Route Overview
Nairn → Inverness → Dunrobin Castle → Glen Ord Distillery → Isle of Skye → Talisker Distillery → Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig → Glenfinnan Viaduct → Stirling Castle → Edinburgh → St Andrews
Road Trip Map: Scotland Highlights
Day 1 – Nairn & Culloden Battlefield
Stay: Nairn or Inverness
Drive: Inverness Airport → Nairn (10 mi / 20 min) → Culloden Battlefield (10 mi / 20 min) → return to Nairn (10 mi / 20 min)
Total Drive: ≈ 30 mi / 1 hr
Activities:
- Visit Culloden Battlefield, site of the final Jacobite uprising.
- Nairn Beach walk
Day 2 – Dunrobin Castle & Distilleries
Option 1: Dunrobin Castle & Glen Ord Distillery (Classic Route)
Stay: Nairn or Inverness
Drive: Nairn → Dunrobin Castle (60 mi / 1 hr 30 min) → Glen Ord Distillery (55 mi / 1 hr 15 min) → return to Nairn (30 mi / 45 min)
Total Drive: ~145 miles / 3.5–4 hrs
Activities:
- Explore Dunrobin Castle and watch the falconry show
- Glen Ord Distillery for a whiskey tour and tasting. And one of the few distilleries still malting its own barley.
Tip: Ideal for a balanced sightseeing day without overdoing it on driving (or whisky).
Option 2 – The Speyside Whisky Trail (Dad’s Route)
Drive: Nairn → The Macallan (45 mi / ~1 hr 15 min) → Glenfiddich (16 mi / ~30 min) → The Glenlivet (17 mi / ~35 min) → Return to Nairn (55 mi / ~1 hr 30 min)
Total Drive: ≈ 133 mi / ~3 hrs 45 min
Activities:
Start your morning at The Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, a striking, modern architectural gem with a stunning bar overlooking Speyside.
Continue to Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, home of one of Scotland’s most iconic single malts.
End your day at The Glenlivet Distillery, set in the rolling Cairngorm hills.
💡 Want to skip the driving? Book the Whisky Wheels Distillery Trifecta Tour — it includes hotel pickup, a private driver, and guided visits to all three distilleries. (~$400 per person; worth it for whisky lovers ).
Tip: Speyside is the heart of Scotch country, book tastings ahead, especially in summer.
Day 3 – Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Isle of Skye
Stay: Isle of Skye
Drive: Nairn → Urquhart Castle (45 mi / 1 hr 15 min) → Portree, Isle of Skye (110 mi / 3 hrs 30 min)
Total Drive: ≈ 155 mi / 4.5 – 5 hrs
Activities:
Stop at Loch Ness to search for the famous monster.
Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle, perched dramatically over the loch.
Stop at Eilean Donan Castle on your way to the Isle of Skye.
Scenic drive through the Highlands to the Isle of Skye.
Tip: Pack snacks and playlists , this is one of your longest drive, but also the most scenic.
Day 4 – Isle of Skye Adventures
Stay: Isle of Skye
Drive: Around Skye (~60 mi total / 2–3 hrs)
Total Drive: ≈ 60 mi / 2–3 hrs
Activities:
Hike to the Fairy Pools, short, easy trail with incredible views.
Visit Talisker Distillery for a tasting of smoky, sea-salted whisky.
Tip: The roads are narrow, plan extra time and let the sheep have right of way.
Day 5 – Ferry to Mallaig, Harry Potter Viaduct & Stirling Castle
Stay: Old Town or New Town, Edinburgh
Drive: Portree → Armadale Ferry (50 mi / 1 hr 15 min) → Ferry to Mallaig (45 min) → Glenfinnan Viaduct (20 mi / 35 min) → Stirling Castle (110 mi / 3 hrs) → Edinburgh (35 mi / 1 hr)
Total Drive: ≈ 215 mi / 6 hrs (including ferry)
Activities:
Take the Armadale Ferry to Mallaig.
Stop at the Glenfinnan Viaduct to watch the Harry Potter train cross.
Tour Stirling Castle before arriving in Edinburgh.
Tip: Time your Glenfinnan stop, the Jacobite train crosses mid-morning and early afternoon.
Day 6 – Exploring Edinburgh
Stay: Old Town or New Town, Edinburgh
Drive: None, city is walkable
Activities:
Tour Edinburgh Castle , rich history and views of the city.
Walk the Royal Mile and Victoria Street (aka Diagon Alley inspiration).
Stop at Greyfriars Kirkyard to find Tom Riddle’s gravestone.
Grab coffee at The Elephant House Cafe, where J.K. Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter.
Dinner at a local restaurant and cocktails at Nightcap.
Tip: Bring comfy shoes, Edinburgh’s charm comes with cobblestones and hills.
Day 7 – St Andrews & Farewell to Scotland
Stay: Old Town or New Town, Edinburgh
Drive: Edinburgh → St Andrews (50 mi / 1 hr 30 min) → return to Edinburgh (50 mi / 1 hr 30 min)
Total Drive: ≈ 100 mi / 3 hrs round trip
Activities:
Explore the St Andrews Cathedral ruins and Allan Robertson’s gravesite.
Visit the Old Course and take photos on the iconic Swilcan Bridge.
Walk through The University of St Andrews, where Prince William and Kate Middleton met.
Tip: Arrive early, parking is limited, and St Andrews is best explored before the afternoon crowds.
Download My One-Week Scotland Itinerary (PDF)
