2 Weeks Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

2 Weeks Scotland Road Trip Itinerary

Now it's time for the good part! I've started and ended this itinerary in Glasgow, but you could instead switch this to Edinburgh if it's cheaper for you to fly and start from this city. They are only an hour's drive apart.

Also, please be aware that I haven't allowed any time in this itinerary to explore either of these cities. Instead, I've maximized the 2 weeks to see as much of Scotland's nature as possible. However, if you can afford a couple more days in Scotland, then I strongly recommend spending a day or two in each of these cities.

Day 1 - 3: Glasgow to Fort William (3 days)

Stage one of the itinerary will be heading northwest towards Fort William. For your first day of driving, I recommend heading up to Loch Lomond and spending the night here. Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area, and it is surrounded by the Trossachs National Park on all sides.

You could easily spend an entire holiday here, hiking up the many mountains and even going out for a tour by boat on the lake. We spent one day wild camping at the base of Ben Lomond before climbing it the next morning.

From the top, you get to enjoy the best views possible of the loch below. Alternatively, you could spend the night wild camping in the Three Lochs Forest Drive park. This is a driving route that takes between one and two hours, but it is possible to camp in here overnight for free.

It was one of the nicest drives of our entire trip, and where we spent the night was one of my top three favorite camping spots from the whole trip (check out the picture below).

After the night spent here, head on over to Oban, a small seaside town that is packed full of charm! There is an old tower that reminded me of a Roman amphitheater, which is lit up at night and offers amazing views out over the water.

I recommend spending some time here during the day, but before dark, make sure to leave a few hours to head north towards Fort William. Taking the longer circular route (A85/A82), which passes through probably the most naturally breathtaking parts of Scotland that we saw. Eventually, finishing up in Glen Coe, the best valley of them all.

From here, it’s a short drive north along the coast. I recommend trying to wild camp somewhere in Glenfinnan. Possibly even this spot here, which is right on the shores of the loch where Dumbledore was laid to rest in the Harry Potter series.

The next day, get up early and make it across to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is the bridge that the Harry Potter train passes over on its way to Hogwarts. Be sure to time it right and get there early, as it gets very busy here and the train only passes over 4 times a day.

If you have time, you can actually ride the Jacobite train yourself. If not, then you can still follow the same route the train takes, which is from Fort William out to the small fishing village of Mallaig. It’s a truly gorgeous drive.

Day 4 - 6: Fort William to Isle of Skye (3 days)

From here, it’s time to head further north, up towards the Isle of Skye. This relatively small yet unassuming island is actually home to many of Scotland’s best sites. It’s probably the most diverse place you could wish to visit in the country.

But before crossing over onto the isle by the single bridge in and out, stop off at Eilean Donan Castle. It was one of the most magical castles we saw on our road trip to Scotland and is a photographer's dream.

In an ideal world, I recommend spending at least 3 days in Skye. There are lots of places to wild camp around the island, as well as plenty of quirky Airbnbs. Among other things, the Isle of Skye is home to:

• The Old man of Storr
• The Quiraing Hike
• Fairy Pools
• A Fairy Glen
• Neist Point Lighthouse
• Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

Plan your route accordingly, but if you can spare a couple of days, then consider staying at the Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage. It's located on a small island just off the south coast. We spent 3 nights here, enjoying the roaring fire and listening to the constant winds battering against the cottage. Honestly, it was an unforgettable experience.

Day 7 - 9: Isle of Skye to John o Groats (3 days)

Once you're done on Skye, the next stage of the journey will take you around the western and northern coast of Scotland, eventually ending at John o' Groats, the most northeasterly point on the British mainland.

It’s a nice enough village, and there is a great sense of achievement that comes with reaching this point. However, it’s the drive that takes you there that makes it so worthwhile. As you leave the Isle of Skye and begin heading north, you eventually link up with the NC500.

This is probably the most famous road trip in Britain, an epic 500-mile loop that (for most people) begins and ends in Inverness. For the sake of this road trip, you will get to experience the best parts. And in my opinion, it is the western coast of Scotland that offers the most.

In particular, the winding, slightly terrifying drive over to Applecross. Full disclosure here: you should not take this pass (called Bealach Na Ba) if you are in a campervan or towing a caravan. The road is extremely narrow, winding, and steep.

We drove it in November when there were no other cars on the road. But in the summer, I can only imagine the mayhem caused if a larger vehicle were to attempt the drive. If you are in a car, then take it!

For the rest of the drive to John O'Groats, your job is to simply follow the clear signs that mark the NC500, hugging the coast as much as possible. Once you reach the northern coast, the landscape becomes much more open, and the winds can really pick up here.

One notable place to stop off at is Smoo Cave. You could probably do this drive in as little as a day, but it would be VERY long and you wouldn't get to appreciate it as much. Instead, three days is plenty of time to enjoy the roads, stopping off in the many towns and villages, and finding great camping spots each night.

Day 10 - 11: John o Groats to Loch Ness (2 days)

Congratulations! By this point, you’ve traveled a long way north, and it’s now time to enjoy the drive back south. The most notable stop along this part of the route is the city of Inverness. Much of the drive south to the city is very barren but no less lovely, and there are some great fishing communities along the route.

We spent just one day in Inverness, as it's not a particularly large city, though there's plenty of history. One quirky place we visited was Leakey's Bookshop, believed to be the biggest second-hand bookshop in Scotland.

Once you're done in Inverness, you finally get to experience the main reason you visited Scotland in the first place. That's right, it's time to hunt for the Loch Ness monster (known locally as Nessy). We spent a while doing this, even camping on the shores of the lake for the night and flying the drone out over the next morning. But to no avail; so let me know if you have more success!

Loch Ness is huge! It is also really narrow, so you can spend at least 2-3 hours driving along each shoreline. All along the way are waterfalls, forests, viewpoints, cafes, and even a castle.

Day 12 - 14: Loch Ness to Glasgow (3 days)

The final 3 days of your Scotland itinerary are spent heading south, eventually ending up in Glasgow (or Edinburgh). Like all parts of Scotland, the drive is wonderful. However, the biggest highlight of this final stage is the Cairngorms National Park.

In the winter months, you can actually go skiing in the Cairngorms, as they are home to many of the highest mountain passes in Scotland. We passed what felt like half a dozen different ski resorts on our journey.

The best option is the Cairngorms Ski Resort, where you can actually wild camp for the night in the car park. From that point, you have uninterrupted views for miles out over the surrounding forests.

They also have a cafe/restaurant at the top, and you can go hiking here if the snow hasn't yet arrived. From here, you can take whichever route you please really. We made the point of stopping off at Balmoral Castle, the Queen's royal residence in Scotland.

As well as Braemar Castle, which is much less grand but still impressive to visit, the final place I recommend spending some time in is Braemar town. It is small but incredibly charming. We love the Bothy Cafe, which has wonderful views of the town from the balcony out back.

If you have time before arriving back in Glasgow, you could stop in the cities of Perth and Stirling. The latter is home to Stirling Castle, one of the best-preserved and most historic castles anywhere in Scotland.

Planning your own Scotland road trip itinerary

I honestly believe that the route given above is the perfect 2-week itinerary for anyone wanting to visit Scotland and experience as much as possible. It offers the chance to take in all elements of Scotland’s diverse array of landscapes: from stormy beaches to craggy cliffs, from barren highlands to endless forests.

Above all else, my final tip would be to discover some of your own hidden gems in Scotland. There are endless quirky villages to stop off in and plenty of winding roads rarely traveled. If you love a spot, then spend a whole day there. Why not!

When to Visit Scotland?

The most popular time of year to visit Scotland is during the summer months of June-August. But in my opinion, the actual best time to visit Scotland is in the shoulder months outside of June and August.

From April to May, the weather slowly gets warmer, and you get to experience the beauty that springtime brings to Scotland. And from September to October, you can enjoy the unmistakable autumn beauty as landscapes turn orange and red; it really is breathtaking.

The main benefit of visiting in these months is that tourist numbers drop off massively. In the summer, the most popular Scottish road trips, like the NC500, are flooded with tourists. And with winding narrow roads, it takes away from the whole experience.

It is also much harder to find decent wild camping spots or even campsites. We completed our 2-month stay in Scotland in October-December. For weeks at a time, we saw hardly any other campervans. It was true bliss! Though it was pretty cold in the evenings!

How to Get to Scotland?

From the UK: If you are planning to drive your own car or campervan to Scotland from within the UK, then it’s pretty straightforward. You also get to enjoy the drive up north from the border with England.

If you're coming from Northern Ireland, then there is a ferry that runs from Larne to Cairnryan. If your plan is to rent a car or camper in Scotland, then you could catch a train north. Alternatively, cheap flights do operate from Bristol or London airports.

From Elsewhere in Europe: If you're driving over from mainland Europe, then there are a few ferries that operate, such as from Amsterdam to Newcastle. But the cheapest option would probably be to take the ferry from Calais to Dover and then drive north. This drive from Dover to the Scottish border will take around 7-8 hours.

You can also get flights from most European cities to Scotland. Depending on what's cheapest, you can fly into either Glasgow or Edinburgh. These two cities are only an hour's drive apart, and you can rent a car or motorhome from either city.

From the USA & Further Afield: Similarly, you can get long-haul international flights over to either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Or, it may even work out cheapest to connect in London before catching a short flight north. To find the best deal, I recommend searching Skyscanner.

How to get around Scotland?

By Car: Road tripping Scotland by car has a number of distinct perks, the best being that it is much easier to navigate the narrow, windy country roads. If you’re not comfortable driving on narrow roads or doing so on the left-hand side of the road, then you may be best off hiring a car.

It’s best to book ahead in advance, especially if you plan on visiting Scotland in the busier months. A good starting point is usually a site like Rentalcars. If you are coming from abroad, then bear in mind that Scotland may have different road laws than what you are used to.

You may also need to pick up an International Driver’s Permit, which will allow you to drive on your existing license. Every country is different with regards to obtaining one of these, so you will need to search online in advance. Just be aware that it can take a few weeks for them to arrive.

By Campervan: In my opinion, the absolute best way to road trip Scotland is in a campervan/motorhome. These can be more expensive than renting a car, but they do end up saving you money as they allow you to wild camp every night.

Also, so much of the experience of road tripping Scotland is being able to camp in nature and cook meals outdoors each night. That being said, if you can get one with cooking facilities inside the van, it's a big bonus. Weather can be famously unpredictable in Scotland!

There are a number of campervan rental firms in Scotland to choose from. A couple of years back, we road-tripped Ireland and hired a van from a company called Spaceships Rentals. They also operate in Scotland, so I can recommend giving them a check.

What to Pack for Scotland?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Scotland, United Kingdom:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Bradley is one half of the traveling couple over at Dream Big, Travel Far. They have so far backpacked more than three dozen different countries. They are currently on a mission to drive around the world in a campervan that they built themselves!

Further Reading for Northern Europe

I hope you found this guide useful. If you want to read more about Northern Europe, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• Looking for a complete itinerary for Europe? Check out 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Helsinki is a great place to travel to from Sweden. If you are heading that way, be sure to visit our 9 Best Things To Do In Helsinki as well.
• Stockholm is a beautiful city with a ton of things to do and places to see that can be quite overwhelming. Here's a travel guide and a 3-day itinerary on things to do in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Copenhagen is also another city worth visiting after Sweden. Here's a complete guide on 10 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 Beautiful Travel Photos from Europe.
• To see all the articles about the United Kingdom, visit the United Kingdom Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Northern Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.