46 days in Scotland Itinerary
46 days in Scotland Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Scotland holiday builder
Start: San Francisco
Fly
1
Inverness
— 6 nights
Drive
2
Thurso
— 4 nights
Drive
3
Durness
— 5 nights
Drive
4
Ullapool
— 5 nights
Drive
5
Gairloch
— 5 nights
Drive
6
Mallaig
— 3 nights
Drive
7
Dumfries
— 9 nights
Drive
8
Edinburgh
— 7 nights
Fly
End: San Francisco
Wed, Aug 7 - Sat, Sep 21
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See full calendar
Inverness
— 6 nights
©
Gateway to the Highlands
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 Cromarty (Gallery48 & St Regulus), 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, explore the ancient world of Ruthven Barracks, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Nigg Old Church.
To see maps, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Inverness route planner.
San Francisco, USA to Inverness is an approximately 16-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 8 hours traveling from San Francisco to Inverness. Traveling from San Francisco in August, things will get a bit cooler in Inverness: highs are around 65°F and lows about 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can travel to Thurso.
Things to do in Inverness
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 8 — 14:
Highlights from your trip
Thurso
— 4 nights
©
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 Strathnaver Museum capture your imagination. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Holburn Head Lighthouse and Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Thurso: Duncansby Head (in John O'Groats), Castle Sinclair Girnigoe (in Wick) and Canisbay Parish Church (in Canisbay). 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.
Things to do in Thurso
Side Trips
Wick, Grey Cairns of Camster, Timespan Museum and Arts Centre, Duncansby Head, Canisbay Parish Church
Find places to stay Aug 14 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Durness
— 5 nights
©
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 Wee Gallery. Explore Durness' surroundings by going to Scourie Bay (in Scourie), The Jammery Culkein (in Stoer) and Rosal Clearance Village (in Kinbrace). 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.
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.
Things to do in Durness
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 18 — 23:
Highlights from your trip
Ullapool
— 5 nights
©
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 An Talla Solais. Get out of town with these interesting Ullapool side-trips: The Rock Stop Coffee Shop and Exhibition (in Unapool), Lochinver (Clachtoll Broch & Achmelvich Beach) and Inchnadamph Old Parish Church Mausoleum (in Assynt). There's much more to do: stroll through Lael Forest Walks, look for all kinds of wild species at Alladale Wilderness Reserve, get engrossed in the history at Ferrycroft Visitor Centre, 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.
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.
Things to do in Ullapool
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 23 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Gairloch
— 5 nights
©
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: Perfume Studio (in Mellon Charles), Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve (in Garve) and Mellon Udrigle Beach (in Poolewe). 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.
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.
Things to do in Gairloch
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 28 — Sep 2:
Highlights from your trip
Mallaig
— 3 nights
©
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 Glenfinnan Viaduct. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Balmacara Estate and Lochalsh Woodland Walks and Glenfinnan Church. Get out of town with these interesting Mallaig side-trips: Ardnamurchan Point and Lighthouse (in Kilchoan), Brochs at Glenelg - Dun Telve & Dun Troddan (in Glenelg) and Strome Castle (in Lochcarron). There's lots more to do: savor a hot drink at All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop, don't miss a visit to Bealach na Ba Viewpoint, explore the different monuments and memorials at Camas nan Geall, and step into the grandiose world of Castle Tioram.
For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Mallaig vacation builder website.
Getting from Gairloch to Mallaig by car takes about 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 59°F in September, and nighttime lows around 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to travel to Dumfries.
For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Mallaig vacation builder website.
Getting from Gairloch to Mallaig by car takes about 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 59°F in September, and nighttime lows around 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to travel to Dumfries.
Things to do in Mallaig
Side Trips
Glenfinnan, Ardnamurchan Point and Lighthouse, Brochs at Glenelg - Dun Telve & Dun Troddan, Strome Castle, All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop
Find places to stay Sep 2 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Dumfries
— 9 nights
©
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: 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 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.
Things to do in Dumfries
Side Trips
Find places to stay Sep 5 — 14:
Highlights from your trip
Edinburgh
— 7 nights
©
Athens of the North
World Heritage-listed Edinburgh combines ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere.Head to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Jupiter Artlandfor 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: contemplate the long history of The Real Mary King's Close, 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.
Things to do in Edinburgh
Side Trip
Find places to stay Sep 14 — 21:
Scotland travel guide
A land packed with thousands of years of history, Scotland is home to numerous thriving cities and a vibrant population proud of its distinct culture, heritage, and art. The Scottish people are fond of saying "Good things come in small packages," and nowhere is that more true than in their compact homeland. Despite its relatively small size, the country is crammed full of attractions, not the least of which are numerous world-famous golf courses and whiskey distilleries. Though the sun may not always shine here, Scotland is a stunning country renowned for its dramatic scenery of mountains, valleys, hills, green fields, and rugged coastlines, guaranteeing a diverse holiday. While most tourists restrict their itinerary to the historic Highlands, where they search for the mysterious Loch Ness monster, you can also explore the Lowlands’ outstanding natural wonders and flourishing cultural scene.
