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 The Highlanders' Museum (Queen's Own Highlanders Collection). Venture out of the city with trips to Dornoch Cathedral (in Dornoch), Ferintosh Community Market (in Culbokie) and Tarbat Ness Lighthouse (in Portmahomack). 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.

Holburn Head Lighthouse and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe 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 Duncansby Head (in John O'Groats), Melvich Beach (in Melvich) and Canisbay Parish Church (in Canisbay). Next up on the itinerary: step into the grandiose world of Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, visit a coastal fixture at Strathy Point Lighthouse, don't miss a visit to Grey Cairns of Camster, and take an in-depth tour of Clan Gunn Museum.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Thurso trip planner.

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. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) so you can 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 Castle Varrich. Museum-lovers will get to explore Lotte Glob and Balnakeil Craft Village. Explore Durness' surroundings by going to Scourie Bay (in Scourie), Rosal Clearance Village (in Bettyhill) and The Jammery Culkein (in Stoer). 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 Museum, Kirkton, Assynt (in Assynt), Lochinver (Clachtoll Broch & Achmelvich Beach) and Ferrycroft Visitor Centre (in Lairg). 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 Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Gairloch: Perfume Studio (in Mellon Charles) and Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve (in Garve). The adventure continues: get outside with Walking and Wildlife Adventures, learn about all things military at Russian Arctic Convoy Project, 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 61°F, while nighttime lows are 50°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 Castle Tioram. 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: Strome Castle (in Lochcarron), All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop (in Ardelve) and Ardnamurchan Point and Lighthouse (in Kilchoan). And it doesn't end there: go for a walk through Balmacara Estate and Lochalsh Woodland Walks, 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.

Head to Kennedys Fine Chocolates and Viridian Galleryfor plenty of shopping. Museum-lovers will get to explore Lakeland Motor Museum and Hawkshead Grammar School. Explore Dumfries' surroundings by going to Bowness-on-Windermere (Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House & The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction), Sizergh Castle (in Kendal) and Stuart Broadhurst Ceramics (in Askham). There's much more to do: explore the galleries of Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House, examine the collection at Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum, pause for some serene contemplation at Jesus Church, and contemplate the long history of Stott Park Bobbin Mill.

To see photos, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Dumfries online trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Mallaig to Dumfries in 5 hours. September in Dumfries sees daily highs of 61°F and lows of 52°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to drive to Edinburgh.

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

Head to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Open Eye Galleryfor some retail therapy. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Old Town. Change things up with a short trip to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow (about 1h 10 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 don't miss a visit to Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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 take a bus. 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.