ScottishHighlands
3
Day Itinerary •
UK
Three days in the Scottish Highlands reveal the finest mountain and coastal landscape in Britain. The extraordinary volcanic drama of Glencoe, the summit of Ben Nevis, the most photographed castle in Scotland at Eilean Donan, the Old Man of Storr on Skye, the Culloden Battlefield and the ancient Caledonian pinewoods of the Cairngorms are all within reach of a north-south route through the most extraordinary landscape in these islands. This route drives north from the dark volcanic grandeur of Glencoe through the sea lochs of the western Highlands to the Isle of Skye before turning east to the history and ancient forest of the Cairngorms. Three days that reveal why the Scottish Highlands are the finest wild landscape destination in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Train to Fort William from Glasgow Queen Street, 3.5 hours
Getting Around
Car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 110 to 325 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some Highland walking
DAY 1
GLENCOE AND FORT WILLIAM
MORNING
GLENCOE, THE MOST DRAMATIC GLEN IN SCOTLAND
Glencoe is the most extraordinary mountain landscape in Britain, its three enormous buttresses of the Aonach Eagach ridge and the Three Sisters of Glencoe rising 3,000 feet above the valley floor in walls of dark volcanic rock. The valley was the site of the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 when 38 MacDonalds were killed by government troops. The Lost Valley hidden behind the Three Sisters is the finest short walk in the Highlands. The NTS Visitor Centre is excellent. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
BEN NEVIS AND FORT WILLIAM, THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN BRITAIN
Ben Nevis at 4,413 feet is the highest mountain in the British Isles, its enormous northern cliffs of ancient granite visible from across the Great Glen. The summit path from the Ben Nevis Inn at Achintee takes 4 to 5 hours return for fit walkers with appropriate kit. The view from the summit over 100 miles in all directions is extraordinary in clear conditions. Fort William is the outdoor capital of Scotland. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE COMMANDO MEMORIAL AND THE GREAT GLEN
The Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge is the finest war memorial in Scotland, its bronze figures of three commandos gazing over the Great Glen towards Ben Nevis with an extraordinary dignity. The training ground of the Special Forces in World War II lies in the surrounding hills. The Great Glen itself, the extraordinary fault line running from Fort William to Inverness, is visible from the memorial in its entire 60-mile length. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lost Valley of Glencoe, a hidden corrie behind the Three Sisters accessible by a 2-hour return walk through extraordinary narrow gorges and over ancient boulders, is the most dramatic hidden walk in the Scottish Highlands. The valley floor, invisible from the main road below, was used by the MacDonalds to hide their cattle from raiders. In winter the approach gully fills with ice and the valley is accessible only to winter mountaineers. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Clachag Inn, Glencoe Outstanding Highland breakfast at the finest walkers inn in Glencoe. The porridge is extraordinary. | Lunch: Crannog Seafood Restaurant, Fort William The finest seafood in the western Highlands. Outstanding fresh langoustines and West Coast crab. | Dinner: Lime Tree, Fort William The finest restaurant in Fort William. Outstanding seasonal Highland menu and local venison.
DAY 2
THE ISLE OF SKYE
MORNING
EILEAN DONAN CASTLE, THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED CASTLE IN SCOTLAND
Eilean Donan Castle on its island at the meeting of three sea lochs is the most extraordinary castle setting in Scotland and one of the most photographed buildings in Britain. The original castle dates from the 13th century and was rebuilt in the early 20th century after destruction by a Royal Navy frigate in 1719. The interior contains extraordinary Jacobite relics. Entry approx 12 pounds. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE KYLE OF LOCHALSH AND THE ISLE OF SKYE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ISLAND IN BRITAIN
The Isle of Skye, accessible across the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh, is the most extraordinary island in Britain, its extraordinary Black Cuillin mountains, the Old Man of Storr pinnacle, the Fairy Pools and the extraordinary Quiraing landslip making it the finest landscape island in the British Isles. The 30-mile drive from the bridge to Portree reveals a new extraordinary view at every bend. Entry free throughout Skye. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
THE STORR AND THE OLD MAN OF STORR, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PINNACLE IN BRITAIN
The Old Man of Storr, a 160-foot basalt pinnacle rising from the extraordinary basalt scarp of the Trotternish Ridge, is the most photographed natural feature in Scotland. The walk from the car park takes 45 minutes through extraordinary moorland. The view from the base of the Old Man over the Sound of Raasay and the mainland mountains is extraordinary. Arrive before 9am to avoid the crowds. Entry free, parking approx 3 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Fairy Glen near Uig on the Trotternish Peninsula is one of the most extraordinary hidden landscapes in Britain, a miniature landscape of extraordinary conical hills, spiral stone formations and hidden lochs created by ancient landslips in the basalt plateau. The extraordinary landscape, covering barely half a mile, feels like a different country from the large-scale grandeur of the rest of Skye. Accessible by a 10-minute walk from the Fairy Glen car park. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Eilean Donan Cafe Simple outstanding breakfast at the castle cafe before the doors open to other visitors. | Lunch: The Harbour Inn, Portree Outstanding West Coast seafood in the finest harbour town on Skye. Local langoustines are extraordinary. | Dinner: Scorrybreac, Portree The finest restaurant on Skye. Outstanding local venison, Skye langoustines and Isle of Mull cheese.
DAY 3
INVERNESS AND THE CAIRNGORMS
MORNING
INVERNESS AND CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD, WHERE SCOTLAND'S FATE WAS DECIDED
The Battle of Culloden in April 1746 was the last pitched battle on British soil and the event that ended the Jacobite rising and transformed the Scottish Highlands forever. The extraordinary NTS battlefield site with its new visitor centre, the clan grave markers, the Leanach Cottage where the wounded sheltered and the remarkable memorial cairn give the finest account of any battlefield in Britain. Entry to visitor centre approx 13 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LOCH NESS AND THE GREAT GLEN, SCOTLAND'S MOST FAMOUS WATER
Loch Ness contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. The extraordinary 23-mile drive along its western shore on the B862, far superior to the busy A82, gives the finest views over the loch. Urquhart Castle on its headland above the water is the finest ruined castle in the Highlands, its extraordinary setting and the views down the loch to the southwest extraordinary. Entry to castle approx 10 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE CAIRNGORMS AND THE FINEST ANCIENT FOREST IN BRITAIN
The Cairngorm plateau is the largest sub-Arctic landscape in Britain and one of the finest wild landscapes in Europe. The Caledonian pine forest at Rothiemurchus near Aviemore is the finest surviving ancient Scots pine forest in Scotland, its extraordinary gnarled pines, red squirrels, ospreys and capercaillie making it the finest wildlife habitat in Britain. The walk from Loch Morlich into the Rothiemurchus forest is extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Corrieyairack Pass, a military road built by General Wade in 1731 across the Monadhliath Mountains between Fort Augustus and the Spey Valley, is the most extraordinary and least known ancient road in the Highlands. The 23-mile crossing reaches 2,500 feet and gives extraordinary views over an entirely uninhabited landscape. The road was described by Queen Victoria as the finest drive she had ever taken. Accessible by 4WD or on foot. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Contrast Brasserie, Inverness Outstanding Scottish breakfast in the finest independent restaurant in Inverness. | Lunch: Fiddler's, Drumnadrochit Outstanding Highland lunch near Loch Ness. Local venison and Cairngorm ales. | Dinner: The Cross, Kingussie The finest restaurant in the Cairngorms. Outstanding seasonal Highland menu. Book ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Fort William, Night 1 Inverlochy Castle or The Alexandra. Approx 100 to 350 GBP per night. Portree, Skye, Night 2 Bosville Hotel or Cuillin Hills Hotel. Approx 100 to 200 GBP per night. Inverness or Aviemore, Night 3 Rocpool Reserve or Aultmore House. Approx 90 to 200 GBP per night.
Top Tips
1. Glencoe Lost Valley: wear walking boots, the path is rough and can be slippery. Allow 2.5 hours return.
2. Ben Nevis summit attempt: check the weather forecast. The mountain kills experienced walkers in bad conditions.
3. Old Man of Storr: arrive before 8am in summer. The car park fills by 9am. The walk before dawn is extraordinary.
4. Eilean Donan Castle: photograph from the bridge approach at golden hour. The reflection is extraordinary.
5. Culloden Battlefield: allow 2 hours with the visitor centre. The audio guide is the finest in Scotland.
6. Midges: June to August in the western Highlands. Bring Smidge repellent. Worth it for the landscape.
Total Budget
110 to 320 GBP/day