If it's your first time in Scotland, you'll most probably select to land in Edinburgh and work your means north to the Highlands, perhaps over to St Andrews, then maybe as much as otherworldly northern isles like Skye. Southern Scotland actually lives within the Scottish Highlands' shadow.
However the dramatic sea cliffs, rolling countryside and star-speckled skies this nation is understood for additionally reign supreme within the south – to not point out the area's accessibility to Scotland's two greatest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. In case your arrow is pulling you in the wrong way from most vacationers, observe this five-day street journey itinerary exploring the underdog half's highlights.
When to reach: Fly into Glasgow the night time (or day, in case you want extra time like me) earlier than you need your Scottish journey to formally start, giving your self a jet lag adjustment interval relying on the place you're coming from.
Find out how to get into Glasgow from the airport: It takes 20-Half-hour to get into Glasgow from Glasgow Airport. You’ll be able to board the Glasgow Airport Categorical on the predominant terminal – a shuttle (£10.50 per grownup) that can take you on to Buchanan St Station within the metropolis middle. There are additionally taxis ready exterior, which is able to set you again £30-40.
Getting round: In Glasgow, you may depend on public transportation. In case you're basing your self within the metropolis middle, most main websites are very walkable or bus-friendly. Take the Subway (nicknamed “the Clockwork Orange” attributable to its colour and round route form) to get between the middle and the West Finish. For the remainder of this journey, your personal set of wheels is a should (it’s a street journey, in any case!). In case you are touring with a bunch, Rabbie's organizes fabulous excursions, together with customized itineraries.
What to pack: Identical to onions and ogres, an acceptable outfit in Scotland has layers. Sweaters, a jacket, a heat hat and sneakers that work for indoor and outside actions are musts. So, deliver sun shades and sunscreen – sure, even in Scotland! The south sometimes will get extra nice climate, particularly within the excessive and shoulder seasons.
Day 1: Get to know Glasgow
Vibes: Scotland's greatest, grittiest and most underrated metropolis.
Do: Begin your day at Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery and Museum and discover its in depth galleries, with works starting from Rembrandts to Viking-era carved stones. Then take a stroll across the adjoining Kelvingrove Park, wandering over to the College of Glasgow – its Gothic structure bears a placing resemblance to Hogwarts. When you've completed lunch (see beneath), head east to Glasgow Cathedral and wander the hilly Necropolis behind it. From the highest, you'll uncover incredible views of the whole metropolis.
Eat: Waterproof coat on the Willow is the final remaining tea room in Glasgow designed by Charles Rennie Waterproof coat, serving tea to all lessons of parents since 1903. You’ll be able to ebook a guided tour and go to the museum subsequent door to be taught its story earlier than sitting down for afternoon tea with all of the trimmings. There are different Willow tea rooms throughout town, however you'll discover the unique actual deal on Sauchiehall St. For dinner, Mharsanta's trendy Scottish menu is a comfortable selection.
Keep: Because you're solely right here for in the future, maximize your time getting from place to position and keep within the metropolis middle. The Handle simply opened in 2024 and is a trendy, ideally positioned and comparatively inexpensive choice.
Day 2: Go fort hopping round Fife
Vibes: Journey again to the heights of Scottish clan historical past.
The drive: At the present time journey follows a loop that begins and ends in Glasgow (though you might technically wrap up the day in Edinburgh in case you desire). Head out early, as you'll wish to linger at every cease, getting misplaced within the many rooms and tales (literal and figurative) of each fort. It's round a 30 to 50-minute drive between stops.
Do: Right this moment's journey shouldn’t be solely historic but additionally cinematic – every cease additionally options filming places from fashionable films and exhibits like Outlander, Outlaw King, Monty Python and extra. Word that you’ll want to pay for a ticket at every fort, round £5-10 every.
First, head to Doune Fort, whose exterior you could acknowledge from that Trojan Rabbit scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Decide into the listening information, as you'll achieve much more perception as you wander the property. Subsequent, head to the lovely village of Falkland, featured within the opening scene of Outlander and in addition the place you'll discover Falkland Fort, a rustic residence of the Stuart monarchs.
Seize lunch in Falkland (see beneath), and proceed to Midhope Fort (Outlander followers, you'll acknowledge this one). Whereas the construction shouldn’t be presently steady sufficient to enter, visitors could roam round exterior. Thrilling plans are additionally in place to construct a distillery on the property.
Subsequent up, Blackness Fort, which for a lot of its historical past served as a jail (a complicated jail at that – the views from the highest are extraordinary). Wrap up the day in Culross, a former royal burgh with peaceable, cobblestone streets, colourful properties with red-tile roofs and romantic passageways to get misplaced in. Pop into Culross Palace for a tour to maintain up the royal theme.
Eat: Keep for lunch in Falkland at Campbell's Home. After a day of driving, snag a reservation at The Gannet for a much-deserved meal of tremendous Scottish eating.
Keep: Head again to your Glasgow lodging to relaxation up earlier than your journey to Loch Lomond tomorrow.
Day 3: Frolic round Loch Lomond
Vibes: Superb nature and freshwater adventures.
The drive: It's a 45-minute to Loch Lomond from Glasgow's middle, however don't overlook to issue in additional time in case you're staying on the northern finish of the lake.
Do: Kayak, paddleboard, hike – revel within the lake's pure magnificence! Then search for lake monsters on a ship trip – both a flowery champagne cruise, or take the ferry to Inchmurrin, which has a singular bar and inn.
Eat: Get pleasure from an Italian lunch when you watch the marina visitors on the water at La Vista at Cameron Home. For dinner, head to Clachan Inn, the nation's oldest licensed pub, for classically hearty Scottish dishes.
Keep: Cameron Home is peak lakeside luxurious, by means of which you can even ebook loads of fabulous experiences, like seaplane excursions, lake cruises, 4×4 adventures and extra. Close by, Duck Bay Resort is a superb mid-range waterfront choice. And in case you actually wish to embrace the lake tradition, camp shoreside at Sallochy Campsite.
Day 4: Discover Ayrshire and stargaze in Galloway Forest Park
Vibes: Pretty seaside drives, emerald golf programs and quiet, magical skies.
The drive: Hug the coast of Ayrshire (A77) on this seaside drive. Cease in Troon for lunch (see beneath), after which head southeast to Dumfries and Galloway.
Do: After a teary farewell to Loch Lomond, drive an hour south to Dean Fort Nation Park, which is totally free to enter, together with its attractive namesake fort. Stretch your legs on one of many marked trails earlier than hitting the street once more for some of the scenic views of the whole journey alongside A77, the place you may look out throughout the Firth of Clyde. Take a break in Troon, well-known amongst golf lovers and a frequent host of the British Open (most not too long ago in 2024).
Proceed driving and cease within the seaside village of Dunure, the place you may stroll to its clifftop medieval fort, stroll the pebbly seashore beneath and admire the beautiful harbor. After you've gotten your fill of sea breezes and sunshine, head to Galloway Forest Park, the primary Darkish Sky Park within the UK, for some epic stargazing – hundreds upon hundreds of stars! Higher but, ebook an tour with a Freelance Darkish Sky Ranger, like Elizabeth Tindal, for additional perception on constellations, planets and the rest you would possibly catch whizzing throughout the night time sky.
Eat: In Dunure, seize a chew to eat at Harborside… and eat it harborside. Or cease at Marine Troon for an outstanding meal at one of many resort's eating places: The Rabbit or The Seal Bar (the latter is extra informal).
Keep: We’re in a nationwide forest, so it solely appears becoming to go glamping simply exterior the park on the Dumfries & Galloway Conifer Lodges – sizzling tub and trendy kitchen home equipment included.
Day 5: Meander by means of the Scottish Borders and finish in North Berwick
Vibes: Unfurling mountains, stately manors and a peaceable seaside city.
The drive: That is the longest driving stretch of the journey – about 2.5 hours through ultra-scenic A708 – however the vacation spot, Traquair Home, is effectively definitely worth the drive. After that, it's a bit over an hour's journey to North Berwick.
Do: Drive by means of the Scottish Borders, with some unbelievable sightseeing exterior your window; in case you got here to Scotland eager to see sheep, prepare. Grazing sheep, sleeping sheep, taking part in sheep, climbing sheep who’ve scrambled so excessive up you may hardly make them out – they're really all over the place alongside this stretch, which is commonly described as some of the scenic locations in Scotland. In case you want a driving break, cease off to hike to the dramatic 60-ft Grey Mare's Story Waterfall. The total hike is about 3 miles, however the first viewpoint is a brief stroll from the parking zone.
Spend a few hours exploring the grounds of Traquair Home, Scotland's oldest inhabited home. Right here, you'll additionally discover precise objects that belonged to Mary Queen of Scots, in addition to a Saltburn-esque maze within the yard. After lunch on the property, hop again into the automotive for the ultimate leg of your journey to East Lothian in North Berwick. Take a slight detour to Seacliff Seashore to observe the sundown earlier than heading to dinner.
Eat: Have a conventional Scottish breakfast sandwich on a conventional Scottish “bap” (or roll) from The Riverbank, conveniently positioned a couple of minutes from the Conifer Lodges. At lunchtime, take pleasure in a sandwich or soup of the day from the Previous Walled Backyard Café at Traquair Home earlier than embarking on the ultimate leg of your drive. Cap off the day with a tremendous Italian dinner at The Garden, the restaurant at Marine North Berwick.
Keep: Desk to mattress, anybody? Relaxation your head in your ultimate night time at Marine North Berwick, perched on the ocean and simply accessible to East Lothian's 21 golf programs, together with the smaller seaside Wee Course within the resort's yard. The rooms are embellished with cozy and nautical particulars, like velvet beds, woodland-inspired wallpaper and bedside tables resembling seashore lockers.
