20 days in Scotland Itinerary

World Heritage-listed Edinburgh combines ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse. Step out of the city life by going to Arthur's Seat and The Marshmallow Lady. There's much more to do: browse the exhibits of Royal Yacht Britannia, stop by Kinloch Anderson, steep yourself in history at Real Mary King's Close, and explore the wide array of goods at Jenners.

For photos, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Edinburgh trip site .

London to Edinburgh is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from London in August, with highs in Edinburgh at 21°C and lows at 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Glencoe.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): look for all kinds of wild species at Highland Titles Nature Reserve, look for gifts at Highland Soaps, and then make a trip to Lime Tree An Ealdhain Gallery. Here are some ideas for day two: kick back and relax at Camusdarach Beach, stop by Ardshealach Smokehouse & Fine Foods, and then look for gifts at Woodland Pottery.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, read Glencoe online vacation planner .

Traveling by car from Edinburgh to Glencoe takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 21°C, and evening lows to 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) early enough to travel to Gairloch.

Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross, in the North-West Highlands of Scotland. On the 11th (Sat), stop by Perfume Studio, look for gifts at Treasure Chest, then look for all kinds of wild species at Shieldaig Falconry, and finally trek along Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.

To see maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Gairloch road trip planning website .

Traveling by car from Glencoe to Gairloch takes 3.5 hours. In August in Gairloch, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 11°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to travel to Lochinver.

Lochinver is a village on the coast in the Assynt district of Sutherland, Highland, Scotland. Kick off your visit on the 12th (Sun): look for all kinds of wild species at Little Assynt Estate, look for gifts at Achins Bookshop, then view the masterpieces at An Talla Solais, then look for gifts at The Captain's Cabin, and finally look for gifts at Made in Ullapool. On the 13th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: kick back and relax at Achmelvich Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Scourie Bay, then look for gifts at The Culkein Store, and finally look for gifts at Highland Stoneware, Baddidarroch.

To see reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Lochinver vacation planner .

Drive from Gairloch to Lochinver in 2.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 19°C in August, and nighttime lows around 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Durness.

Durness is a village and civil parish in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. Get in touch with nature at Durness Beach and Sango Bay. Change things up with a short trip to Sandwood Bay Beach in Kinlochbervie (about 32 minutes away). There's lots more to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Balnakeil Beach, enjoy the sand and surf at Balnakeil Bay, Head underground at Smoo Cave, and view the masterpieces at Lotte Glob.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Durness tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Lochinver to Durness in 1.5 hours. In August, daytime highs in Durness are 20°C, while nighttime lows are 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) early enough to travel to Dornoch.

Dornoch is a town and seaside resort, and former Royal burgh in the Highlands of Scotland. Kick off your visit on the 17th (Fri): stop by Coast Candle Co., look for gifts at The Dornoch Bookshop, look for gifts at The Carnegie Whisky Cellars, stop by Simply The Best Fair Trade Shop, then stop by Orcadian Stone Exhibition and gift shop, and finally look for gifts at Pandora's Emporium. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Sat): stop by The Cheese House, then stop by The Emporium Bookshop, and then kick back and relax at Dornoch Beach.

For reviews, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read Dornoch vacation maker .

Getting from Durness to Dornoch by car takes about 2 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can travel to Inverness.

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

Get in touch with nature at Aigas Field Centre and Caley Cruises. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at The Potting Shed Tearoom Inshriach and Castle Gallery. Change things up with these side-trips from Inverness: RZSS Highland Wildlife Park (in Kingussie), Embrace Gift Shop (in Strathpeffer) and Mountain Spirit (in Aviemore). There's lots more to do: look for gifts at Cheese [email protected] Connage, identify plant and animal life at Loch Garten Nature Reserve, pick up a one of a kind souvenir at Picaresque Books, and get answers to all your questions at Culloden Battlefield.

To find reviews, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Inverness planner .

Drive from Dornoch to Inverness in an hour. In August in Inverness, expect temperatures between 21°C during the day and 10°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.