Scotland in 5 days

Highlights:

• Glenfinnan duct
• Fairy pools
• Neist point lighthouse
• Quiraing hike
• Driving through amazing landscapes (especially in Isle of Skyye)
• Edinburgh city
• Whiskey distillery tour (we missed it)

Detailed day-wise plan:

Day 1:

• Land in Glasgow in morning. Pick up rental car from the airport
• Drove to Cameron House hotel for lunch (this is on Lake Lochmond and has a nice view) – can also take sea planes here
• Drove to Glencoe (nice views/ hikes)
• Slept at MacDonald hotel and Cabins (near Glencoe) – pic below – cheap cabins with a great setting but basic rooms

Day 2:

• Drove via Fort William
• Glenfinnan viaduct (Harry Potter fame – pic below): can try to take Jacob’s train but need to book beforehand
• Stayed at Balmacara mains (very nice B&B, overlooking a lake)

Day 3:

• This is when we reached Isle of Skyye (major part of our trip) – took 2 days to reach here but amazing views on the way. Even better views and drive on this island
• Fairy pools (recommended but requires a bit of walk/ light hiking) – pic below
• Neist point lighthouse (Pic below) – highly recommended, small trek to reach this place
• Stayed at Dunvegan at a cheap B&B. Can also consider staying at Achalochan B&B (looked pretty nice)
• Keeps raining lightly almost everyday

day 4:

• Coral beach in the morning – nice walk on the beach but not a must do
• Castle Ewen Fairy Glen – recommended but short visit. unique structure of small hills and nice views
• Quiraing hike – highly recommended. one of the best views but requires some hike. LOTR was partly shot here
• Did a really long drive to reach back to Perth (1 hour from Edinburgh) – roads all through are excellent
• We missed it but try to visit a distillery on the way

Day 5:

• Edinburgh (nice city). Key places:
  • Edinburgh castle (decent)
  • Scotch whiskey experience tour (Great if you missed visiting a distillery)
  • National museum of scotland (very nice)
  • St Giles Cathedral (great views from outside and inside)
  • Royal botanical garden (okayish  – can skip)
  • palace of holyroodhouse (we missed it as it was closed)
  • Arthur’s seat – great hike which we missed because we didnt have time
• Fly back to London