A 7-day Classic Scotland Itinerary

Day 1 / Edinburgh to Stirling

Starting in Edinburgh head north to Stirling via the Firth of Forth. First, on your 7-day Scotland Itinerary is visiting the stunning town of South Queensferry. Whilst you could spend a day admiring the Forth Bridges, the best view of the bridge is from just outside the town on the road to the village of Newton. Look out for the car park on the right-hand side, but watch for traffic as you turn.

After a few snaps head to Blackness Castle, just west along the A904. Blackness Castle, otherwise known as the ‘ship that never sailed’ was also used as Fort William in the TV series Outlander.

Leaving Blackness, it is time to join the M9 motorway for a visit to the largest equine sculpture in the world – The Kelpies. Set beside the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk, there is also a cafe on-site for a morning pick me up.

Returning to the M9 motorway head towards northwards to explore the historic town of Stirling with its famous castle and the Wallace Monument. Stirling is your base for the night, so park up before you head off to explore Stirling’s Old Town. I’ll leave it to you to decide which castle is better – Edinburgh, Blackness or Stirling!

Day 1 / Itinerary

• Driving time: Edinburgh to Stirling – 1 hour
• Visit: Forth Bridges, Blackness Castle, The Kelpies
• You might also want to visit: Linlithgow Palace, The Wallace Monument, and the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre.
• Where to stay in Stirling*

Day 2 / Stirling to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Leaving Stirling behind it’s time to head into the beautiful Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, but on the way, you have a few options for stops on your 7-day Classic Scotland Itinerary.

For Outlander fans, Castle Leoch otherwise known as Doune Castle is just to the north of Stirling, and to the west Inchmahome Priory sits peacefully on Scotland’s only lake.

If you prefer to head straight to Loch Lomond take the A811 to Balloch. Loch Lomond is the UK largest inland stretch of water, and the best views of the loch, in my opinion, are from the east side of the Loch.

Visit the tiny (but popular in the summer) villages of Rowardennan and Balmaha, find a spot on one of the beaches or get active climbing Conic Hill for incredible views of the Loch – and to spot your first Highland Coo.

For those who fancy bagging a Munro (a Scottish mountain over 3000ft) then try the 3195ft high Ben Lomond.

Read my guide to all the things to do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Day 2 / 7-day Scotland Itinerary

• Stirling to Loch Lomond Driving time – 1 hour.
• Itinerary – Doune Castle or Inchmaholm Priory, Loch Lomond, Conic Hill
• Other stops you might like: Blair Drummond Safari Park and Glengoyne Distillery.
• Where to stay at Loch Lomond*

Day 3 / Loch Lomond to Fort William and Glencoe

Day 4 & 5 / Fort William to Loch Ness

From Fort William head north to Fort Augustus and Loch Ness where you can watch the boats sail down the Caledonian Canal and tackle the huge flight of locks. I recommend taking a boat trip out on to Loch Ness to spot Nessie and see Urquhart Castle. Cruise Loch Ness also run RIBs (fast speed boats) that whizz up the loch – great fun.

I recommend staying a second night so you can take the time to drive up to Eilean Donan – Scotland’s most famous castle! It is a 1-hour drive from Fort Augustus.

You could also explore Glenfinnan to watch the Harry Potter train go over the viaduct or visit the eight canal locks at Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal.

Mountaineers won’t want to miss climbing Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.

Day 4 & 5 / 7-day Scotland Itinerary

• Fort William to Loch Ness Driving time – 50 minutes
• Itinerary – Loch Ness boat trip
• Where to stay in Fort Augustus*