Relaxing 8-Day Itinerary: Edinburgh Inverness Aberdeen Glenfinnan Viaduct Eilean Donan Castle

  1. Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh
    From Edinburgh Airport to Hotel (30min by car)

    Take a leisurely stroll in the beautiful Princes Street Gardens and visit the famous Edinburgh Castle.

  2. Day 2: Explore Edinburgh
    From Hotel to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (20min by car)

    Take a tour around the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Spend a relaxed evening at Cramond Beach.

  3. Day 3: Visit Inverness
    From Edinburgh to Inverness (3h 35min by car)

    Take a walk around Inverness Castle and visit the Ness Islands. Stop by the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for a dose of local history and art.

  4. Day 4: Tour Aberdeen
    From Inverness to Aberdeen (2h 30min by car)

    Take a stroll through the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen and view the historic buildings around the University of Aberdeen. Visit Duthie Park and take a walk through the winter gardens.

  5. Day 5: Discover Glenfinnan Viaduct
    From Aberdeen to Glenfinnan Viaduct (3h 15min by car)

    Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by Harry Potter. Take a hike along the beautiful landscape in the Glenfinnan area.

  6. Day 6: Relax at Eilean Donan Castle
    From Glenfinnan Viaduct to Eilean Donan Castle (35min by car)

    Visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle and enjoy a relaxed walk around the beautiful castle grounds. Take in the stunning views of the nearby mountains and the crystal-clear Loch Duich.

  7. Day 7: Day-trip to Skye
    From Eilean Donan Castle to Isle of Skye (1h 30min by car)

    Visit the picturesque Isle of Skye, home to the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools. Take a hike and enjoy the scenic views of the Scottish isles.

  8. Day 8: Depart from Edinburgh
    From Eilean Donan Castle to Edinburgh Airport (4h by car)

    Head back to Edinburgh and depart for home.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Edinburgh Castle (2-3 hours, £19.50)
  • Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Cramond Beach (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Inverness Castle (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Ness Islands (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Duthie Park (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Eilean Donan Castle (2-3 hours, £10.50)
  • Isle of Skye (Full day, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: £30.50

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the Cairngorms National Park or the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Skip the Day 5 itinerary to spend more time in Aberdeen. If you have less time, cut off one day from the itinerary or skip the Isle of Skye.

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