay in Oban, a port and fishing town.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

• Departing Oban our first stop of the day is Glencoe. This is one of the most impressive valleys in Scotland and is an iconic filming location, featuring in the Harry Potter movies and James Bond’s Skyfall. It’s also the site of the infamous 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, and your guide will explain its importance for Scottish history
• We’ll continue to Glenfinnan Viaduct, instantly recognizable as the bridge that Hogwarts Express crosses in the Harry Potter movies!
• Enjoy lunch in the town of Fort William, the second largest town in the Highlands. Choose to take a tour of the Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery and learn how Scotch whisky is made. At the end of the tour you’ll get to taste some Ben Nevis single malt whisky. Alternatively, you’ll have the chance to visit the ruins of Inverlochy Castle and explore “Neptune’s Staircase”
• From here, we’ll head to a viewpoint at the Commando Memorial Statue to enjoy sweeping views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. The memorial site commemorates commandos who trained near here during WWII
• Continue to the village of Fort August which lies at the shore of Loch Ness. You might even get to spot Nessie, the Loch Ness monster!
• Our drive continues through some of the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery in Scotland, passing Glenshiel and the iconic Five Sisters of Kintail. We’ll visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most famous locations in Scotland
• Continue the drive over Skye Bridge and onto the Isle of Skye. You’ll stay overnight in Portree, the largest town on the island

The Isle of Skye!

• We’ll spend the morning touring the Isle of Skye, which is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world!
• Highlights include exploring the Trotternish Peninsula where you’ll see the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing. You’ll also get to see amazing views across the sea – east to the Torridon Mountains and west to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Your guide will also bring the island to life with tales of the local folklore. The Skye Museum of Island Life explains how people lived on this island a hundred years ago
• Enjoy lunch in Portree which is known for its fish and seafood, with time to explore the pretty town with many craft and local gift shops
• Following lunch we’ll drive over the Cuillin Mountains, leaving the Isle of Skye and heading to the village of Plockton on the shores of Loch Carron
• Choose to take a 1-hour seal tour where you’ll get to see seals along with many species of sea birds. And sometimes you can even see dolphins and porpoise. Alternatively, spend some free time exploring the village of Plockton
• We end the day in Inverness which is the capital of the Highlands. Spend your free evening with a stroll along the riverbank or visit Inverness Castle which dominates the city centre and offers a fabulous view of the surrounding area
• Overnight in Inverness

View of Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

• We spend day 4 exploring the wild and mountainous North West Highlands. Our drive takes us past spectacular scenery that is amongst the most rugged landscapes in Europe
• Visit Corrieshalloch, one of the most breathtaking gorges of its type in Britain set in a national nature reserve. See the series of crashing waterfalls from the Victorian suspension bridge
• We’ll drive along part of the North Coast 500 Route, one of the top coastal road trips in the world. Stop to visit the ancient ruins of Ardvreck Castle
• From here visit Knockan Crag, a globally important geological site. For serious hikers, there is an optional hike along steep paths that takes you through hundreds of millions of years of history. Alternatively, sit back and soak up the beautiful landscapes
• Enjoy lunch in the pretty ferry port of Ullapool. This fishing town is well known for its fish ‘n’ chips! We’ll visit nearby  Rogie Falls, a beautiful sport which offers several good forest walks
• Visit the town of Beauly. Mary, Queen of Scots is believed to have given this town its name in 1564 when she visited, exclaiming: ‘ Quel beau lieu!’ (What a beautiful place!)
• As we make our way back to Inverness, we’ll stop for a fantastic photo opportunity from a vantage point high above Urquhart Castle – the only castle on the banks of Loch Ness
• Spend our last night in Inverness

The ruins of St Andrews Cathedral

• We depart Inverness on our final day, gradually making our way south towards Edinburgh passing some beautiful places along the way
• Begin the day with a visit to Clava Cairns. The stones and Burial Chambers date from at least 4000 years ago and were the inspiration for the author of the Outlander novels when writing about Craigh na Dun. We’ll also visit the nearby Culloden Battlefield, which is also connected to the Outlander TV series and is where the final battle of the Jacobite rising of 1745 took place
• Our final stop is to the town of St Andrews, known as the birthplace of golf and the place where Prince William met Kate Middleton. You’ll have free time to explore the highlights of this town.
• Golf fans can visit The Old Course which is the oldest course in the world. The British Golf Museum is located just behind the clubhouse. The medieval walled town is home to St Andrews University. Visitors can walk around the ancient buildings, and see the remains of the Cathedral. St Andrews Castle sits on the coast and highlights include the Bottleneck Dungeon, subterranean mine and medieval tunnels
• As we return to Edinburgh, the drive takes us through the fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife, across the Forth Road Bridge and the 2017 Queensferry Crossing
• Arrive back in Edinburgh in the early evening. The tour does not return to Glasgow.

Accommodation:

During this tour, you will stay 1-night in Oban, 1-night in Portree & 2-nights in Inverness. Our tour does not include accommodation, and you can either book your own accommodation or request for us to book accommodation for you.

Drop-off & Pick-up locations:

You will be dropped off and picked up at these city-centre locations at the end of each touring day:

• Oban: 1 Station Rd, Oban PA34 4NU
• Portree: Somerled Square, Portree IV51 9BS
• Inverness: 26 Queensgate, Inverness, IV1 1DJ

Leave it to us:

If you would like us to reserve your accommodation, please contact us after booking your tour. We can arrange the following types of accommodation:

• Hostel accommodation: a dorm bed in a mixed room with 4-8 beds per room. Facilities are shared, and breakfast is not included, but there is a communal kitchen where you can prepare food
• B&B/Guesthouse: we can arrange a single room, double/twin room, or family room (3-4 people). All rooms are en-suite or have private shower facilities. Breakfast is included

You’ll pay for your accommodation directly to the provider on arrival. By doing so, we can offer you the best prices!

• The tour departs at 8:30am from Deacon’s House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PS. It returns to the same location on day 5 at approximately 6:30 pm
• Pickup at Glasgow is at 10am from Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AG.
• The tour includes a driver, transportation. It does not include entrance fees/optional extras
• This is a small-group tour that typically operates on a 16-seater Mercedes sprinter
• Optional extras for this tour are: Ben Nevis Distillery Tour; Museum of Island Life Skye; Seal Tour; Eilean Donan Castle; St Andrews Cathedral. You can see prices for these extras on our book now page
• It is important to bring warm and waterproof clothing, as well as comfortable walking shoes. We also recommended bringing cash (around £30 per day) since not all villages have ATM machines

Tour Booking

Terms and conditions, you might also be interested.

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Scotland

Find the right fully guided tour for you in Scotland. There are 176 trips to choose from, that range from one day in length, up to 17 days. The month with the most departures is August, making it the most popular time to visit Scotland.

176 Fully Guided tour packages in Scotland with 7,210 reviews

5 Day Skye & Highland Fling

"The tour is great as Neil is very knowledgeable, sharing the Scottish history and stories for each location." Wei, traveled in May 2024

• Coach / Bus

3 Day Loch Ness & Skye

"The hostels we stayed in were decent, most of the time feeling, or actually, having the whole building to ourselves." Sam, traveled in April 2024

• In-depth Cultural

Bonnie Scotland

"More sight seeing will be good." Dean, traveled in August 2019

Country Roads of Scotland (Classic, 9 Days)

"Absolutely fantastic. Educational along with such fun. Highly recommended" Nancy, traveled in August 2023

"It was a nice trip seeing places around Scotland in the time." Marc, traveled in September 2022

Isle of Skye & Outer Hebrides

"This tour showed true Scottish spirit and took us to wild places to appreciate Scotland's glory." Crystal, traveled in September 2019

• €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing

Highlights of Scotland

"I loved my tour. I would have been lost without his help. I would do this trip again or if you had one visiting the islands around Scotland." Karen, traveled in June 2022

2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)

"The tour was full on and covered lots of interesting ground. The beautiful scenery of the Highlands of Scotland." Linda, traveled in May 2023

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Orkney & The Far North

"Wonderful itinerary, our tour guide Graham was great ! Did not disappoint" Mitchell, traveled in June 2022

"The small size of the tour group and the variety of people made it all the better." Rich, traveled in June 2023

What people love about Fully Guided Tours in Scotland

Such a great tour. Very active and on-the-go, so we were able to make the most of the time outdoors (instead of a bus). The tour itinerary has some flexibility and shuffling around which is great so you can dodge traffic, incidents. Travelling with young, like minded people. Shoutout to Branka for making this tour so fun, she knew all the best spots (avoiding people!), her enthusiasm and wealth of history knowledge. Highly recommend, 5 stars.

I had an amazing time, incredible scenery and so much fun. Our guide Branka was just the best!

The tour started fine; more time in Glasgow would have been better. All we had was a ten-minute bus tour through Glasgow without any information about what was there. At the end of the day, all we got from the tour guide was restaurant suggestions. The travel packet states that we stopped at Loch Ness, but we did not. The tour guide stopped off the road at a parking lot, and we had to walk up a road to look through some bushes and trees and see a partial castle, apparently on Loch Ness. If you were short, you wouldn’t get to see anything. That does not stop at Loch Ness, and the stop at Loch Ness is also listed as a tour highlight for the day, which didn’t happen. There were so many stops we could have made but didn’t. When we stopped at Glenfinnan, the tour guide only talked about the Harry Potter reference, no mention of the Jacobite monument. The tour was constantly filled with Harry Potter references, the guide’s political opinions, and insufficient historical references. No one cares what the tour guide’s political views are; just do your job. Also, at the same stop, it was the only stop with food available, and there was only a little café where several people did not get their orders after they paid, and the tour guide did not care. Some of the people on the tour also missed the monument because the tour guide did not mention it. The Aberdeen Altens Hotel was a complete disaster. The hotel was out in the middle of nowhere. If you didn’t go on the optional excursion, then you were stranded at the hotel with minimal options, such as a pool, where you had to make an appointment to use. It was not available, the hotel had an escape room in the basement which sounds like to beginning of a horror movie, but thankfully it was not open that day, or you could take a taxi where the closet place was a ten minute drive. Still, everything was closed that day, and the taxis don’t drive around the city, so you must remember to take down the number to get back to the hotel. Also, the dinner at this hotel was a disaster; it took over three hours to get through a substandard dinner. The chicken was dry, the potatoes were terrible, the fishcakes were overcooked, and even the dessert was awful. The tour guide didn’t even stay for dinner, and then the following day, she explained that Globus knew about the problem with the amount of time it takes to get dinner and that there was nothing they could do about it. Yes, there is; use a different hotel, location, etc. The fact that this is a known problem and Globus does nothing is despicable. This hotel and location are terrible choices by Globus. The tour of The Royal Yacht Britannia was a waste of time. It seems like it was just a time waster until dinner. Overall, this tour was below satisfactory and not worth the money.

Top operators

"I had an amazing time, incredible scenery and so much fun. Our guide Branka was just the best!

MacBackpackers is an expert in:

Intrepid Premium is an expert in:

"The Edinburgh to London tour was great! It was an amazing experience. The Globus representatives in Edinburgh and London were very helpful and nice.

Globus is an expert in:

Regions in Scotland

• Northern Scotland (53)
• Scottish Highlands (29)
• Isle Of Skye (25)
• Central Scotland (13)
• Orkney Islands (6)
• The Hebrides (6)

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• Fully Guided
• Scotland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 7 Day Scotland Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

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• Made by History

What Biden Can Learn From Reagan’s D-Day Speech

T oday, President Joe Biden gives remarks at the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy to honor past military sacrifices and triumphs. But with an eye toward the 2024 presidential race, he is also following a well-worn playbook of leveraging international travel to win domestic political points.

Indeed, his Republican predecessor, Ronald Reagan, used the exact same anniversary 40 years ago to deliver one of his most famous overseas speeches, as a part of a carefully choreographed ten-day tour of Europe. The tour was designed to showcase Reagan, a strong orator, at his most "presidential" in a bid to boost his re-election chances while upstaging his Democratic rivals. Reagan’s ability to master what CBS reporter Lesley Stahl observed as “political one-upmanship”—as he confidently performed his role of head of state abroad, while remaining above the political fray at home—stands as a model for the Biden Administration today, as he too aims to bolster his re-election campaign.

Read More: The World War II Stories Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg Should Tackle After Masters of the Air , According to a Historian

Reagan toured Europe from June 1-10, 1984, with a stated goal of strengthening U.S.-European relations. But Reagan’s team planned his visit with its domestic impact firmly in mind. This high-profile overseas trip created a platform from which Reagan could highlight some of the key achievements of his first term and present his views on issues that were critical to voters, without formally campaigning. He was polling poorly at the time, with Gallup showing that just 37% of Americans supported his foreign policy. His management of the economy was also the subject of much debate. Furthermore, Reagan’s earlier trip to Europe was branded as “stumbling and overscheduled,” so a second tour offered a chance to improve public perceptions of his capabilities as a statesman.

The tour began in Ireland, and with 40 million Americans of Irish ancestry (including Reagan), it was no secret that his campaign sought their support in the upcoming election. Although Reagan was not Catholic, the Administration clearly believed that a trip to Ireland would impress the crucial bloc of Catholic voters (many of them former Democrats) that had helped elect him in 1980. In a memo outlining the potential domestic impact of the visit, former diplomat Thomas Patrick Melady stated that “the two important factors in the domestic equation are Irish and Catholic.” In a bid for these all-important “Reagan Democrats,” as the press had dubbed them, Melady even proposed inviting a delegation of journalists from Catholic newspapers to participate in this leg of the journey.

Reagan’s next stop was Normandy, where his high-profile attendance at the 40th anniversary D-Day memorial service allowed the White House to showcase his oratory skills and demonstrate his ability to be dignified and statesmanlike on the world stage.

Read More: Ronald Reagan's Playbook Can Offer Biden a Lesson on Iran

Reagan’s aides deliberately timed the delivery of his Normandy address to capitalize on NBC, CBS, and ABC’s interest in the anniversary, moving the timing to 7 a.m. EST in an effort to upstage the results of the previous night’s Democratic primaries (including the all-important primary election in California) on American morning news programs. Peggy Noonan, one of Reagan’s speechwriters, studied photographs of the location where Reagan would speak to tailor his comments according to what television viewers would see as he gave his speech. Footage of Reagan’s Normandy address was later shown at the Republican National Convention in prime time, reinforcing its importance for the campaign.

Reagan’s last stop was London, where he attended the G7 Summit. Once again, his aides planned for this Summit to bolster his re-election bid. The U.K. Ambassador in Washington, D.C., Oliver Wright, sent key telegrams to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to assist in planning the G7, one of which stated: “What the president wants above all from his visit to London is an outcome that will play well in his election campaign. His staff tell us that he will want to look 'presidential.'” Indeed, Washington Post journalist Lou Cannon reported that on one occasion three members of the print press corps were asked to leave the room, to allow space for the Republican National Committee’s film cameras to gather footage for Reagan’s campaign advertising material. Such overt political calculations did not deter the message, according to Cannon, who boldly declared upon Reagan’s return to American soil that “no president since John F. Kennedy has performed as successfully on the world stage.”

So, how successful was this strategy? Despite the sustained and broadly positive media coverage this trip secured, Reagan’s approval ratings did not increase between the start and end of the trip, nor were there any notable shifts in opinion polls on key policy decisions. However, Reagan established a media narrative that became central to his campaign, all while avoiding financing the trip, and the staged photo opportunities, from his campaign budget.

In short, the president used his dual status as head of state and elected politician to his fullest political advantage when embarking on his program of pre-election travels. His landslide election victory later that year suggests that no challenger stood a chance against an incumbent who so clearly thrived in his role as the "Great Communicator."

Sarah Thomson holds a Ph.D. in 20th century U.S. political history from the University of Edinburgh. She now works as a curator at the National Library of Scotland, and also as a freelance historical writer. Her freelance work has previously appeared in History Today, The Washington Post and Atlas Obscura.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here . Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors .

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Write to Sarah Thomson / Made by History at [email protected]