11 days in Scottish Highlands Itinerary

Inverness, often described as the Gateway to the Highlands, is a thriving commercial and industrial center.

Visiting RZSS Highland Wildlife Park and Cairngorm Reindeer Centre will get you outdoors. For shopping fun, head to Clog and Craft Shop or Whisky Shop. Get out of town with these interesting Inverness side-trips: The Carnegie Whisky Cellars (in Dornoch), Pandora's Emporium (in Brora) and Iceberg Glass (in Fort Augustus). And it doesn't end there: explore the historical opulence of Urquhart Castle, look for gifts at Caledonian Gifts and Souvenirs, pause for some serene contemplation at Nigg Old Church, and make a trip to Culloden Battlefield.

For ratings, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Inverness trip itinerary builder website.

Valletta, Malta to Inverness is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of bus and train. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Valletta to Inverness due to the time zone difference. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Valletta in January, with highs in Inverness at 7°C and lows at 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Shieldaig.

Shieldaig is a village in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland.The village was founded in 1800 with a view to training up seamen for war against Napoleon. Start off your visit on the 15th (Tue): take in the awesome beauty at Glen Torridon and then look for gifts at The Lochcarron Weavers Shop. On the 16th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: step into the grandiose world of Eilean Donan Castle, stop by All The Goodness Coffee & Bakeshop, and then kick back and relax at Red Point Beach.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read our Shieldaig vacation planner.

You can drive from Inverness to Shieldaig in 2 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 8°C, and evening lows to 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) early enough to drive to Ullapool.

Ullapool is a village of around 1,500 inhabitants in Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands. Start off your visit on the 17th (Thu): take in the awesome beauty at Stac Pollaidh Mountain, stop by Lael Crafts Gallery and coffee stop, then look for gifts at Made in Ullapool, then stop by The Captain's Cabin, and finally take in the exciting artwork at RhueArt.

To find other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Ullapool vacation planner.

Getting from Shieldaig to Ullapool by car takes about 2 hours. In January, daytime highs in Ullapool are 7°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can go by car to Durness.

Durness is a village and civil parish in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. Start off your visit on the 18th (Fri): stroll through Oldshoremore Beach, stroll through Scourie Bay, then delve into the distant past at Dun Dornaigil Broch, and finally view the masterpieces at Lotte Glob. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: kick back and relax at Polin Beach and then explore the historical opulence of Castle Varrich.

To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Durness online tour itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Ullapool to Durness takes 2 hours. January in Durness sees daily highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) to allow time to drive to John O'Groats.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sun): enjoy the sea views from Holburn Head Lighthouse, contemplate the long history of Grey Cairns of Camster, then don't miss a visit to Whaligoe Steps, and finally get great views at Duncansby Head.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our John O'Groats online holiday builder.

Traveling by car from Durness to John O'Groats takes 2.5 hours. In January in John O'Groats, expect temperatures between 7°C during the day and 1°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 21st (Mon) before leaving for home.