rondreis schotland highlands

11-day Scotland road trip: Edinburgh, the Highlands & iconic castles

11 Days - 10 Nights

Route

This 11-day journey takes you from Edinburgh into the rugged Scottish Highlands and back again. You travel past iconic castles, tranquil lochs and wide-open valleys, with stops in Cairngorms National Park, along sections of the North Coast 500 and at places such as Dunnottar Castle, Loch Ness and Glencoe.

Pace

The pace remains pleasantly relaxed. Distances are manageable and leave room for spontaneous stops, whether for a short walk, a scenic viewpoint or a long lunch. Culture and nature flow seamlessly into one another.

Highlights

Edinburgh with its castle and historic neighbourhoods, royal stories at Balmoral, dramatic cliffs along the east coast and the quiet grandeur of the Highlands. You explore whisky traditions, pause at Culloden and enjoy a nostalgic journey aboard the Jacobite Steam Train.

Accommodation

You stay in characterful hotels and small-scale addresses that blend naturally into their surroundings.

Profile

Ideal for travellers who want to experience Scotland without rushing, with a focus on landscapes, history and unhurried moments along the way.

Important information:

  • To travel to Scotland, you need a valid international passport. A Belgian identity card is not accepted for entry into the United Kingdom.
  • Travellers must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival. This can be done through the official UK government website (gov.uk) (ETA) or via the UK ETA app. Avoid unofficial websites. The ETA costs £16 per person and approval may take up to three working days. Prefer that we arrange this for you? We’re happy to take care of it as soon as we have your passport details.

Day 1: Arrival in Edinburgh

After landing, a private driver brings you into the city. As soon as you enter Edinburgh, you feel its unique energy: elegant, historic and slightly mysterious. Stroll through the New Town with its grand façades and charming cafés, or slip into the Old Town where narrow lanes whisper stories. Settle down on Princes Street or in the green belt surrounding the castle. Your Scottish journey begins gently and effortlessly.

Day 2: Discover Edinburgh

Today you get to know Edinburgh more intimately. Edinburgh Castle towers over the city and tells tales of kings, battles and centuries of tradition. Walk along the Royal Mile past artisans, street performers and historic buildings until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse, with its serene gardens and abbey ruins. Looking for a moment of calm? The Royal Botanic Garden offers a peaceful green escape with views over the skyline.

Day 3: From Edinburgh to the Highlands – Perth, Scone Palace & Braemar

The road towards the Highlands feels like a transition into another Scotland. In Perth, wander through charming streets beside the river. Just outside the city lies Scone Palace, for centuries the stage of royal coronations.

Further north, forests, hills and open landscapes appear. Those who wish can stop in Blair Atholl or visit Blair Castle, known for its white façade and deep-rooted family history. Your day ends in Braemar, a village surrounded by dramatic mountains and quiet glens.

Day 4: Cairngorms National Park & atmospheric Balmoral

Today you explore the calm and beauty of the Cairngorms: mountains, forests and open moorland stretching endlessly into the distance. Stop wherever the landscape calls you: viewpoints, walking trails or peaceful rivers.

A special moment awaits at Balmoral, the cherished Scottish residence of the Royal Family. The gardens, hills and stories give the estate an understated charm.

Day 5: Aberdeen & Dunnottar Castle

As you head towards the coast, Aberdeen appears in shimmering granite. The city feels lively, elegant and full of history. But the highlight of the day lies further south: Dunnottar Castle. The dramatic ruins stand high on a cliff, with the North Sea crashing below. The walk toward the castle and the sweeping views are pure poetry.

Day 6: Whisky traditions, Culloden Battlefield & atmospheric Cawdor Castle

In Speyside, you discover the essence of Scottish whisky. A visit to a traditional cooperage reveals the craftsmanship that shapes the barrels from generation to generation. Not far away lies Culloden Battlefield, a place that invites reflection. Stories of the final Jacobite uprising resonate deeply. You end the day at Cawdor Castle, surrounded by beautiful gardens and steeped in legend.

Day 7: Along the North Coast 500

Today you travel a stunning stretch of the North Coast 500, one of the world’s most iconic scenic routes. In Dornoch, a peaceful, timeless atmosphere reigns thanks to the beach and the old cathedral. Next comes Dunrobin Castle, a storybook sight. The gardens, the sea and the falconry display create a breathtaking setting.

Day 8: Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & the Great Glen

The road along Loch Ness winds through a landscape of dark waters and lush hillsides. At Urquhart Castle, you enjoy one of the finest views over the loch, a place where history, silence and photography come together effortlessly. You then board a boat for a tranquil cruise filled with stories, legends and sweeping horizons. The day ends in Fort William, surrounded by Scotland’s highest mountains.

Day 9: The world-famous Jacobite Steam Train

Today you board the Jacobite Steam Train for a journey through the wild heart of the Highlands. The crossing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct feels cinematic yet entirely real. Below, Loch Shiel sparkles while the mountains unfold in full splendour. The entire ride radiates nostalgia and wonder.

Day 10: Glencoe, Inveraray & Loch Lomond

Glencoe is a place that truly moves you: rugged, grand and steeped in history. A short walk allows you to feel the valley up close. In Inveraray, enjoy elegant streets along Loch Fyne.

You continue to the serene Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. A stop in Luss feels like a dream scene, with stone cottages and views across the water.

Day 11: Stirling & return to Edinburgh

Your journey concludes in Stirling, once the strategic heart of Scotland. The castle rises above the town and offers a magnificent panorama. It is a place filled with stories of heroes, battles and national pride.

You then return to Edinburgh Airport and say goodbye to a country generous in landscapes, impressions and warmth.

What budget should you expect?

For this journey, expect an indicative price from €9,600 for 2 people. This price includes international flights, car rental, and accommodation in a room with breakfast and depends on your travel dates, hotel selection, and any extras such as excursions or extensions.

Why book with Caractère?

Best travel period

Jan
1 - 5°C
343mm
Feb
1 - 5°C
307mm
Mar
1 - 7°C
123mm
Apr
3 - 10°C
55mm
May
6 - 13°C
77mm
Jun
9 - 16°C
72mm
Jul
10 - 17°C
87mm
Aug
10 - 16°C
91mm
Sep
8 - 15°C
85mm
Oct
6 - 11°C
151mm
Nov
3 - 7°C
130mm
Dec
1 - 6°C
236mm
Contact us for your tailor-made trip
Caractère NV Korte Keppestraat 19
B-9320 Erembodegem, Aalst
053/63 00 77 info@caractere.be BE0474.874.188 Conditions Disclaimer Privacy Offer Login B2B
Copyright © 2026 Caractère. All rights reserved. Website by Servico Aanmelden