Remote Scotland

Scotland in 5 days

Five days is enough for the classic first Highlands trip: Glencoe, Skye and Loch Ness, with two nights on the island so you get one full day there.

The Quiraing landslip on the Trotternish peninsula, Isle of Skye
The Quiraing, Trotternish, Isle of Skye. Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Last checked 11 November 2026. Timetables, prices and opening dates change: check the operator before you travel.

At a glance: Edinburgh → Fort William (1) → Portree, Skye (2) → Inverness (1) → Edinburgh. Includes the Mallaig–Armadale ferry; book vehicle space in advance for summer.
  1. Day 1: Edinburgh to Fort William via Glencoe. Via Stirling or the Falkirk Kelpies, Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor to Glencoe. Visitor centre and viewpoints, then Fort William.
    Driving about 3 hr 30 min; day 8 to 9 hours.
  2. Day 2: The Road to the Isles and the ferry to Skye. Glenfinnan (30 min), the beaches at Arisaig and Morar, Mallaig (45 min). Ferry to Armadale (about 45 min). Drive to Portree (1 hour) via Broadford and Sligachan.
    Driving about 2 hr 15 min plus ferry and waiting; day about 8 hours.
  3. Day 3: Trotternish, Skye. Early start for the Old Man of Storr (15 min, walk 1 hr 30 min to 2 hours). Kilt Rock, the Quiraing (short walk or longer loop), the Fairy Glen near Uig, back to Portree. If the weather is poor in the north, swap with the Fairy Pools or Dunvegan.
    Driving about 2 hours on single-track roads; day about 8 hours.
  4. Day 4: Skye to Inverness via Eilean Donan and Loch Ness. Over the Skye Bridge to Eilean Donan Castle (1 hr 15 min from Portree; check opening). Through Glen Shiel and along Loch Ness, stopping at Urquhart Castle (about 1 hr 45 min; book in summer). On to Inverness (30 min).
    Driving about 3 hr 30 min; day about 9 hours.
  5. Day 5: Inverness to Edinburgh. Culloden in the morning, then south on the A9 with stops in the Cairngorms and Pitlochry, reaching Edinburgh in the late afternoon.
    Driving about 3 hr 45 min; day about 9 hours.

Notes