10-Day Nature Itinerary for Scotland

• Day 1: Isle of Skye
  Start your day early with a drive to the scenic Isle of Skye. Take a hike to the Old Man of Storr, a famous rock pinnacle, and enjoy the panoramic view. Afterwards, stop by the Fairy Pools, a series of crystal-clear pools with awe-inspiring mountain landscapes. End your day with fresh seafood at the famous local restaurant, The Oyster Shed.
• Day 2: Cairngorms National Park
  Head to Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in Scotland. Take a scenic drive on the Snow Road before arriving at the Rothiemurchus Forest. Walk around the serene Loch an Eilein and visit the ruins of 13th-century castle. Take a mountain bike ride or participate in archery and fishing activities. Head to the nearby village of Aviemore for local restaurants and accommodations.
• Day 3: Loch Ness and Inverness
  Drive to Loch Ness and be ready to spot Nessie. Visit the historic Urquhart Castle and take a boat tour of the lake. Move on to Inverness, a vibrant city on the banks of the River Ness. Visit the Inverness Botanic Garden, one of the top attractions in the city. Stroll through the Old High St. Stephen’s Church and head to the Victorian Market for shopping.
• Day 4: Glen Coe and Fort William
  Drive to Glen Coe, one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland. Take a hike to the Lost Valley and learn about the history of the Massacre of Glencoe. Head to Fort William, a popular town surrounded by mountains. Take a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train, known for its iconic appearance in the Harry Potter movies.
• Day 5: Isle of Mull
  Take a ferry to Isle of Mull and enjoy the scenic journey. Visit the colorful town of Tobermory and the Mull Museum. Take a hike to the highest peak of the island, Ben More. In the evening, take a trip to Fingal’s Cave, a natural wonder on the island of Staffa.
• Day 6: Glencoe to Ardnamurchan
  Start your day with a drive to Ardnamurchan, a beautifully serene peninsula in western Scotland. Visit the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse and take in the stunning views of the coast. Take a trip to Sanna Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, with white sand and turquoise waters. Try the locally brewed beer, Torg Mor.
• Day 7: Cape Wrath and Sandwood Bay
  Today’s destination is remote, with stunning views of the cape and deserted beaches. Take a 4x4 ride to Cape Wrath, the most northwesterly part of mainland Scotland. Take a hike to Sandwood Bay and be rewarded by the beautiful scenery. End your day with a pint and a meal at the Old School Restaurant.
• Day 8: Wester Ross Coastal Trail
  Drive to Wester Ross, located on the northwest coast of Scotland. Relax on the beautiful beaches of Red Point and Mellon Udrigle. Visit the popular Gruinard Island and take a hike to the beautiful Corrieshalloch Gorge, known for its impressive waterfall.
• Day 9: St. Andrews
  Visit the picturesque town of St. Andrews, famous for golf and its historic university. Take a walk on the West Sands, a vast beach that was featured in the opening scene of the movie Chariots of Fire. Visit the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral and St. Andrews Castle. Enjoy local fish and chips at the Tailend Restaurant.
• Day 10: Edinburgh
  End your trip in Scotland’s historic capital city, Edinburgh. Visit the Edinburgh Castle, an iconic symbol of Scottish heritage, and the palace of the Holyroodhouse. Walk along the Royal Mile and visit the St. Giles Cathedral. Take a hike up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano with beautiful panoramic views of the city. Finish your day with a pint at the famous pub, The Royal Oak.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Old Man of Storr (2-3 hours, free)
• Fairy Pools (2-3 hours, parking fee)
• The Oyster Shed (1-2 hours, $$-$$$)
• Rothiemurchus Forest (2-4 hours, free)
• Loch an Eilein (1-2 hours, parking fee)
• Urquhart Castle (2-3 hours, $$)
• Jacobite Steam Train (5-6 hours, $$$)
• Ardnamurchan Lighthouse (1-2 hours, $)
• Cape Wrath 4x4 Ride (4-6 hours, $$$)
• St. Andrews Castle (2-3 hours, $$)
• The Royal Oak (1-2 hours, $)
• Total Estimated Costs: $$$-$$$$

Transportation

Traveling in Scotland requires renting a car to visit remote locations such as the Isle of Mull and Cape Wrath. Be sure to have an international driving permit and a GPS navigation system. The average cost of car rental is $40-$60 per day. The Jacobite Steam Train ride must be reserved ahead of time and has varying costs. Ferry rides are available to remote locations such as the Isle of Mull and some have a reservations fee. Refer to the public transportation system in cities such as Inverness and Edinburgh to save on parking costs and ease of travel.

Useful tips

If you have extra time, spend the day visiting Scotland's beautiful beaches, such as Achnahaird and Stoer Bay. Additionally, do a whisky tour in the Speyside region, and visit the Glenfiddich and The Macallan Distilleries. If you have less time, consider skipping the Jacobite Steam Train and a trip to Cape Wrath, and allocate more time to visit Edinburgh's museums and galleries such as The National Museum and The Royal Scottish Academy.

Airports

Scotland has few international airports, with Glasgow International Airport (GLA) and Edinburgh Airport (EDI) being the most popular. The other major airports are Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) in the northeast, Inverness Airport (INV) and Dundee Airport (DND) in the north, and Prestwick International Airport (PIK) in the southwest. Glasgow International Airport is the closest to the nature destinations while other airports are much more remote.