An amazing 7 day self drive tour Scotland: road trip itinerary
Scotland is one of the most beautiful places in the UK, and having covered a lot of the UK myself, I can honestly say it’s pretty spectacular and breath taking. Make sure you ready yourself for an epic 7 day self drive tour Scotland. The landscape is diverse and luscious, the wildlife is plentiful and rugged, and of course the land is steeped in history, myths and legends and you’ll pass it all on this road trip itinerary.
Remnants of castles and outposts are scattered across the land and there are plenty of castles that are still in working order with people living in them, Scotland is home to the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and its jaw dropping landscapes are something to see for yourself. So you might as well undertake an epic road trip in one week and see all the incredible sights for yourself!
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Scotland Road Trip
TLDR: We did our own 500 mile road trip around Scotland, but not the NC500.
Earlier this year, our trip around Europe was cut short after 2 days. All the excitement, planning and research I had done was gone in a moment because of the pandemic. I returned home and started work early… hardly the trip of a lifetime.
I’ve been put off travelling abroad and with all the limitations, it seemed the perfect opportunity to explore the UK… specifically Scotland! I’ve been a number of times, but only ever the odd day here or there.
We had a week off, starting in Glasgow, because train tickets up are cheap and car hire is also cheap (starting from £100 for the week!). We were going to do the NC500, but to be honest, we thought it might be a bit rushed given that we were starting in Glasgow, it would be more like 900 miles. (If you don’t know, the NC500 is said to be one of the most beautiful coastal routes to drive in the world. It stands for North Coast and is 500 miles long).
Best 7 day self drive tour Scotland itinerary for an epic road trip
There are so many beautiful things to see in Scotland, so it’s well worth taking your time to do a 500 mile round trip from either Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Here is the route we took starting from Glasgow, but you can start in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Every day, we’d explore an area and drive for about 1-1.5 hours to the next location. It’s actually a 448 mile road trip from end to end… it was originally 500 miles but one castle we wanted to visit was closed by Aberdeen so we skipped it. It’s the perfect 1 week Scotland itinerary. What to see in Scotland in 7 days? Keep scrolling for the full guide.
Scotland Road Trip Map
Average drive time between each location was about 1 hour 15 minutes: not bad for a 7 day self drive tour Scotland
Day 1 – Argyll coastal route – Glasgow to Loch Fyne
Start your 1 week Scotland road trip to Loch Fyne! This is a short drive, maybe around 1.5 hours on the road to Loch Fyne in the Trossachs national park. You’ll notice the most incredible stunning landscapes as you drive by, you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice.
Glen Coe is particularly beautiful and you can stop here if you wish; the scenery is exceedingly peaceful! We stayed at Thistle House Guest House B&B on the Loch Fyne and it was glorious. I have an absolute love for immersing myself in the country that I am in and this B&B did just that.
Everything was covered in tartan, the rooms were all named after local Scottish Clans (we stayed in the MacNaughton room!) and I felt like I was in quintessential Scotland. Make sure you grab some takeaway food for dinner or have supplies as there aren’t many restaurants around. And that’s the end to day 1 on your 7 day Scotland road trip.
We had fish and chips on the loch for dinner… perfect.
Loch Fyne is a sea loch situated on Scotland’s west coast in Argyll and Bute. It is around 65 kilometres (which is around 40 miles) inland, making it the longest sea loch in Scotland and it can actually be difficult to traverse – when we went, the ferry nearby was closed meaning the routes around were a bit tricky and congested. Its Scottish Gaelic name, Loch Fìne, translates to “Loch of the Vine/Wine.” The region around is famous for its dramatic landscapes and plentiful wildlife, often referred to as ‘Argyll’s Secret Coast.’ To reach Loch Fyne, you can take the A82 from Loch Lomond or use the ferry from Tarbert.
It’s also worth a visit to Castle Lachlan, a 15th-century structure and the ancestral home of Clan Maclachlan. Moreover, in Inveraray, the Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa provides a delightful blend of uniquely fun Scottish interiors, fine dining, and magnificent views of the loch, of course. It’s a perfect spot for a bit of R&R. The perfect end to the first day of your 7 day Scotland itinerary.
Day 2 – Dunderave Castle, Invereray Castle & Kilchurn Castle
On the second day of this 7 day road trip, head straight to Dunderave castle and stroll the banks of Loch Fyne. The day trip around this area is worth it!
Dunderave Castle
Dunderave castle is one of those hidden gems that you only know about if someone tells you and is now a privately owned home! It’s worth a stop at the layby on the side of the road and wandering down the loch to have a look at this magnificent castle. There’s an excellent legend here too.
Apparently, this castle once belonged to a MacNaughton (of the MacNaughton clan), and he was cheated out of his ancestral home by the Campbells (another Scottish clan).
The Campbells got the groom, a MacNaughton, extremely drunk on his wedding day and forced him to marry the sister of his true love – essentially, he married the wrong sister. When the MacNaughton awoke the next day, he tried to deny the validity of the wedding, and tried to marry the girl whom he intended. The Campbells called this blasphemous and chased the MacNaughton out of his home, and the Campbells claimed Dunderave Castle for themselves.
We had to go see Dunderave Castle because an ancestor of ours owned this castle hundreds of years ago. It was very recently purchased and privately owned, meaning we couldn’t get access. We stopped by the side of the road and in the distance, through the fencing and the trees we saw a couple of bricks of Dunderave. We laughed and laughed at how far we’d driven to see this place but couldn’t see much.
Luckily, we drove round the corner, there was a lay-by and we walked along the loch and boom: here it is! Dunderave Castle.
Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn speaks for itself. It sits upon a loch nestled between three peaks and it is simply. We ate our lunch from the viewpoint before I took this picture (and almost fell in). We skipped walking in the surrounding grounds because we were tired and had done so much already, but it is highly recommended for the Highland Cows that stroll around. If I had known the Highland cows were there I would’ve insisted we go.
Kilchurn is free to visit; so it’s worth a pit stop, it really is beautiful!
Kilchurn Castle served as a fortress, a once-cosy home, and later a strong military base. It is the oldest surviving barracks on the British mainland. The most impressive feature of the castle is probably its five-story tower house, which stands out and would have given the occupants a great view of the surrounding areas. The castle also includes a lower hall, a courtyard, and barracks situated beneath it. A great stop on your 7 day self drive tour Scotland.
Inveraray & Invereray castle
Inveraray is only 15 minutes from Dunderave, so we had to stop by! It reminds me of a French Chateau, the green brick castle is unique, full of ghosts and even has a little fairy glen in the back garden. Inveraray town is an adorable little place to stop for food, souvenirs and whiskey.
Insider tip: Stop by their cafe. The sausage rolls are a must. As are the cream teas.
Inveraray Castle is primarily a family residence where the Duke and Duchess of Argyllshire family still lives in today but for the most part, their family residence area is cordoned off and there are huge sections of the castle you can explore at your own leisure. The items inside Inveraray Castle are from generations gone past and show how the Scottish used to live.
Day 3 – Ben Nevis & Glenfinnan Viaduct
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is famous in its own right for the incredible jacobite steam trains and viaduct that rises 100m off the valley floor. But it is also famed for The Hogwarts Express, as seen in Harry Potter. Harry Potter fans will absolutely love this spot; it’s just as it looks in the Harry Potter movies.
Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a great idea on your 7 day self drive tour Scotland.
Originally the plan was to climb Ben Nevis (the UK’s highest mountain) but the rain was blowing sideways so we sacked that off… 7 hours of torrential rain on a mountain didn’t really sound appealing. Instead, we went to Glenfinnan Viaduct… notorious for the viaduct built across a valley 100 feet in the air!
What I didn’t realise is that steam trains still run and you can see them cross. I never thought I’d be excited to see an old steam train, but there I was at Glenfinnan like a kid, grinning, camera in hand. Although somewhat near Isle of Skye, you’ll have to do this on a separate trip, or, elongate the road trip and make a visit here on your 7 day self drive tour Scotland!
Glenfinnan Viaduct Train times
The steam train leaves Fort William at 10.15am and 2.30pm and crosses the viaduct 30-45 minutes later.
The train arrives at Glenfinnan at 10.45am in the morning and at 3pm in the afternoon.
Insider Tip: Arrive in the car park at least 30 minutes early as it can get packed! We were lucky enough to see it at both 11am and at 3pm in the afternoon (we spent the day hiking around in the rain and to be honest, it was still great). A great, iconic stop on your 7 day self drive tour Scotland!
Day 4 – Loch Ness, Fairy woods
The hike through Fairy Woods was… well… like something out of a fairy tale. The entire place was covered in thick, fluffy green moss, giving everything a weird, ethereal look. The moss muted all the sounds in the forest and you feel like you’re truly alone.
The pictures don’t really do it justice; you have to breathe in the fresh air and admire the landscape that stretches for miles around. As you walk, green moss transitions to vibrant, purple heather, to rusty pine needles, to black rocks with sheer waterfalls. Definitely recommended. We spent ages hiking through the Fairy Woods, to Fall of Foyers and finally, Loch Ness. A great stop on your 7 day self drive tour Scotland.
Hotel: Have a look at Loch Ness Clansmen Hotel
Loch Ness… we saw the monster, but I didn’t bother taking a picture. Some things are meant to stay hidden. The water was extremely ice cold though, I thought my bones started splintering as soon as I touched the water. But worth visiting this legendary loch on your 7 day self drive tour Scotland.
Day 5 – Cairngorms National Park, luxury farm stay
The Cairngorms hold the most impressive and most dramatic landscapes (and variety of landforms) after arctic Canada. These range from granite tors to the remnants left behind by Ice Age glaciers. The valleys of the Spey, Dee, and Don are prominent characteristics of the lower areas. About 2 million tourists come to the Cairngorms every year for activities like skiing, walking, and fishing, but what I found most impressive were the incredible reindeer you can spot roaming in the wild. These Scottish highlands have it all.
I was lucky enough to stay at Old Manse of Blair in Pitlochry. It is a luxury 5 stay stay in a boutique country house. We try to stay at boutique hotels in almost every location I go to… why? Because boutique hotels are interesting, authentic and they’re usually decorated in the local style. This hotel ticked off all the boxes. It has an apple orchard, a local farm shop, chickens, horses, and even some stylish highland cows.
We ate a 3 course dinner at The Orangerie and it was honestly some of the most luscious food I’ve ever eaten. I am under no obligation to say this as this is not an advert for this hotel; it was delicious! You can also try their Scotch Whisky experience.
The following day we went quad biking. A hilarious experience where I was super careful and definitely did not roll my quad bike and crash it into a bush.
Day 6 – Edinburgh, Carlowrie Castle & The Kelpies
A trip to Scotland is not complete without a trip to the capital, am I right? I’ve been to Edinburgh before but Mike hadn’t, so we were off exploring early, wandering the streets and listening to the sound of bagpipes on the streets.
We stayed with The Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh. Once again, I was keen to stay in a hotel with character, and this one certainly had it. It was beautiful. The thing that stood out the most was The Garden; an indoor oasis to relax, eat and drink right in the heart of Edinburgh. It is an absolute must. They also have a spa that they have made ‘pandemic safe’, and we were able to relax in the pool on our own.
Edinburgh itself is glorious. You only have to wander around to see the gorgeous architecture at every turn. Two of my favourites: Scot Monument and Vennel Street, with one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle in the city. One of the best moments was eating sloppy take out burgers in Princes Street Gardens as we watched the sun set.
Carlowrie Castle
Can you blame me for wanting to come here? It’s probably the most beautiful castle I’ve ever seen. And we were lucky enough to arrive at the time of year when the leaves turned red. As Carlowrie Castle is a privately owned venue, I messaged ahead and got permission from the lovely owner to come visit (thank you Michael!).
The Kelpies
I saw these giant statues years ago and thought… I need to get myself here. So we did 🙂
We had an actual nightmare getting here though. The weather was glorious meaning the place was packed with families and the car parks full. We had to park miles away and we were running out of time; we needed to return the car to the rental. We power walked from miles away to see these bad boys, and it was worth it. I only wish we could see this at sunset.
Day 7 – Glasgow
We spent our last day in Scotland at The Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, relaxing in luxury and eating delicious food. It was so beautiful. I’ve been to Glasgow a few times before, so I opted to relax rather than explore the city. Blythswood Square hotel is an art deco dream and has the best bar in town. I have a bit of a weakness for the art deco look; I’m obsessed with everything Great Gatsby style and think it is one of the most stylish eras. Take a look at my Instagram highlights to see more of this hotel and our experience in the spa.
Scotland
Overall, my stay in Scotland was simply incredible and I have already started planning my trip back. I’m in love with Scottish food, the architecture, the landscape, the culture, the hipster highland cows… you name it. I love it. I’m planning to go back in the spring. Until then… stay tuned!
Weather in Scotland: When is best to go?
Scotland is beautiful year round and it depends what you are after. Spring is notorious for the incredible blooms, Summer has excellent, balmy weather and Autumn is stunning as you see all the colours turn a resplendent red and auburn. And winter is excellent for beautiful snowy landscapes, skiing and snowshoeing.
Scotland Weather in January
- Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
- Average Rainy days: 22
- Average Daylight hours: 7
- Average Sunrise time: Around 8:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 4:15 PM
Scotland Weather in February
- Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
- Average Rainy days: 18
- Average Daylight hours: 8
- Average Sunrise time: Around 8:00 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 5:30 PM
Scotland Weather in March
- Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
- Average Rainy days: 21
- Average Daylight hours: 10
- Average Sunrise time: Around 6:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 6:45 PM
Scotland Weather in April
- Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
- Average Rainy days: 17
- Average Daylight hours: 13
- Average Sunrise time: Around 6:00 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 8:15 PM
Scotland Weather in May
- Average temperature: 10°C (50°F)
- Average Rainy days: 16
- Average Daylight hours: 15
- Average Sunrise time: Around 4:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 9:30 PM
Scotland Weather in June
- Average temperature: 13°C (55°F)
- Average Rainy days: 15
- Average Daylight hours: 17
- Average Sunrise time: Around 4:30 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 10:00 PM
Scotland Weather in July
- Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
- Average Rainy days: 15
- Average Daylight hours: 17
- Average Sunrise time: Around 4:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 10:00 PM
Scotland Weather in August
- Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
- Average Rainy days: 17
- Average Daylight hours: 15
- Average Sunrise time: Around 5:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 9:00 PM
Scotland Weather in September
- Average temperature: 13°C (55°F)
- Average Rainy days: 20
- Average Daylight hours: 12
- Average Sunrise time: Around 6:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 7:30 PM
Scotland Weather in October
- Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
- Average Rainy days: 22
- Average Daylight hours: 10
- Average Sunrise time: Around 7:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 6:15 PM
Scotland Weather in November
- Average temperature: 6°C (43°F)
- Average Rainy days: 21
- Average Daylight hours: 8
- Average Sunrise time: Around 8:00 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 4:30 PM
Scotland Weather in December
- Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
- Average Rainy days: 22
- Average Daylight hours: 7
- Average Sunrise time: Around 8:45 AM
- Average Sunset time: Around 3:45 PM
That’s it! I hope you find it useful, let me know how you get on!
Want more travel inspo? Have a look at my other articles on travel destinations in the UK:
25 unique, quirky & unusual places to stay in Kent
21 Best hot tub cottages, lodges & hotels in Kent
Top 30 best restaurants in Essex
Best Glamping sites near Brighton
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