46 days in Scotland Itinerary

Inverness, often described as the Gateway to the Highlands, is a thriving commercial and industrial center.

Get some historical perspective at Dunrobin Castle and Gardens and Culloden Battlefield. Museum-lovers will appreciate Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition and Castle Gallery. Venture out of the city with trips to Dornoch Cathedral (in Dornoch), Tarbat Ness Lighthouse (in Portmahomack) and Ferintosh Community Market (in Culbokie). There's still lots to do: explore the historical opulence of Urquhart Castle, explore the ancient world of Corrimony Chambered Cairn, pause for some serene contemplation at Nigg Old Church, and take in the history at Battlefield Select Tours.

For other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, read Inverness day trip planner.

San Francisco, USA to Inverness is an approximately 16-hour flight. You'll lose 8 hours traveling from San Francisco to Inverness due to the time zone difference. Traveling from San Francisco in August, things will get slightly colder in Inverness: highs are around 65°F and lows about 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Thurso.

Thurso is a town and former burgh on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland.

Let the collections at Wick Heritage Museum and Laidhay Croft Museum capture your imagination. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Holburn Head Lighthouse and Old St Peter's Church. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Thurso: Canisbay Parish Church (in Canisbay), Castle Sinclair Girnigoe (in Wick) and Duncansby Head (in John O'Groats). There's much more to do: see the interesting displays at Castlehill Heritage Centre, get engrossed in the history at Caithness Horizons Museumand Art Gallery, contemplate the long history of Grey Cairns of Camster, and enjoy the sea views from Strathy Point Lighthouse.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Thurso trip website.

Traveling by car from Inverness to Thurso takes 2.5 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 61°F, and evening lows to 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) early enough to drive to Durness.

Durness is a village and civil parish in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. Your inner history buff will appreciate Dun Dornaigil Broch and Rosal Clearance Village. Museum-lovers will get to explore Lotte Glob and Balnakeil Craft Village. Explore Durness' surroundings by going to Scourie Bay (in Scourie), The Jammery Culkein (in Stoer) and Castle Varrich (in Tongue). There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Durness Beach, stroll through Sandwood Bay Beach, take in the views from Kylesku Bridge, and see the interesting displays at Maryck Memories of Childhood.

To find where to stay, photos, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Durness travel route planning app.

Traveling by car from Thurso to Durness takes 2 hours. August in Durness sees daily highs of 64°F and lows of 49°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Fri) so you can go by car to Ullapool.

Ullapool is a village of around 1,500 inhabitants in Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands. Ardvreck Castle and Stoer Lighthouse will appeal to history buffs. Shop till you drop at RhueArt and The Rock Stop Coffee Shop and Exhibition. Get out of town with these interesting Ullapool side-trips: Inchnadamph Old Parish Church Mausoleum (in Assynt), Ferrycroft Visitor Centre (in Lairg) and Lochinver (Clachtoll Broch & Achmelvich Beach). There's much more to do: explore the galleries of An Talla Solais, look for all kinds of wild species at Alladale Wilderness Reserve, get engrossed in the history at Ullapool Museum, and take in the dramatic natural features at Coire Mhic Fhearchair.

For ratings, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Ullapool tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Durness to Ullapool in 2 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Ullapool can reach 64°F, while at night they dip to 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Wed) so you can drive to Gairloch.

Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross, in the North-West Highlands of Scotland. Get some cultural insight at Gairloch Museum and Russian Arctic Convoy Project. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Gairloch: Mellon Udrigle Beach (in Poolewe), Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve (in Garve) and Perfume Studio (in Mellon Charles). There's much more to do: learn about all things military at Russian Arctic Convoy Museum, contemplate the waterfront views at Gruinard Bay Caravan Park, identify plant and animal life at Loch Maree, and admire the natural beauty at Inverewe Garden.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, read our Gairloch road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Ullapool to Gairloch takes 1.5 hours. August in Gairloch sees daily highs of 61°F and lows of 50°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can drive to Mallaig.

Mallaig ; is a port in Lochaber, on the west coast of the Highlands of Scotland. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Eilean Donan Castle and Balmacara Estate and Lochalsh Woodland Walks. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Glenfinnan Viaduct and Brochs at Glenelg - Dun Telve & Dun Troddan. Get out of town with these interesting Mallaig side-trips: All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop (in Ardelve), Ardnamurchan Point and Lighthouse (in Kilchoan) and Strome Castle (in Lochcarron). And it doesn't end there: step into the grandiose world of Castle Tioram, don't miss a visit to Bealach na Ba Viewpoint, stroll the grounds of Camas nan Geall, and pause for some serene contemplation at Glenfinnan Church.

To see traveler tips, reviews, maps, and tourist information, read Mallaig day trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Gairloch to Mallaig takes 3 hours. In September, daytime highs in Mallaig are 59°F, while nighttime lows are 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Dumfries.

Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland.

For shopping fun, head to Kennedys Fine Chocolates or Thornthwaite Galleries. Lakeland Motor Museum and Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Change things up with these side-trips from Dumfries: Sizergh Castle (in Kendal), Stuart Broadhurst Ceramics (in Askham) and Bowness-on-Windermere (Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House & The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction). There's lots more to do: explore the ancient world of Castlerigg Stone Circle, contemplate the long history of Stott Park Bobbin Mill, explore the world behind art at Beatrix Potter Gallery, and discover the riches below the earth's surface at Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum.

For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Dumfries trip itinerary site.

Getting from Mallaig to Dumfries by car takes about 5 hours. In September, daily temperatures in Dumfries can reach 61°F, while at night they dip to 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can drive to Edinburgh.

World Heritage-listed Edinburgh combines ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere.

Head to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The Velvet Easel Galleryfor some retail therapy. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse. Change things up with a short trip to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow (about 1h 20 min away). The adventure continues: get a new perspective on nature at National Museum of Scotland, pause for some serene contemplation at St Giles' Cathedral, take in panoramic vistas at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Edinburgh Old Town.

To see maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Edinburgh travel itinerary planner.

Drive from Dumfries to Edinburgh in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Dumfries in September, plan for little chillier nights in Edinburgh, with lows around 47°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.