SCOTLAND BY COAST - 14 DAY TOUR

• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
• Luss Conservation Village
• The spectacular “Rest and Be Thankful” mountain pass
• Inveraray Castle & Gardens
• Oban Distillery
• Option to visit Mull on your free day in Oban, perhaps doing the Three Isles Tour (Mull, Iona and Staffa) with West Coast Tours
• Castle Stalker
• Glencoe
• Fort William, “the outdoor Capital of the UK”
• Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain at 4,412ft
• Glenfinnan Monument and Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in the Harry Potter movies
• Camusdarach Beach and the Silver Sands of Morar
• Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale (Skye)
• Cuillin Mountains
• Old Man of Storr
• The Quirang
• Talisker Distillery
• Eilean Donan Castle
• The spectacular “Bealach na Ba” mountain pass
• Applecross Peninsula
• Corrieshalloch Gorge, a short walk to the stunning waterfall lookout
• Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle
• Achmelvich Beach, a stunning white sand beach on the Northwest Coast
• Smoo Caves, spectacular caves formed through erosion from the air and sea
• Dunnet Head, with a chance of spotting some beautiful Puffins
• John O’Groats, the most Northernly inhabited point of mainland UK
• Duncansby Sea Stacks, spectacular, huge coastal rock pinnacles
• Picturesque Latheron Harbour
• Dunrobin Castle & Gardens
• The Black Isle
• Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, with a chance of spotting the elusive ‘Nessie’
• Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last pitched battle on UK soil which brought the Jacobite uprising of 1745 to a brutal end
• Clava Cairns, Bronze-Age burial chambers and standing stones
• Elgin Cathedral
• Rattray Head Lighthouse
• Aberdeen, “the Granite city”
• Dunottar Castle
• St. Cyrus Beach
• Montrose Basin, with a chance of spotting some wildlife, including seals
• Lunan Bay
• St. Andrews Cathedral
• St. Andrews Castle
• West Sands Beach, as seen in “Chariots of Fire”
• Kingsbarns Distillery
• The picturesque East-Neuk Fishing Villages
• Anstruther
• St Monan’s Medieval Church
• Elie
• Forth Bridges

DAY 1

Glasgow – Oban

Distance: 97.1 miles               Travel Time: 2hrs 31 mins

You will head North from Glasgow and into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, following the Western banks of Loch Lomond. The drive will take you through some of the most spectacular landscapes Scotland has to offer, including the Arrochar Alps and Western Coast as you make your way to Oban.

Accommodation

Boutique, family run hotel in Oban – 2 nights

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

We highly recommend a short stop at the picturesque conservation village of Luss, located on the Western shores of Loch Lomond. A great stop for some photos of the famous Loch with breath-taking views across to Ben Lomond. We also recommend taking time to appreciate the magnificent Arrochar Alps which dominate much of the Western side of Loch Lomond, containing 4 Munros (mountains over 3,000ft) and the dramatic “Cobbler” mountain. 

DAY 2

You will have the full day to explore the picturesque coastal town of Oban, known as “the seafood capital of Scotland”. You may wish to visit the Oban Distillery to sample some of their delicious whiskies or even head over to the ‘wild’ Isle of Mull in search of wildlife. There are day tours from Oban which take you to the Isles of Mull, Iona and Staffa and give you the opportunity to see some coastal birds, including Puffins. 

DAY 3

Oban – Isle of Skye

Distance: 125 miles                Travel Time: 3hrs 54 mins

From Oban, you will make your way North towards Fort William, known as “the outdoor Capital of the UK” and the location of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, which stands at 4,413ft! From Fort William, you will head West to Glenfinnan and on to Mallaig, where you will board the ferry to the “misty” Isle of Skye. 

Accommodation

Small, family run B&B or Guest House, Isle of Skye – 2 nights

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

On your way to Fort William, make sure you take a short detour to see the spectacular and dramatic mountains of Glencoe, one of the most famous glens in Scotland. If you are a Harry Potter fan, there is a hidden location near Glencoe that was used as the filming location for Hagrid’s Hut! When heading West after Fort William, we recommend stopping at the Glenfinnan Viaduct which was also used in the Harry Potter movies. It is also the location of the Glenfinnan Monument, erected to commemorate where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard to begin the Jacobite Uprising of 1745.

DAY 4

You will have the full day to explore the legendary Isle of Skye. You may wish to hike up to the “Old Man of Storr”, visit the local seal colony at Dunvegan Castle, sample some fantastic whisky at the Talisker Distillery or look for fairies at the Fairy Pools of Glenbrittle!  

DAY 5

Isle of Skye – Gairloch

Distance: 92.7 miles               Travel Time: 2hrs 13 mins

After leaving Skye and heading over the Skye Road Bridge, you will begin making your way North, following the North-West coast and taking in some more of the stunning Highland scenery. This is where you will join the world-famous “North Coast 500”!

Accommodation

Luxury Country Lodge Hotel, Gairloch - 1 night

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

Take a detour from the route to visit Eilean Donan Castle, located just South of Kyle of Lochalsh – it is one of the most iconic and photographed castles in Scotland after all! We also recommend driving up the “Bealach na Ba” mountain pass, it is a spectacular drive, although be sure to take your time  on this narrow and winding road carved into the mountain valley. We also recommend taking some time in the Torridon area which is another fantastic opportunity to spot some wildlife, including otters in Loch Torridon.

DAY 6

Gairloch - Kylesku

Distance: 87.9 miles               Travel Time: 2hrs 7 mins

The route will take you further North up the West coast and into more spectacular Highland landscapes. You will pass through Ullapool, the gateway to the Outer Hebrides.

Accommodation

Country House Hotel, Kylesku – 2 nights

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

The Corrieshalloch Gorge to the South of Ullapool is a beautiful short walk to see the waterfall and gorge lookout. Keep an eye out in this area, there’s a good chance to see some red deer, birds of prey and a variety of other wildlife.

DAY 7

You will have the full day to explore the North West Coast. We recommend taking some time to explore the rugged landscapes and beautiful, white sand beaches, with turquoise waters that will make you think you’re in the Caribbean! Our favourite would be Achmelvic Beach. Take a wee walk at Ardvreck Castle, where legend has it that the castle is haunted by the ghost of the MacLeod Chief’s daughter… who was said to be betrothed to the devil!

DAY 8

Kylesku - Thurso

Distance: 106 miles                Travel Time: 2hrs 58 mins

You will make your way up North until you are travelling East along the North Coast, you will notice the landscape is less rugged and mountainous as you travel further East towards Thurso.

Accommodation

Luxury Country House Hotel near Thurso – 1 night

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

Stop in and marvel at Smoo Caves on the North-Western tip, this sea-cave is truly a spectacular site and short walk from the road.

DAY 9

Thurso - Inverness

Distance: 136 miles                Travel Time: 3hrs 5 mins

From Thurso, you will head through the most Northerly inhabited part of mainland UK, John O’Groats, before heading South along the North-east Coast to Inverness. On a clear day, you can even spot the Isle of Orkney from John O’Groats!

Accommodation

Family run B&B or Guest House, Inverness – 2 nights

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

Take a wee stop at the Dunnet Head RSPB site where you will have a good opportunity to spot some Puffins, the black and white birds with a colourful beak and personality! Just to the West of John O’Groats lies the Duncansby Stacks, these huge, jagged sea-stacks are the impressive result of thousands of years of erosion from the sea, and a fantastic location for any photographer.

DAY 10

You will have the full day to explore the “capital of the Highlands”, Inverness. You may wish to visit Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last pitched battle on UK soil which brought the Jacobite uprising of 1745 to a brutal end or you might want to explore Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle where there’s a chance you can spot the ever-elusive “Nessie”, the Loch Ness Monster.

DAY 11

Inverness - Stonehaven

Distance: 167 miles                Travel Time: 3hrs 42 mins

From Inverness, you will head East along the picturesque Moray coastline before heading South, through the “Granite City” of Aberdeen to the coastal village of Stonehaven.

Accommodation

Small, Cosy Inn or Guest House, Stonehaven - 1 night

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

The Moray coastline offers many beautiful beaches to explore as well as Elgin Cathedral which is a stunning location. The Rattray Head Lighthouse is a fantastic location for photographers, especially at sunrise/ sunset. You may also wish to visit Dunottar Castle, sat high upon sea-cliffs in a picturesque and dramatic setting.

DAY 12

Stonehaven – St. Andrews

Distance: 64.8 miles               Travel Time: 1hr 48 mins

From Stonehaven, you will continue heading South along the East coast, passing through Montrose and eventually Dundee, the home of “the Beano” comic. Cross over the Tay Road Bridge and make your way to St. Andrew’s.

Accommodation

Small, luxury hotel, St. Andrews – 2 nights

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

We would suggest stopping at the beautiful St. Cyrus Beach, a spectacular, hidden away beach between Stonehaven and Montrose. If you enjoy spotting wildlife, we recommend a stop at the Montrose Basin RSPB Site where there are often Kingfishers and Seals to be spotted. For lovers of sea-food, you might want to stop at Arbroath, home of the Arbroath Smokie!

DAY 13

You have the full day to explore St. Andrews; “the home of golf”. You might wish to relax on the beautiful West Sands Beach, famous for featuring in Chariots of Fire, or you may wish to try book on for a round of golf on the world-famous courses.

DAY 14

St. Andrews - Edinburgh

Distance: 64.1 miles               Travel Time: 2hrs 10 mins

The final day of the itinerary will take you around the picturesque East-Neuk fishing villages  before crossing the world-famous Queensferry Crossing and into the capital city of Edinburgh.

Accommodation – N/A

Uniquely Scotland Suggests

We suggest having a lunch stop at the Anstruther award-winning chip shop, they do incredible fish and chips! We recommend stopping at North Queensferry and South Queensferry on either side of the Forth Bridges to admire the 3 iconic bridges!

Please note that our example itineraries only provide a summary of your proposal, there is a significant amount of work behind each proposal with attention to detail being very important. All itineraries can be adjusted to suit you. Please let us know if you have any questions in relation to your proposal and we will do what we can to help. For further information or to book a holiday with Uniquely Scotland please contact us.

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