10 Days in Scotland: The Ultimate Itinerary + My Best Tips

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The Best Itinerary for 10 days in Scotland

You’re planning to spend 10 days in Scotland and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you this 9, 10 or 11 days itinerary in Scotland.

During your trip, you will discover some of the country’s best places to visit such as Edinburgh, The Highlands, The Isle of Skye and Glasgow.

In addition to the must-see attractions for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, how to spend 10 days in Scotland?

Let’s find out!

1) Edinburgh (2 days)

For your 10 days trip to Scotland, you have the choice between landing in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

In my opinion the best is to arrive in Edinburgh and take your return flight from Glasgow. This will allow  allow you to visit the 2 main cities of the country, at the beginning and at the end of your trip.

If it’s more convenient for you (for the flights prices/schedules or the car rental for example), you can arrive and leave from the same city. Edinburgh and Glasgow are located within an hour of each other.

Once you arrive in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, pick up your rental car. Renting a car is clearly the best way to discover the country!

In order to pay the best price for your booking, you should use Rentalcars.com. I always use this website for 3 reasons:

  • You can compare rates from all car hire companies very easily and get the best price for a 10 day car hire in Scotland.
  • Opt for the “full protection” insurance to be fully refunded in case of an accident or theft. Tested and approved – they refunded me more than 1300€ in total!😎
  • Cancelling or modifying your booking is free.

You want to rent a car? If you already know your travel dates, you should compare rates and rent it now to get the best price (car rental prices only go up with time):

If you’re returning your car at a different airport than the one you’re arriving at, make sure to choose a rental company that doesn’t charge extra fees.

Now that you’ve got your car, let’s head to the center of Edinburgh for the first part of your 10-day trip to Scotland.

The city of Edinburgh is divided into two parts: you should start by discovering the medieval city (Old Town) on your first day, then devote your second day to visiting New Town, the contemporary part of the city.

Old Town district extends around the Royal Mile, the main street that runs from Edinburgh castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

You will first visit the famous Edinburgh Castle. Perched at the top of an ancient volcano, it offers great views over Edinburgh and the sea.

It will take you around 2 hours to visit the castle and discover the different rooms, objects and very interesting exhibitions. As it’s the most touristic monument in Scotland, you should really book your tickets online in advance here. You will save a lot of time!

After visiting the castle, walk down the Royal Mile, a beautiful cobbled street lined with medieval buildings. On either side of the avenue, don’t hesitate to explore the small alleyways and courtyards, they are really typical of this part of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Scotland
Edinburgh – Scotland

Throughout your walk along the Royal Mile you will discover several interesting monuments, including:

  • Saint Gile’s Cathedral
  • Canongate Kirk
  • The Real Mary King’s Close (this guided tour is amazing!)
  • Milne’s Court
  • Dunbar’s Close Garden
  • White Horse Close
  • Scottish Parliament House

There are also several free museums:

  • Museum of Edinburgh, about the history of the city
  • Writer’s Museum, dedicated to Scottish literature
  • The Museum of Childhood and its many old toys
  • The People’s Story, to learn more about the working-class people of Edinburgh from the 18th century to the present day.

At the very end of the Royal Mile, you will come across the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the second residence of The Queen and former home of Mary Stuart. The interior, gardens, abbey ruins and art galleries are worth a visit!

Just like for the castle, you should really book your ticket in advance here.

After your visit, you should really go to Arthur’s Seat hill. This corner of countryside in the heart of the city is located just behind the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

If you’re motivated, you can hike to the top of this ancient volcano (1h30-2h round trip) and enjoy a magnificent view over the city of Edinburgh.

For dinner, if you want to try something different, you can go to David Bann, a vegetarian restaurant on St Mary’s Street (remember to book in advance). I am not vegetarian and I loved it, the food was delicious!

After dinner, enjoy a digestive stroll through the lively Grassmarket district and along Candlemaker Row. This street will take you to the picturesque Greyfriars Cemetery, famous for being one of the most haunted in the world 👻.

To enjoy the visit and hear ghost stories, the best is to opt for a guided tour. They are organized every evening and need to be booked here.

Here a a few more ideas of things to do in Old Town:

  • Camera Obscura and World of Illusions: a very interesting museum about optical illusions. Located at the beginning of the Royal Mile, close to the castle. An great activity to do if you’re traveling to Scotland with you family! Tickets can be bought here.
  • Drink tea or have an English breakfast in a “so British” atmosphere at Clarinda’s Tearoom, located at the end of the Royal Mile at 69 Canongate Street (Good to know: it closes at 4.30pm).
  • Join a Ghost Tour: a guided tour focusing on the dark history of Edinburgh. The double-decker black bus will take you to some of the most haunted places in the city! Make sure you have a seat by booking it here now.

Voyage Tips - Advice

The best way to make the most of your visit to Edinburgh’s Old Town is to opt for a guided tour.

You will have the chance to learn more about the best historical sites of the city such as Edinburgh castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Parliament.

This guided tour of Edinburgh can be booked directly here:

St. Giles Cathedral Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s St. Giles Cathedral

 

For the second day of your 10-day tour in Scotland, you will visit New Town, the modern side of Edinburgh.

Built at the end of the 18th century, New Town is developed around 3 main streets: Princes Street, Queen Street and Georges Street. There, you will discover typical Georgian architecture, large and elegant squares, vast green spaces and pretty streets.

Here are the best places to see in New Town:

  • Princes Street Gardens: these beautiful gardens mark the border with Old Town. You can admire a superb panorama of the medieval city and relax on the large and well-tended lawns.
  • Charlotte Square, one of the prettiest areas of New Town. There, you can see the official residence of the Prime Minister (Bute House – No. 6) and visit a typical Georgian house (No. 7). You should also take the time to stroll through the charming streets of the neighborhood.
  • Calton Hill: located in the Regents Garden. Climb this small hill to enjoy a beautiful view over Old Town and the coast.
  • Visit one of the free national museums for a cultural break: the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and/or the Scottish National Gallery.
  • Dean Village: This former millers village is located 15-20 minute walk from the city center. Walking along the river in this quiet district is very pleasant!
  • The Royal Botanic Garden: here you can admire the largest collection of rhododendrons in the world. The 28 hectares of gardens feature several greenhouses, an arboretum, a Chinese garden, lots of flowers and even lovely squirrels.

Spend your last night in Edinburgh and get a good rest before hitting thee road the next morning.

To learn more about Edinburgh, you should read my detailed article: Top 20 things to do in Edinburgh.

Voyage Tips - Advice

To save money, you can purchase the Royal Edinburgh Ticket. It grants you access to the Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and a guided bus tour. Get it right here!

A quick note about parking: It’s important to know that most parkings in the city center are limited to 4 hours. There are also a few long term car parks, but they are quite expensive.

If you want a free parking space, you can try your luck at the Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Park or Murrayfield Stadium. You can also leave your car at a free park and ride outside the city and take the shuttle to the city center.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

  • Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel: Youth hostel located only 800 meters from the train station and Princes Street. Bed in a dormitory from 30€ per night, breakfast at 6€. Strong points: cleanliness, great location, friendly staff.
  • Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket: Located in the city centre, 10 minutes walk from the castle. Contemporary and elegant double room from 90€, breakfast included. Strong points: the very helpful staff, the spacious rooms, the very comfortable bed. It is my favorite for its amazing value for money!
  • Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh: Located on the historic Royal Mile Street, 10 minutes from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Chic and refined double room from 200€ per night, breakfast at 14€. Strong points: central location, spa, heated indoor swimming pool, gym, and the excellent breakfast!
  • Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh: 5 star hotel located on the Royal Mile, 600 meters away from the castle. This luxury hotel offers comfortable and elegant double rooms starting at 300€ per night, breakfast at 18€. Strong points: located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic centre, the interior design, very helpful staff, absolute comfort. This is the best hotel for a luxury stay in Edinburgh!
Hotel 5 étoiles à Edimbourg - Le Radisson Collection Hotel
5 star hotel in Edinburgh – The Radisson Collection Hotel

2) Scone Palace and going to the Highlands (1 day)

It’s time to start the 2nd part of your 10-day itinerary in Scotland!

Today, you will go to Perth and spend half a day at Scone Palace, a beautiful Georgian Gothic palace built in 1808 on a large estate by the Mansfield family. It’s located about an hour’s drive from Edinburgh.

Take your time to visit the interior of the castle and its rich collections: you will discover very beautiful objects and paintings. And if you have questions, a guide is present in each room to give you all the details about the history of this palace and its owners.

The visit takes around 1 hour.

Afterwards, walk through the superb gardens and discover the small chapel where many kings were crowned, a very beautiful collection of trees including huge Douglas pines, several vegetable gardens and greenhouses, a maze, a cemetery, a former prison… In spring, the rhododendron beds in the park are also very nice.

After your visit, let’s continue your 10 days road trip in Scotland and head towards the Highlands, one of the most beautiful and wildest regions of Scotland. You will spend the next 3 days there!

By car, it will take you about 3 hours to reach Fort William.

Once there, take advantage of the rest of the day to explore the surroundings and spend your 1st night in Fort William.

Voyage Tips - Advice

To experience the Scottish nightlife, you should spend the evening in a pub! The Grog & Gruel is one of the best in Fort William and you can also dine there. A great place to try typical Scottish dishes 😄.

Where to stay in Fort William

  • Fort William Backpackers: Located in the center of Fort William. Bed in a dormitory from 22€. Strong points: the atmosphere, the welcome, the location. The best choice for backpackers!
  • Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club: Located 1.5 km from Fort William. Scottish style double room starting at 100€/night with breakfast included. Strong points: indoor heated swimming pool, the free parking, the breakfast.
  • Nevis Bank Inn: Located on the banks of Nevis river, 10 minutes away from Fort William’s town center. Large double room from 190€, breakfast included. Strong points: pleasant staff, very clean and a good restaurant.
  • Inverlochy Castle Hotel: 5-star hotel located 6 km away from Fort William. The place is actually a small castle that offers double rooms with a view on the gardens and the peak of Glen Nevis. Prices start at 550€ breakfast included. Strong points: the extraordinary setting, the amazing breakfast and the wonderful staff. The best choice for a luxury trip to the Highlands!
Scone palace Scotland
The Scone Palace

3) Glenfinnan and Fort William (1 day)

This morning, you will leave Fort William and head to Steall Falls, located 20 minutes drive away.

Park your car and go for a short hike to get a good grasp of the Highlands countryside: hills, waterfalls, sheep, cows and moors as far as the eye can see! And if it’s foggy and rainy, no problem: it just makes this walk is even more authentic.

After the hike, drive to Glenfinnan, about 30 minutes from Fort William. Glenfinnan is especially famous among Harry Potter’s fan, as a few scenes of the movies were shot here.

In Glenfinann, you can see:

  • The famous 21-arch viaduct that everyone comes to admire. This bridge is featured in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” movie, on a scene with the Hogwarts Express. From Glenfinann Visitor Centre, you can access a viewpoint offering a great view of the viaduct. Twice a day (in the morning around 10.30am and in the afternoon around 3pm), the Jacobite Express (Hogwarts Express real life counterpart, a steam train traveling from Fort William to Mallaig) passes by the viaduct, with many fans of the J.K. Rowling saga watching in amazement. It feels a bit like being in the movie!
  • The Glenfinnan Monument: a statue erected at the top of a tower located on the edge of Loch Shiel, in memory of an ancient battle against the English. You can climb to the top of the tower (with a guide) to admire a beautiful view over the loch and the hills.
  • The Glenfinnan Church: a charming small Gothic church overlooking Loch Shiel. Very photogenic.
  • Glenfinnan Station Museum: this tiny museum is located in the restored ancient train station.There, you will learn more about the viaduct and the history of Scottish railways.
  • Glenfinnan Visitor Centre Walks: 45 minutes to 1 hour long, nice loops through the hills, perfect to enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Spend a second night in Fort William.

To learn everything about the best places to visit in the Highlands, you should read my detailed article: Top 20 things to do in the Highlands.

glenfinnan ecosse
Glenfinnan, Scotland

4) Glencoe Valley (1 day)

For the 5th day of your 9-10 day trip to Scotland, you will discover Glencoe Valley, characterized by high mountains and many small waterfalls. It’s one of the most beautiful place to visit in the Highlands!

In the morning, head to Glencoe, a pretty village in the heart of the valley located less than 30 minutes drive from Fort William.

From Glencoe, you can do short hikes on the Lochan Trails. These 1-hour easy forest walks are a great way to get a glimpse of the region! They start from the end of the main street, close to the war memorial.

If you’re motivated, you can also do the Pap of Glencoe hike. This superb 4-hour round trip hike will take you through breathtaking scenery up to the top of the Pap of Glencoe mountain.

The ascent is not very difficult (anyone in decent physical shape can do it), but you should still bring good shoes as it’s quite a climb. At the top, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view over the valley and loch Leven. It’s really worth the effort, it’s in my opinion one of the most beautiful hikes in Scotland!

A few other hikes to do in Glencoe:

  • The Signal Rock hike. It starts close to Glencoe Visitor Centre. This beautiful 45 minutes round trip walk takes you to the top of Signal Rock hill.
  • The Lost Valley Trek starts about 9 km from Glencoe. This hike takes around 3 hours round trip.

If you have some time left at the end of the day, you can go to Castle Stalker, located on the way to Port Appin. This small medieval castle built on an island in the middle of Loch Linnhe seems to come straight out of a fairy tale!

To visit the castle, you will need to book in advance as it can only be reached by boat. But to be honest, it’s just as pleasant to look at it from the shore and take a few nice pictures.

Spend another night in Fort William.

Glencoe Scotland
Glencoe Valley, Scotland

5) Loch Ness (1 day)

You can’t visit Scotland in 10 days without going to the Loch Ness!

Famous all over the world thanks to the legend of Nessie, it’s the second largest loch in the country with its 30 kilometers in length. The Loch Ness is located between Inverness (the capital of the Highlands, in the north) and Fort Augustus (in the south).

In the morning, you will head to Fort Augustus (about 50 minutes drive from Fort William). This pretty village built on the edge of Loch Ness will be the first stop of your day!

You can start with a Loch Ness cruise: go to the Loch Ness Cruise desk on the canal (opposite the locks) and book yours for around £20 per person.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a cruise on a big boat or a speedboat.

Have lunch at Fort Augustus and then go to Drumnadrochit. The road going there goes along the loch and offers a great scenery! It will take you about 40 minutes to reach the village.

Once you arrive, you can visit the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre to learn more about the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, enjoy the pretty terraces in the center and go for a pleasant walk.

While you’re in Drumnadrochit, you should really visit Urquhart Castle, located just outside the village.

This ruined medieval castle built on the edge of the loch offers magnificent viewpoints. The visit is very interesting, and if you’re lucky enough to be there on a (relatively) sunny day, it’s simply magical!

If you want to save money, the best is clearly to opt for a combined ticket: Loch Ness cruise + visit to Urquhart Castle. It costs only €25 per person and includes a one hour boat trip plus a visit to the castle. You need to book it using the button below:

At the end of the afternoon, if you still have time and don’t mind the extra driving time, you should continue your journey around Loch Ness and go towards Inverness. You can make a stop there if you want, but it’s “just a medium sized city”.

Then, take the road back to Fort William.

This time, you will drive on the east bank of Loch Ness. You will pass by the village of Dores and its small pebble beach offering a beautiful view over the entire length of the loch.

In Dores, you might meet Steve Feltham, a monster hunter who has been living in this village since 1991. He tirelessly pursues his quest to find Nessie and sells small clay figurines to finance his researches!

Spend a last night in Fort William, as it’s quite convenient to go to the port of Mallaig from there on the next morning.

Loch Ness Scotland
The Loch Ness – Scotland

6) the Isle of Skye (2 days)

Let’s continue your 10-day itinerary in Scotland, and head to the magnificent Isle of Skye.

There are a lot of amazing places to visit, and 2 days will give you a good grasp of this beautiful island.

You can reach the Isle of Skye by ferry boat from Mallaig harbour or by car via the Skye bridge (close to Kyle of Lochalsh town).

Personally, I preferred to go there by boat from Mallaig (about 40 minutes). The round trip costs £6 per pedestrian and £20 per car. There are 9 crossings per day. You should take one of the first ones in the morning to spend as much time as possible on the island!

Once arrived on Skye, you should start by discovering the south-west of the island.

Drive to Sligachan and enjoy the wild and beautiful scenery along the way. Make a short stop at Sligachan’s beautiful stone bridge crossing river: It’s really worth a picture, with the magnificent Cuillin Hills mountain range in the background.

About 20 minutes drive away, don’t miss the Fairy Pools, an exceptional site located in the heart of the Cuillin Hills. From the Fairy Pools car park, you will need to walk about 30 minutes to reach this succession of small waterfalls flowing into a translucent pool.

Under the sunshine, the Fairy Pools look like tropical waters! This is really the perfect place for a picnic.

After lunch, if you wish to, you can keep exploring the Cuillin Hills for a bit: their landscapes are among the most beautiful on the island.

Then you can head to Dunvegan, where you can visit Dunvegan Castle and its garden (£14 ) and/or go on a boat trip to meet the seals (£7).

And if you have the time, you should really go to Neist Point: it’s the best place to admire the sunset on the Isle of Skye.

At the end of the day, drive back to Portree (30 minutes) and spend the night there.

Isle of Skye Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools, on the Isle of Skye

On the next morning, after a good night of sleep, it’s time to go discover the north-eastern coast of the Isle of Skye.

Leave Portree early in the morning and take the A 855 road along the coast.

Your first stop will be the Old Man of Storr, a 50 meter tall rock located on the Trotternish ridge, 10 km from Portree.

You can admire it from the road or Park your car at the car park (well indicated) and do a 2 hours roundtrip hike to reach the foot of the rock. During the walk, you will enjoy great views over the Trotternish peninsula.

After this hike, get back to your car and drive for about 15 kilometers to reach Kilt Rock waterfall. This 60-metre tall waterfall flows straight into the sea! (I must however warn you that the place is extremely touristic: you will for sure not be alone there.)

You will now drive north to Quiraing and its mountain range covered with moorland and peat bogs. There you can take a beautiful walk and discover superb panoramas over Staffin Bay.

Continue on the road until you reach the ruins of Duntulm Castle. In this mystical setting, take the time to soak up the beauty of the place and take a few nice pictures!

Then stop at the Skye Museum of Island Life, where you can visit several 19th- and 20th-century Scottish cottages. The visit will allow you to learn more about the modest daily life of the island’s inhabitants in the past (admission is only £2.5 per person).

After this second amazing day on the Isle of Skye, go back to Portree where you will spend your last night before leaving the island the next morning.

If you want more information about the Isle of Skye, you can read my detailed article: The 20 best things to do on the Isle of Skye.

Where to stay on the Isle of Skye?

The Isle of Skye being very touristic, I strongly advise you to book your accommodation as early as possible. Here are those offering the best value for money!

  • Portree Youth Hostel: Youth hostel located in the center of Portree. Dormitory bed from 23€. Strong points: ideal location, cleanliness, staff. The best Youth Hostel of the island!
  • Sky Lodges: Located at 2.9 km from Portree. You will stay in small, well-equipped and tastefully decorated wooden chalets starting at 130€ per night. Strong points: the ecological concept, the modern facilities, the cleanliness.
  • Cuillin Hills Hotel: Located in a 6 hectare estate facing the bay of Portree. Double room with traditional decoration from 210€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the magnificent view, the succulent meals, the charming staff. My favorite hotel for its excellent location on the Isle of Skye!
  • Skeabost House Hotel: Located on Loch Snizort, in Portree. Very cosy double room with view on the park or Loch from 270€, breakfast included. Strong points: the superb view, the comfort of the rooms, the very warm atmosphere, the golf course. This is my recommendation for a romantic stay on the Isle of Skye!
ile de Skye
Nest Point – The Isle of Skye

7) Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (1 day)

For the seventh stage of your 9-10 day itinerary in Scotland, you will discover Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Large lochs, moorlands as far as the eye can see, mountains and forest parks, nature lovers will for sure be delighted! As the Trossachs National park is quite big and you just have one day, you will have to focus on a small part of the park.

To make the most of this day, you should:

  • Go to the village of Killin (2h30 drive from Mallaig) and spend a bit of time there. Killin is very pretty and you will be able to have lunch in front of the beautiful Dochart waterfalls, located in the village.
  • Head to Tarbet. In this village located on the edge of Loch Lomond you will have the opportunity to take a cruise on the loch.
  • Then, you can go to the town of Balmaha (about 40 minutes drive from Tarbet). It’s the starting point of an amazing 2h30 round trip hike that takes you to the top of Conic Hill. The view from up there is the best in the region!
  • If you still have time after the hike, you can visit Stirling Castle (tickets need to be bought here) or simply admire it from the outside. And while you’re there, Doune Castle isn’t too far and is also worth a look.

In the evening, head back to Glasgow (less than an hour’s drive from Balmaha) and spend the night there. You will find my selection of the best hotels in Glasgow depending on your budget at the end of stage 8.

loch lomond trossachs parc ecosse
Loch Lomond

8) Glasgow (1 day)

This is already the eighth and last leg of your 10-day trip to Scotland! For this last day, you should stay in Glasgow and discover the city at your own pace before taking your return flight in the evening or the next morning.

Less touristic than Edinburgh, Glasgow, also known as the “city of architecture and design”, is very pleasant to visit and one day is enough to discover its must see attractions.

Let’s start from the beautiful Princes Square Shopping Centre, located on Buchanan Street in the city center. Next to it, you can find the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), a free museum that will delight modern art lovers!

Continue along Queen Street to arrive on Georges Square, the city’s main square.

Here you can admire several statues of historical figures, as well as the Glasgow City Chambers (City Hall) with its remarkable renaissance architecture. It’s one of the most touristic places in Glasgow.

Then you can head to Merchant City, where you’ll find the tiny Glasgow Police Museum, about Scottish police history. Admission to the museum is free and the tour just takes around one hour.

After the visit, continue your walk and go to Tolbooth Steeple, located at the crossroads of London Road, Gallowgate, Saltmarket, High Street and Trongat. Also named Glasgow Cross, this junction is the historic center of the medieval city.

Take a stroll around the area then head south on Saltmarket street to reach Glasgow Green, the city’s largest park. If you’re lucky enough to be there on a sunny day, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a picnic!

After lunch, head to St Mungo’s Cathedral, featuring magnificent Gothic architecture. It’s one of Glasgow’s must-see monuments.

Don’t miss the Necropolis, the cathedral’s Victorian cemetery located on the nearby hill. This monumental cemetery is the perfect place to enjoy a nice view over the cathedral and the city.

glasgow city chambers
Glasgow City Chambers

Head to Buchanan Street for a bit of shopping or a simple stroll down this large pedestrian avenue, amidst the many shops and street performers.

Then take the subway at Buchanan Street station and get off at Hillhead Street, from where you can walk to Glasgow University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

The university is an architectural masterpiece: its neogothic architecture will take you centuries back in time. Harry Potter fans among you will love it: during your visit, you might even think you’re at Hogwarts!

You can take a guided tour or explore some of the buildings, courtyards and very interesting museums free of charge.

After visiting the university, you can to Kelvingrove Park  located nearby. There, you can visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This free museum will allow you to discover one of the richest collections of civic art in Europe.

If you still have time, you can visit the Hunterian Art Gallery, located right next to the university. And if you prefer to take walk or enjoy a drink, you can go to Ashton Lane, a lovely and picturesque cobbled street featuring a few cafes and restaurants.

If your flight takes of the next morning, make the most of your last evening in Scotland and immerse yourself in Glasgow’s vibrant nightlife. This is the perfect way to end your 9-10-day trip in Scotland in a festive atmosphere!

To learn more about the best things to do in Glasgow, you should read my article: The 20 best things to do in Glasgow.

Voyage Tips - Advice

If your road trip in Scotland only lasts 9 days, you should remove stage 7: Loch Lomond and go directly to Glasgow from Mallaig.

Where to stay in Glasgow

  • The Z Hotel Glasgow: Located next to George Square, in the city center. Comfortable double room from €55 per night, breakfast at €9. Strong points: the location in the centre, aperitif offered every evening between 17:00 and 20:00 with wine, cheese and cold meats + the very welcoming staff. The best choice for a budget stay in Glasgow!
  • Motel One Glasgow: Located 10 minutes walk from George Square and 200 meters from Buchanan Street. Beautiful double room starting from €95, breakfast from €11. Strong points: the setting, the location, the decoration, the competent staff. My favourite hotel for its exceptional value for money!
  • citizenM Glasgow: Located 10 minutes walk from George Square. Elegant, modern and bright double room with large bay windows from 105€, breakfast 14€. Strong points: the design and style of the hotel, the kindness of the staff, the good breakfast.
  • Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow: Located 5 minutes from the Museum of Modern Art and 700 from George Square. Spacious and quiet double room with comfortable bedding from €160, breakfast at €19. Strong points: very good breakfast, helpful staff, location.
  • Blythswood Square: 5 star hotel located in Glasgow city centre. Very spacious and comfortable double room from 250€ per night, breakfast at 14€. Strong points: free access to the Spa at certain times, comfort, discretion of the staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Glasgow!

And you, what do you plan to visit during your 10-day tour of Scotland?

If you need help to plan your trip to Scotland, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section below. I will be glad to help you!

Scotland Tours: 10 days

On Voyagetips.com, I give you all my best tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Scotland by yourself. (All my Scotland travel guides are here)

However, if you prefer to book a 10-day Scotland tour with a travel agency, I recommend you to check the 10 best Scotland tours by clicking the button below:

Book your trip now and save money!

Scotland travel Guides

You’re traveling to Scotland? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Scotland: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Scotland are listed there.

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10 days in Scotland
10 days in Scotland
Anonymous

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

Discussion4 Comments

  1. Luke

    Hi Vincent,

    We’d like a bit of advice. We’re planning our honeymoon in Scotland. So far we’ve booked flights into and out of Edinburgh from 2-16 July. We’re quite interested in the Highlands but are trying to decide between a guided multi-day tour or renting a car and doing it alone. What do you think?

    I like the idea of a tour where I just relax instead of having to drive, but many tours only cover 5-8 days leaving us with about a week to kill in Edinburgh. And we’re trying to keep costs reasonably low since already the Ryanair flights from our home country Malta cost €1350 for the two of us (and are currently available for €1050 on the same dates – goes to show that early booking might work against you these days!)

    • Vincent
      Vincent

      Hello Luke,

      First of all, congratulations!

      For your itinerary in Scotland, if you want to be careful with the prices since you already paid quite expensive plane tickets, you should compare the costs between the car rental and the tour with guide/driver you are interested in.
      I have just looked and on Rentalcars.com., and for the 2nd of July to the 16th, the cheapest car for rent is already at 1400€…
      And I can assure you that it will only go up, as most cars are probably already booked.

      Of course, you also have to add the price of accommodation before comparing to the organized tour, and it probably won’t be cheap either.

      About Edinburgh, there are many places to visit, so I think you can spend 4 or 5 days there on your own and not get bored.
      You can read this article for more info about the city: The 20 best things to do in Edinburgh.

      For the rest of your stay, you can then maybe opt for a tour to visit the Highlands and the Isle of Skye over 8 days (or do it by yourself, if it ends up being a lot cheaper)

      In any case, enjoy your trip to Scotland!

  2. Luke

    Hi Vincent,

    Thanks for that. For some reason I didn’t get an email notification of your reply. I got the same thing from rental cars.com but I managed to find cars for £550 from some remote locations of Arnold Clark near Glasgow. Of course getting to them will be a bit more of a challenge than booking it from the airport, but being 1/3rd the price is worth it.

    I read that there are ticks and biting insects in the Highlands – is that a big concern? Should we wear insect repellent?

    Regards,
    Luke

    • Vincent
      Vincent

      Hello Luke,

      You’re welcome!
      Yes, it looks like a good deal on the rental car.

      Yes, there’s a special kind of mosquito in Scotland called “midges”. There are a lot of them in some places (especially in the Highlands) and their bites are very itchy (some people can be allergic too).

      The Scots advise buying a repellent called “Smidge”. You can find it everywhere in Scotland.
      And some people also opt for a net to wear over their head and protect the rest of their body with long, light-coloured clothes.

      There is even a website where you can see where they are most common. Here is the link: Midge Forecast.

      Have a nice day,

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