Loading
Phone1800 960 693AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

11-Day Scotland Self-Drive Tour

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

Embark on a road trip around bonnie Scotland which will take you from cosmopolitan Glasgow up to Oban, the Hebrides, Skye, Inverness and back down to Edinburgh. Your self-drive tour will be an unforgettable experience as you navigate your way through Scotland's Highlands.

Journey over the sea to Skye; admire the beauty of Loch Ness while looking for its monster; experience royalty on your way to St Andrew's, and be utterly charmed by the old town of Edinburgh on this self-drive tour!

By renting your own car for your Scotland self-drive tour you'll have time to stop on the shores of Scotland's many lochs and breathe in the fresh cool air and explore some of the country's most renowned castles while learning their history.
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts
Cruising
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Scotland

Hide details accordion
Arrival in Scotland

Welcome to bonnie Scotland! Pick up your car at Edinburgh Airport and take a short drive to Glasgow. You'll check in to the hotel in the afternoon. Take some time to explore at your own pace for the rest of the day, or you can get some well-deserved rest in the hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Holiday Inn Express Glasgow City Centre Riverside3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    GlasgowOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Glasgow

Day 2

Glasgow Walking Tour

Hide details accordion
Glasgow Walking Tour

Join a guided walking tour of Glasgow today and see the cathedral, magnificent George Square and the River Clyde, the former heart of the shipbuilding industry. Glasgow's success as a city was in industrialism, however, its fame came from its creativity - Glasgow is home to some of Scotland's most famous artists. Today, you'll see both sides!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Holiday Inn Express Glasgow City Centre Riverside3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Walking Tour in Glasgow

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Glasgow

Day 3

Start Your Scotland Self-Drive Tour to Oban via Loch Lomond

Hide details accordion
Start Your Scotland Self-Drive Tour to Oban via Loch Lomond

Leave Glasgow and drive north along the banks of Loch Lomond that look out across the peaks of the Highlands. You'll stop for a short cruise to appreciate the beauty of this famous loch. Then travel across the mountains to visit Inveraray Castle. This imposing Campbell family home, with its four conical spires, was built between 1746 and 1789. Continue your drive to Oban on the west coast where you'll stop for the day. Finish with a tour of Oban Distillery to learn about whiskey with a tasting.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Falls of Lora Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National ParkRequest to Book

    Sweeney's Cruise on Loch Lomond

    Inveraray Castle

    Oban Distillery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Glasgow to Oban

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Glasgow

    Scotland

    Balloch

    Inveraray

    Oban

Day 4

A Day Trip to Mull & Iona

Hide details accordion
A Day Trip to Mull & Iona

Take a ferry ride from Oban to the Isle of Mull, one of the most beautiful isles in the Hebrides. After a scenic drive through the mountains of Mull take another ferry to the peaceful Isle of Iona, the burial place of many Scottish kings. Visit Iona Abbey, where St. Columba founded Scotland’s first Christian settlement in the 6th century. Then enjoy some free time exploring anywhere else you wish to see before returning to Oban.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Falls of Lora Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Iona Abbey

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Oban to Iona

    Ferry from Oban to Craignure

    Ferry from Fionnphort to Iona

    Ferry from Iona to Fionnphort

    Ferry from Craignure to Oban

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Scotland

Day 5

Travel Over the Sea to Skye From Oban

Hide details accordion
Travel Over the Sea to Skye From Oban

Travel the scenic “Road to the Isles” passing Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument. You'll take the ferry across to the Isle of Skye, often called the “Misty Isle” due to the showers that drift across the mountains. Finish the day by visiting the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle to discover the history of the clans of the region.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Inn at Àird a' Bhàsair

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Oban to Skye

    Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Scotland

Day 6

A Full-Day Tour of the Isle of Skye

Hide details accordion
A Full-Day Tour of the Isle of Skye

Spend the whole day touring the Isle of Skye. Travel to Dunvegan Castle, the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years, making it the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Drive alongside the dramatic Trotternish Ridge and stop at Mealt Waterfall and the Kilt Rock. Then, continue to the most westerly point on Skye and walk to Neist Point Lighthouse along the most dramatic sea cliffs in Scotland, surrounded by sea birds.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Inn at Àird a' Bhàsair

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

    Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls Viewpoint

    Neist Point Lighthouse

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Skye to Skye

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Scotland

Day 7

Drive From the Isle of Skye to Inverness

Hide details accordion
Drive From the Isle of Skye to Inverness

You'll take the Skye Bridge back to the mainland where you'll see your next stop in the distance, Eilean Donan Castle. As the main lookout for this corner of Scotland, the castle's historic merit has earned its well-known reputation - it's most recognised castle in all of Scotland. The self-drive tour continues towards the capital of the Highlands, Inverness where you'll stop for the night. Early evening, you'll have time to discover Inverness at your leisure.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mercure Inverness Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Eilean Donan Castle

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Skye to Inverness

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Scotland

    Kyle of Lochalsh

    Inverness

Day 8

Self-Drive Day Trip to Loch Ness

Hide details accordion
Self-Drive Day Trip to Loch Ness

Hop in your rental car this morning to visit Scotland's most famous loch! Make your way to the Loch Ness Visitors Centre where you'll learn about the history of the loch and be introduced to the story of its monster. Take a cruise on the lake and spend the day on the shores of this famous and beautiful lake - keep an eye out for Nessie! Your time here will allow you to discover more about the legends and lore that surround the loch and the beautiful scenery that surrounds it.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mercure Inverness Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Loch NessRequest to Book

    Loch Ness Cruise

    Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Inverness to Inverness

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Inverness

    Scotland

    Drumnadrochit

Day 9

Inverness to Edinburgh via Balmoral and St. Andrews

Hide details accordion
Inverness to Edinburgh via Balmoral and St. Andrews

Back in your car this morning, you'll make your way to the capital with the option of some stops on the way. Visit Balmoral Castle, the summer home of the Royal Family in the Highlands or Braemar if the Queen is there! Continue south into Fife and down the east coast to St Andrews, the “home of Golf”. Wander around the charming cobbled streets of the medieval town and perhaps visit the British Golf Museum to learn more. Press on towards Edinburgh in the late afternoon.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Balmoral Castle

    British Golf Museum

    St Andrews

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Inverness to Edinburgh

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Inverness

    Scotland

    Saint Andrews

    Edinburgh

Day 10

Walking Tour of Edinburgh

Hide details accordion
Walking Tour of Edinburgh

The best way to be introduced to Edinburgh is by joining a walking tour. With a guide, you'll be taken to the heart of the old town, walking up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. Visiting inside the castle grounds overlooking the city, you'll hear the stories of the castle and the Stone of Scone. For the remainder of the day, you can explore the bustling Princes Street and the wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town where the city's best shopping is found.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Royal Mile

    Edinburgh Walking Tour

    Edinburgh Castle

    Edinburgh New TownOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Edinburgh

Day 11

Departure from Edinburgh

Hide details accordion
Departure from Edinburgh

Say farewell to Scotland as you make your own way to the airport and return your car.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Edinburgh to Edinburgh Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Edinburgh

Included in Price

  • 10 nights accommodation
  • 18 activities
  • 10 breakfasts
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners