Are you ready for a summer journey in Scotland filled with charming towns, dramatic landscapes, whisky tastings, and, of course, adorable Highland cows?
Our trip, which took place in August, was a whirlwind of fun, adventure, and scenic drives. I can’t wait to share all the details with you. Join me as I recount our unforgettable road trip through the stunning Scottish Highlands.
Getting Started: Edinburgh to Pitlochry
Our Scottish adventure began with a summer city break in Edinburgh, but we quickly hit the road after a few days to begin our Highland road trip. Our first stop was Pitlochry, a charming town where we spent two lovely nights.
After picking up our rental car, we made a detour to Scone Castle for a visit and (it goes without saying...) a scone! The weather, which had been sunny in Edinburgh, turned to rain as soon as we hit the road. Luckily, it didn’t dampen our spirits.
We checked into the Craigmhor Pitlochry hotel, where our two-night stay cost £387. My favorite part about our stay was the fact that the hotel serves their porridge at breakfast with an optional shot of whisky (a fun, albeit boozy, surprise)!
One of the highlights of Pitlochry was our whisky tasting at Blair Athol Distillery. The tour cost £38 for two adults. The tour was fascinating, and tasting three different drams was a treat.
We also booked a lovely dinner at Fern Cottage Restaurant including some comforting and warming local dishes.
The next day, we explored the town, taking a hike along the River Tummel near Loch Faskally. The Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder were a nice centerpiece to our walk.
There is a small charity bookshop in the Pitlochry train station if you are looking for a cheap holiday read.
We ended up having a final dinner at Cidsin Indian Bistro which was walking distance from our hotel.
Blair Castle and the Road to Inverness
Next up on our Highlands road trip, we headed to Blair Castle. The walled gardens were immense and included a pond presided over by cherub sculptures. But my favorite part was definitely seeing the "Highland Coos."
I brought my camera with the 60x zoom, so I was able to get some great Highland Cow portraits. These "coos" are some of the cutest creatures I’ve ever seen!
We also explored the castle itself with its cool displays of china and weaponry. After the castle, we stopped at the House of Bruar for some Scottish treats before hitting the road to Inverness.
On the way to Inverness, we made an appointment to taste whisky at Tomatin Distillery. The tour cost £30 per person. We toured the distillery and were even able to walk inside an old Mash Tun, which was a very unique experience.
Of course, the best part of the tour was the whisky tasting at the end. Tomatin also provides take away vials for designated drivers so that they can partake in the tasting while being responsible. We checked into our Airbnb on Haugh Road and then spent the afternoon exploring Inverness.
We also stumbled upon the Under Canvas festival and enjoyed listening to some traditional music. It was very windy which meant that the cruise we'd booked on Loch Ness was cancelled, but we drove to Urquhart Castle (£13, timed entry) instead which is situated on the shores of the lake. Unfortunately, we didn't spot the Loch Ness Monster (aside from tourist tack at rest areas along the road).
The sun even came out as we were walking around the Urquhart Castle ruins. After our visit to the ruins, we stopped in Fort Augustus for lunch and managed to snag the last table at The Lock Inn along the canal.
We also stopped on a whim near Invermoriston car park on the way back to Inverness and did a short, scenic hike in the area which I recommend. Such a great place to stop and stretch your legs! We especially enjoyed the waterfalls and historic stone bridges that lent the area a soothing atmosphere.
Inverness and Beyond: Surprises Along the Way
We had a nice time wandering around Inverness on foot. Our AirBnB was a 10-minute walk into the heart of town. We wandered into MacGregor’s just as a band was starting to play. The vibe here was epic!
We also visited Uilebheist Distillery and Brewery which was located near our Airbnb but we weren't nearly as impressed. They seemed to be out of stock of a lot of the craft beers we were hoping to try. The longer walk to MacGregor's was definitely worth the time.
On our drive between Inverness and Fort William, we decided to take a detour to Dalwhinnie Distillery, located in Cairngorms National Park. I ordered a tasting flight of whisky paired with chocolates – divine!
We also stopped at Pattack Falls for a short hike en route to Fort William. We saw Laggan Dam on the map, but it turned out to be abandoned and not really worth the stop.
We did, however, enjoy lunch at Old Station Restaurant in Spean Bridge, where I tried haggis served with oat cakes. It was surprisingly delicious once you get over what you are actually eating (offal mixed with suet and oatmeal).
A Rainy Visit to Fort William
The last stop on our Scottish Highlands road trip was Fort William, where we stayed for two nights. Our B&B had a beautiful view of Loch Linnhe. Our stay at the Lawriestone Guest House cost £320 in total.
The weather was terrible in Fort William (it was raining non-stop) but the Black Isle Bar was an ideal spot for a comforting pizza and craft beer dinner.
We booked a table at Crannog at Garrison West, but our table wasn’t ready at the time of our booking, and we had to wait more than 30 minutes.
We also visited Neptune’s Staircase, a series of locks in Banavie. I was fascinated to see sailboats patiently navigating their way up the steep set of locks.
On the way back to Fort William, we stopped at The Highland Soap Company Visitor Centre & Larder Cafe for coffee and some warming soup. We combined that with a casual browse for souvenirs.
Afterwards, we stopped for a wee dram at Ben Nevis Distillery to warm ourselves from our cold rainy walk. Both these activities are good rainy day fallbacks if the weather necessitates a move indoors like it did for us.
The popular Jacobite Steam Train departs from Fort William. However, we weren't sure if we wanted to spend our short time in the area on the train and by the time we seriously considered it, the train was sold out.
The Return Journey to Edinburgh
On our drive back to Edinburgh we drove through Glencoe National Nature Reserve which was nothing short of spectacular. Even though the weather was a bit miserable, with plenty of rain, the mountains were breathtaking with waterfalls streaming down from all the recent downpours.
The scenery was dramatic and the whole area felt like something from a movie. There were many viewpoints along the road, but it was tricky to find a spot to stop, as the parking areas were often full. We were visiting during the high tourist season in August, after all.
We did manage to avail of the parking lot at the Glencoe Mountain Resort to grab a coffee and use the restroom, which was a welcome respite since amenities were limited in the area.
All in all, it was a memorable drive through some truly stunning scenery, although I would plan for more time to explore next time and perhaps go in the off season when there are fewer crowds.
As we got closer to Edinburgh, there were more people and amenities to be found. We also spotted some Highland Cows at the side of the road and I made my husband turn around and go back so we could check them out more closely.
The cows were located at Trossachs Woolen Mill, which was another good spot to stop and use the loo on the drive between Fort William and Edinburgh.
Stirling is a large town and we found it be a good spot to stretch our legs on the way back to Edinburgh.
We had previously visiting Stirling and Stirling Castle as a day trip on weekend break from Glasgow so we focused on taking a walk in and doing a little door spotting this time. My regular readers know that door photography is my jam.
We returned our rental car to Hertz at Edinburgh airport and stayed at the Moxy for the night before our early flight the next day.
Key Highlights and Takeaways:
- Whisky Tasting: Don’t miss the opportunity to tour and taste whisky at distilleries like Blair Athol (£38 for two adults), Tomatin (£30 per person), and Dalwhinnie. Be sure to book ahead!
- Highland Cows: Keep your eyes peeled for these adorable creatures. They're truly an iconic highlight of any trip to the Scottish Highlands.
- Flexibility: Be prepared for unpredictable summer weather (bring some warm, waterproof layers) and be ready to change your plans as needed.
- Scenic Drives: The drives through the Highlands are just as much a part of the experience as the destinations themselves. Take your time and enjoy the views.
- Book in Advance: Especially during the busy summer months, it's a good idea to book accommodations, tours, and popular restaurants in advance to avoid disappointment.
This summer road trip in Scotland was more than just a vacation; it was an experience that combined culture, history, nature, and, of course, some delicious whisky!
If you’re planning an August adventure to the Scottish Highlands, I highly recommend following in our footsteps (or tire tracks?) This is a side to the UK that you won’t soon forget!
Scottish Highlands tl;dr:
High Level Itinerary
- August 19: Drove from Edinburgh Airport to Pitlochry (about 90 minutes without stops)
- August 21: Departed for Inverness (about 90 minutes without stops)
- August 24: Drove to Fort William (about 2 hours without stops)
- August 26: Returned to Edinburgh Airport (about 3 hours without stops).
- August 27: Fly out early morning from Edinburgh Airport.
.jpg "Facade of Dalwhinnie Distillery in the Scottish Highlands")
Practical Information
- Distillery Tours/Tasting:
- Blair Athol: £38 for two adults
- Tomatin: £30 per person
- Dalwhinnie: order the whisky and chocolate pairing
- Rental Car: Nissan Qashqai (or similar): £367.76 for the duration of our road trip
- Urquhart Castle: £13 (timed entry)
- Accommodation:
- Craigmhor Pitlochry hotel: £387 (total for 2 nights)
- Lawriestone Guest House in Fort William: £320 (total for 2 nights)
Additional Recommendations
- We highly recommend a stop at the Tomatin Distillery even for non-whisky drinkers. The tour is very informative.
- The Lock Inn is a fantastic spot for a casual lunch with a lovely view of the canal after visiting Urquhart Castle.
- If the weather is bad in Inverness, browse around Leakey’s Bookshop or grab a sneaky pint at MacGregor's.
- The Black Isle Bar in Fort William is an ideal spot for a comforting pizza and craft beer dinner.
- The drive through Glencoe National Nature Reserve is spectacular, with plenty of mountains and waterfalls, although parking is limited.
- Be sure to stop at the Trossachs Woolen Mill for a chance to see Highland Cows.
Where to Next?
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