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 Urquhart Castle. Museum-lovers will appreciate Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition and The Highlanders' Museum (Queen's Own Highlanders Collection). Venture out of the city with trips to Ferintosh Community Market (in Culbokie), Dornoch Cathedral (in Dornoch) and Tarbat Ness Lighthouse (in Portmahomack). There's still lots to do: take in the history at Culloden Battlefield, contemplate the long history of Fort George, take in the exciting artwork at Inspirations, and pause for some serene contemplation at Nigg Old Church.

For reviews, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Inverness road trip planning website.

San Francisco, USA to Inverness is an approximately 16-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is 8 hours. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from San Francisco in August: high temperatures in Inverness hover around °F and lows are around °F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can travel to Thurso.

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

Holburn Head Lighthouse and Old St Peter's Church will appeal to history buffs. Let the collections at Wick Heritage Museum and Castlehill Heritage Centre capture your imagination. Explore Thurso's surroundings by going to Castle Sinclair Girnigoe (in Wick), Canisbay Parish Church (in Canisbay) and Duncansby Head (in John O'Groats). There's lots more to do: explore the historical opulence of Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, see the interesting displays at Laidhay Croft Museum, get engrossed in the history at Clan Gunn Museum, and visit a coastal fixture at Dunnet Head Lighthouse.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Thurso visit planner.

You can drive from Inverness to Thurso in 2.5 hours. In August, daytime highs in Thurso are °F, while nighttime lows are °F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) early enough to go by car 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 Castle Varrich. Museum-lovers will get to explore Lotte Glob and Durness Deep Time. Explore Durness' surroundings by going to Scourie Bay (in Scourie), The Jammery Culkein (in Stoer) and Rosal Clearance Village (in Bettyhill). There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Durness Beach, explore the galleries of Balnakeil Craft Village, view the masterpieces at Wee Gallery, and snap pictures at Kylesku Bridge.

For maps, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Durness tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Thurso to Durness takes 2 hours. In August in Durness, expect temperatures between °F during the day and °F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to Ullapool.

Ullapool is a village of around 1,500 inhabitants in Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands. Ardvreck Castle and Inchnadamph Old Parish Church Museum, Kirkton, Assynt will appeal to history buffs. Shop till you drop at RhueArt and Ullapool Market. Get out of town with these interesting Ullapool side-trips: The Rock Stop Coffee Shop and Exhibition (in Unapool), Lairg (Ferrycroft Visitor Centre & Stoer Lighthouse) and Lochinver (Clachtoll Broch & Achmelvich Beach). There's much more to do: explore the galleries of An Talla Solais, explore the stunning scenery at Corrieshalloch Gorge, identify plant and animal life at Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, 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 °F, while at night they dip to °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 Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Gairloch: Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve (in Garve) and Perfume Studio (in Mellon Charles). The adventure continues: get outside with Walking and Wildlife Adventures, explore the activities along Gruinard Bay Caravan Park, take in nature's colorful creations at Inverewe Garden, and make a trip to Solas Gallery.

For photos, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Gairloch online sightseeing planner.

Traveling by car from Ullapool to Gairloch takes 1.5 hours. In August, daytime highs in Gairloch are °F, while nighttime lows are °F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough to 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 Brochs at Glenelg - Dun Telve & Dun Troddan. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Glenfinnan Viaduct and Ardnamurchan Point and Lighthouse. Get out of town with these interesting Mallaig side-trips: Balmacara Estate and Lochalsh Woodland Walks (in Balmacara), All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop (in Ardelve) 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 °F, while nighttime lows are °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.

Head to Kennedys Fine Chocolates and Orton Farmers' Marketfor plenty of shopping. Museum-lovers will get to explore Lakeland Motor Museum and Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House. Explore Dumfries' surroundings by going to Askham (Stuart Broadhurst Ceramics & St Michael’s Church), Bowness-on-Windermere (Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House & The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction) and Sizergh Castle (in Kendal). Next up on the itinerary: make a trip to Castlerigg Stone Circle, step into the grandiose world of Castle Crag, contemplate the long history of Townend, and examine the collection at J.B.Banks and Son Ltd.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Dumfries trip planner.

Traveling by car from Mallaig to Dumfries takes 5 hours. In September in Dumfries, expect temperatures between °F during the day and °F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can go by car 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 St Giles' Cathedral. Change things up with a short trip to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow (about 1h 25 min away). There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Royal Yacht Britannia, make a trip to The Royal Mile, take a stroll through Edinburgh Old Town, and contemplate the long history of The Real Mary King's Close.

For maps, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Edinburgh online day trip planner.

You can drive from Dumfries to Edinburgh in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Dumfries in September, plan for little chillier nights in Edinburgh, with lows around °F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) early enough to travel back home.